Aerenwe: Foregathering of the Erbannien

Beginning on the first full moon after the Day of Rebirth Located in Shadowgreen at the circle of standing stones This festival mostly resembles the events described in the Complete Ranger's Handbook on p. 118, as most attendees are rangers of the Erbannien. This festival centers on the concerns of the protectors of this great forest. Local priests of Erik and Ruornil attend, as do bards who celebrate the beauty of the Erbannien, honor the ethos of its protectors, and recount the chronicles of certain famous rangers of long ago. The festival is known for its feasting, hunting, market, archery, woodworking, and wrestling. There is always good fellowship and revelry.

Medoere: High Festival of the Autumn Moon

Calculated according to a complicated lunar calendar, it falls on the first full moon immediately before of shortly after the Veneration
of the Sleeping. Located in Caerwil on the grounds of the Temple of the Sacred Moon Celebrated principally by the priests of Ruornil, this outdoor festival nevertheless attracts rangers and bards as well as mages, astronomers, and the occasional priest of Erik. The connection between magic and the land is central to this festival, which is probably the most staid. Philosophical discussions, meditation, night-time observations, and recited lore are featured most. There are no competitions, but a moonlit feast is held.

Mhoried: Midsummer's Day

Begins officially five days before Midsummer's, ending the day after, but some (rangers esp.) arrive early. Located in Dhalsiel, on the River Maesil The origins of this festival are lost, but it seems to be an amalgam of two events- the ritual collection of mistletoe, holly,
&c, and the sacred athletic competition of Erik's rangers. Participants include priests of Erik, rangers, and bards. Few others have any interest. The festival starts with a great hunt and feat, followed by several days of competition, including several distances of footrace, jumping, archery, horse racing, a long run with archery, and wrestling. Another feast follows the conclusion of the games at which the bards entertain with songs and poems celebrating the victors. To have bards disperse to the various realms of Anuire singing songs of your athletic prowess is a great and reverent honor for the rangers. The day of Midsummer's Day is entirely given over to solemn prayer, meditation, and thanksgiving. All remain serene until the evening feasting (left over from the day before) when the mood becomes one of pious celebration. During the night, the druids gather their sacred materials.

Boeruine: The Secluded Winter's Equinox

This three day festival ends on the Winter Equinox. Located in Calant, this festival is grudgingly overlooked by The Northern Imperial Temple, and ignored by most followers of Cuiraecen. This holiday is a festival of lights, celebrating the return of longer days, the victory of good over evil, and hoped for prosperity. Once again, rangers, druids, and bards comprise the majority of the attendees at this festival, although some knights and priests of Cuiraecen disposed toward the land attend, as do priests of Ruornil and Sera. In the center of a circle of standing stones, a great earthen heart is filled with dead wood and windfall to create a great bonfire which lasts for three days. The ash from the fire is considered sacred and magical and is prized by priestly attendees for use in spells like Bless Land, Dispel Realm Magic, Protection from Realm Magic, and other esoteric uses. There is generally enough ash for every priest to cast one realm spell or five or six regular spells.

Other festivals are known to take place in Riveside, in Dhoesone; Bjarkheim, in Hogunmark, and in Treucht. Anyone wishing to describe these or other festivals should do so.

Note that these festivals are unique events, and are not intended to replace the festivals described to take place in localities  throughout Cerilia.

By Kenneth Gauck

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