Saturday, December 7th 2024 - Pleasant Grove, UT
Cinderfade
The Cinderfade Story
Long ago, in the ancient land of Mykeria, when the oldest trees were still young saplings and the wisest elves yet to be born, the elves were proud and self-centered, believing themselves to be the pinnacle of creation. Their arrogance peaked when they began to carve into the sacred Godtree, Sylvanos. So consumed were they with laughter and self-praise that they ignored the tree’s cries for mercy. Enraged by the elves' hubris, the gods unleashed their wrath upon Mykeria, setting the entire forest ablaze. The majestic woods, which had flourished for centuries, were turned to cinders within just six days, leaving the elves to confront the stark reality of their destruction.
With the forest in ruins, a sorrowful chill settled over the land, heralding the first snowfall, born from the ash of the burned trees. Divided by the harsh new reality, the elves formed two factions: the Ashwrought, who prioritized survival by hoarding resources, and the Oakborne, who believed in cultivating what little remained to revive their homeland. Tensions mounted as skirmishes erupted over vital supplies such as food and timber, sparking an intense conflict that culminated on the seventh day. Each group clung to their ideology—either to protect the remnants or to restore the beauty of Mykeria.
However, as the days passed, hope flickered back to life. On the eighth day, the Ashwrought discovered a surviving maple tree, whose sap provided nourishment. The Oakborne, on the ninth day, found acorns at a resilient oak, while on the tenth day, a dead spruce adorned with Mykerian Mistletoe offered sustenance yet again. By the eleventh day, an aspen sucker was uncovered, a living testament to the resilience of nature. Yet, when the Ashwrought and Oakborne confronted each other at the roots of the blackened Sylvanos on the twelfth day, they found themselves ready to clash once more.
Ley Mireille (left) and Penny McCloud (right) telling the story of the first Cinderfade.
Just as tensions peaked, fae creatures emerged from the thickets—whisps, faeries, and dryads called for a ceasefire. They urged the elves to see that their blind pride had not only led to their own downfall but had also devastated the homes of countless other beings within the forest.
This realization warmed the elves' hearts, prompting them to work together. They collected the forest’s remnants—the delicious maple syrup, acorns, mistletoe berries, and aspen leaves—and offered them at the foot of Sylvanos. With the assistance of the fae's magic, the elves restored the Godtree, and on the morning of the thirteenth day, Sylvanos crowned itself once more with new leaves as spring began to thaw the winter’s grasp.
To this day, the Elves of Mykeria revel in a temperate climate, shielded from harsh winters by the awakened forest. However, the gentle snowfall that occasionally coats the ground serves as a reminder of their past arrogance and their need for unity. The Cinderfade Festival evolved from this pivotal moment, commemorating the passing of the great fire and the renewal of the earth. Cinderfade is a time of humility, reflection, and connection—it’s an occasion to celebrate unity among families and friends, fostering amends for past grievances.
Through Cinderfade, the Elves of Mykeria honor their history, emphasizing the lessons learned from their past while celebrating the love and camaraderie that ultimately restored their beloved forest.
Two World Walkers enjoying the festivities by learning a classic contra dance.
Traditions from the festival celebrate the elves' resilience and their ties to nature. Maple syrup and mistletoe berry drinks, reminiscent of earth’s wassail, are staples at Cinderfade feasts. Though bread made from acorn flour represents the precious resources of the forest, younger generations often opt for more palatable options. A unique tradition during the festival involves the creation of the Godtree Shawl, which is woven from the leaves of oak, maple, spruce, mistletoe, and aspen. This mantle is awarded to the “Chosen of Sylvanos,” typically selected through a spirited competition full of games and playful rivalries, where each side symbolizes either the Ashwrought or the Oakborne. The non-participating elves often volunteer as "faeries" to ensure fairness in the playful contests.
A special thank you to our hosts
- Eve & Fae and Lunar Galas -
for putting on this amazing event and helping us bring just a little bit of magic into this world.
