The Solstice of Peace
The Solstice of peace is the most revered of holidays across Aqan, a day marking the beginning of the second age, and is celebrated as the beginning of the Age of Peace. The Solstice of Peace was established in conjunction with the summer solstice, marking the beginning of the year, and the beginning of the harvest cycles of Golothir and Megalios.
The Solstice of Peace is typically celebrated by the sharing of gifts, such as food, wealth, crafted gifts, and resources. On the eve of the solstice, revelers from the various temples across Aqan travel to Avero to partake in the Solstice Parade, where the Olympian gods are celebrated and thanked for their gifts to the mortal races, and to show thanks and reverence to the dragon-lords, the appointed emissaries of the gods. Drink, food, and love are shared in great abundance in these festivals, and the cities of Aqan regularly hire mercenaries to supplement their stretched-thin guard platoons, making a hefty payday for mercenaries and their patron guilds. Crime in the cities and towns are strict in enforcing the law during the celebrations, and any crimes are punished especially harshly during the celebrations, seen as an insult to the gods, and the dragon-lords. Even petty theft can be punished with imprisonment, and public humiliation.
The celebrations typically begin as the sun rises in the morning, and decorations are set upon stores and homes. Afterwards, revelers begin to flood the streets, bringing merriment and cheer across the city, and musicians play in the streets. As the day progresses, carnivals and performers ply their craft in the rings of the city, with acrobats dancing across the buildings, and stilt-walkers weaving between crowds juggling. At the noon sun, select shops are chosen to prepare food for festivals dotted around the city, and aspiring consumers are expected to offer tribute to the stores, either through money or services. Many volunteer to work the festivals in exchange for food.
As the sun sets, the parade begins. Clerics, Paladins, temple workers, and chosen attendants carry relics of heroes long past, banners showing fealty to their gods, as well as various censers, chimes, olive branches, gold tassels, and a small gold box. The procession is protected by the Crown Guard, the gold-resplendent house guard of Aurik Goldtongue, as they make their way up to the temple of Zeus in The Hall of the Gods. Awaiting the 1000 strong procession, lies the lord of Golothir, supplicated before a statue to the King of the Gods. The procession lines the paths of the great temple, making way for a small, elderly man. In his hands is a small gold box, ornate and detailed on its surface. The Dragon Lord rises from his prayer to the gods, and relieves the box from the elderly man, who is gently whisked away by members of the dragon guard. The Dragon Lord takes from the box an offering to the gods, and if the offering is seen as sufficient, it is said that the gods shall bless Golothir for the days to come. It is also said that the light that fills the temple has no comparison in its beauty.
After the parade, general festivities are resumed, gifts given, and wealth shared. As the day ends, another year of peace begins.
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