Holverstadt
"The Holverstadt is good fun. If you ever get the opportunity to join in, I highly recommend it. The dancing, the drinking, the singing, the games... Wild good time with a dwarven intensity. Just don't get too drunk, you may find yourself married when you wake up."
~Abide Baht Mig of Abide and Seak's Bizarre Bazaar
Execution
The holverstadt is held annually at least, and at various times throughout the year. Local dwarf clans negotiate, plan and execute the ceremony. Violence is strictly prohibited (and harshly punished) during the holverstadt, which means that any clan feuds are put on hold.
The day starts with the Setting of the Table, wherein all families participating in the ceremony fill the Long Table with a lavish feast. While not a formal part of the ceremony, each clan will do their best to show up the other clans with volume, presentation and quality of the food that they provide.
This table will be returned to by all participants throughout the day. Meanwhile, competitions and dancing occupy the attendees while they strive to attract the eye of potential suitors. Some of these competitions will be negotiated beforehand, some will be spontaneous, and many will actually be direct challenges between dwarves competing for a single intended.
Components and tools
The Long Table and the Dancers' Circle are the two main components of the holverstadt. The Long Table is exactly what it sounds like; a long buffet table with bench seats that is kept full of food and beverages.
The Dancers' Circle is a large, smooth flat platform roughly 1 ft. high. These circles will vary in size based on how many attendees are expected, but they are usually between 25 to 50 feet across. This circle will see duels, dances, games, and such. Most of the active portions of the celebrations will take place on this platform. Some settlements have multiple platforms, and stumps are a common addition in places that particularly value music or poetry.
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