Feuerfest (FOI-erf-est)

The central festival of The Church of Phaeton: Feuerfest is also a central part of Fermenese, and thus Wislandish, culture. Part of this is it's unavoidable nature: the great bonfires can be seen for miles, and for days on end the whole country smells of it. Neighbors come to one's door, bearing torches and offering blessings. And who in their right mind refuses the Sun God's blessing after all? Most Wislanders participate, even if they are not of Fermenese origin or particularly interested in Phaeton's cult. Those who don't directly participate, are usually more than happy to make some coin from those who do: selling torches, wood, or food and drink for the revelers. Nearly everything else comes to a halt, while the Sun's zenith is celebrated. People dance around the flames, chanting age-old prayers that the Sun will keep rising. Other cultures also celebrate the summer solstice, though some are more raucous and others more solemn. This has led to a nationwide policy of letting workers take two weeks vacation in the middle of summer. A new tradition, is for those who have just gotten their first job to plant a gourd in front of their house or appartment complex: to be harvested at Midsummer Feuerfest, after their first six months of work. Of course, there are critics of the festival's omnipresence. Mainly, it is viewed as a symbol of the continued cultural domination by Fermenese humans and in particular the cult of Phaeton. Given that this cult continues to have a problem with racism, sexism and homophobia: it's central festival has become a target of anger. Recently, some Feuerfest revels have been disrupted by protests: but there is a wave of counterprotest as well. Torch-carrying gangs have taken to chasing orcs and goblins from the street in some areas, covering their faces with yellow masks bearing the sign of a sunburst drawn in pig's blood. Many believe these gangs may be part of the Sunfist, the old adventuring guild of the now-defunct Sun Democrat party.