Chae âd Draloc - Flower Festival

Seraphine stood at the edge of the large playing field, where many young goblins had gathered to test their strength in the tree trunk dance. Âthril, the prince of the land, was also among them. Wendelin had told Seraphine that descendants of the royal house would normally never participate in these competitions, but that it was merely a fun activity for the common people.
It was the last of three games, and the prince was in second place based on points. In the middle of the field, tree trunks had been hung horizontally about half a meter above the ground, each of which could be turned left and right by two goblins. Three musicians took their seats in the middle. The participants stood on one of the tree trunks and waited for the music to start and for the goblins standing to the side to push the tree trunks. The rest was up to the participants' feet, who had to "dance" on the trunks until the second-to-last one lost their balance.
The other participants had already given up, but Âthril and the leader of the competition gave each other no quarter, moving gracefully on the trunks. The music grew faster and faster, and suddenly the leader lost his rhythm, stumbled, and had to jump from the trunk. Âthril had won, and the crowd cheered the prince.
Seraphine stared at the prince, who was now walking directly toward her from the center of the playing field. The spectators' eyes were fixed on her, while her cheeks flushed with shame. She glared, hoping the prince would overlook her. But he stopped right in front of her and bowed. Somewhat embarrassed yet proud, he smiled at her and asked, "Will you be my Flower Queen?"

In the first week of the 5th month (Brictâdi) of the Brictaelgican Luni changing year calendar, the Chae âd Draloc is celebrated, dedicated to the goddess of fertility Brictissa. It always begins on the 1st of Brictâdi and ends the following day. Houses throughout Brictaelgis are decorated with garlands of flowers. It is traditional to greet each other with "Ýrad drui nócti ad Brictissanai!", which means "Joy and blessings of Brictissa!"

by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage

Flowery competitions

The highlight of the festivities is the symbolic sowing of the first seeds, preceded by a ceremonial procession. To honor the goddess, it became a tradition in the 5th century AEC to make flower crowns, which were carried by young, unmarried Âdocôdix during the procession. Depending on the region, different flowers and pussy willow branches are tied into the crowns. In Âdocôris, these are mainly meadow flowers. In Taen Wôtris, they are the first forest flowers to grow in clearings.
For about 300 years, the crown competitions in Âdocôris have been held on the first day of the festival, in which women compete against each other with their creations. Young male goblins test their strength in three games of skill, including an obstacle course, stone-throwing, and tree trunk dancing. The winner is proclaimed Flower King and may choose a Flower Queen from a group of female goblins, who will "rule" alongside him until the Day of Happiness in the fall. Both are adorned with the winner's crowns and open the spring dance alongside the ruling couple in the evening.

Flower crown by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney

Seed spiral by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney

Symbolic sowing

On the second day of the festivities, druids (of both sexes) belonging to the orders of the earth goddess Êlgista and the rain god Trállox bless the seeds. The priests lead a solemn procession that leads from the town's marketplace to the nearby sanctuary of the fertility goddess. They are followed by an ornate scale of the flower king and queen, symbolizing Bricitissa and Lânis, the goddess of fertility and the god of the wind, and another scale of the ruling family. Young goblins carrying baskets containing small bags of seeds from various crops follow behind the two scales. At the end, the common people, residents and guests, join the procession.
In the center of the sanctuary is a small circular field and a flower-decorated pavilion. A small paved path leads to the pavilion and field. The field was prepared and plowed for the celebrations a few days before the symbolic sowing.

by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage

The two druids and the royal couple stand on the hill in the middle of the field, while the remaining onlookers line up around the field. Some women sing a spring song, which accompanies the entire ceremony.
The chief druid of the Earth Goddess blesses a dibber, which is used to make two spiral furrows in the field. The Goddess then blesses the seeds, which the Flower Queen scatters into one of the furrows. While the seeds are covered with earth again, the chief druid of the Rain God blesses a jug full of holy water, previously drawn from the sanctuary's well. The Flower King carefully pours the water into a paved leaf-shaped channel. From there, the water flows evenly through the second spiral furrow to the seeds.
Both druids once again bless the freshly moistened earth with blessings. The royal couple then kneels before the two druids, and they, representing the two gods, are symbolically married with a floral band. If this symbolic marriage has been deepened by the royal couple by the day of happiness in autumn, and both wish it, it is legally sealed again in the autumn.

"Doesn't that girl on the prince's arm look ridiculous?" a goblin girl asked her friend.
"Be quiet! I know you would have loved to be Flower Queen, but he chose her, and I think she looks beautiful. And that even though she's human," her friend replied harshly.

Traditional enjoyment

During the two days, market stalls everywhere offer fresh, light spring beer, reminiscent of elderflowers and with a warm honey color. Green soups with chopped spring herbs or winter nuts and hearty little pies made with green rabbit or bantam meat are also available. For dessert, goblins enjoy Glùcaella - Crocus Doughnut, cookies or flower-shaped yeast bread, and candied spring flowers.