Holidays
(quote)The Thirewynian empire has several major holidays which are adopted and celebrated by it's populations across the continent. Cities, groups, and regions often celebrate their own holidays, or have express differing traditions when celebrating widely recognized holidays. Below is the list of every widely recognized and celebrated holiday within the Thirewynian population.
Thirewynian Empire Holidays:
Life Day:
Celebrated On: First Fredas of First Seed Life Day is the designated day to celebrate the rebirth of life after the traditional winter months passes. Celebrations and customs for Life Day often include feasts, activities, and games. Many vendors discount potions, produce, and other items on this day in honor. Healers and temples often conduct special services on this day, and reduce their prices as well, if any were previously in place. Life Day is traditionally celebrated on the first Fredas of First Seed each year; In years which a widespread or traditional winter is not observed, or for populations in the northern half of the continent where winters are mild, this is often seen as a secondary Market Day. However, for populations in the southern half of Thirewyn, Life Day has a special place in customs and traditions in honor of Ellinor, the goddess of life, and is used less as a time of gathering and more of a moment of dedicated prayer for a mild winter.First Planting:
Celebrated On: Twenty-First Day of First Seed First Planting is widely used as reference for farmers as the optimal time to begin planting fields with crop, particuarly farmers in the Plainlands where much of the food source for the empire originates. For the wider population, it marks a festival of fresh beginnings, reconcilling differences, and bad habits dropped. Clergies at temples often run a free clinic throughout the day to cure people of poisoning, diseases, paralyzation, and other banes that can be cured without special ingrediants or services. For those not tending to crop, it is most remembered as a day of discounted goods and services and encouraged in order to boost traveling and local economies. First Planting is most heavily celebrated by those in rural areas or regions with dedicated crop economies, with those in larger population centers primarily utilizing the day for discounted prices without putting much thought into the meaning of the day.Ancestor's Day:
Celebrated On: First Day of Rain's Hand Ancestor's Day is the dedication and rememberance of famalies, past and present. It traditionally includes families spending the day together, exchanging gifts, and visiting other relatives, current or past. It is a sacred holiday in which not many go out to celebrate or partake in festivities, rather, spending intimate time with their loved ones, and is considered a humble holiday without much fanfare.Ale Day:
Celebrated On: Third Day of every Third Month (Rain's Hand, Redfall, Long Night) Ale Day has a simple premise: Every third day of every third month patrons of taverns spend their entire day and night at the local inns, taverns, and public hubs to drink and be merry. Unlike a normal day of patronage, by local directive or general tradition, rowdy paying patrons cannot be removed from drinking establishments for drunken debauchery, so long as no laws are broken or property is harmed. Paying patrons also cannot be turned away, no matter their state of affairs. In theory, one could spend all day and night insulting barmaidens, other patrons, or making mild mannered threats and not be unvoluntarily removed, so long as there is no legal basis. In addition, some regions and towns implore establishments to discount their prices by ten percent or more. The basis for this can range from allowing patrons to drink away their worst thoughts to encouraging them to drink well beyond their normal limit, ultimately making up for the upfront cost for establishment profits. Needless to say, not every region or city celebrates Ale Day, or have different guidelines for public safety. However, one thing is sure; Ale Day is not fondly looked forward to by establishments who have to serve patrons despite their better judgment or personal morals.The Wild Hunt:
Celebrated On: Fourth Day of Rain's Hand through Twenty-Fourth Day of Rain's Hand The Wild Hunt is a tradition celebrated within the Reach and is a grand test of strength often partaken in by all walks of life. Groups of six to eight men or women enter the Mystic Forrest and hunt any living creature living there, from the humblest squirrel to widely unrecogonizable creatures only found in the strange land. The participating groups must bring back pelts, organs, or entire carcasses of their kills as proof. The group that brings back the most proof of individual kills by the end of the event are rewarded with 500 gold pieces, crowned as the Champions of the Hunt, and receive widespread recognition among their peers. The tradition began in the century following the devastating war between the empire and Reach where the land began to regrow, often attributed to the goddess Ellinor particuarly because of the lushness it returned in, as well as new or altered creatures found to originate in the newly healed land. While all participants must register with the Reach's (government) prior to the start of the event, it is not uncommon for 1/4 of the participants to not return by the end of the competition, of seen again. Those who do return are hosted in a grand feast, often including meat and decorations from the kills found in the Wild Hunt competition. This gives extra incentive for participants to not just bring back the most kills, but the most exotic, so they may reap the spoils. Many outside of the Reach condemn this practice and see it as an affront to Ellinor herself after she healed the wartorn land. Scholars and magically adept communities have been known to reside on the outskirts of the Mystic Forrest, or even just inside, both as a way to protect it and understand it further.Second Planting:
Celebrated On: Fifth Day of Second Seed Second Planting, much like First Planting, is the dedication for farmers to continue planting their crop for the year. Outside of farming communities, the holiday is seen as a day of improvement for the soul. Clinics and temples are often open for further curing at discounted prices. The holiday widely promotes peace, self improvement, and looking to the future.Regiment Day:
