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Holidays and Festivals - The Core & Elsewhere

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Heretic:
Holidays and Festivals Celebrated throughout the Core and elsewhere.

The Core
Barovia
Dementlieu
Falkovnia
Hazlan
Invidia
Kartakass
Mordent
Markovia
Necropolis
Nova Vaasa
Sithicus
Tepest
Verbrek

Isolates
Rokushima Táiyoo

Heretic:
Fanton Griswold's Day: First full moon of the new year. (Barovia, Tepest, Falkovnia, G’Henna) Fanton Griswold is mostly a children's tale used by parents to scare their children into behaving.  ("If you don't do as mother tells you, Fanton Griswold will come for your face!"). On Fanton Griswold's Day, however, no one in the superstitious countries of the middle Core speaks the dreaded name in vain.  Griswold is a legendary figure who supposedly bet his face against untold riches to a hag that he could slay a vengeful dragon.  Griswold lost, and the hag tore away his face and set him to wander the lands. On the first full moon of the new year, he plods through the snow of each village, looking for a new house to enter. On these nights, a family must plug up its chimney and surround its house with a ring of salt. Of course, the price of salt generally goes up around the new year as a result. Those families who cannot afford the precious mineral must plug their chimneys and wait up all night for three sharp raps on their door. They must respond at the door with three long raps and two short ones. A thumping in the chimney will follow as Griswold attempts to climb down.  If the chimney is plugged, Griswold will give up and move on to the next house. The legend says that if Griswold manages to get into the house, he will steal the faces of any children who are present. Enough occurrences of knocks on doors and sounds in the chimney have actually occurred in Barovia and Falkovnian villages to keep the population steadfast in their observance of this grim night's rituals. 


--- Quote from: On Fanton Griswold ---Tales of a faceless bogeyman that steals the faces of any children it comes across are told throughout the Balinoks. This horrific creature is one of the most widely known and feared bogeymen in Ravenloft. Its actions are inscrutable even by the standards of other fey. It journeys out from its secret lair—the Castle of Bones, hidden in the most inhospitable part of the Balinoks—only once or twice a year, dragging a huge sack behind it. In many ways it seems a festive figure, dressed in the green, brown and red garb of a minstrel, a long-nosed mask, and broad-brimmed, feathered hat. The creature ignores all other creatures on its long journeys, responding with a sudden, vicious attack only if others interfere with its sack or mask. No matter how long the journey, Fanton Griswold always reaches his target village just before midnight on the night of the full moon. Once there, he searches for a suitable house, full of laughter and happiness. If the house has not been ringed with salt, the bogeyman moves up to the front door, still dragging his enormous sack behind him. He raps loudly on the door three times. If the people inside the house don’t quickly respond with three long and two short knocks, Griswold is free to enter. Otherwise, he moves to the chimney, quickly scaling down it if it hasn’t been blocked. Once inside, Griswold strides over to any children present, ignoring anyone else, and tears off his mask—revealing the terrible, faceless form beneath it. He steals the face of the nearest child and slaps it across his own head like a rubber mask. Then he tears away the faces of any other children present, throws them into his sack, and vanishes into the night.
--- End quote ---

Betrothal festival: Sometime in February. This festival is traditionally when the males of Barovia come to the homes of their beloved asking her father permission to wed his daughter. In response the father can send the youth on a quest to recover some trivial item such as a raven feather or a clean glass from the Blood of the vine tavern. Other who do not wish their daughter wed will send the youth on a impossible quest such as to gather werewolve's tooth or get a letter signed by Strahd himself. By Barovian law if the youth does complete his ask the father must allow the wedding. (RP opportunities as lovestruck youths will hire help to finish tasks and win their loves hand)

Day of Silent Hope: February 3. A visitor to Barovia on this date might barely know that any particular event is being commemorated. To an ethnic Gundarakite, however, this day is an important reminder of why hope is worth maintaining in the face of tyranny. When Duke Gundar was assassinated on this day in 736, the Gundarakites experienced a brief, but liberating sense of freedom. Their joy was cut short when Lord Strahd annexed the lands of the former Gundarak, and Barovian boyars and burgomeisters moved in to rule over the natives. Gundarakites use this day to privately remember what freedom felt like. Within the confines of their homes, they pray for the strength to live through this time of oppression so that they might again see themselves free of tyranny. Whether praying to Nerull or the Morninglord, this helps maintain the guttering flame of hope they keep deep within their breast for the coming year.

