Paglipad, the Mountain Traveller

History and Legends
Far beyond the memory of the living, there was a war between those of the air and earth. Paglipad was approached by both sides, but refused to join either. When the conflict was over, resolved with peace, both sides remembered Paglipad’s outright refusal to be involved and scorned them for it. For this reason, Paglipad is an outcast and drifter, taking to the skies only by night and feasting on what fruit they could find. Being so scorned, Paglipad found themself alone, flying along the length of the mountain spine of Puthawanan seeking companionship.

The people of Puthawanan noticed that Paglipad often flew the same paths and began to follow them, finding these paths more hospitable and safer to navigate. They noticed that Paglipad’s travels centered primarily around the mountain and seldom did they see Paglipad draw near any of the settlements.

Wanting to thank Paglipad for showing them the way, people began to leave out fruit offerings along the paths they shared. Paglipad’s resentfulness due to their prolonged and profound loneliness began to fade when they first noticed the offerings laid out along familiar paths. However, they were still ashamed and afraid of suffering another rejection, so they avoided direct interaction with any of the travelers they saw on the ground. Instead, they used their vantage point from the sky to keep an eye on the travelers as they rested at night.

Because Paglipad helped to chart the paths now used to traverse the mountains, they are known as curious and mischievous companions to travelers that share their journey.

Relationship with the Islanders
Prior to setting out on a journey, it is customary to meet with the babaylan: both to receive their guidance and as a courtesy to Paglipad. Traveling parties never set out on the mountain paths without fruit of some kind, whether fresh or preserved.The first trailblazers who marked the now well-used mountain roads were following Paglipad’s lead. Along the paths of Puthawanan are stations set aside for travellers to find respite. Though they vary in terms of formality, every waypoint on the designated paths has a shrine to Paglipad.

Whenever one passes by a shrine, it is customary to leave an offering of fruit. If travellers find that the fruit is untouched to the point that it has begun to rot, they will clear it away and replace it with their own offering. Paglipad relies on these waypoints the same way weary travelers do, and it would be insulting to let the rotten fruit sit.

Because Paglipad is always journeying over the mountain paths, it is believed that they watch over fellow travelers. However, they are often more curious than benevolent and have been known to interfere with some travelers, as if testing whether or not they are prepared enough for the journey. Some believe this is Paglipad’s own indirect method of trying to ward people away from danger, while others believe that this is a sign of displeasure. Most people never encounter Paglipad directly and will only hear fleeting wingbeats overhead or catch a glimpse of bright, golden fur.

Important Festivals
On the evening of the new moon, the mountain paths are at their darkest and travel is at its most dangerous. Generally, the night of a new moon becomes an evening of quiet celebration within settlements. On these occasions, people will set out baskets of fruit. If there are visitors from other islands, they are asked to set the offerings out as a way to introduce themselves to Paglipad before they join the spirit travelling the mountain roads.

As the nights get longer, Paglipad becomes more active. Though people are less likely to travel due to the extended darkness, travelers are twice as likely to encounter Paglipad during this season.

On the longest night of the year, there are celebrations similar to those on the night of a new moon. However, while the observation is centered on settlements, during the solstice it is customary to take them out of the communities. The festival begins as the sun sets, marking the end of the shortest day and beginning of the longest night. At dusk, the babaylan goes out with a small group of trailblazers to set out an offering to Paglipad. As the night goes on, more people join the babaylan out of the settlement and off of the usual paths. Having this festival outside of the settlement is a way to bring Paglipad into the celebration. It is believed that Paglipad spends the longest night of the year flying from group to group, reveling in the company.