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Etzori Holidays and Observations.

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Let the Celebration Begin!

Let the Celebration Begin!

Holidays and observations indulged in by the Etzori
Image
Procession of Recognition: - Held around the 12th trial of the season of Ashan. This is an award and reward ceremony and parade honoring those who deserve it, for their contributions to the city during the previous arc. Beginning at the Great Pahrn Gate, the procession circles its way through the housing rings of the inner city, eventually reaching the Crescent Arena. The businesses of the alternating rings of the inner city extend gifts to the year's honored recipients as they make their rounds. Speeches, anecdotes, poems and even artistic renditions of the feats accomplished by the recognized are presented on a dais in the arena. Then the usual dancing, drinking and fighting.

The Grand Hunt and Roast: - Held in the middle of the season of Ashan. This is just what it sounds like. Several trials are spent with teams of hunters out trying to bag something really special. Everything that is collected is then feasted on in a grand cook-off, held in the Crescent Arena, assuming it is edible. The chefs are hailed and honored as much as the hunters. Tales of the comical or harrowing mishaps and injuries occurring during the hunt are then recounted for the amusement of all present, often by trained orators and storytellers hired for that purpose.

Market of Wonders: - Celebrated in the middle of the season of Ymiden. This is another event for folks to show off their achievements. But this is more like a display of wondrous items, crafts, inventions and talents, rather than a parade-like reward spectacle for the year's most over-achieving citizens. Some of these wares are found arrayed in the Crescent Arena, while others are consigned to the Citizen's Market. This event was originally conceived by former Chief Adviser Vuda, who hoped to see clues as to who may be dabbling in magic in "his" city.

The Gem Festival: - Held at the end of the season of Ymiden. Several trials of lively and decorative festivities to celebrate the discovery of the nearby gem lodes; the backbone of Etzos' wealth. The original miners discovered the caves and settled in to find shelter from the heat, and to hopefully find a hiding place from pursuing zealots of some Immortal. They discovered the gem lode shortly thereafter and though they tried to keep it secret, their enemies found out and redoubled their efforts to eradicate them. They were on the verge of collapse when Morgan Pahrn's wandering army found them and routed the besieging forces. Among many other festivities, these events are recounted in colorful recreations and choreographed mock battles.

The Underground Race: Held at some point during the hot season of Saun. This is exactly as described. A track is designated through the Underground, a level below the streets of the city where it is refreshingly cool. Contenders hold a footrace around this track for wages and prestige. There is always a considerable turnout for this event, as citizens seek relief from the heat of the season. Some areas of the Underground are kept open to the public for the remainder of the hot season following the race. But strict protocols are observed as to where one may go without military clearance. Extra guards are in evidence both during the race and after to emphasize this.

Trial of Lessons: - Held during the first few trials of Vhalar. Kind of an odd grudge-match, score-settling number of trials, for the amusement of uninvolved citizens. This brag-fest pits craftsmen who have ongoing bragging campaigns against those of other professions with whom they have had many words of insult and challenge. Citizens of neither profession, throughout the city, collect votes for who will be called to compete as the arc goes on. Those with the most votes are selected to settle the matter. This is done by forcing the two sides to work in their adversary's field of endeavor for several trials. The side which does the least laughable job is the winner. Buffoonery awards are often handed out. Most winners are gracious, most losers accept with humor. But there are times where final judgements must be made at the Ten-Trial games.

Ten-Trial Games: - A common enough occurrence, as the name indicates. Every ten trials, gladiatorial contests are held in the Crescent Arena. These are usually either grudge matches, legal dispute settlements, or demonstrations of martial techniques with the likely end result of selling something. Bets are not only commonplace, they are encouraged. The settling of which often leading to the next ten-trial's round of games.

Trials of the Promised: - Various times throughout the arc. A subtle campaign to "innocently and accidentally" antagonize any members of races who were created through resurrection by Immortals, by subtle suggestions that they could be "called back", at any time, by the careless whims of their patron Immortals. It is presented as sympathy for the fact that, unlike the Etzori, such races have no control over their lives. This feigned sympathy is deliberately overbearing and exaggerated for a trial or two. This is the doing of former Chief Adviser Vuda, for the purpose of maintaining subtle disdain and hostility between those races and the humans of Etzos. This is to nurture a subconscious readiness to expect hostility from them.

