The History of Quenching

Quenching is the second of two traditions that were newly created by the Valedwellers as a result of the events of the winter described in Dark Moon, when Jan was imprisoned in the City of Fire and the unicorns remaining in the Vale were beset by a harsh winter. Neglected by Korr in his grief-stricken tyrannical madness, Halla's Circle was decimated by cold and starvation. Upon Jan's return, the ceremonies of Kindling and Quenching began and have been faithfully upheld since.

The great bonfire ignited at the start of Kindling has been dutifully burning all winter. Its flame provided insurance against the winter's bitter cold, as the unicorns could in turn keep small fires burning in their grottos. At winter's end, when it is deemed warm enough for the great bonfire to be extinguished, then the ceremony of Quenching is held to mark the advent of spring.

The events of the ceremony are similar to that of Kindling. Before the reclamation of the Hills at Endingfires, when the Moondancers still inhabited the vale, the ceremony would be precided over by Jan (or Tek in his absence) and Ryhenna as fire priestess. Again, like Kindling, first a Ringdance was held around the council rise where the great bonfire was located. This was followed by a lay (the unicorns' style of storytelling), sung by Teki. Whereas the Lay told at Kindling focused on how Jan was swept into the sea and held captive by the Firekeepers, The Lay of Quenching focused on Tek's flight from the Vale to her dam, Jah-lila, during the winter of Korr's tyranny. The Lay also speaks of Tek's time in the Red Mare's care, her foster sisters Sismoonmat and Pitipak and the delivery and birth of Aiony and Dhattar. The Lay concludes with the war party sent by Korr to hunt Tek, the torrential floods that swept away - thus ending the mad stallion's reign - and finally Jan's return.

Then Ryhenna, in her station as fire priestess would remind the herd that now that winter had run it's course, the bonfires would no longer be tended, but allowed to smoulder to embers.

During the last Kindling before the Circle's trek across the plains in the spring before The Battle of Endingfire was of special note. Ryhenna added further words, urging all to follow her lead and sharpen their horns and hooves, tread on the embers and coals round the edge of the bonfire and dip their horns into the swirling flame. In this way, all the herd's hooves and horns became fire tempered; able to effectively pierce the breasts of the wyverns without chipping and breaking, as had happened when their people were routed from the Hallow Hills four hundred years before.

The Quenching Ceremony Now

Quenching, as with Kindling is celebrated in the Vale and the Hallow Hills, with Tek presiding and Ryhenna as Fire Priestess in the Hills. Likewise in the Vale, Calydor, Ses or Lell preside with the new fire priestess named for the Vale. However, there have been some changes to the ceremony after the events of EndingFire. In the Hallow Hills, the tradition started at Endingfire has continued in a form, to ensure that the unicorns remain ever ready to defend the hills against the possibility of future attacks. However, the majority of the unicorn warriors of the Hallow Hills already have fire tempered horns & hooves as a result of the Battle of Endingfire. Thus, in the Hallow Hills only those newly initiated need come forth to temper their horns and hooves.

In the Vale, as population of Valedwellers & Plainsdwellers is mixed - and since the wyverns have never threatened the Vale - undertaking the fire-tempering of horns and hooves is left to personal choice.