A vermensk researcher and an elf researcher were surprised at how warm it was inside the especially large igloo tent. There were many Ponyfolk here. Unfortunately, all there was for lighting was a flashlight and some unicorn horns casting illumination. This kind of gathering was a regular occurrence. The curiosity of the greater vermensk empire had been drawn by their frequency.

There was an old book in an ornate stone chest. This ornate chest with stories carved in relief had wheels that looked worse for wear. Ancient. One alicorn sat at each corner of the lid, and a yoke sat at the end of two ancient poles. The interior walls of the igloo held stories carved in relief as well. There were nine ponies commonly depicted. Four alicorns, a unicorn, two pegasi, and two earth ponies. Connecting all of Them was a tree, with a heart carved into it. There were squiggles in quotation that proved resistant to comprehend language.

Unlike most modern rustlandia Ponyfolk, the flank of the earth pony up front was not blank. It boasted a picture of an alter, a goblet, and a book. The researchers sat in the back waiting for whatever was about to happen to start... They weren't worried, it seemed like a religious thing after a while. Soon the earth pony stepped back out in a cloak made of sacloth. The their mane was rather short and brushed forward. Grey with a white stripe. Their coat was white like snow. This old mare opened the stone chest, and pulled out some items, and replaced the lid. The items she pulled out was placed on the closed lid were a candle, an ancient looking book, and the largest teapot either researcher had ever seen.

It wasn't long until a volunteer unicorn lit the candle, and all the ponies produced a tea cup. The Ponyfolk inside began to sing in what was deemed ancient ponish by the rat researcher.
The song resembled Gregorian chants. This song changed four times. And lasted several hours. They sang while the comedically large teapot was being filled with herbs, and snow.

Then the ponies fell silent and the mare in sacloth spoke In ponish and opening the book with a hoof.

"In the night that the draconequis, father of chaos was tamed by the Pegasus prophet of kindness, she told him 'drink of this tea, for you are my friend.'" led the old mare.

"Thank you oh friend for this delightful tea" the crowd of ponies praised as their heads bowed, and their teacups raised in both hooves or the use of mage hand.

"In the day that earth prophet of laughter found herself and her friends in the forest of torment, she dispelled fear with laughter" the mare continued, and followed it up with a joke that was hard for the researchers to understand. However the Ponyfolk understood it just fine. This was evident by the wave of laughter....

The mare whom was apparently some sort of priestess got everyone to Settle down with a smile and the raising of a hoof. Before touching the pot with another hoof, the priestess.

"In the darkest of times when the darkness of doubt shrouded the land, the earth prophet of honesty lit the way with the truth words of the truth."

....

There would be a going back and forth. Highlighting three more core virtues. Generosity, loyalty, and magic. Soon started a communion of sorts where all the ponies were poured a cup of tea at the stone chest that acted as an altar. The elf turned to the rat.

"We should have brought teacups." The elven researcher lamented quietly.

At the end of services, the researchers stayed to interview the mare in sacloth.