The Annual Progress

Each year, the Lords of each of three major houses of the Autumnvale embark upon a journey through each of their holdings, accompanied by their court. So that members of each Lords' courts, and occasionally the Lords themselves, may attend each other’s progress, each House is allocated a season. The Ashdownes progress during the most prestigious season of Autumn, while the Walmoors embark during the Spring, and the Allisters, the Summer.
  The progress plays an important role in transporting the nobility through the country so that they may both see the state of affairs and showcase themselves to their people. A Lord’s first progress is especially crucial to cement his image, reassure allies, and intimidate enemies. It also exposes him to any pertinent issues in the countryside that should be addressed during his reign. The Lord, his retinue and guards, courtiers and attendants constitute a sizeable train of horses, carts, and pack animals that meanders through the countryside, staying at pre-planned locations. These often include the keeps and halls of minor knightly houses: in addition to the preparations made by the host, the provisions, furniture, and wardrobe required to hold court travels with the progress and is offloaded and tailored to each location. Hosting a Lord on his progress is considered a great honour, and it provides the chance for local nobility to gain access to their ruler and broach key issues. This is especially the case on the numerous hunts that occur along a progress. Hunting is seen as a demonstration of both manhood and martial prowess, and dedication to the Gods and the Land.
The game and technique in question often varies. Boar hunts occur on foot, with hunters armed with stout spears who goad the beast into charging before attempting the kill. Deer and Elk hunts can be carried out on foot or mounted, with bows or javelins and usually involving skillful shooting and long chases. Falconry is seen as especially refined, and the most skilled falconers have an almost supernatural bond with their Forridel. On the hunt, the bird is released to dive and seize hares, pheasant, and squirrels, often performing spectacular aerobatics as it weaves between trunks and boughs. In addition to honing the skills of all involved, hunting provides a more informal setting and escape from court decorum in which the nobility and courtiers can converse more freely with the Lord, and bring more sensitive matters both personal and political to his attention while cultivating important friendships. Hunts are either based out of convenient lodges and local keeps, or temporary camps can be erected by the progress. In a custom and set of assumptions from deep in the Autumnvale’s past, the quality and quantity of the feasts enjoyed while on the hunt is directly tied to the skills in hunting and providing of the Lords, knights, and courtiers involved. Thus, the success of the progress’ hunts forms a key part of his image and reputation, alongside the hospitality and manners of the court, and the observance of religious rituals while on various stops along the way.
Religious feast days are observed on the progress, and the court will usually stop at settlements or locations with a particular affiliation with a given holiday. For instance, while on progress the Allisters have historically stopped at the villages near the site of Urlabrah’s famous victory against the Orc tribes as demanded by Svarcliste, on the feast day which celebrates the same. Since the court purchases locally whatever cannot be packed, this custom also serves to benefit the locations at which it stops, aside from the aforementioned boost to the prestige of the area.