Fortyear Festival
The Fortyear Festival of Ardrest, began over 100 years ago to mark the defeat of the coven of witches that ruled the land for generations. It occurs on the spring equinox to mark the transition from winter to spring and is held every 14 years. In modern day is is largely a time for celebration, and a relief of the stress of the long winter. Small festivals are held every year to mark the passing of winter, but a Fortyear Festival is something else entirely.
History
First held in 1379, to commemorate the victory of a group of adventurers over a trio of hags that opressed the local area, the people have forgotten the meaning of the festival with surprising speed and it has come to be known as a massive celebration that draws people from far and wide to enjoy the festivities. Much like any rural faire during the day, the festival is full of games for all ages. The youth of the town engage in various contests such as wrestling matches, foot races, and so on. Many revelers travel to attend the festivities, and peddlers sell goods well beyond any quality one would expect in such a small town. As the sun sets on the equinox, the villagers don homemade masks, and a green painted wicker man is burned in perhaps the only part of the festival that recalls its original meaning. After the burning of the wicker man the festival transitions sharply. Children are put to bed, and wine appears in their place.
Under the rule of the witches, a woman could bear a child only after making an offering directly to the foul hags that no doubt demanded a steep price. Finally free of the hags, Fortyear quickly gained a reputation of drunkenness, debauchery, and hedonism. Masked revelers take each other to the darkness of the woods and only return when the dawn goddess wakes them. Children conceived during the festival are said to be blessed with good fortune.
Observance
The Fortyear festival is held every 14 years on the night of the equinox, the 19th of Ches. The most recent festival was the 9th festival, held in 1491.
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