Lightfest is when the Idenians celebrate the god whose initial creative energy is said to have given form to their world. It is a new year, a time to invite renewal and an attempt at making things right. It is the time of rekindled hope that the coming year is when we at last will accomplish our dreams, whether that be to find love or to take over the kingdom. Y’know, to each their own.

It is also a time to celebrate that gift with which the gods blessed all sentient beings; for Light and his divine fellows were not only creative in their work, but they gifted the people of the world with the power of creativity as well. And what a wondrous gift and a fearful responsibility it is.

In our world, we may not be able to manifest the power of our consciousness as magic to protect and heal our loved ones, to provide light, or to hurt our foes, but we might as well be. We are all blessed with the responsibility and freedom of creativity. If you struggle to draw or write or play an instrument, you may not feel this includes you. But creativity goes beyond the arts. Every day we have a choice in how we carry ourselves, what we strive for, and perhaps most importantly, how we treat others. To break out of routine, to do the unexpected, to follow your heart even if other people put you down, to take a risk – all of this requires creativity. The ways in which we express our love for others, and share the uniqueness of our personal story, is often limited most strongly by the restraints we put on ourselves. But each day we have the choice to make the world a little bit better – or worse. We can send someone an unexpected gift, even if it just be a compliment. Or we could anonymously attack people for the things they love and how they live.

Cultivating the creativity of kindness may seem awkward and unnatural at first. “I can’t tell that guy how much I love his drawings – that’s just so random!” “I can’t go talk to that girl no one ever talks to. Because people… just… don’t!” But just as an artist must practice with any new media before making a masterpiece, so too must we stretch our muscles and practice every day before it feels natural. And the multitude of our tiny brushstrokes of generosity may not seem to make anything coherent, just like putting our nose up to a painting; but viewed from a distance they may create something beautiful.

The Idenians believe this and remind themselves of it on Lightfest. That is why it is considered a time of kindness and giving, and they have songs and myths and stories to the effect. (Cyril would gladly share some with you.) While it has evolved over time into somewhat of a commercialized affair – although admittedly not on the scale of the Black Friday battles we endure – the original ideal of giving presents made by the hand and heart still endures for many. It is a time not only to thank the gods, but to realize the responsibility that each mortal holds. The gods may have started the story, but it continues in the mortal world.

It is as hard for the people of Idenau to live up to those ideals as for us, of course. But Lightfest reminds them to try harder, at least for a while. Until they, like we, forget again. But one day, once more we will be reminded.

I’m sure we all wish we live in a world where evil could be predictably thwarted by a hero, and where that evil was hardly so bad in the first place. I’d love for our world’s headlines of horrors to be replaced with “Princess Kidnapped – Again!” Idenau has its share of problems – just ask the guy who was cursed for something his great-grandfather did – but nevertheless it’s a place I would like to visit. Victor and I hope it provides you the happiness of escapism, but that there is something you can take from it back to our world as well. Perhaps dealing with pirates or sneaking into a castle are not relative scenarios to your life, but especially as the story goes on, we hope you’ll see the more universal themes of family, friendship, and other things that we have come to value and want to explore shining through ever more.

It is the sincere hope of Victor and I that you enjoy the story we’re telling, and that it brings a smile to your face. Whether you check back every update or once a month (or rarer than that); whether you’ve never commented or whether you knew us from college or whether you found us from an ad or have become a new friend, we appreciate you. We are so grateful and wish you all the best.

Bright Lightfest,

-C and V