Obviously, the Barovian boyars and burgomeisters do not approve of such an event. Used to keeping secrets from their overlords, however, the Gundarakites are remarkably adept at ensuring no indication of the day’s activities is seen by the Barovians. As such, little action has been taken to date to stop this day of prayer.

Festival of the rising sun/spring festival: Spring equinox. A mostly religious festival for the Morninglordians celebrating the end of winter and the birth of spring. A time of gift giving and opening of ones home to visitors during the day. A dangerous time as well as many vampires will try to gain welcome  into homes at sunset using this custom.   

The festival of the Joining: The week within the Summer solstice. The Traditional time of weddings and joyous revelry. Over the course of the week those who have proven themselves on Betrothal day marry their loves in noon time ceremonies and spend the rest of the day feasting and drinking. Drinking contests among the males of the joined families are the norm and great casks of plum wine and barely beer made over the last season are taped and drunk. This is one of the few times outsiders are allowed to celebrate with native Barovians as long as they bring lavish gifts for the bride and groom. Party crashers are dealt with in the most harsh manner possible. As the day draws to a close about two hours before sunset outsiders are sent home and two by two married couples make their way into the chest high ripe wheat. In a way of making an offering to the earth they make love in the fields to bring love and new life to the land.

Barovian liberation day: Late summer. A fiercely patriotic holiday for Barovians celebrating the victory of Strahd the first over the Goblin King. No outsiders are allowed to partake in the festivities and woe to those who try to enter towns such as Barovia and Vallaki  on these days. Many outsiders find themselves strung up from the highest tree or burned alive at the stake by zealous natives.

Summer’s End: September 1-7. For one week, the buildings of the Village of Barovia are decorated with red, orange, and yellow streamers, signifying the colors of autumn and the ending of another summer. On the final day, there is a large feast where everyone gathers in the town square, where tables are set up and everyone eats together. The festival is held in late summer/early fall, when there is still plenty of light. Everyone is still inside before dark (not even this yearly celebration can keep the villagers in Barovia out past dusk), but many households join together to continue the revelries inside.

Day of remembrance: Fall equinox. A dark day for Barovians when songs for the dead as sung and offering are placed on the graves of those who have died in the past year. It is said the ghosts and zombies of those who are not honored this way come back the next year to haunt those wh  o have forgoten about them. (Basicly halloween/day of the dead for Barovians.)

Winter solstice festival/Barovian New year: December 14th through 24th. Bonfires and songs to keep away the darkest part of the year. A time of feasts and togetherness. A very sad time for the Mistlead as they have no family in Barovia.
 
Krofburg's Harvest Day Festival: Fall equinox. A celebration in which the latest and best from the last years' vintage are served, along with a strong black beer, locally known as Stout Heart, and roast pig stuffed with black bread, apples and nuts.

Heretic:
Lucine Carnival: February 20-23 (Dementlieu, Mordent). Every year, the Lucine Carnival attracts people from domains far and wide. It takes place mainly in Dementlieu, as name suggests, but lesser celebrations are also held in Mordent. In Dementlieu it engages workers from all the guilds of Port–a–Lucine. During the year, the merchants’ guild imports silk and other textiles from surrounding domains, including the purchase of highquality wool from the shepherds of Lamordia. They sell these textiles to the weavers, who work day and night for weeks to create shirts and costumes of amazing quality. Elaborate motifs in gold and silver, resembling flowers or jewels, adorn many clothes, along with light fuseaux (pants), pompous brocades and soft cloaks. The goldsmiths’ guild provides pieces of art manufactured with the utmost care, like bracelets, earrings and necklaces. With the aid of the blacksmiths, they work on metallic masks. In the days before the Carnival women and bakers (both in Dementlieu and Mordent) make nemen, a traditional sweet made of almonds and grain, and shrapfses, a kind of pancake enriched with sugar and spices and unusually crunchy. To undertake all of these activities artisans are sometimes hired from neighboring domains.

