Holiday Hoedown!

[Prophet]

One of the reoccurring themes mentioned in character registries was a lack of holidays in Ravok. I agree. To be honest, it wasn't very high on my development list so here's the deal:

You asked for it! Here it is!

Holiday Submission Form:

Code: Select all

[u]Name:[/u]
[u]Date:[/u] Season Day Time (Morning, Night, All Day)
[u]Location:[/u]
[u]Details:[/u]

Before you go and start dropping a thousand ideas in here, let me make some things very clear.

1. Only one submission at a time. I expect no less than excellence so focus your efforts.
2. This thread is for finished entries only. Any type of discussion can be handled via PMs but I would prefer it be done in the OOC so there is less of a chance for overlap.
3. Be prepared to defend your holiday. I like to argue. Consider this your warning.
4. Adhere to the city's theme. Anything contrary to the Black Sun or Ebonstryfe lore will likely be tossed without question.
5. I have final say. No ifs, ands, buts or whys are to be uttered in my direction. I will give all submissions a fair chance but if I deem it to be unfitting then accept my judgement and try again (or go pout elsewhere).

I'm excited to have a talented pool of writers with which to try this endeavor.
I hope that all of you take advantage of it as a way to add something to your city and the game that we all love. Now... make Rhysol proud.

[Karyk]

Name: The Galatos Ball of Kindred Spirits Date: Summer 91st, Sundown Location: The Galatos Family Commorancy for Children Details: Well after the Commorancy's founding, the Galatos Family wanted a high class way of advertising the children they cared for, to be adopted by the best and brightest families. As such, the The Galatos Ball of Kindred Spirits was born in 375 AV. For weeks leading up to the event, the Galatos family advertises the formal ball by sign, crier, and word of mouth. This is both a night for the children and adoptive parents of Ravok, as well as a chance for the wealthy of Ravok to show off their wealth and generosity. On the day of the event, the Commorancy is decorated in muted Fall colors, and all orphans are given leave from their studies and responsibilities. The Galatos Family brings in many members of its own family, as well as parents who've adopted from them to help get the children ready. This is done through a thorough bathing and grooming of all orphans, then donning them in gifted or borrowed dresses and suits. Often times those helping the orphans will give them tips on how to be more mature and entertaining while at the ball. It is considered bad form for a benefactor to say anything to them about being adopted or how to improve those odds, in those words at least. Once all of the children are ready, they stand out front with members of the staff who take down the names of all who attend. Donations are expected, and the richer a person is, the higher the expected donation. High donors are honored by name at the dinner. However, if a prospective adopting parent or family attends, and signs their name to the list saying they are seeking to adopt, no donation is expected. Children are not expected to donate, as they are welcomed to socialize and dance with the orphans. Formal dress is required, and those not dressed properly will be turned away. The Ball starts with mingling over hors d'oeuvres and sparkling wine, as well as tours of the Commorancy. Once the tours are completed, everyone is invited to a fine five-course dinner. During this dinner, the orphans will often present talents of performance, art or craft as entertainment. High giving donors are announced, as well as the people seeking to adopt children. Following the dinner, everyone is directed into the ballroom where a live band is playing. Everyone is encouraged to dance with the orphans, and a variety of slow and faster songs are played. The more talented and trained orphans may occasionally put on ballroom dancing performances. During this time, the chaperones begin phasing out the younger children that aren't expected to stay up as late and sending them to bed. As the night wears down, custodians seek out the potential adopting families privately, and ask if they are interested in any of the children. If they are, they are invited to return the following day to continue the adoption process.

[Prophet]

Simple, direct; I like it.

Fixes: Make sure your locational markers are in accordance with the lore of the Commorancy.
Add something to the affect that many of the children being featured will be older since they will have had more time to be 'conditioned' by the Galatos family. It's important to know that the entire orphanage concept is just a way for the one group to keep tabs on everyone else in the city. It's also a time when the other families and organizations will try to get alone time with younger members and try to work the system in reverse (inside man theory, etc). Not sure how I would word it but those are certainly some things that need addressed. Other than that, it looks good to me. Make your fixes and repost as an edit with the original draft tucked at the bottom in a spoiler, please.

