Loremaster's Archive- Tamriel Holidays!

ZOS_Kevin · November 25

Hi everyone! We’re here to bring you the last Loremaster’s Archive for 2024! With the New Life Festival just around the corner in Tamriel, The Impressario is granting the gift of answering your Tamriel Holiday lore questions. Send along your questions about the major holidays we celebrate in ESO: Hearts Day, Whitestrake's Mayhem, Zeal of Zenithar, Jester’s Festival, Witches Festival, and the New Life Festival.

To help The Impressario answer as many questions as possible in her allotted time, please keep your questions short (no more than a line or two) and limit yourselves to one question. We'll keep this thread open starting now through the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend (closing 12/2/2024)@ 10am ET/3pm UTC) for everyone to get your questions in starting today. Impress The Impressario with your questions!

ESO_Nightingale · November 25

Hello Miss/Mrs Impressario!

Quick question, how? But if I'm to elaborate, how does a mortal merchant such as yourself obtain such things??? (Are you mortal?)

-Rime Frostwar

DagothCorvia · November 25

Steemed Impressario,

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?

Yours truly, Dagoth Corvia, Scholar of Clockwork curios.

Aliyavana · November 25

Please tell the loremaster we appreciate him doing one last archive for the year, and that we hope he enjoys his thanksgiving. Hope you have a great thanksgiving as well Kevin!

I'll provide my question later.

CoolBlast3 · November 25

Greetings Impressario,

I come to you as a knight of the wilds, beckoning an answer for an interesting topic. Lord Hollowjack is a figure who torments our dreams throughout the Festival of Witches, a being of plain and unashamed evil from all accounts.
But Hollowjack has some sense of "justice" in his sphere, sending spiritual cats to torment killers, sometimes those of witches. Why is this? Some soft-spot for feline companionship? Some sense of ironic justice for witchfolk, or just a facade to appear more alluring to those who pay little attention?

Any answer would be of great value,
Sincerely,
Eleanor Faucher, Pumpkin Knight.

Inari Telvanni · November 25

Most venerable Impresario,

What information can you share on the holidays in Morrowind, homeland of the Dark Elves? A serious and austere people surely can't have much to celebrate, as far as outlanders know.

Legoless · November 25

Impresario,

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

Erickson9610 · November 25

We know how differently the peoples of Tamriel celebrate the New Life Festival, but are there any special traditions for the other holidays?

Tyrvarion · November 25

To the Wandering Impresario,

As the New Life draws near in the Karth's Valley, so does the battle for Magnus the Sun. Hrokkibeg faces Storihbeg, and as Mochtuinne's tale says, victory of the light is certain. Tell me, freehand, do you know the full story of the Skinchanger? Can you share?

—Happy New Life to you!
Cormac, Chief of the Clan Silverwing, a curious Reachfolk

MafiaCat115 · November 25

To the esteemed and well-traveled Impressario,

I am writing you to learn if there is an Umaril the Unfeathered-centric counterpart holiday to Whitestrake's Mayhem. It seems strange that Elves would celebrate the legacy of an adversary and not that of Umaril, especially if some Bosmer do indeed have an Ayleid heritage.

Sincerely,
Asrea Starlight, Religious Scholar from Alinor

Vinovin15 · November 25

Dear Impressario,

What is the relation 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?

Happy holidays!
-Lady Benessa Mariposa, Marchioness of Sierra Mariposa

CE_Nex · November 25

Can you explain the mythic relevance the New Life Festival and the Winter Solstice have with Aldmeri Magnus and Atmoran Alduin?

C.E.Nex

Froil · November 25

To the most glorious and generous Impresario,

I am friends with three brothers who are Reachfolk; as we near these final holidays of the year I wish to ask if there are any Reachfolk equivalents to our holidays, if and how they celebrate Saturalia, or the Witches Festival, both the Old Life and New Life and even Heart's Day. Or even appropriate gifts, drinks, dances, songs. I feel it would be quite gauche if I asked them directly.

Respectfully yours,
Sylvio Aurelius, Knight Templar of Arkay, House Aurelius of Nibenay, Leyawiin, Cyrodiil

prof-dracko · November 25

Dear Impresario,

Midyear Mayhem seems unusually bloody for something called a "holiday". Most of the celebrations seem to be taking place around the conflict in Cyrodiil so I have to ask, is this "holiday" something merely taking advantage of the ongoing war? How is it celebrated in times of peace? Surely outside of this pan-Tamriellic conflict they don't reserve a period (or two, it would lately seem) of the year for mindless bloodshed?

