R is for Rabbit

Rabbits, rams, fowls- Mascots of the Moot

Halflings have a calendar filled with special days. Being related to the gods, the ancestors or more likely food. Two of these are the pretext of festin and parade. The first one occurs at the beginning of spring, on the 14th Plufgzeit (3rd month), it is simple pie day. Not to be mixed with pie week occurring in the first week of Erntezeit (8th month). Simple pie day symbolized a poor pie when winter reserve are all gone. It’s a moment of sadness, a ritual to eat a small and very light pie before feasting without limits about that tradition. The second day occurs on 28th Vorgeheim (6th month) and is called double pie day or tau day. On that day double decked pie are eaten as a reminder of what happen during the pie week. On both days, halfling family, clan or guild parade in the street of the city they are living in. Festivities involve singing, parade, jousting and animal contest. Of course halfling aren’t doing those as any imperials would.

Parades are always lead by the mascot of the clan, family, military unit or guild. The animal is always part of the name or symbols of the group. Let it be a rabbit, a ram, a fowl, a dog, a pony, a sheep, a goat, a goose. Animals are always groomed, hair braided and decorated with colorful ribbons and bells. Some rich families or guilds would even equip the animal with precious collar, necklace or just their tool of trade like chef hat or cooking pot. At the end of parade,between one of the many main courses, the eldest and wisest of the different groups form a jury for animal contest. They will elect the most beautiful animals of the day in several categories based on the weight, size, race, etc. Following the halfling tradition, every single animals win a prize. Imperial think that it is a sign of weakness to avoid conflict. They miss the point, every prize is the pretext for a new round of drinks and snacks.

Places with a large population of halflings also have single and double pie day jousting. They involve races and acrobatics while riding rams, goats and mastiffs. The winner and its mount have a drink, the other a snack. After several races all bipeds and quadrupeds are either drunk or unable to move. The jousting tradition is also open for the children, they ride mounts requiring less ability. Like the giant rabbit or the ponies of the Moot. It again is a pretext for betting rounds and have a good time looking at these poor kids and animals doing obstacle races.

-JMT

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