[Prophet]

Moving this here:

Name: The Red Run
Date: Summer 50th, late afternoon running into evening.
Location: Starting on the outskirts of Ravok and finishing in the Noble District.

I am good with all of this.

Details: The Red Run's origins stem from an old folk story of Ravok that occasionally makes the rounds amongst the elderly of the city. There are many different spins on the tale, some gruesome, others jovial. But the general gist, what someone might say when asked about the Red Runner, is this:
"Once, a handsome man loved a beautiful girl. He was rich and popular, well-loved by neighbours and priests. She was fair and gorgeous, a wonder to the eyes, and a pleasure to talk to. They seemed the perfect couple! They were happy and wealthy, and set to become very important people indeed.

However, there was one problem. They were both fiercely competitive. One evening, as they were sitting at home, they began talking. They could see where each of them worked from their house, and they could see the watery streets of Ravok. One said, "I suppose I could run from here to there with ease." The other said, "I think I could too."

The idea was seeded, and the man began to run from home, to work, to home every day, jumping across the narrow canals and swimming where he had to. The woman did the same, for now that they had mentioned it they simply had to do it. Each day, they got faster and more cunning, until they began to build in traps for the other. One day, the man hired a ravosalaman to oar away when his wife rounded the corner, as she had been relying on the boat as a stepping stone. The next day, the woman ran a length of rope across her husband's favourite route, causing him to stumble.

Neighbours soon understood that the two were deadly serious about their new routine, and began taking sides. Finally however, the traps took a turn for the worse, and in an effort to halt him, the wife placed slippery ice for him to tread on. However, it resulted in more than she'd bargained for, and the man slipped and fell, cutting his head, gaining concussion, and falling into the lake to drown. As she held him in her arms, the bloody water pooled on her clothes, dying them red. Overcome with grief and shame, she ran as fast as she had ever done, dancing from building to building and throwing herself into the open waters beyond the city, never to be seen again." [There are many variants of the story, some where the couple end up together, others where the race ends with the woman dying. All are valid, as it happened so long ago that not many remember.]

I love the backstory- however- Ravok has perfect weather. How does one get ice in seventy degrees? Maybe we could come up with some kind of oil instead?

The festival itself is a lot less gruesome than this story, but it is based on the principle of freerunning through the city. Competitors start in designated places around the outside of the city, where crowds gather to cheer their chosen ones on and provide encouragement. Then, on a signal, the runners begin their course through the city, running towards the centre where the first one back is the winner. As the runners progress, the crowds follow in ravosalas, which often act as convenient places for competitors to jump from and to. Some citizens are allowed to place non-life-threatening traps for runners to encounter, which often leads to amusing stories to tell afterwards.

The signal could be the bell tower. In the description, you say the race goes to the Noble District. Here, you say center (centre )- a set ending point will be needed. You say "some citizens" but how is that decided? This needs to be more specific or absolutely general.

The entire festival celebrates a mix of athletic prowess, quick thinking, and the city itself, as many buildings put on proud displays for all to see as the crowds move to the centre. Those that win receive a medal and a prize, and all that take part can either get a semi-permanent red paint stripe to show their involvement, or a small red tattoo stripe.

I like the red stripe idea. Some of the more seasoned runners would definitely use tats to mark their prowess. I also really like the idea of businesses taking advantage of the spectacle. Maybe bakeries make red pastries or other shops make red clothes, baskets, etc.

Over the years, the number of competitors has grown sharply and now the race is almost split in two- those at the front who are deadly serious, and those at the back that just wish to explore the city in a different way, usually pandering to the crowd by voluntarily getting caught in the traps.

The whole race usually finishes with a party, where any winners get ultimate bragging rights. Also, if a man and a woman were in the top ten, then there is a tradition that the two get painted all over in red and thrown into the water together, to much laughter and applause. Thankfully, they are fished out soon after.

