Blessed Stars Festival

The stars have been blessed with the holiest of men and women who now watch over us so that we may never forget them and never stray from the path of righteousness. - Preist

History

Holy Stars

In the faith of the Exalted, those who become saints are given a star in the heavens so they may always be remembered and have their place amongst the Exalted himself to watch over the world. With nine holy stars, they have created their own constellation as well known as the Great Redeemer which shines in the heavens which is said to be the Exalted himself watch over his faithful followers. It was from this the Church of the Exalted formed a festival to dedicate these stars so it may inspire others to live life virtue and faith. Often It was mostly done through prayer and other religious practices that have people be grateful for overcoming the harsh winter and seeing spring.

Festival Arrival

After a few centuries, it was decided that it would be decided that it would become a festival rather than just another religious holiday as the church was going through some religious changes that wished to put an end to the severe religious zealotry that had been plaguing it for some time to create a more peaceful and compassionate church as their faith had spread across much of the Western Lands and the need of using fear against other faiths was no longer necessary. It helped people lighten up as they could enjoy the arrival of spring before they need to work. Of course, some religious themes would still be embedded into the festival so it would just turn into some festivity of debauchery.

Execution

The festival goes on for nine days for each of the stars and for each one a different festivity takes on each day. Often taking the order each saint came from first to last and often teaching a person a lesson each day while enjoying the festival.

Day 1/Day of Duty

The calmest day at the beginning of the festival often involving being thankful for those in their lives who have aided and have reminded steadfast in their duties as well. During the day food is mostly given in small portions so people do not start from their daily tasks and no games are done so they are not distracted from their tasks.

Day 2/Day of Devotion

A day to show one's loyalty to a loved one in their life often a spouse, child, or a parent, and dedicating the day to them by caring for their needs and bring them food and drink, and take up their daily tasks while they enjoy the festivities of the day. Where they can relax and not have to feel the burden of their life on their shoulders.

Day 3/Day of Compassion

Not all can enjoy the festival for there are those who suffer more than others or are going through hard times. It is one day that the homeless and the poor are shown compassion to ease their suffering with gifts of money, food, and comfort throughout the day. For all must not need to suffer every day as they can experience life like anyone else.

Day 4/Day of Wisdom

Wisdom is something that all should have as it is the knowledge that helps bring light and enlightenment to all who hear it. For that people will give one another advice to help one another who are having trouble with one part of their life so they may get through it much easier

Day 5/Day of Justice

All those who have suffered at the hands of the wicked shall receive justice for their crimes. Criminals will often be brought out of prison to be humiliated by becoming parts of the many games that shall be a part of the day's festivities along with tales of honorable men and women who brought justice to the wicked of old.

Day 6/Day of Humility

Pride is something that blinds all that wish to do the right thing. On this day, no matter what one's status is, they shall be treated like any other person great or small will be treated with humility. For none one great then anyone else for all were created equal in the eyes of the Exalted.

Day 7/Day of Temperance

To indulge in the pleasures of life will cause anyone to be attached to them with never-ending greed. Through temperance, all shall fast, and shall give away things of value that they no longer need to those who need it. Often being in the form of clothing, trinkets, and wealth.

Day 8/Day of Courage

Fear can silence all from the truth, but through courage that fear can be crushed so they can achieve their goals. It is a day of test as a person must face one of their fears so they prove that they are will to look past their weaknesses to stand against anything wicked and unjust in their way.

Day 9/Day of Truth

Lies poison all ears and turn all who listen to them to ignorance as the truth is hidden to them. For the entire day, no one is allowed to tell a lie or a falsehood or have a bucket of water poured on them.

Day 10/Day of Redemption

On the festival's final day, all shall honor the Exalted as the nine stars shall form the Great Redeemer in the sky. With great feasts for all to join and pray for thanks. For they would be lost if it was not for the Exalted and their saints to guide them on the path of righteousness.

Participants

Priests: Priests from the Church of the Exalted will often attend the festival to honor the Saints and ensure that the faithful are guided to properly commemorate the festival through each day.

Observance

It is at the beginning of the spring when the first flowers bloom and the blessed stars are seen in the night sky to begin the celebration.

Primary Related Location

Marusia

Related Ethnicities

• Ardanian
• Vatian

Blessed Stars

Duty: The star of Logos who carried out his duty to ensure others did not suffer.
Devotion: The star of Juno whose devotion to the Exalted made her vessel of purity.
Compassion: The star of Minerva who sought to show compassion to all who suffered.
Wisdom: The star of Hespus who sought to enlighten the ignorant with wisdom.
Justice: The star of Ganacus who sought justice who suffered at evil's hand.
Humility: The star of Heckon whose Humility brought peace and understanding where ever he went.
Temperance: The star of Burnestes whose temperance lead to him living a life free of sin.
Courage: The star of Veronica whose courage inspired others in the darkest of times.
Truth: The star of Kenan who sought the truth when all was hidden in darkness.

Great Redeemer

The Great Redeemer is the constellation that is shown high in the sky during the months of the spring in the time of rebirth of all things. It is a symbol of the faith of the followers of the Exalted. It is nothing but holy to them as it represents the virtues of the saints that each star that makes it up.

Common Activities

Food Stalls

Pastries: The pastries of the festival depend on the region it takes place in with many of them being pies, bread, tarts, and fillings. Including Star Cakes, as a signature pastry made with honey and grape jam to add a sweet flavor to them.
Meats: Meats are often from seasoned or marinated players to add flavor to them.

Games

Dunk a Sinner: Often involving someone who has sinned or committed a crime in some way. They are placed above a pit of water where they that is held up by a series of ropes. The player has to guess which rope is right to have the sinner fall into the water.
Scaveger Hunt: A game that is the children that are at the festival. They are sent off in search of clues and riddles that will often have to do with the saints to find the prize which is often candy or toys. But it is never easy as the riddles are often hidden in hard-to-find places around certain areas of the festival.

Plays

Stage Performaces: Plays often were about the saints and the trials that they went through that brought gave them the right to become saints in the first place. Along with tales of other notable figures that followed similar paths to that of the saints themselves.
Puppet Shows: They are often more for the children as they are more fixated on the small figurines play around on the stage and it helps them learn more about the saints and other noble figures so they can be inspired to be like them when they are older.

Charity

Money, food, and other valuables are given to the poor to aid them in their struggles to ensure that they may know that there is kindness in the world.