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The questions were originally asked here.
You there. Yes, you, the reader. Haven't I seen you before? I'm almost certain I have. I kid, of course, I can't see you through the text you're reading right now. Or can I? I can't.
I am the Impresario! Purveyor of exotic, enchanted goods. Trader in unusual tales and even more unusual artifacts. I was deeply flattered by the invitation to answer your questions and share what I know about cultures and holidays across Tamriel.
The calendar calls; it never stops turning. So let's begin at the beginning, shall we?
Editor's Note: Amalien here, stepping in for Gabrielle on this outing. She's been called away on important business and left this series in my eccentric hands. Don't worry, you should only have to roll along with me for a series or two before she returns. Let us know what you think through the usual channels!
How does a mortal merchant such as yourself obtain such things? Are you mortal?
—Rime Frostwar
Every day is a new adventure, wouldn't you agree? And as such, I choose to think about tomorrow, not today. Am I mortal? Is that important? I don't think so.
As for where I get my goods, you've heard no doubt that I trade in tales for trinkets. I'm not the only one in the Aurbis with a vested interest in learning from adventurers like yourself. Some of the people, beings, entities, and forces I bargain with are even more desperate for information and entertainment than I am! And while I'm quite the comely merchant, some of my sources are less ... approachable?
The result? I happily play the part of middlewoman for unexpected and aberrant treasures in exchange for word of your latest and greatest adventures.
I envy your logistical mastery during Whitestrake's Mayhem. How does one manage to supply such impressive inventories across such vast and fluctuating battle lines?
—Lady Mynawren
I have a lot of help! You've no doubt met Philius, and perhaps Nenulaure? Once artifacts are acquired from my bargain buddies, I work with a whole network of associates who deal in the eccentricities of moving goods across this grand and glorious realm of ours. I have an armor guy, a house lady, and I even briefly had an imp guy. I make whatever connections I must, on Tamriel or beyond, to get what you want straight to you.
Lord Hha-Lugh-Zhek, or "Hollowjack," is something of an enigma. His realm has many similarities to that of Vaermina, Nocturnal, Mephala, and even Hircine. Was Hollowjack directly created by any of these Princes? Does he serve or associate with them?
—An anonymous Daedrologist
Daedra Lords are like a child with their mother's sword: all the threat and none of the discipline. I should know!
Detritus is a carving from the shell of the Hunting Grounds, and you know that old saying about the Daedra and the realm. So. Make of that what you will.
I'd be less worried about where Hollowjack, or whatever he's calling himself now, came from and more worried about what he wants. He gets more powerful every year. Isn't that alarming?
During the New Life Festival, we learn from Petronius Galenus about the Old Life tradition. However, there was a time I observed an indistinct spirit. Would you kindly help me to understand who they were or what this spirit is meant to represent?
—Dagoth Corvia, Scholar of Clockwork Curios
As I understand it, these cultural rituals are meant to be self-reflective. You know? I like New Life to be about the really important things in life: toys and treats. But for some people, the calendar's transition is a chance to pause and think back on the past. Not something I particularly like to do, but I hear people talk.
So, I just asked Petronius directly. He said spirits without a distinct form are likely dearly departed and deeply personal to you, but lack the spiritual strength to appear fully formed. I've heard travelers say that the Old Life tradition prompts reflection on their past adventures. Maybe that featureless ghost represents someone closer to you than moldering old Prince Naemon or the Mane's dead sister? But what that means is up to you.
What is the relationship between New Life and Saturalia? When I was a kid, I was taught that Saturalia was a holiday unique to us Bretons, but now I see everyone from Nord to Khajiit talking about it, as if it's a synonym of New Life! Not only that, but New Life traditions like decorated trees or gift giving are being attributed to Saturalia these days, too! Can you help clear up this conundrum?
—Lady Benessa Mariposa, Marchioness of Sierra Mariposa
Everyone has their own version of the New Life Festival, and across the continent everyone grew up with their own traditions and ideas of what the end of the year "means." Ever asked an Argonian about all that New Life snow Nords like to talk about? You're going to get a lot of blank, unblinking eyes.