Two specialists play an important role in the carnival. One is the famous Lumen Company from Chateaufaux that organizes Port-a-Lucine’s lighting. They are so skillful in placing and arranging rows of lanterns and oil lamps that the light they provide seems both magical and natural. The spiral structure of the city streets allows them to arrange these lights like an enormous web centering on the Guild Halls at its core. If the city is seen from a high place, such as the lighthouse, this lighting provides a breathtaking vista. The other specialists involved are the Faira no Shoukans from Rokushima Táiyoo (see Fireworks’ New Year Feast). They bring a variety of explosives, and illuminate the festival with fireworks that take the shape of beasts and dragons in the night sky.

Rose Day: March 9 (Dementlieu, Richemulot, Mordent, Necropolis/Darkon) Rose Day is a day for romance. On Rose Day, it is traditional for young men to present tokens of affection to young ladies. It is considered unlucky for a man not to give a gift, or for a young lady not to receive one. It is also considered unlucky if a woman gives a man a gift on Rose Day. Roses are considered an especially lucky gift. Further, on Rose Day it is traditional to place garlands of flowers over the door and windows of one’s home. On Rose Day, many cities and villages hold community dances in the evening, a holdover from the ancient origins of the holiday. This holiday is a favorite in Dementlieu, where the wealthy frequently exchange slightly risqué gifts such as wine and lingerie.

Semaine de la Mode: April 1-6. The Semaine de la Mode (or Fashion Week) is an event held every year in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel in Port-a-Lucine. During this week the famous and beautiful gather for a series of presentations where gorgeous women from Dementlieu and nearby domains exhibit the styles and clothes that will set the trend for the coming year. Famous couturiers (dressmakers) include Ezio Figari, Jacques Sole, and Catherina Bonaerotto, who is responsible for giving rise to the use of unique hats among the women of high society. Governor Chief Conseiller (Counselor) Dominic d’Honaire is an active sponsor of this event, and is always in the first row watching with enthusiasm when the models make their appearance.

Dominic has, in the past, been found in compromising positions with the models during the event. Among the current crop of beautiful ladies who take part in the twice-daily modeling galas is Josephina Antonette Dugarrie, the Reigne Primtemps (Spring Queen) for the last sixteen years. Many women have wondered at the everlasting beauty of Josephina, which by all accounts has not lessened since the day she was first voted Spring Queen, in 736. Some have stirred emotions by claiming that their own beauty seems to have been lost since Josephina began appearing at the Semaine de la Mode. Others spread rumors that she has been to Ludendorf where expert doctors have conducted sensitive operations on her face, or that she wears special makeup. More sinister whisperings imply that Josephina has rarely, if ever, been seen during the day.


Summer’s Night: (Lamordia, Dementlieu, Falkovnia, Mordent). This holiday, which started in Lamordia, has spread slowly to its bordering domains. This holiday started in Lamordia as a celebration of the warmest day of summer, and is said to keep winter’s grasp away for a longer time. People in Lamordia celebrate this holiday by shedding their bland and dark garments and wearing light and bright colored clothing, as well as having a festival dedicated to the time of summer (and to a lesser degree surviving the harsh Lamordian blizzard that is winter). Before the festival, women go out during the day and collect bright flowers with which to weave a mask. They ignore white flowers and darker blooms, preferring bright colors to match their clothes. The men also gather flowers and form crowns from them, however their colors are limited to whites and dark hues.

