Excerpt from Esoteric
Pilgrimage Destinations of the Gothic Sector, Volume 7, by Adept Matthias
Laetorius.
"The Harrow'e'en celebration on Ophatran Secundus coincides with the
traditional yearly arrival of the Emperor's Tithe Fleet. Although major
functions begin a day before the first voidship docks with the orbital stations
above the planet, there are several preparatory stages. The most important
ritual observance, which sets the date of Harrow'e'en, is a confluence of
officials from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica and the Navis Nobilite. The
assembled adepts consult the planet's ancient orrery, and contact the fleet's
chief astropath to pinpoint the imminent arrival.
Once the arrival date has been formally announced by the Imperial Governor, the
citizens of the capitol throng to the shrine district. The multitudes pass
through the Crusader Gates and into the Ecclesiastic precinct. Crusaders stand
in watchful vigil and priests find positions that carry their voices to the crowds.
The people of Ophatran believe that vengeful and malignant warp entities cling
to the voidships, and that the veil between the Empyrean and reality are thin
on Harrow'e'en. The priests recite horrifying tales of these creatures of the
Immaterium, and the prayers to combat them.
The most exciting event, certainly from the perspective of
the children, is the day preceding the docking of the first voidship. On this
day, most of the citizens stay indoors, and those that venture out are likely
to meet with a procession led by a ‘Spirit of the Warp’. Children that are able
to recite their hymns are allowed to wear outlandish costumes, and roam the
streets seeking citizens for the procession to test. Anyone stopped by these
roaming waifs must stop and recite the proper prayers of protection, or suffer
admonishment from the Adepta Sororitas that accompany the procession.”
