[EVENT] Festival of Frostcrown (28-12-2023)

In the heart of Ravaryn, snowfall blankets the city in a cold embrace. Despite the frigid temperatures and frozen lakes, Ravaryn remains aglow with the spirit of celebration. The capital is turned into a dazzling spectacle of enchantment: the Festival of Frostcrown is here!

This festival is all about celebrating the new year: after darkness comes light. Without death, there could be no period of hope, rebirth and renewal. This festival honours the Odirian deities, and in particular Raanan as his blessing is needed for a fruitful next year. The entire festival takes place in Ishgard and lasts four days. On the last day the Twilight Ball takes place.

THE FIRST THREE DAYS - RAANAN’S MARKETS

On the 28th of the Cold Moon, the festival starts and people from all over the country arrive. For three days the city of Ishgard hosts a market filled with goods galore. The people from the city set up shop in the biggest streets of the capital to showcase their craft. In these stalls you can find everything you wish for: food, toys for the children, jewellery and other memorabilia. It is not uncommon to buy a gift for a loved one, to give to them during the last night of the festival. At night, fire pits are lit up and people gather with a warm drink to talk about their day.

THE FOURTH NIGHT - THE TWILIGHT BALL

On the last night of the festival, the 31st of the Cold Moon, the Twilight Ball takes place. The royal Ylindar family opens the doors of their palace to everyone who wants to partake in the festivities of this night. Only the garden and the ballroom are open to the public. The grand hall of the palace is decorated with branches of pine trees, winter flowers and the most beautiful red fabric to worship and please the Odirian Deities. The tables are filled with an abundant amount of food and wine and people are dancing all night long. The visitors of this ball are dressed to the nines in their most beautiful gowns and suits.

Considering what happened the previous year, there are more guards present than ever, though the unknowing eye will not be able to recognize them. Make sure to be on your best behaviour, or you might find a grumpy guard tailing you through the halls of the palace...

All throughout the garden, the grand ballroom and the hallways there are secret boughs of mistletoe, tied together by a beautiful ribbon, hanging from the ceiling. It is tradition that when a couple is standing underneath these, no matter who they are or where they might come from, they must share a tender kiss. At midnight, the King of Ravaryn announces the next year. Together with the Crown Princess, he also picks the Festival King and Queen: the two guests who are the best-dressed. These two people are given the honour of dancing the first dance of the new year.

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The IC Frostcrown festival will last until the end of OOC January. Which means that the Festival of Frostcrown related threads are allowed to be created from today (28th of December) on until the end of January! There will be enough time to celebrate each night with your characters. When creating threads celebrating each individual day, be mindful of the timeline of your threads! (For example, events happening on Raanan's markets will always happen before the Twilight Ball on the last night)

Please tag all of your festival threads by adding [FoF] to your thread titles!

Have fun, and happy celebration of Frostcrown!

Love, the staff <3