Founder's Trial: - Technically the 49th trial of Vhalar, but it usually starts several trials early and runs long after. This is a trial to commemorate and celebrate the founding of the city. It marks the accord reached between the Morgan Pahrn and the last few surviving miners that had earlier discovered the gem mines. The miners' gratitude for the rescue from hostile zealots, and Parhn's realization that he'd found that perfect place to establish an Immortal-free city, led to the founding of Etzos. This is the grandest holiday of them all.

The Airing of the Tower: - Held at the end of Vhalar. This event was named after a joke made on the notion that all who live or work in "The Tower" are stuffy. For this one trial, an open door policy exists and tours are conducted. But anyone who believes they're actually going to see anything of great secret or strategic value is fooling themselves.

The Lighting of the Dark: - Celebrated the first trial of Cylus. - In a spectacle of exacting archery prowess, and defiance of the dark season attributed to the Immortal Tried, the most celebrated archers in the city are tasked to fire flaming arrows into large, oil-filled brazier torches along the walls of the inner city and curtain walls. The arrows are coated with a gel that burns in bright colors and are fired from the tops of the towers in the Citadel. The torches are fed by reservoirs of oil and are then kept lit throughout the dark season of Cylus.

The Festival of Independence and Light - Celebrated the 30th trial of Cylus - The entire city celebrates its freedom from Immortal rule. A symbolic bonfire is ignited in the Crescent Arena, and citizens are encouraged to bring anything related to an Immortal and feed it to the flames. Tempers run high on this trial, and it has come near to there being bodies thrown in as well, since not every citizen embraces the mood as enthusiastically as some others feel they ought to. But there are events of praise and beauty as well. Bold reenactments and songs of the founder's courage in the face of Immortal oppression. Poetry and art, dance and exotic foods, contests and games. Extremes of patriotism run high, however, and it is advisable for newcomers, or those of races linked to particular Immortals, to distance themselves from these festivities. The one event they are welcomed to take part in is the last one, the "Welcoming of the Dawn", in which every window is graced with a candle to call light back into the world.
Original Version by Maltruism
Let the Celebration Begin!

Holidays and observations indulged in by the Etzori
Image
Procession of Recognition: - Held around the 12th trial of the season of Ashan. This is an award and reward ceremony and parade honoring those who deserve it, for their contributions to the city during the previous arc. Beginning at the Great Pahrn Gate, the procession circles its way through the housing rings of the inner city, eventually reaching the Crescent Arena. The businesses of the alternating rings of the inner city extend gifts to the year's honored recipients as they make their rounds. Speeches, anecdotes, poems and even artistic renditions of the feats accomplished by the recognized are presented on a dais in the arena. Then the usual dancing, drinking and fighting.

The Grand Hunt and Roast: - Held in the middle of the season of Ashan. This is just what it sounds like. Several trials are spent with teams of hunters out trying to bag something really special. Everything that is collected is then feasted on in a grand cook-off, held in the Crescent Arena, assuming it is edible. The chefs are hailed and honored as much as the hunters. Tales of the comical or harrowing mishaps and injuries occurring during the hunt are then recounted for the amusement of all present, often by trained orators and storytellers hired for that purpose.

Market of Wonders: - Celebrated in the middle of the hot season of Ymiden. This is another event for folks to show off their achievements. But this is more like a display of wondrous items, crafts, inventions and talents, rather than a parade-like reward spectacle for the year's most over-achieving citizens. Some of these wares are found arrayed in the Crescent Arena, while others are consigned to the Citizen's Market. This event was conceived by Chief Adviser Vuda, who hopes to see clues as to who may be dabbling in magic in "his" city.

The Gem Festival: - Held at the end of the season of Ymiden. Several trials of lively and decorative festivities to celebrate the discovery of the nearby gem lodes; the backbone of Etzos' wealth. The original miners discovered the caves and settled in to find shelter from the heat, and to hopefully find a hiding place from pursuing zealots of some Immortal. They discovered the gem lode shortly thereafter and though they tried to keep it secret, their enemies found out and redoubled their efforts to eradicate them. They were on the verge of collapse when Morgan Pahrn's wandering army found them and routed the besieging forces. Among many other festivities, these events are recounted in colorful recreations and choreographed mock battles.

