While each religion has it’s own specific days associated with worship, there are some universal days that are celebrated in the Edeldale.
BRIGHTFEAST – Origin; Davanic worship
On the First day of Skybright, a festival celebrating the light returning to the world is held across every major holding. From the highest lord to the lowest born, each family lights a multitude of white candles (in lieu of any magical lighting, torches, or lamplight) at sundown and partakes in a meal of four courses; the Bland, the Bright, the Hot and the Tepid. This represents coming from darkness to light, the brightness of the sun (or Dava’s countenance), the warmth of the sun, and a reminder of what it is to be without it.
Traditionally the meal begins with a type of round bread (davanloaf), followed by a lightly spiced meal (varies by culture), followed by peppers and cold soup. At the end of the meal, candles are all extinguished just before dawn, and generally, the night is filled with quiet songs.
CHAMPION’S WEEK – Origin; Spectacle of the Many Tribes
In further days, the Spearfolk were more autonomous but lived closely together. Each tribe would elect a champion to compete in what they referred to as “The Spectacle”; a massive series of games and contests to determine the Champion of the Folk. The festival usually begins on the 16th of Newgraze, but over the years has been held at different times due to war or tragedy. In any case, it always begins and ends on a Chorseday.
During the week, in memory of the original spectacle, there are contests of strength, games of skill, and in the more urban areas, tournaments of magic and wit. During the week, several events will be hosted and culminate on the following Choresday. Champions may hold temporary title, be awarded a great prize, or just retain the title and status of Champion until the following year. In all cases, the Champion is given some red mark or article of clothing to show their status.
DRAGONSBLOOD – Original Origin; Herras’ slaying of the last red dragon*
In the spirit of Champion’s Week, on the 30th of Graze is Dragonsblood (or Dragon’s Eve in some communities). On that night there are reenactments of Herras’ deeds. Children often wear dragon masks and attempt to scare adults (who usually laughingly comply). The festival usually is a night of great boasting and tale telling. At the end of the evening, a large bull’s heart is served and an effigy of the King (or in the case of Glimring, the King himself) is spattered with blood.
*(Currently, Dragonsblood has been adapted to honor the heroes who slew the Matron. While their tale is only local to the region it’s possible that the Bardic Colleges will adapt the tale and it may be called Dragonsdeath.)
THE NIGHT OF HARD BISCUITS – Origin; The Dwarves entry into Edeldale
It is said that all the best brews mature by the month of . So on any given Settlesday of that month a city, community, or even a humble Dwarven outpost, hosts a NIGHT OF HARD BISCUITS (Sometimes called “Toast’s Night” and other times, just “Biscuits”). The timing varies, as rumor has it because the ancient kings didn’t want ALL of their vassals to be incapacitated by drink in a single evening. So it was decreed that each region or village would be authorized to have a night of drunken revelry in accordance with a set schedule.
The name of the event dates back to Men’s first encounter with the Dwarves. They exchanged goods and cursed the almost rock-like biscuits the Dwarves gave in trade. That was until the first of Uli’s envoys came down from the mountain to drink and the humans realized that the biscuits were in fact, designed to only be eaten after being dunked into heavy Dwarven stout. While the two peoples had previously a very formal and indifferent relationship, this drunken feast fostered immense goodwill and was responsible for the alliance the Dwarves and Men now have.
GRANDFEAST – Origin; farm tradition and possibly, An Aerthasines tradition
At or near the end of harvest, a great feast begins on Choresday through Settlesday. The actual timing is based on the amount of harvest taken in. But this three-day festival features agrarian tokens and traditions. No matter how poor, each community contributes a portion of the harvest to this event. In some towns, it may be little more than three days of donated goods to be redistributed among the farmers. But in larger towns and cities it’s 3 nights of bountiful eating and drinking. There are songs that date back hundreds of years, showing livestock and sharing of rustic traditions.
While it’s just considered a great culinary event in the cities, most who worship Aerthas, treat this as a festival of Thanks and end the evening of Settlesday in prayer and worship.
THE BALANCE - Origin; recent show of faith for the Agrastic assumption, Agrastic Tradition
Near mid-month of Seedstir, Agrastic followers begin celebrating a fast/feast festival that shows their adherence to a balanced life. However, the days usually end up with several periods of fasting, followed by indulging. Supplicants will wear a pale white mask with blackened eyes on their fast/denial days, then have a simple smudge of white paste (a chalklike paint used by the church in ceremonies) across their cheeks and nose to indicate they are indulging. For some, this back-and-forth will only last from the 10th to the 13th. However, some have been known to start as early as the 7th and end on the 16th. Each individual approaches it as they see fit, and where some will simply fast and break bread on subsequent days, more dramatic and outlandish examples involve painful bindings followed by debauchery the following day. This "Festival" has been compromised from an older tradition in which a pilgrim would merely fast for the two days of the full moon, mid-month.
SEED BEARING - Origin; Ancient tradition honoring giving by the followers of Famil Dandurrin
On the first Settlesday of Stirwind, through the second waning moon of Frostwind, followers of Famil Dandurrin are encouraged to take small pots of stew, pastries, pies or other treats to neighbors or visiting members of the community, to honor Famil's collecting and sharing of seeds. As Frostwind approaches, sometimes these treats are replaced by small trinkets, handcrafted by the giver. In the Capital City the festival usually just commences on the first Settlesday, with both food and trinkets being shared. Then there is a second feast that happens on the 18th day of Frostwind where as many as can gather come to sit for a shared meal.
MIDMOON - Origin; an old Elven tradition adopted by followers of Eadowyn
Midmoon is a time of pleasure and drink. On the "Midmoon" (15th day) of each of the summer months, followers of Eadowyn gather beneath the stars to drink wine, find each other's company, and dance along the edges of the forest, bathing in the light of the full moon. Some half-elves and humans have adopted the practice of drinking and dancing under the moon on the outskirts of the city, but many of the oldest elves find this practice offensive and not in the spirit of the nights. Anyone uninvited that stumbles upon a Midmoon will usually be captured, stripped of their gear, and "ransomed" before the revelers with mocking taunts (regarding their lack of worth) and playful insults. But on the morning light, everything is returned to them. Anyone carrying silvered weapons however can avoid this "punishment" and will usually be invited to join in the night's activities.