2024
THE CINDERFADE FESTIVAL
The Ashwroughts
The Oakbornes
Every year, the Elves of Mykeria gather from across Miscuri to celebrate Cinderfade, honoring the memory of the Great Fire. This year, however, the festival took an unexpected turn when a portal opened in the heart of Mykeria, bringing World Walkers from various realms to experience the celebration for the first time. Prepared, thanks to reports from The Academy about the discovery of functional portal magic in Draile, the elves quickly befriended the newcomers and fostered a spirit of unity.
Yet, amidst the festivities, chaos brewed, sparked by Hao, the festival's notorious prankster. While Ley and Penny recounted the tale of the first Cinderfade, Hao executed his audacious scheme by sneaking away the revered Godshawl from its ancient chest. As Penny reached in to reveal the artifact, shock rippled through the crowd when she discovered it missing. Hao, owning up to the playful crime, soon faced an unexpected complication: Lot, his unwitting accomplice, had misinterpreted his playful instructions to “get rid of it,” and ignited the shawl in the fireplace. In a panic, Hao concocted a story claiming it had simply been sent to the cleaners, hoping to buy time as Noa, the event’s organizer, begrudgingly allowed festivities to proceed.
Adelina informing Hao and Lot that she can remake the Godtree Shawl, but only with the help of everyone at the festival.
Obi (center) performing a traditional dance with his beloved and dear friend, Tobi the Chicken.
Ley Mireille (left) and Penny McCloud (right) greeting a pair of World Walkers and explaining the classic Cinderfade traditions and games.
Overwhelmed, Hao and Lot sought help from Adelina, a Starflower Pixie and member of Mykeria’s Fae. Utilizing her knowledge of the Godshawl, Adelina devised a collaborative plan requiring attendees to contribute materials from their activities to recreate the shawl before the climactic battle between representatives of the Ashwroughts and Oakbornes—Dal and Cad, respectively. As participants pooled their resources, the atmosphere shifted from tension to camaraderie, exemplifying the festival's spirit. Undeterred by the mishap, Hao continued entertaining the crowd with more lighthearted pranks.
Noa Verelli (left) chewing out Hao (right) for “sending the shawl out to the cleaners” on the day of the festival.
Excitement buzzed as Adelina and Obi successfully gathered enough support to establish “Pinecone Chucking,” a new tradition rooted in Obi's family legacy in Lorengard. With the promise of its inclusion in next year's celebrations, anticipation for the future grew among the attendees. As the festival neared its conclusion, the trio of Hao, Lot, and Adelina worked fervently, channeling their magic and collective effort to recreate the Godshawl. When Adelina revealed the revitalized shawl, they raced to the front to deposit the chest by Penny, just in time for the final storytelling phase.
Lot (left) watching as Cad “Oak” (right) shows the crowd outside how the Elves of Mykeria dance during Cinderfade.
As Ley guided the crowd through the tale of Cinderfade once more, Penny eagerly uncovered the beautifully crafted shawl from the chest. With this token of unity in hand, the festival transitioned into the tense atmosphere of the final match between Dal and Cad. In a fierce but symbolic fight, Cad emerged victorious, earning the title of “Chosen of Sylvanos.” The spirit of competition and celebration culminated in an exhilarating final score that saw the Oakbornes narrowly defeat the Ashwroughts by a thrilling margin of 28 to 27. Thus, Cinderfade not only honored the past but also embraced unity, mischief, and the bonds formed among the elves and their newfound friends.
Penny McCloud watching the World Walkers dancing, unaware of the plot that was unfolding right behind her.
Cad “Oak” (left) in a fierce battle with Dal “Ash” Faldura (right) over the title of the “Chosen of Sylvanos”.
Cad “Oak” (left) celebrating the Oakborne victory for this year’s Cinderfade and winning his very own Godtree Shawl.
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