-Lorescrounger Alacer

Aliyavana · November 25

Dear Impressario,

We people of Shornhelm enacted the "Purge of the Wyrd-Hags" that saw Rivenspire's witches disposed of back during the Year of Sun's Death, yet we still feel the effects of the Witches Festival. Local legends claim a hidden hollow in Rivenspire “comes to life”, proceeded by Jaque o' the Hollow (clearly Hollowjack) haunting us or creating headless horsemen. However, I've learned all of Tamriel is seemingly targeted during the Witches Festival. So does Hollowjack seek retribution on behalf of all of witchkind, or perhaps something more?

- Celice Roudille

TaigaStrider · November 25

Uh, hey there, Impresario!

Methinks it could just be a fable for the tots, but I've heard tell o' priests o' the Divines performin' a few resurrections durin' Old Life, the last day o' the year - and for free o' charge no less. I ain't tryin' to barrage, but is it true, and if so, how does it work - does it have somethin' to do with the olde celestial alignments? I'm also sure as Arkay's britches they ain't undead - right?

Head-scratchin',
Cotter Georick

WhiteCoatSyndrome · November 25

How did the Dark Elf ban on dancing happen? I would have put my money on Almalexia as the culprit, but the First Emissary refused to take the bet.

—Away-From-Keyboard

Aliyavana wrote: »

Please tell the loremaster we appreciate him doing one last archive for the year, and that we hope he enjoys his thanksgiving. Hope you have a great thanksgiving as well Kevin!

Second this!

Mindtrait0r · November 26

Fair day, Madam Impresario,

I was vexed last Fredas when I discovered a truly unholy fact - 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. My worry only grew when I found that 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 coincedence, or could they be something more nefarious?

- Talanor Necroblade, Imperial City Arena Champion

SpaceElf · November 26

Esteemed Impresario,

I envy your logistical mastery during the course of Whitestrake's Mayhem, or really any festival. How does one manage to supply such impressive inventories across such vast and fluctuating battle lines?

Curious,

Lady Mynawren
Formerly of Alinor

DeFoe · November 26

Greetings, lady Impresario

Can you explain why the people of Tamriel celebrate the same holidays so many times a year? We're still here in 2E 582, but the New Life Festival is approaching... For almost the 10th time? Is this some kind of time paradox or have I just lost my mind and my memories somehow got mixed up? In previous years everything seemed quite normal, and you just appeared shortly after the start of these strange things, so it seems like you have something to do with it

Curious,
One-Who-Not-Understand

NotaDaedraWorshipper · November 26

Dear Impressario,

As the 16th of Sun's Dawn with it's Heart's Day draw ever closer and I start arrange my love and I's yearly tryst, I made a worrisome discovery when talking to our local mage. That same day is also the Daedric Prince Sanguine's summoning day! That can't be a coincidence can it? I've heard no-sayers call Heart's Day made up by merchants to sell things instead of being a day of love from our Blessed Lady, but this is worse. Should we worry and be careful? Is there something to watch out for? Is this nothing but a hoax from the Lord of Revelry?

Yours faithfully, Sanga Lucina of Mir Corrup.

I see now @Mindtrait0r asked about the same thing!

OgrimTitan · November 26

There are debates in academic circles regarding lord Hollowjack's, a symbol of Witches Festival, origin. What Prince patron (s) does he have, and an intersection of whose greater spheres Detritus occupy? My peers insist on Hircine, but I'm inclined to see a combined heritage of Molag Bal and Vaermina. Though, perhaps, we must think outside the box and consider more than 1 or 2?

Lord Nicolas le Bellerose, Spellknight Sciensir of Daggerall School of Julianos

Nitewalker314 · November 27

Keeper of the Holidays,

Others worry about the Princely presiding over such holidays as Heart's Day, Witches Festival, and New Life. But, if one were to celebrate those Daedric aspects of such times of year... how might they? Surely you would know, and a friend of mine is interested.

No the Wretched, Definitely not a Daedric Cultist.

Solinar · November 27

Fair winds Impresario,

Do you happen to know of any special celebrations or traditions done by various magic users during New Life, given the holiday's general connection with Magnus, the Aldmeri God of Magic?

Runitar Fairfrost of Winterhold, Conclave of Aetherius

folder_rats · November 27

Most august and most worthy Impressario,
One the major Redguardian holidays is the great "Serpents Dance," celebrated most prominently by the peoples of Satakalaam, which is a day dedicated to the "Serpent God of the Satakal." From whence did this tradition derive, and what rites take place upon this holy day?

