Festival of the Dawn Father
The festival of the Dawn father originally celebrated Pelor's victory over the Kragnûl, but has evolved to general celebration of Pelor's strength and generosity.
The Original Festival
Evolution of the Festival
The festival started after the Destruction of the Second Age as an expression of reverence for Pelor's triumph over the shadows of Tharizdûn during the Destruction of the Second Age. A religious revival developed alongside the reubliding of Keoland. On the first anniversary of the Day of Victory the clerics of Pelor started the two-day festival as a way to help newer followers of Pelor renew their religious dedication and habits. Roughly two centuries later, following a particularly long war between Keoland and the Sea Princes, the economy of Keoland was in shambles. In an effort to try and revitalize the local markets the guilds in Port Silverdeep expanded the festival to five days and attached several community events, including an art show, ale garden, food-booths, music competitions, and, of course, sales and bargains. The clerics of Pelor, determined to keep the festival religiously centered, perform a dramatic retelling of the Works of Pelor. The final two days of the festival continue the tradition of the original festival, and the last day continues to conclude with a grand feast.Quote about how the expanded festival is designed to go from celebrating a single event by Pelor to celebrating the being of Pelor through expanded community events, religious shows, and showing the best tribute to Pelor by celebrating the life and vitality of the community.
The Original Festival
The First Day
Festival Traditions
On the first day community the various guild members gather together and complete projects throughout the town. Priority is given to tasks that would either contribute to the city, then to tasks that are overwhelming to a guild member either due to the scope of the projector (more commonly) the age of the guildmember. When working on these tasks,guildmember usually don all the accoutrements, both ceremonial and function, of their guild uniforms.
Historical significance
As the Krag and other minions of darkness approached the city, local guilds worked together to fortify the town's defenses and shore up provisions for the approaching assault.
The First Night
Festival Traditions
To start the evening of the first night the clerics of Pelor give three candles to each household in the town. These candles are the only lights to be lit throughout the hallowed evening. As the sun begins to set. the youngest person in each household traditionally says a prayer of gratitude, which serves as the beginning part of the 12-hour fast. At the top of each fasting-hour one of the Prayers of Pelor is said. Clerics of Pelor keep an all-night vigil at the temples and several will commonly go on pilgrimage to the Malarigh Center for Reflection and Refuge specifically for this festival.
Historical significance
As the krags and the shaddowed army aproached, the clerics of Pelor asked people to keep a prayer vigil through the night. While there is no evidence that an all-night vigil actually occured, tradition holds that the prayers of the people continued through the night clinging to Pelor's light for protection and guidance.
The Second/Final Day
Festival Traditions
The final festival day celebrates Pelor's might and glory. Around 10 AM the city guilds parade through the town, throwing sweets, ribbons, and other colorful goodies to the crowd. Local shop owners are enccouraged to dress with as much colorful flair as possible, and many parade attendees also participate. The high cleric of Pelor usually leads the parade, and often selects youth from the city as the Rays of Pelor. The parade ends at the city's temple to Palor, where the head cleric leads the festival attendees in a prayer of rememberance, honoring members of the community who passed away that year. Following the parade and prayer, community members celebrate with feasting, drinking, and folk dancing.
The Major Rays of Pelor
The 3 Major Rays of Pelor are traditionally older youth from the city nominated by members of the community. They are given a white robe in golden trim and a golden headpiece to wear during the parade, and usually walk near the fron mby the head cleric. The recipients usually invest in an elaborate outfit of their own to wear under the robe.
Minor Rays of Pelor
The Minor Rays of Pelor are selected from the younger youth of the community. There is no specific number, but there are usually 4-6 selected. The recipients are given a golden-colored sash to wear during the parade and walk near the Major Rays of Pelor. While facepainting is available for all festival attendees, it is considered tradition for the Minor Rays of Pelor to arrive with the sign of Pelor painted on their face.
Historical Significance
Many of the destruction survivors made their way to the temple to give thanks to Pelor. While the records of the fallen have been lost to time, tradition holds that each name was prayed over by the crowd.
