Twilight Carnival
Holidays

Twilight Carnival
The evening air may be brisk, but the warmth of the Twilight Carnival calls all out for celebration and fun! Taking a stroll down one of the many streets of downtown, you'll find busting market shops decorated in the traditional harvest colors and adorned with spectacle artwork in the form of eye-catching Lantern Fruit carvings.
Food:
Gifts:
Costumes:
A hollowed-out Lantern Fruit adorned with carved constellations that emit a soft glow. The tradition of carving these gourds was created when the Korso and Haddu worked together during the war. The Korso showed the Haddu how to light the way with the fruit's glow, while the Haddu showed the Korso how to carve star maps into the fruit. Today carvings are considered decorational.
Gourds are hollowed out, dried, and fashioned into wind chimes in every size and shape. Their woody texture creates a pleasant, hearty, noise when they clack together and they bring a beautiful aesthetic as decoration throughout the carnival or at home. Alurizians who enjoy the sound tend to hang them year-round.
On the conclusion of the holiday, Alurizans will drape the garlands around trees in forests and cities to provide food and shelter for local animals; while any remnants will decompose and provide fertilizer for the land. These garlands celebrate the idea of Root Logic through their foraged ornaments that eventually return to the earth. It serves as a reminder to Alurizans both young and old that respecting the land is of utmost importance.
Many gifts are given during the Twilight Carnival. Most gifts are hand-crafted goodies, like homemade treats, small carvings or paintings, handmade pottery, etc. but gifts can really be anything the individual wants to give.
This small animal has been lovingly whittled from Aberion's emerald wood. Although simple in design, receiving this wooden figure is considered a great honor, as harvesting trees from Aberion is heavily restricted to ensure the forest remains healthy.
A large bowl carved from past Lantern Fruit decorations. Inside, one may find excess produce and mushrooms foraged during the Carnival. These bowls are not for the Alurizans, but are instead curated and left outside to be reclaimed by the wild. Each family will travel to their own special location to leave their offering. This gesture serves as a thanks for all the Alurizans receive from their planet, while also ensuring excess food does not go to waste.
This is one of two styles Carnival Mask are traditional carved into. The animal-shaped variety, often associated with a celebration of life, is carved from a Lantern Fruit cut in half vertically. While many are meant to be a nondescript depictions of animals, this one somewhat resembles a Koronok. The alternative style is the skull-shaped variety. These masks were said to have warded off the Blight's plague, though nowadays it's not known if this is true, or simply legend passed down by those who came before us.
You could have sworn there was a knock at your door- but when you answered it, no one was waiting. Before you could begin to feel unnerved, you notice a small pamphlet at your feet. It reads:
"A Lux Mart is opening SOON! Don't despair this Twilight Carnival,
find everything you need to make the perfect crafts, costumes and cuisine this holiday season."
Flipping over the pamphlet you spy a map, and to your surprise the new store is located right around the corner!
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You're holding up the pamphlet comparing the store's decore to the photo, checking the location again... you are certain this is it. The atmosphere is quaint and you can smell something yummy inside- though your nose isn't totally sure what it is. Sweet? Spicy? It doesn't matter. Your concentration is broken by the clattering of Lantern Fruit wind chimes. The store's window display is decorated with little Twilight Carnival staples; a leaf litter garland strung up high, and below is a small scene of wooden animal figurines. You can tell whoever is manning this has taken care when setting up the display.
The door opens with a jingle and you look up to see a familiar teal Xero - Ziggy! In their paws is a flower pot with a small budding Lantern Plant. They stop to greet you.
"Oh, you're quite early! Luca isn't even back from handing out flyers - but I get it! You must start Twilight Carnival preparations early - am I right?" Ziggy gives you a pleasant smile before setting the potted Lantern Plant down on a display rack. As you stand they catch the door for you.
"Welcome to Lux Mart! I'll just be at the front reading, but I'd be happy to help you with any questions you have... especially if they are Twilight Carnival related."



