The story of Celesmas, the Festival of the Midnight Star, as recounted
by Gennell the Elder

On the First Day, the people of Aetolia awoke for the first time and
took stock of their newfound lives. Though they all knew their names and
found that they were competent in various skills, they had no sense of
real identity or belonging. Much of the day was spent in exercises of
discovery - both of themselves and of the others, all of whom shared
their peculiar absence of memory.

Night fell, and an uncertain world huddled in unfamiliar shelters they
could only assume were built for their use. Soon though, bickering
inevitably broke out as some noticed the relative differences in comfort
and luxury with which others had, seemingly by chance alone, ended up.
Squabbling turned to heated conflict, and chaotic factions formed and
then dissolved just as quickly. As the conflicts began to turn physical,
mortalkind was about to wipe each other out their first night in the new
universe.

Varian, watching His new creations closely, observed all this and was
troubled. He had left their sense of identity and belonging blank
because He wished to see them establish their own ways based on the
personalities and abilities He had given them, without intervening
directly. But if left to their own devices, it was clear that the path
on which they were embarking was that of self-destruction.

So at the darkest hour, Varian manifested as a brilliant star in the
midnight sky. To each mortal mind He whispered, imbuing each with a
sense of Identity. A dramatic change overtook the populace. Each
individual suddenly knew with absolute certainty where he or she
belonged in the world at that moment, an immeasurably comforting
knowledge to possess. And though the next day anything could change for
the better or the worse, mortals knew for that moment who they were.
Falling to their knees in gratitude and adoration, they called Him
Varian the Celestine and praised His infinite wisdom.

Periodically, Varian appears again to His Creation as a brilliant star
in the midnight sky, a reminder to all that from darkness and
uncertainty come purpose, and that each mortal belongs, with his or her
own identity and destiny in the Creator's ineffable Plan. Mortals
celebrate this time as Celesmas, the Festival of the Midnight Star, in
honor of Varian the Celestine.

Penned by my hand on the 4th of Chakros, in the year 59 MA.