Divine Hunt

The Divine Hunt is part of an early-July festival dedicated to the goddess Arawai. It is celebrated primarily by rangers, druids, farmers, and sometimes sailors.

History

The first recorded observance of the Divine Hunt came in 3257 TAS as practiced by the elves in what is now known as Bastrar. A group of rangers and druids came together in the Asfayshara Woods just west of the Shercana Mountains came together to hunt owlbears for a week. The bonfires were seen by local farmers who then brought some of their summer crops with them to share in a feast on the seventh day. The group agreed to meet again the following year in the same location. Over time, nearby religious figures from the city of Alyfsari joined the burgeoning festival and would provide thanks to the goddess Arawai for her bounty.

Execution

Each year, the officiating Priest or Priestess of Arawai identifies a certain game to be hunted. Sometimes, in the absence of a formal priest, a druid, or even a ranger that is versed in the ceremonial rights will provide the oversight for the hunt. The game normally focuses on a single type of animal, or even a specific member of that animal's species - the regional owlbear alpha, or the Erymanthian boar for example.
The participants - normally rangers, but also druids, farmers, or occasional sailors - will spend the next few days hunting down their designated prey as an offering to Arawai.

Participants

Normally the hunt is overseen by a Priest or Priestess of Arawai, clad in ceremonial green and white robes. In the absence of a formal priest, however, officiating duties fall to a druid or sometimes a ranger that is versed in the religious rights of the ceremony.
The hunt is normally partaken by rangers, while farmers typically provide offerings of corn, peppers, melons, and other summer vegetables, but is also regionally dependent.

Observance

The Divine Hunt takes place during the first full week of July each year.