Festival of Radiance

Twice a year, the village of Oakhurst celebrates the solstices. Of the two celebrations, the Festival of Radiance held on the summer solstice is the larger and more heavily attended, not just by the denizens of the region, but by those from the Sameliund Empire to the East, as well as from the Elven lands to the West and Gnomish and Dwarven lands to the North.

History

Since the establishment of the Sovereign State of Duvik's Pass the individual villages and towns which have been founded here have had a sense of pride and community. The orc, goblin, and kobold raids that plagued the fledgling communities helped to galvanize them in unity. Soon, The Pass Counciland subsequently The Pass Militia, were formed to protect the land and people. Once security was achieved, travelers and traders through the region increased and more people came to settle.

Within the first decade, the newly established Pass Council determined that the four settlements in the region would unify to become a sovereign state. It was then decided that a coming together of the communities within the Pass would be beneficial for all in order to celebrate the anniversary of their origins and all of the things that have been accomplished. It was determined that the best time to mark this celebration would be on the summer solstice when the days were at their longest.

In the 40-ish years since its first observance, the Festival of Radiance has grown by leaps and bounds. There are now many booths set up in the fairgrounds just outside of Oakhurst, which boast wares from all of the artisans in the Pass. There are many competitions for which entries from each settlement are sent to participate. Since the Destruction of the Village of Orcwatch in the last decade, a team of participants comprised of members from each of the three remaining settlements comes together to represent the once-thriving community in remembrance.

Observance

Pelor is the patron god of the village of Oakhurst and is widely worshipped by the majority of the people who live in the Pass. Being that his holy symbol is a shining sun, the observance of the Festival of Radiance is very closely linked with the worship of this particular god. The Day of the Shining One, as the summer solstice is known to his followers, is the day in which the sun spends the most time in the sky, offering Pelor's representatives in the material plane an extended chance to spread his goodness throughout the land.
The Temple of Pelor in Oakhurst is bedecked with shining gold and white banners adorned with the Radiant Sun of Pelor to mark the occasion. Golden collection bowls are available for the faithful to give out of their abundance so that the clergy in the Pass can care for those who are in need. The Day of the Shining One is essentially the largest call for alms for the poor in the calendar year for this region.

Primary Related Location

Village of Oakhurst