The Underground Race: Held at some point during the hot season of Saun. This is exactly as described. A track is designated through the Underground, a level below the streets of the city where it is refreshingly cool. Contenders hold a footrace around this track for wages and prestige. There is always a considerable turnout for this event, as citizens seek relief from the heat of the season. Some areas of the Underground are kept open to the public for the remainder of the hot season following the race. But strict protocols are observed as to where one may go without military clearance. Extra guards are in evidence both during the race and after to emphasize this.

Trial of Lessons: - Held during the first few trials of Vhalar. Kind of an odd grudge-match, score-settling number of trials, for the amusement of uninvolved citizens. This brag-fest pits craftsmen who have ongoing bragging campaigns against those of other professions with whom they have had many words of insult and challenge. Citizens of neither profession, throughout the city, collect votes for who will be called to compete as the arc goes on. Those with the most votes are selected to settle the matter. This is done by forcing the two sides to work in their adversary's field of endeavor for several trials. The side which does the least laughable job is the winner. Buffoonery awards are often handed out. Most winners are gracious, most losers accept with humor. But there are times where final judgements must be made at the Ten-Trial games.

Ten-Trial Games: - A common enough occurrence, as the name indicates. Every ten trials, gladiatorial contests are held in the Crescent Arena. These are usually either grudge matches, legal dispute settlements, or demonstrations of martial techniques with the likely end result of selling something. Bets are not only commonplace, they are encouraged. The settling of which often leading to the next ten-trial's round of games.

Trials of the Promised: - Various times throughout the arc. A subtle campaign to "innocently and accidentally" antagonize any members of races who were created through resurrection by Immortals, by subtle suggestions that they could be "called back", at any time, by the careless whims of their patron Immortals. It is presented as sympathy for the fact that, unlike the Etzori, such races have no control over their lives. This feigned sympathy is deliberately overbearing and exaggerated for a trial or two. This is the doing of Chief Adviser Vuda, for the purpose of maintaining subtle disdain and hostility between those races and the humans of Etzos. This is to nurture a subconscious readiness to expect hostility from them.

Founder's Trial: - Technically the 49th trial of Vhalar, but it usually starts several trials early and runs long after. This is a trial to commemorate and celebrate the founding of the city. It marks the accord reached between the Morgan Pahrn and the last few surviving miners that had earlier discovered the gem mines. The miners' gratitude for the rescue from hostile zealots, and Parhn's realization that he'd found that perfect place to establish an Immortal-free city, led to the founding of Etzos. This is the grandest holiday of them all.

The Airing of the Tower: - Held at the end of Vhalar. This event was named after a joke made on the notion that all who live or work in "The Tower" are stuffy. For this one trial, an open door policy exists and tours are conducted. But anyone who believes they're actually going to see anything of great secret or strategic value is fooling themselves. However, Chief Advisor Vuda likes the opportunity to see who tries...

The Lighting of the Dark: - Celebrated the first trial of Cylus. - In a spectacle of exacting archery prowess, and defiance of the dark season attributed to the Immortal Tried, the most celebrated archers in the city are tasked to fire flaming arrows into large, oil-filled brazier torches along the walls of the inner city and curtain walls. The arrows are coated with a gel that burns in bright colors and are fired from the tops of the towers in the Citadel. The torches are fed by reservoirs of oil and are then kept lit throughout the dark season of Cylus.

The Festival of Independence and Light - Celebrated the 30th trial of Cylus - The entire city celebrates its freedom from Immortal rule. A symbolic bonfire is ignited in the Crescent Arena, and citizens are encouraged to bring anything related to an Immortal and feed it to the flames. Tempers run high on this trial, and it has come near to there being bodies thrown in as well, since not every citizen embraces the mood as enthusiastically as some others feel they ought to. But there are events of praise and beauty as well. Bold reenactments and songs of the founder's courage in the face of Immortal oppression. Poetry and art, dance and exotic foods, contests and games. Extremes of patriotism run high, however, and it is advisable for newcomers, or those of races linked to particular Immortals, to distance themselves from these festivities. The one event they are welcomed to take part in is the last one, the "Welcoming of the Dawn", in which every window is graced with a candle to call light back into the world.
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