I've even heard that this pantheonic "Serpent God" is even said to reside on Nirn itself, ruling the seas of the world by his Tower Flotillas. Enclosed is a depiction of this deathless sea god, the three armed Tyrant Orgnum, wizard king of the Pyandoneans:

folder_rats · November 27

As always, thanks to the loremaster for taking the time do these, It's always a bunch of fun for fans of series!

Legoless wrote: »

Impresario,

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

[OOG: I would note in the lore, "Eloisa" is also the name of Uriel VII's grandmother, so this "Eloisa" of legend may be of Cyrodilic origin?]

TaigaStrider wrote: »

Uh, hey there, Impresario!

Methinks it could just be a fable for the tots, but I've heard tell o' priests o' the Divines performin' a few resurrections durin' Old Life, the last day o' the year - and for free o' charge no less. I ain't tryin' to barrage, but is it true, and if so, how does it work - does it have somethin' to do with the olde celestial alignments? I'm also sure as Arkay's britches they ain't undead - right?

Head-scratchin',
Cotter Georick

[OOG: For additional context, it is implied that temple priests of Tamriel perform resurrections year round, but on Old Life Day, it is rumored that they will wave the "normal fee" to perform the resurrection, which is a very interesting underwritten detail. TES Adventures: Redguard plays with this idea, with the attempt to resurrect A'tor at a Temple of Arkay using a soul gem which contained his soul.]

Benefactor · November 27

Good Tidings Impresario,

I was hoping you may be able to elaborate on an old tale from the Witches Festival that originates in the High Rock area. I speak of course of the spirit called Nackles, a tall pasty white figure with long arms that is said to leave lumps of Fool's Ebony to naughty children or even kidnaps them to work in dark tunnels under the earth.

In my travels I have been unable to substantiate these claims with the closest to the description being a Falmer. Is there any truth to this myth that you can elaborate on?

-Benefactor
Librarian, The Imperial Library

[OOC This is a question dating back to Daggerfall with Nackles being a slenderman/santa type figure referenced in Fool's Ebony First chapter. ]

Atharaon · November 30

Is-Steamed Empress Ario,
I am not-so-important sister of so-important brother who travels all over Tamriel promoting "glorious culty exchange", just like you! He told me high elfs come from "somewhere set" and not the sky like I fot, and they don't like Sir Odiil's holidays cos he used to be elf until mighty Nord hero White Steak boxed his pointy ears off and he became man. I herd they don't even like Seal of Tsun Afar cos they don't like outsiders visiting them, not even godly seals! Do they not have their own Tsuns or White Steaks (Yellow Steaks?) to make them happy festivals? I used to fink they were stuck up but maybe they're just sad cos their gods have no fun. Poor elves.

Steamingly yours,
Rigmor the Daft
Fishwife of Windhelm

TheRimOfTheSky · November 30

To the Impresario,

There appear to be various festivals and holidays associated with Sanguine such as Carnaval and Heart's Day, the latter of which falls on his summoning day. The Khajiit say it was Sangiin who "gave the secret of wine by spilling the blood of the grapes". Pray tell, is there anything you can reveal about these holidays, and if revelers drink alcohol during celebrations as a sort of "thank you" to Sanguine for inventing such a delectable substance?

Yours truly,
Sir Cyandor Fargothil of Seyda Neen

Aliyavana · November 30

Legoless wrote: »

Impresario,

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

With the story of the tragedy of these lovers causing the King of Senchel to become depressed enough to summon Molag Bal in Gil-Var-Delle, this question is the one I'd love to be answered the most.

folder_rats wrote: »

As always, thanks to the loremaster for taking the time do these, It's always a bunch of fun for fans of series!

Legoless wrote: »

Impresario,

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

[OOG: I would note in the lore, "Eloisa" is also the name of Uriel VII's grandmother, so this "Eloisa" of legend may be of Cyrodilic origin?]

Eloisa sounds like a variation of Eloise which is a Breton name that is one letter off (In ESO we have Eloise Noellaume and Eloise Miller, while its a random name for Bretons in Elder Scrolls Castles). I believe the context you provided is the daughter born to someone from the Septim Dynasty in the late Third Era. The Fall of the Usurper says the Septim Dynasty had the majority of its members that took Emperorship as either being Breton-influenced, or having spent parts of their childhood in High Rock (the exception being Cephorus II). Eloisa's name might be High Rock or Breton influence perhaps.

As for Polydor, the closest i can think of is Polinus who is an Altmer, and a lot of Altmer names also end in dor. Some Nord names also end in dor, like Shalidor.There is also Polybius which is a male Imperial name in Castles.

ZOS_Kevin · December 1

Hi All! Just giving a heads up that we are closing this thread on Monday, Dec. 2. So if you have questions for The Impressario, make sure to ask them soon!