Moon-Chasing Festival

Wutherium Geographic: Lands and Waters - Extra Volume: Culture and Customs

The Moon-Chasing Festival is one of Huanglong's traditional festivals that features various origin stories. On this special night, Jinzhou residents decorate trees with an extensive range of lanterns and admire the moon to celebrate their reunion.

History

The Fox and The Moon

The tale of "The Fox and the Moon" is the most popular origin story of the Moon-Chasing Festival. According to the story, Hsin, a merrymaker among the Sentinels, once teased another Sentinel with a night of chasing during celebration. This joyous scene, as they were silhouetted against the mid-autumn moonlight, gave rise to the term "Moon-Chasing."

Dual Moons

For the people of Jinzhou, the Lunite and Threnodians at the borders are linked: the phases of the moon signify the revival pattern of the Threnodian, with dual moons serving as a harbinger of disaster.

Moon-Chasing symbolizes a race against the moon, where Jinzhou must give everything to prevent the dormant Threnodian from awakening before the Lunite moon becomes full. Only one full moon remains of the two, casting its glow on Solaris-3. The Lunite stays the same, yet everything else changes.

To honor the soldiers and citizens who contributed to this challenging victory, a former Jinzhou Magistrate established the "Moon-Chasing Festival," held when the moon is fullest each year. As the dual moons wane to a single full moon, the "race against the Moon" now means a journey home, guided by the pristine moonglow.

Moonlit Fair

The Moonlit Fair is a special feast held in Jinzhou on the evening of the Moon-Chasing Festival, featuring various stalls for visitors to explore.

People in Jinzhou often accompany their families or invite friends to enjoy the festive atmosphere together.

Activities

Moontree Lodge

In the days leading up to the Moon-Chasing Festival, Jinzhou residents visit Taoyuan Vale to write their wishes on paper tags.

These tags are then either hung on the branches or placed in the

"Moontree Lodge," under the wishing tree.

Word on the street is that wishes made this way will all come true in various ways. Perhaps an anonymous hero has been working tirelessly behind the scene?

Yumyum Haven

Yumyum Haven sells popular sweet desserts and recipes, including their signature item, the Plumpcake, at the Moon-Chasing Festival.

These round treats represent family unity and are enjoyed for a happy reunion and fulfilling life.

Jinzhou's famous Plumpcake recipe has been passed down for centuries. The kind vendor is eager to teach anyone how to make these delectable treats.

Fan Drawing Stall

Jinzhou residents are proud of their hometown's natural beauty.

Poets and artists create poems and paintings on fans, treasured by locals. During the Moonlit Fair, stall owners commission artists to adorn fans with intricate designs.

Moon Shooter

In Jinzhou, a traditional event has become a high-tech shooting challenge with mechanical targets. Every year, enthusiasts come together to compete for the best scores.

Thus Says the Moon

Decades ago, a renowned fortune-teller arrived in Jinzhou. When he left, he abandoned his career, leaving behind a letter and a fortune stick. Jinzhou residents now shake the cylinder of fortune sticks when inspired, interpreting the results on their own. This divination stall offers "Sentinel Fortune Sticks", and the messages written on these sticks are often related to the Sentinels. Seek the blessings of the Sentinel daily, and luck may come your way.

Fireworks Shop

In Jinzhou, festivals are celebrated with fireworks. Every household joins in, creating a festive atmosphere that stays with the people of Jinzhou for a long time. To ensure safety, the fireworks shop only sells small firecrackers. Fireworks have been placed on both sides of the streets for visitors to light during the Moonlit Fair. Improved for safety, they won't harm your hands but still provide a colorful display.

Lantern Riddles

One of the traditional events in Jinzhou. Among these literary-styled riddles that take effort to crack, you may spot some strange questions. The stall owner is assessing the difficulty of the lantern riddles. A gift will be given to participants who visit the stall and guess the riddles each day.

Plum Blossom Pole

To attract more Liondance enthusiasts, the Liondance Troupe has set up these Plum Blossom Poles for visitors to try. The Troupe always shows up for Jinzhou's festivities, spreading lucky greetings and good wishes.

Puppet Theater

The puppet shows are widely loved by children of Jinzhou. Puppeteers control marionettes with strings, bringing traditional drama to the stage. Shows available at the Puppet Theater are broad in both scope and content, often adopted from tales and ancient legends.

Hsin's Fortuity

Spin the roulette wheel prepared by the Pioneer Association and receive rewards based on the Moon phase indicated by the Fox. Most prizes are from Pioneer Association Products, with new arrivals coming to Huanglong soon. Visitors will receive a daily free chance to spin the wheel for a prize of their luck!

Swim, Gulpuff, Swim

A stall designed by the researchers at Huaxu Academy transforms people into Gulpuffs for a thrilling race on the water's surface. This way, participants help with the Academy's research while having fun. In celebration of the Moon-Chasing Festival, the researchers have adjusted the game's rules and added various prizes for the participants.

Loong Dance

In some parts of Huanglong, the Loong Dance is a grand finale during the Moonlit Fair, especially in regions with Loong-shaped Sentinels. A majestic Loong soars through the sky, accompanied by bursts of fireworks. This ritual signifies a wish for peace and prosperity in the upcoming year.