So why has Saturalia become so popularly connected to, even synonymous with, New Life? Three words, my lady: word of mouth. Wayrest is a trade hub connected across the continent. The Lion banner may not be popular in eastern and southern Cyrodiil but goods stamped with that symbol sell, sell, sell. New Life is so connected with the Saturalian part of the calendar because the enterprising merchants of the Daggerfall Covenant have collectively agreed what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
To say it a different way, my lady, the almighty coin is why you now see them called Saturalia trees, Saturalia decorations, or what have you. Because they sell.
What information can you share on the holidays in Morrowind, homeland of the Dark Elves?
—Inari Telvanni
People say Dark Elves are taciturn—ash in the mouth like the land they live in. I've never found that to be true. People are people everywhere, you know? But it is true these days most Morrowind holidays are given over to veneration of the Three and contemplation of their various ideologies. Not my cup of Shein.
Before them the Chimer, like all Elven cultures, had beautiful and complex holiday traditions they picked and packed to carry with them as they left the Summerset Isles. The minor-key note of ancestor worship in Dark Elf spirituality today was the heart of the chorus back then. Almost every holiday from Born Anew (their name for New Life) to Dusk's Down (a holiday near Witch's Fest on the calendar, but completely unrelated) was focused on speaking to their departed ancestors and venerating the Good Daedra.
And my goodness could they put on quite a party. One year in the early days of Necrom, the people of the city commemorated Born Anew by mass-summoning the spirit of every woman, man, and child who had died since they'd arrived in the region. Glimmering spirits as far as the eye could see, processing in a grand parade that filled the streets. Beautiful and eerie. I'll never forget it.
I have heard many Heart's Day retellings of the Legend of the Lovers, each one closer to fiction than fact. Who were Polydor and Eloisa? Is there any mention of them in the historical record, or is it just a holiday tale?
—Legoless, Tiger-Doyen of the United Explorers of Scholarly Pursuits
The names and people were real, but just about everything else that's been said about them—right down to the Legend of the Lovers itself—is fantasy spun to mythologize a very real and very sad story.
The closest the legend gets to reality is right there at the end of the original bardic version:
"And so the couple stood / atop the castle wall / when for the greater good / parted wide curtains of light
Their love would never rest / the blood would tell it true / and as their families fest / they vanished to the night"
I'm not sure if you've ever heard it performed that way live. These days I think this is the part where most bards are talking about their "hot / and / heavy /night." You want to really get to the bottom of Polydor and Eloisa's story? Look to the writings of Amun-dro. Complicated man, but a thoughtful scholar.
Heart's Day falls on the same date as Sanguine's so-called "Summoning Day," when he may apparently be summoned and contacted by mortals. The New Life and Witches Festivals also share their time with the incantory days of Clavicus Vile and Mephala, respectively. Could it be dangerous to celebrate these holidays? Are these overlapping places on our calendar mere matters of coincidence, or could they be something more nefarious?
—Talanor Necroblade, Imperial City Arena Champion
There's no such thing as coincidence, champ. Not when it comes to culture and belief. Use a city as a signpost. Do you think the Wayrest of today is the Wayrest of a hundred years ago? Or hey, go look at the city of Skywatch. Bits of an older settlement still peek through the cracks here and there between newly applied mortar.
It's the same with religions, cultures, and holidays. Daedric summoning dates get appropriated by newfound religions to sanitize unpopular ideas and solidify worship of the new over the old. Sanguine likely has opinions about that, sure, but unless you're as bored as Molag Bal, most Daedric Princes are too busy to invade Nirn over something as simple as a holiday usurped here or there.
The real danger? Jester's Fest. Building to something nasty. But you didn't hear it from me.
This year my kids are ALL ABOUT bantam guar. Bantam guar toys, bantam guar on their sweaters ... it's bananas (which I even carve into bantam guar for their lunches)! What shopping advice do you have for a mother of young children in need of holiday gifts?
—Mother of Good Children
I get it! After all who doesn't love those adorable little cuties, Mother?
Me. I don't. Have you ever noticed that stink they have? So strange. Like a musk. And those weird little lizard arms. Unpleasant. My advice for a mother of young children is to seek out the sauced bantam guar wings sold near the Mournhold docks. Delicious, and far more likely to have a positive impact on your children than a faddish seasonal garment.
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Well! I've probably caused enough damage here for one day. I hope that you've found this entertaining, the New Life season is treating you well, and your goals for the new year are suitably modest. After all, you can't be disappointed if your expectations are low!