Celebrated On: First Turdas of High Sun through following Loredas Regiment Day is revered by many younger citizens wishing to join the military and prove their might. Traditionally a three-day affair, it consists of the Imperial Legion setting up designated training camps outside each capital city in the Empire constructed by that region's local garrison. All are encouraged to attend these training camps, from the shortest halflings to the strongest humans. Elves and Orcs have also been known to partake on occassion, but the event is often largely dominated by those of human decent. Many see it as an annual fitness day and go to test their mettle with their friends, while others use the camps as an opportunity to impress officers and be recruited. Anyone 14 or older is open to walk into the camps and register, upon doing so expected to provide their own sword; Those who are not able to do so may be loaned a wooden sword for a gold piece for the day, often to the mocking of their peers. The initial tests include basic fintess exercises, such as running, obstacle courses, and carrying objects. For those who pass the preliminary tests tents are provided for overnight stays. The second day focuses almost exclusively on one's ability to dual with different weapons, properly use a bow and arrow, and partake in further fitness tests while wearing sets of armor. Those who pass all tests to this point are referred to as Cadets, or 'ragged recruits' in durogatory references. The final day consists of the prior two day's tests beginning just before dawn and nearly without rest until sundown. Those who have passed all three day's tests are provided a private feast and ceremony among officers. The following day those who are of age are offered a position in the Imperial military, which many will accept. Those who accept are given three days leave to return to their homes and family, prepare any assentials, and get their affairs in order before they are due back at camp. From there they are outfitted accordingly and marched to their new post to continue training. While citizens with military prospects can enlist with any recruiter or officer, Regiment Day attendees makes up for about eight-five percent of military personel. While the Regiment Day tests are often more difficult than those for enlisted trainees, despite being paid the same amount, those who are able to pass the three-day ordeal are often more likely to be promoted and become leaders. They are also celebrated by their hometowns as great warriors and future people of importance in the military.Market Day:
Celebrated On: Second Fredas of High Sun Market Day is often celebrated in smaller forms throughout the year per region or city, but is officially recognized as the second Fredas of High Sun each year. Merchants will often drop their prices by fifty percent, far exceeding most other holidays in which prices are reduced. This is often seen as a way to boost the local economy, from food vendors, taverns, and blacksmiths. Some vendors attempt to recoop their losses by partaking in other region's Market Days to gather materials, products, and services at a discounted price to then use them in their own discounted prices later at a regular or altered price.Frey's Day:
Celebrated On: Nineteenth Day of Redfall Frey's Day is the dedication to the goddess of love, beauty, and marriage, Frey. As you may guess, it is most commonly related to Valentine's Day, and is taken very seriously. Major cities may hold balls for young people looking for love; Existing couples will go out on dates or romantic secluded spots. It's a night dedicated to finding someone to appreciate, and those who aren't looking make it a point to not ruin the night for others, often resorting to quiet taverns to revel in one another's company or among peers. Traditional signs of suitors looking for love are often worn during this day with fresh flowers or other symbols to stand out to let others know they are available. It is a day dedicated to love, joy, and great company.Harvest's End:
Celebtrated On: First Fredas of Low Sun Harvest's End is often commemorated in crop rich areas that also partake in First and Second Planting holidays. It is a day for farmers to sell their crops, as well as merchants giving slight discounts on their goods. It is also a day for families to take advantage of the outdoors before cold fronts set in and the traditional 'fall' seasons wind down.The Moon Festival:
Celebrated On: First Full Moon of Low Sun The Moon Festival does not have a specific date, instead being the only official holiday that takes place on the date of the first full moon in Low Sun. The festival is a commemoration and recognition of the shorter days to come and a dedication to the goddess of the sky, Nebula. While this holiday takes many forms and often dependant on each region's cultures, the duality of Hexus and Tranquil in the sky play a special importance to this festival. It is said that if the first full moon is Tanquil, that the coming year will be one of great peace and prosperity, while Hexus will in turn indicate a time of strife. Because of these superstitions, some cities put on grand celebrations as offerrings for Nebula's favor, including costumes, feasts, and music.Mournshield Day:
Celebrated On: First Sundas of Hearthfire Mournshield Day is dedicated to remembering the fallen citizens and soldiers that died protecting the realm since the empire's initial formation in (year). There has practically been a day dedicated to remembering the fallen in every culture prior to the empire's full control of the continent, but was declared as a single holiday in the year (year). Traditionally, citizens in the empire will close all businesses except inns and taverns for travelers to eat and rest. All non-essential businesses and affairs are otherwise closed. Ships dock at their ports and do not unload their cargo. Military personel have a silent day of rememberance. Innkeepers and tavern owners are instructed to remove rowdy guests, and the establishments are largely quiet with small conversations among patrons. There is no revelry, no parties, and no debauchery of any kind. Those caught offending this tradition are often jailed overnight or experience harsher penalties or sentences in turn.The Divine's Rest:
Celebrated On: Thirtieth of Long Night through First of Morning Star Divine's Rest is a three-day observance to the gods in which the first two days traditionally have very little celebration. Most businesses are closed, inns and taverns only serve travelers, and alcohol is strongly discouraged. These first two days are meant to be a passive humbling to the gods themselves, and some even may refuse to eat or drink as dedication or penance. On the third day, and first day of the new year, things quickly change pace. All businesses re-open, alcohol is served once again, and cities may hold large celebrations to commence the new year, sometimes lasting well into the night or following days. Every community and culture celebrates the holiday differently, with some continuing the humble observation all three days or more. It is largely meant as a time of reflection and inner spirituality.
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