Player Hooks
A growing number of festival attendees are falling ill. Community members are supersticious that this is an omen of ill-fortune for the coming year and rumors are flying about who is responsible. Community leaders ask your party for help investigating.
GM NOTES
Foreign Flowers imported for the festival are slightly poisonous and create a mild itchy rash. The flowers are found at several business booths. When accused, the person responsible for ordering the flowers claims ignorance of the plant's properties.
Each night since the festival began, a high-profile theft has taken place. There are only three nights left, and the guard suspects that, after that, it will be impossible to catch the perpetrator(s). A small token has been left at each of the crime scenes.
GM NOTES
When combined the tokens reveal a secret or clue about someone powerful in the community.Someone in power noticed the connection and is trying to hide it before anyone else notices it.
Festival Traditions
On the first day community the various guild members gather together and complete projects throughout the town. Priority is given to tasks that would either contribute to the city, then to tasks that are overwhelming to a guild member either due to the scope of the projector (more commonly) the age of the guildmember. When working on these tasks,guildmember usually don all the accoutrements, both ceremonial and function, of their guild uniforms.Historical significance
As the Krag and other minions of darkness approached the city, local guilds worked together to fortify the town's defenses and shore up provisions for the approaching assault.Festival Traditions
To start the evening of the first night the clerics of Pelor give three candles to each household in the town. These candles are the only lights to be lit throughout the hallowed evening. As the sun begins to set. the youngest person in each household traditionally says a prayer of gratitude, which serves as the beginning part of the 12-hour fast. At the top of each fasting-hour one of the Prayers of Pelor is said. Clerics of Pelor keep an all-night vigil at the temples and several will commonly go on pilgrimage to the Malarigh Center for Reflection and Refuge specifically for this festival.Historical significance
As the krags and the shaddowed army aproached, the clerics of Pelor asked people to keep a prayer vigil through the night. While there is no evidence that an all-night vigil actually occured, tradition holds that the prayers of the people continued through the night clinging to Pelor's light for protection and guidance.Festival Traditions
The final festival day celebrates Pelor's might and glory. Around 10 AM the city guilds parade through the town, throwing sweets, ribbons, and other colorful goodies to the crowd. Local shop owners are enccouraged to dress with as much colorful flair as possible, and many parade attendees also participate. The high cleric of Pelor usually leads the parade, and often selects youth from the city as the Rays of Pelor. The parade ends at the city's temple to Palor, where the head cleric leads the festival attendees in a prayer of rememberance, honoring members of the community who passed away that year. Following the parade and prayer, community members celebrate with feasting, drinking, and folk dancing. The Major Rays of PelorThe 3 Major Rays of Pelor are traditionally older youth from the city nominated by members of the community. They are given a white robe in golden trim and a golden headpiece to wear during the parade, and usually walk near the fron mby the head cleric. The recipients usually invest in an elaborate outfit of their own to wear under the robe.
The Minor Rays of Pelor are selected from the younger youth of the community. There is no specific number, but there are usually 4-6 selected. The recipients are given a golden-colored sash to wear during the parade and walk near the Major Rays of Pelor. While facepainting is available for all festival attendees, it is considered tradition for the Minor Rays of Pelor to arrive with the sign of Pelor painted on their face.
Historical Significance
Many of the destruction survivors made their way to the temple to give thanks to Pelor. While the records of the fallen have been lost to time, tradition holds that each name was prayed over by the crowd.A growing number of festival attendees are falling ill. Community members are supersticious that this is an omen of ill-fortune for the coming year and rumors are flying about who is responsible. Community leaders ask your party for help investigating.
GM NOTES
GM NOTES
Foreign Flowers imported for the festival are slightly poisonous and create a mild itchy rash. The flowers are found at several business booths. When accused, the person responsible for ordering the flowers claims ignorance of the plant's properties.
Each night since the festival began, a high-profile theft has taken place. There are only three nights left, and the guard suspects that, after that, it will be impossible to catch the perpetrator(s). A small token has been left at each of the crime scenes.
GM NOTES
GM NOTES
When combined the tokens reveal a secret or clue about someone powerful in the community.Someone in power noticed the connection and is trying to hide it before anyone else notices it.
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