Festival of Oaste
History
The goddess and therefore the holiday celebrating her were originally an Elvish affair. This was one of the most widely regarded holidays to the wood elven people due to their innate connection to nature, the domain of Oaste, and their home in the Green Woods. Despite its wood elven connection however the ban on cutting of trees in Koheno made the construction of a temple impossible and so by a benevolent grant from the Monarchs in Bear City the wood elves were given land, supplies, and funds to construct a grand temple. This agreement was honored until recent changes for the elves caused strife. During the conquest of Bear City and as part of the terms of surrender the Monarch was forced to formally give the Temple of Oaste to the Speaker of Carthagia. In doing so there was an effort to absorb Oaste into the Karstephan Pantheon as an attempt to rob the Elves of any divine assistance. This was brutally and efficiently enforced with many elves still residing in Carthagian lands forced to go to schools to learn the new ways to understand their patron deity. The school conditions provoked outrage from nearly all elves as a blasphemous and genocidal act with persons such as Badiyah the Priest and King Yoruko making bold public statements against such evil. Upon his ascent to the throne of Genos King Yoruko made the celebrations of traditional elven festivals, especially one so tenuously retained as the Festival of Oaste, a matter of import for the crown.
Execution
Due to the nature of this tradition there are many ways to celebrate it.
A few examples are:
A few examples are:
- Koheno- Skilled huntsman climb the massive trees of the Green Forest to collect eggs. These eggs are said to give boons based on the animal that laid them. Breaking any piece of wood however is a taboo offence with any that snap a branch being struck with it. This festival is held fondly by couples as Oaste is said to aid her people's fertility, a matter of great import for a race that reproduces so sparingly.
- Carthagia- Free meals are provided to the populace around massive bonfires, the wood freshly cut to demonstrate the importance of nature, but ultimate power of man over it. Rabbit stew is the typical fare. Among the wealthy chocolate depictions of symbols are given as gifts to show how well travel conditions (and thus nature) have favored them and the chocolate is supposed to transfer some of that favor. In a darker interpretation of the importance of this day for couples some wealthy folk will take special care to take on elven concubines on this day, since these unions are supposedly looked over as particularly blessed by Oaste.
- Genos- Per the official decrees of King Yoruko the Festival of Oaste in Genos is prepared for thusly. Massive amounts of fallen trees and branches are gathered to be supplies to those that are unable to cut their own wood to fuel their fires. Additionally the royal treasury is used to provide festival meals to all citizens, traditional elven foods, such as root vegetable pies or seasoned egg muffins, are given even in small settlements. The main draw of the festival however is a hunt. The citizens are directed to the woods and told to try to catch an almiraj, the sacred animal of Oaste, without harming it. To complete such a feat is a sign of blessings and so many peasants and lords alike participate. While there very well may be an almiraj in the woods most of the things being chased are illusions provided by trainee Mage-Priests. The tradition of gift giving is alive in the traditions of Genos as elaborately painted eggs are given to young children by some of the last remaining clergy of Oaste that are free from Carthagian corruption. The King himself was known to go around on a float surrounded by rabbits handing out eggs personally to elven children. Some of these eggs would be made of precious metals, all but securing the child would be free of poverty.
Observance
The festival is held during the first new moon of April.
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