History & Lore
Named for the first celebration that began as a congregation of Marked Zealots who traveled from all over Espen to participate in the Council of the Illuminated Manifests which created the standards for the most prominent trade treaties, methods of cartography and the design of the current minted gold and copper pieces. Though the first Council took place at the
The Guilded Reserve: Bank of Espen HQ in
Alttanes, the event and subsequent celebration were relocated to
Twinnam for a variety of reasons including Twinnam's ability to handle the annual influx of more than 3,000 humans who arrive to celebrate Zelenalia.
The 3-day celebration has since evolved from economic council discussions to a festival of opulence and luxury. The festivities begin with the
Goldleaf Parade that starts at the Sunspire Temple and ends at the Triskellion Scaffolds Trade Corridor.
The following day is the
Barterer's Run a relay event consisting of 4 competitors selected from the Triskellion Scaffolds. The relay begins at the western wharf's district and concludes at the Triskellion Scaffolds in which competitors race to the top of the 53-story structure. As competitors have to be of the lower class the race has been called barbaric by "the humanitarians" a multi-species group of professionals whose aim is to end such barbaric practices in Espen. Despite the 3 people dying annually the Barterer's Run draws a new flock of competitors every year eager to compete for the 8,000 GP grand prize (divided evenly among the remaining winners).
The celebration ends with the
Horizon Nautical Expo hosted by the Horizon Bastille. Normally reserved for warships, the cove itself transforms for one week into a civilian port. The expo is a massive draw for luxury boating in which both ships and their captain are leased, usually in 1, 5, and 10-year contracts for adventurers and Espen's most affluent citizens. As Espen's richest arrive and depart in palatial style on boats designed far more for comfort and luxury than combat. Known as the
Floating Cavalcade, the procession of ships exiting the cove is played out by a 360-piece All-Goblin Orchestra.
Cultural Relevance
Currently, the best time ever submitted for the Barterer's Run is 5 hours 32 minutes and 7 seconds, recorded in UE 1048, however, that race also holds the dubious distinction of being the race in which 19% of all competitors died. Known colloquially as the body bag race, it was both the highlight and largest point of contention for the race's detractors and supporters, respectively. Since that race, the entire event has brought both praise for human potential and condemnation for the alleged barbaric practice.
As such, the high elves have all but banned members of the Elven Union from participation in the event, though as few high elves attend the event due to social stigmas, enforcing this mandate has proved difficult. Further, the Nautical Expo has its own unique controversies, as military proponents of Human Naval forces see the entire event as a massive security threat.
Observances:
On the last day of fall, Zelenalia is observed, commemorating the return of the first Marked Zealot Pilgrimage. Hearthwake 150 is considered a sacred day when most human businesses are closed.
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