Love it- except I'm confused by 'winners'. Would there be classes? age groups? Also- the red couple should be top male and top female finisher. I can see this being a very popular thing since most PCs and players like to accent their physical prowess.

Iron out some of the vague things and nail down the finalities. I'm looking forward to reading the final draft.

Other players are free to comment, make suggestions as well.

[Prophet]

Moved this one, too:

Name: The Night of Shadows
Date: Spring 30th. Setup begins later in the day, while the celebrations last from sunset to sunrise.
Location: City-wide.

City-wide minus the City Center. No organization of any kind who craves power and control would willingly let a bunch of masked people into their home base.

Details: Sometimes jokingly referred to as “The Hunter’s Ball,” the Night of Shadows is at once a social event and a business event. Ravok is a beautiful city, and tonight is a night to celebrate that beauty in all its forms – through costumes, food and music, all beneath the layer of mystery granted by the masks that every good Ravokian wears to the party. From sunset to sunrise, the city is aglow with colored lanterns and candles that glint off bright clothes and decorations. The celebration takes place as the spring flowers reach full bloom, making bouquets and flower crowns a common sight throughout the city.

Yes!!

In addition, themes of neighborliness and charity run strong during this night; there are several donation caskets throughout the city manned by Ebonstryfe, ready and waiting for the populace to display their gratitude to the patron god. While most years will see the money go straight into the Black Sun, this isn’t always the case. If a disaster has struck or an important city landmark been damaged, funds will go to the relief efforts. Even in years of prosperity, money gained on the Night of Shadows will typically find its way into various urban development projects or otherwise be invested directly back into the city and people; the point of this night is to celebrate the beauty of the city, and to create more.

It's a nice thought but power is a hungry beast that requires much coin for its supper.

There are three main types of participants: consumers, vendors and entertainers.

The consumers are the general partygoers, who walks through the city and socializes. It is expected that if you are not supporting your neighbors by selling or entertaining, you are supporting your neighbors by buying. If you pass a busker on the street skilled enough to make you stop, you owe them a coin.

Vendors are business owners lucky or wealthy enough to obtain a license to sell on the Night of Shadows. Jewelry, food, all sorts of crafts can be found tonight, and every vendor is guaranteed to bring only their very best. Several of the masked passerby are in fact wealthy investors looking for promising craftspeople to award their patronage. For individuals who might not yet have the funds for their own shop, this is an excellent way to attract positive attention. In addition to the business license, they are also required to donate a portion of the night’s earnings to the Black Sun, or whatever project they have declared instead.

I don't like the idea of licenses. It's too hands on for the Black Sun and Ebonstryfe. They are bodies built upon control and power but it is the illusion of freedom which they offer that sets them apart from other groups like the Sylirans and Myrians. Budding artisans might have to pay a shop owner for the right to peddle in front of a store but the city isn't going to bother with registration for the festival.

Entertainers must also obtain a license to busk on the Night of Shadows, and are also expected to donate part of their earnings. In exchange, they are also put in the spotlight in the same way as the vendors, and have the same opportunity to attract wealthy patrons. While three or four acts might be endorsed by the Ebonstryfe directly just to get things going, the majority of entertainers are freelance. Any type of act is welcome; music, dance, plays and displays of illusion are all equally enjoyed by the populace. In addition, there will be several empty stages set up throughout the city where an unlicensed person can stand and present a personal piece such as a song, poem or speech. While they will receive no money from this, there are plenty of artistic types in the city who just want a chance to be heard, and the anonymity granted by the festival means that no one will know who they are.

No licenses. However, the idea of a select group getting the chance to perform at some kind of main stage could provide a way for people to flex their 'charity' towards the Black Sun.

No matter the type of participant, all partygoers will wear a mask. This mask can be simple or elaborate, plain or colorful, but the important part is that the wearer’s face is covered beyond recognition. Even if you meet someone that seems to speak exactly like your close friend, it is polite to act as if they are complete a complete strange; speaking to someone by name is considered very rude on this night. If two people decide to go through the party together, they will usually refer to each other by simple aliases such as “Wolf,” or “Storm.”

