Kingdom Festivals
March 20
Founding Day
This marks the day in 528 that Garic Lorne finished construction on the fort that would one day become Stonegate Keep. It is considered to be the day that the Lorne family began ruling over the area that would and expand into the Kingdom of Stonegate. It is celebrated with a feast followed by commoners and nobles pledging fealty to the King.
April 15
Springfest
This festival is highlighted by bardic circles. It is a celebration of the planting of crops and birth of new livestock. It is also the time when children born in last year officially registered as citizens.
May 12
Stormwin Day
This day is named after the Royal Magician Stormwin who died in defending Stonegate
Keep during the Horde War. It celebrates the magic users
and their magic within the Kingdom. Magical creations are shown off this day
and casting contests held.
June 30
Summer Festival
This is one of the biggest festival of the year. Mock combat, melee and spell
tournaments, archery tournaments, footraces, and battles of wits are
held on this day. At the end of the day, a huge feast is held sponsored by the
Count or Baron of the land. This is also the traditional day for engagements
are announced.
July 20
The King's Birthday
This a feast day with martial contests. On this day, one commoner is recognized by the local Baron, Count or even the King for meritous service to the Kingdom. This commoner is in charge of making all decisions concerning the feasts for that day. He/she will judge the contests, decide what the contests will be and what kind of food will be served at the feast.
August 22
Remembrance Day
This a day to mourn and remember those who have died in defense of Kingdom.
This includes those who died in the Horde War and fighting
to create all the smaller areas that later combined to become the Kingdom of
Stonegate. Many of the festivals have military parades and martial contests.
Ceremonies are held at which the names of local heroes who have died in the
past are remembered.
September 20
Harvest Festival
Various contests are held on this day. They mainly involve agricultural products.
The Biggest Pumpkin, The Largest Pig, and The Fastest Horse
contests are examples of such contests. Another big part of the festival is
the baked goods contests. Many farmers bring in pies, cakes, and other baked
goods to be judged by the local nobility. The winners of these contest receive
a small prize, but the recognition of having the best is good enough for most
people.
October 18
Worker's Day
The week before this date is filled with tournaments and celebrations. It is
highlighted by a feast for the entire town held by the reigning noble
of the land. This feast is in recognition of the artisans and craftsman who
work to make the Kingdom grow. This feast day was originally started by Lord
Negon Mangus of River's End in 576.
December 22
Winterfeast
This day celebrates the middle of winter. It is usually celebrated with the
exchange of gifts between friends. There is also a feast made up mostly of
fresh meat products. This will be the last time fresh meat is eaten until the
spring. This is because most of the remaining meat products are smoked after
this to save them. Fresh meat usually becomes scarce after this due to the fact
that winter becomes harsher after this date, making hunting
difficult.