For the duration of the celebration the men represent the time of winter and the women are a representation of the summer season. Near twilight, people gather in a forest meadow away from the village and begin the celebration with a traditional dance, which represents the summer conquering the winter. Many feel this traditional dance must be done or the summer will no longer continue and winter will arrive abruptly. Others believe in this to a lesser degree, believing that there will be an early winter if the dance is not performed. In the surrounding domains this holiday has spread to, the superstitious elements have been lost (though the dance is still performed), and it has become more of a midsummer’s festival during which masks are worn. In these other domains the masks can range from elaborate feathered monstrosities in Dementlieu to painted wooden masks in Falkovnia.


White Day: September 23 (Dementlieu, Richemulot, Mordent, Necropolis). White Day is the counterpart to Rose Day (see March 9). On White Day, it is young ladies who are to present young men with gifts. As with Rose Day, it is considered unlucky for a woman not to give a gift, or for a young man not to receive one. As before, it is believed to be unlucky for a man to give a woman a gift of White Day. A box of white candies is considered an especially lucky gift. Further, on White Day, it is traditional to decorate the door and window-frames of one’s home with white streamers. As with Rose Day, many communities hold evening dances to celebrate this holiday. White Day is particularly popular in Dementlieu, where the Masque de Couer, a prominent yearly masquerade, is held.

Primeur: November, 3rd Thursday. (Dementlieu, Richemulot). Primeur is the first day when the wine of the past year is ready to drink. A holiday more for nobility, each noble attempts to be the first to offer his friends the newest wine. As part of the tradition, there is a race of wagons from the nearby wine farms to the noble estates, each driver trying to get an advantage over his rivals by any means. Often terrible accidents happen during this race and the precious liquid is spilled, but such setbacks are nothing compared to the social gain of being this year’s Primeur King or Queen.

Heretic:
Flaming Horse Festival: July 27. This is the only major festivity permitted in Hazlan, and is a result of Hazlik’s life in his homeland of Thay, where the fire god Kossuth is worshipped. In the lead-up to this day, a wooden horse is built in every town by skilled craftsmen, with the finest wood available. Artificers works on these horses, placing iron cylinders throughout the wooden constructions containing pockets full of flammable oils. On the day of the celebration, endurance contests for the men and boys of the village are organized, and the community eats meals together in the common-houses. At night, the artificers set alight the cylinders placed within the wooden horses, giving the impression that the mane, the tail and the hooves of the horse are burning. Eventually, the entire horse is in flames, forming a large bonfire around which celebrations continue into the night.

Heretic:
Census Eve: February 28, once every three years (Falkovnia, Invidia). This is the evening before Census Day (see below). Due to the foreboding nature of the Census (when members of a family may not return), the tradition of a Census Eve dinner is widely followed amongst Falkovnian communities. The meal is usually one of the best a Falkovnian will ever have, with foodstuffs and wines that have been secreted away for this night finally used. Old oaths are renewed, and births and marriages over the last few years are celebrated again. Drakov has let this practice continue, despite the fragment of hope it brings to his citizens, as it usually leads to many long lost criminals returning home to celebrate with their family, who can be swiftly snapped up by alert Talon patrols.

Census Day: March 1, once every three years (Falkovnia, Invidia). One of the constant reminders of Lord Drakov’s influence over his people is Census Day, a day of pride for the Lord of Falkovnia, and of fear for all his subjects. The taking of the infamous Census has been conducted on this date every three years (due to the length of time it takes to process the reports from each Census) ever since its induction in the year 701. The 18th and most current Census was taken in 752. Drakov initiated the Census after his first failed invasion of Darkon in 700, to determine the number of fit troops that might be available for use in his campaigns against the wizard-king. It has since become his personal inventory of the masses he commands.

