Needfest

Needfest Traditions

"Needfest is the one time of year you can drink to the dead, plot against the living, and still have hope for tomorrow. Light a candle. You might even mean it." — Sorek Redmarch

Needfest, marking the turning of the year, is a time of renewal, reflection, and dedication. Among the Oeridians and their neighbors, different faiths observe the festival in unique ways. From solemn oaths to festive revelry, Needfest serves as both a sacred and practical holiday — a moment between endings and beginnings.

Needfest for Followers of Heironeous

“So, that happened.” — Sir Orin Kharne

Followers of Heironeous treat Needfest as a time of renewed purpose — oaths, trials, and honoring those who walked the path of righteousness.
The Trial of the Thunderbolt – A three-part test hosted by temples:

• Test of Arms – A formal duel against a chosen knight or champion.
• Trial of the Oath – A vow before Heironeous' altar to serve justice for the coming year.
• Trial of Purity – A silent vigil through the night to purge one's doubts and sins.

The Crimson Oath – Warriors prick their palms, letting a drop of blood fall on the altar, symbolizing sacrifice and renewed courage.
The Feast of the Golden Chalice – A formal banquet of honor and remembrance. Deeds are recounted, toasts made, and new pledges sworn.
The Knightly Vigil – Knights stand silent watch through the longest night, with some orders marching to the graves of the fallen.
The Cleansing of the Blade – Weapons are ritually cleaned and blessed before the year's first dawn.
The Trial of the Three Virtues – Aspiring knights prove their worth through:

• Valor – A test of physical strength or combat.
• Honor – Judgment of character by elder knights.
• Piety – A public recitation of Heironeous’ teachings.

The Rite of the Thunderclap – If a thunderclap sounds from a clear sky at midnight, a chosen warrior receives a divine quest.

Needfest for Followers of Stern Alia

“Order must be rebuilt every year, like a wall of stone.” — Lord Theron Sylvanranth

To Stern Alia's faithful, Needfest is a reckoning — a time to account for misdeeds, affirm laws, and reestablish discipline.
The Rite of Balance – A formal review of the year's actions:

• Confession before tribunal or elder.
• Resolution of lingering disputes and judgments.
• Military reviews of campaigns, victories, and failures.

The Cleansing of the Threshold – Homes and temples are purified at dawn:

• Floors swept clean, casting out disorder.
• Salt water over thresholds.
• Candles of white and gold lit for clarity and law.

The Vigil of the Matron – Honoring the wisdom of women:

• Readings from history and legal texts.
• Reaffirmation of oaths by matriarchs and nobles.
• Gifting of tokens or books to noble girls entering adulthood.

The Day of the Written Word – Archives open, and records are kept:

• Public access to sacred texts.
• Significant events logged by scribes and elders.
• Young scholars receive their first quills and ledgers.

Needfest for Followers of Rudd

“I once kissed a baron, stole his ring, and won a dice game — all one Needfest night. Best holiday in the calendar.” — Aylassa

Needfest in Rudd's honor is wild, joyous, and unpredictable — a celebration of luck, life, and defying fate.
The Festival of the Lucky Hand – A grand gambling tournament. Winners often donate part of their prize to the poor or to temples.
The Leap of the Fool – Daring stunts and absurd feats. Surviving the fall or challenge is seen as a sign of divine favor.
The Dance of Fate – A masked ball where identities are swapped, deals struck, and secrets whispered in anonymity.
The Casting of the Year’s Die – A sacred dice roll determines the year’s fortune — high means blessing, low means hardship.

Needfest for the Druidic Faith

“The old year dies, but its ashes feed the roots of the next.” — Khelarion Duskseer

To druids, Needfest marks the turning of the cycle — death, renewal, and the balance of nature.
The Dying Year’s Pyre – At dusk, a great bonfire is lit. Tokens of past burdens are cast into the flames.
The Renewal of the Oak – Saplings are planted in sacred groves to bless the coming year.
The Vigil of the Longest Night – Druids sit beneath the stars in silence, reflecting on the lessons of the cycle.

Needfest for Followers of Merikka

Followers of Merikka honor the land, the hearth, and the hard work of planning for spring.
The Blessing of the Winter Stores – A portion of preserved food is offered at Merikka’s shrine, symbolizing faith in future abundance.
The Weaving of the Year’s Thread – A single thread is spun to represent the old year, woven into tapestries that mark the passing seasons.
The Counting of the Seeds – Inventories are taken, plans made for planting or trade. In cities, this includes ledgers and merchant goods.
The Festival of Hearth and Table – Simple, warm meals shared with family, reaffirming kinship and care.
The Oath of the Keeper – Community leaders swear to safeguard the people, food stores, and fair trade.
The First Plow Blessing – A plow or seed bag is brought to temple to be blessed, calling for the first thaw and a good harvest.

Needfest Among the Elves

Elves observe Needfest differently by culture, but all mark the passing year with beauty and meaning.

Needfest for the Grugach (Wild Elves)

“The old year dies screaming, as it should. We do not mourn it — we mark its passing in blood and ash. Needfest is not for comfort. It is for remembering who we are.” — Finwë Stormarrow, Lore-Speaker of the Blood Moon

The Trial of the Cold Moon – Young warriors must survive alone in the wild through the night.
The Culling of the Weak – The frail may choose to return to the earth, wandering into the forest to meet their end.
The Hunter’s Oath – A blood vow on a slain beast, swearing to protect land and clan.
The Ashes of the Fallen – The dead are burned in a bonefire, their ashes scattered to the wind.

Needfest for the Wood Elves

The Gathering of the Evergreens – Holly, pine, and ivy brought indoors as signs of forest endurance.
The Twilight Revel – A night of stories and songs beneath the stars.
The Dance of the Changing Winds – A graceful ritual dance mimicking the seasons’ flow.
The Blessing of the Seeds – Seeds and saplings are blessed for spring planting.
The Winter Hunt – A sacred culling of old beasts to restore balance.

Needfest for the High Elves

The Celestial Reading – Star-charts and omens are recorded to divine the year ahead.
The Invocation of the Eternal Flame – A sacred fire is kindled in every great hall to represent culture enduring.
The Renewal of the Arches – Ancient structures are cleaned and carved anew to ensure legacy.
The Gathering of the Great Houses – Nobles convene for political discourse and philosophical exchange.
The Oath of the Silver Accord – Sages and mages swear to uphold knowledge and guidance.
The Harp of Ages – Songs of the past echo through halls, preserving memory through music.

“It’s a new year. If you’re still breathing, you’ve already won. So raise your glass — and sharpen your sword.” — Sorek Redmarch