Night of the Quartz moon - Second or third week of February

Much as the human moon can sometimes become red or yellow, once a year the moon of Jo'Arka becomes a beautiful, almost crystalline pink. Some say it is because of the light of a pink star radiating for too far away to see managing to shine it's brilliant rays against the beautiful moon. Others say that Helgin and Hylcinth's children turn the moon pink to show their love for their parents, each other, and for the world they have all created together. This is a very important time of year to most Stardragons. Even Shooters tend to take part. It is the one time of year all fighting is put aside. No wars, no raids, only love.

Most importantly, the love is universal. It is not just from one partner in a couple to the next. It's about appreciating the people around you as well as yourself.

Each culture tends to celebrate in a different way, but all celebrate. The skies are carefully paid attention to around this time of year to predict the night the Quartz moon will rise. It has also been noted that fertility rates seem to raise on this night, and many couples trying for a baby will often plan on attempting once the moon rises.

Eaters - Eaters tend to vary based on what region they are in. But for the most part it's a town-wide celebration. Usually the group will get together durring lunch time to eat together, dance, and show their appreciation to everyone around them. However once the sun begins to set, the festivities are put aside so that couples can spend time together. It is customary to watch the Quartz moon rise and to share another year's kiss under the stars. Or for some, it will be their very first kiss. If an eater doesn't have a spouse/partner, they tend to take the night off to just do something that makes them happy. Usually it's something along the lines of having a delicious dinner, bathing in lovely scented waters, and either curling up to do their favorite thing, or spending more time with their family or friends.

Fishers - For the fishers, this is very much a night of music. Whole cities will swim up to the surface of the water to sing their hearts out to the great blue skies. Though they will still not allow boats to cross through their territories, they do ejoy singing for an audience. Therefore, the ships will be allowed to go around them in order to listen to their sweet, almost haunting melodies. Fishers will dance together in couples under the water for sometimes up to 8 hours straight simply to show their love for one another under the bight, gorgeous moonlight. They have also taken to building lanterns with things found on the shore to float on the water above their dances.

Shooters - Most Shooters pretend to hate this holiday on the outside, but on the inside they do adore it. They take the time to pamper their lovers and to allow their lovers to pamper them as well. Most marriages seem to be arranged for their kind just to make things easier, but this is a day (or sometimes days depending on the sentimentality of the shooter) when the couple actually makes an effort to understand each other. Usually when enough effort is put in, they genuinely grow to love each other. For the Shooters, this night is more quiet and intimate. The traditional boxes of chocolates and sweets, flowers, and romantic dinners apply here more than anything else.

Weavers - For the Weavers, the Night of the Quartz moon becomes a week-long love fest. Lots of specific herbs are burned (and sometimes smoked) to fill the celebrating Weavers with the feeling of love. There is good food, lots of music, tons of dancing, hugging, kissing and quite a bit of love-making. Picture the 60's, minus the tye-dye.

Crafters - The Crafter celebration is quite similar to the Weaver celebration in the sense that, it lasts for a full week, and there is quite a lot of emphasis on merry-making and love-making. Rather than herbs, there is quite a lot of alcohol involved. The mood is always bright and cheerful, and admittedly most courting is lost in the fray until the very last day of the festival. There is also a lot of private time taken here for crafters who are coming of age (or even adult crafters) to explore self-love in a very physical way. They take the time to discover their bodies and generally learn to be okay with themselves. It's thought of as quite healthy and a good way for them to grow up knowing that they are wonderful and loved just the way they are, and there is nothing at all wrong with any of their differences.

Robbers - The robbers tend to keep to themselves this time of year. Though they still celebrate, it's usually in the privacy of their own homes, lest they wind up being chased out of a party by others who are more superstitious. However that doesn't mean they don't have fun with it. They decorate their homes with hanging crystals and flower petals. Usually the main dish of the year for them is a hearty but heart-warming stew with herbs that do tend to make them quite a bit more amorous with their lovers. When a Robber has befriended a Stardragon of another race, they can usually be coaxed out to join other celebrations. After all, it is a day when everyone is accepted. (You know, Minus the ones who are more likely to rip one's lungs out than kiss them)

Sweepers - Sweepers adore using this night above all other nights to try and court the partner of their dreams. However, they tend to jump into the fray even if they haven't met their future partner yet. They adorn themselves with strings of jewels, exotic and lovely smelling oils, and gorgeous flashy clothing in order to dance their hearts out. The dance itself is meant to show their intent, whether it be to attract a mate, or to show off their love for themselves. Though some would usually find such a thing cocky, most sweepers realize that in order to love someone else, you have to love yourself first. They dance in whatever way makes them the happiest when they dance for themselves. Not to mention they adore the way the jewels adorning their body glitter in the light. For the most part, it's one big party. However passing travelers have also seen singular Sweepers out in the night dancing with joy and love in their hearts to thank the gods for their creations.

Dashers - The Dasher celebration is quite similar to the Sweeper celebration, however it is a tad longer. When the Dasher tribes become aware of the Quartz moons coming, they prepare a 3 day long celebration. 3 is very much the magic number in this case. There are three large feasts a day, three dances (one on each evening), and three special kisses. When a Dasher chooses to court their lover on these nights, each night the intended will give them a kiss. If the Dasher receives all three kisses, the last being on the night of the Quartz moon, it is say that the gods themselves will bless the union. Each set of three represents the three children of Helgin and Hylcinth. Those that do not wish to court a lover on these nights spend their time showing their friends, neighbors and family how much they love and appreciate them. Between the celebrations, the Dashers also take time for just themselves. They take time to bathe in sacred herbs and clear their bodies and minds with crystal healing. It's a way to refresh and take care of themselves. They not only adorn themselves with many strings of jewels, they also adorn their bodies with many, many flowers.

Couples of mixed races will often celebrate a mix of their two versions of the holidays together in order to compromise and be happy. Or sometimes they will switch off. One year they will celebrate one way, while the next year they will celebrate the other.