Well put and very important- this is a key feature.

Instead of names, each person carries with them a ribbon bearing their name. For the less wealthy, it might be a simple strip of linen with their name written in ink. For those with money to throw away, it might be a luxurious length of silk embroidered with golden thread. Most will only have one, but investors on the hunt might have two or three––never more than four. Depending on the situation, too many ribbons can reflect badly on the individual; a single, middle-class man with five ribbons to give, for example, will be seen as desperate and lecherous, whereas one with a single ribbon is much more acceptable.

Another well-thought out aspect. Very cool.

As one walks through the city, they inevitably mingle. If a person meets another and decides that wish to meet that person again for whatever reason, they will slip their own ribbon into the other person’s pocket. While this is technically supposed to go unnoticed, it’s unlikely unless the first happens to be a pickpocket; most of the time, the recipient will politely pretend to be unaware.

Once the festival is over at sunrise, an individual will go home and check their pockets for ribbons. If they have received any, they now have an item with someone else’s name on it; this ribbon is clearly “lost property,” and it is that individual’s civil duty to return the lost property to its rightful owner, thereby meeting them in the process. This second meeting can have many purposes; it might be Nitrozian looking to invest in a particularly promising young glassblower, it might be a young woman looking to invite romance, it might be an assassin looking to lure their target into a trap. What happens after the festival remains up to the individuals to decide.

More smiles!

At its very core, the Night of Shadows is a chance for the people of Ravok to shed expectations. When no one knows who they are, they are free to express themselves without fear of social ripples. With this freedom comes the ability to meet others without having to put up a front, and to indulge in the food and laughter without restraint. It is a time for the people to put on masks, and, protected by that anonymity, show who they really are on the inside.

I like the Night of Shadows. There are some things that need to be addressed but it's not too far from being complete.

The idea is appealing. I especially enjoy the ribbons.

Agreed. I would like to add that -maybe- masks wouldn't be the only thing worn but a costume form of dress with a singular large pocket or set of pockets. As you stated with the ribbons, some could be plain but some might be completely extravagant.

However, the combination of business and anonymity seem to make the holiday prone to becoming a mass swindlery party. There also seems to be a lot of red tape involved, what with getting individual permits for everything. On what grounds are the vendor and entertainer licences awarded?

Swindlery! Lol. I'm with you on the permits. I like the double-edged sword aspect, though.

When it comes to encouraging freelance entertainers and craftsmen to join, the anonymity robs the event of all advertisement value, which is the main attraction point of such events. People may come into contact with investors through ribbons, but the event is useless for those vendors who want to advertise to customers. Same for the entertainers - their anonymity makes them gain no fame for their performances, unless they're already famous and recognised, which somewhat defeats the purpose of the event as an opportunity for new talent to step forward.

Vendors would not lose recognition since their products would remain as advertisement. Performers wouldn't need recognition so much since it would just be a way to make a bunch of cash in one performance. The idea has come to mind that entertainers would have a bunch of ribbons and those who enjoy the show could simply take one.

This is not necessary a reason to revise anything in the draft, but it's worth thinking about - since there's an emphasis on business, such things need to be taken into account. Ideally, there could be another fair-like holiday, a non-anonymous one, where the professionals (not least those who got investors at the previous Night of Shadows) can actually advertise their product properly. (A second business-related holiday may not be appropriate, though. I haven't thought much about that).The idea is appealing. I especially enjoy the ribbons.

I think there's something here. Perhaps not so much a holiday but a day set aside where the wealthy hold a street fair focused on upstart inventors and entrepreneurs pitch ideas to gain investors. This would really be nice to help PCs set up their own businesses. We would simply incorporate the Consortia Business Plans forum and provide an IC function to gain startup capital. If you're so inclined, I would like to read a write up on this.

[Prophet]

This thread is locked.

All potential holidays should be opened in their own thread for discussion and editing. Once completed and accepted, they can be posted to the WISH LIST for addition to the codex.