Falkovnian citizens hear of the Census’ imminence at the beginning of the appointed year, the news spreading across the Core lands like wildfire. The reason for its importance is simple. On this day, every Falkovnian is judged and told how they will serve their lord for the next three years of their life. On the morning of the Census, each citizen must report to their hometown in Falkovnia (or, if born in another domain, to the closest Falkovnian troops barracks) to register their details. These include name, occupation (whether soldier, bureaucrat, trader or slave), hometown, sex, age, race, and rank under Drakov’s laws. The ranks, in order of social status, are General, Captain, Lieutenant, Soldier, Trader, Ward of the State, Foreigner, Criminal and Enemy of the State. Visitors to Falkovnian ruled lands may come to realize that there is very little difference between the status of “Foreigner” and “Criminal”. This is also the day when new births—if not already registered—are recorded, and the branding with Drakov’s Falcon takes place. The most dangerous offense a citizen can commit is to not turn up to the Census. If a citizen fails to present himself or herself, they are summarily condemned with the rank of Criminal.

At the dawning of the next day (March 2nd), a report is drawn up to be presented to the local Captain, including a list of all Criminals. The local militia hunts down these criminals, and if found, they are presented before their Captain for suitable punishment. If they remain elusive after ten days, however, they become an Enemy of the State and are hunted by the Talons. This is a job they perform exceedingly well—they will hunt as long as necessary to catch their prey, and, in most cases, no Enemies live to register for the next Census.

Bleak Morning (I): April 21. Bleak Morning is an unofficial day of mourning in Falkovnia. The dates remembered are those on which Vlad Drakov initiated attacks on Darkon, and horribly failed. Each day is regarded as a day of the dead, as almost every family in Falkovnia has lost at least one relative on the battlefields. Drakov has forbidden his populace from any outward show of mourning on these days, as they remind him of his defeat. Most Falkovnians, however, hold short, somber sermons in the privacy of their homes or with families to venerate the dead, and pray, against all probability, that Vlad will not send their sons out to war again. Several bards have written songs and dirges especially for these days. The most infamous is a satiric song, ‘My Friends Are Dead But Still They Dance’. It is accompanied, when performed, by stiff, jerky dancing. The song is most popular with Falkovnian children, but even they are wise enough not to sing it in the face of the Talons.

Bleak Morning (II): August 14.

Bleak Morning (III): August 26.

Bleak Morning (IV): September 1.

Bleak Morning (V): October 6.


Day of the Hawk: December 20. Though Vlad’s real birthday was lost forever in the journey from Krynn to Ravenloft, the ruler of Falkovnia and his Talons have chosen a specific day to commemorate his birth. This day was orchestrated some years ago by the head of the Talons, in order to serve as a monument to the greatness of their ruler. Though the folk of the land are loathe to celebrate such an event as Drakov’s birthday, they are forced to go along with the celebrations by the Talons. Across all of Falkovnia, this day is a holiday. People shut their shops down so that they can watch or join the parade devoted to Drakov. No one has to work this day. Some places are forced to shut down by the Talons in order to watch one of the parades. For Drakov, the day begins at his castle, Draccipetri. Supplicants seeking for a favor from Drakov, or looking to increase boost their image in his eyes, gather and wait to speak with him. These people generally come with gifts, which may include gold, information or even women. A limited number of these people get to speak with Drakov for a short time. Drakov listens, and if he is not pleased with what he hears then the gift-bearer may end up as part of the night’s entertainment. Later in the morning, Drakov performs a symbolic branding of several children that have been born since the last Census. Privileged families will often actively seek to have their child branded personally by Drakov.

A little after midday, parades are conducted all over Falkovnia, usually marching through the main road of each town or city. The parades are generally a solemn, dismal affair, as the people are forced to attend by the Talons of every village and town in Falkovnia. Banners are flown, crude floats are made, and fake battles are conducted using wooden weaponry. The Talons watch over the parade, being careful to look for anyone making a mockery of their ruler. In Lekar, Drakov himself joins the parade as it nears its end, and those that make an effort in the parades are sometimes rewarded handsomely later by the Hawk himself. As the celebrations in the towns die down, a special evening is prepared for Drakov. As many as forty people are impaled on tall, thick stakes within the walls of Draccipetri, and on this night he calls in a small chamber orchestra to accompany their screams. If Vlad does not particularly enjoy the evening, it is possible that the actual orchestra may become part of the bloody entertainment.

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