Shakra-Ria

"I happened to make it the land of Omestad for Shakra-Ria, and over the centuries it has changed slightly, but it always has the same feeling. Due to the history of the Pegalus throne and Aether dominance throughout the continent, the holiday is fairly similar all around. It is not what they celebrate that changes, but the specific ways that they choose to celebrate it.

Southern Aethers, vary just by themselves. In the Septfold Matriarchy, they craft intricate chimes and bells and gift them to one another as a sign of gratitude for the past year. I have perceived that the number of chimes one accumilates is a minor indicator of social status, and they are hung for quite some time afterwards.

In Lexengrad, they make works of art with food, primarily exquisite arrays of meats, cheeses, and breads. There are festivals with games and sweets throughout the week as well as communal feasts at the end of every day. The pièce de résistance is the swine contest before the final feast on the last day. Farmers show off their largest pig, typically bred and sequestered for this particular purpose and the best pig is chosen from among peers. The best pig is slain and enjoyed for a breakfast feast the following morning. I must say that I have never been partial to pork, but the bacon I tasted there was some of the most tender that I have eaten..."

— The Wanderer, "The Lands of Azuremir"

Participants

Omestad

In Omestad, all who desire to may participate in the holiday. Typically, participants plan their involvement in the holiday ahead of time, though that does not exclude lesser prepared individuals from joining.

Participants in Shakra-Ria in Omestad use the holiday to express themselves creatively. Typically, this holiday is used by lovers to express their passion for each other, but not always. Some use it to show off their talents with the brush, their hands, or voice.

The Serene City of Amalfi

Within the Serene City of Amalfi, this holiday is less celebrated by the everyman. In the city, this is a time for appreciation of the finer arts those who are wealthy enough to sponsor it. All around the city and its provinces, galleries are opened to the public and auditoriums grant free entry so that the best and brightest poets and artists can be shown off by their patrons. The shops of Bronlian square shut down, and during the month leading up many shops fight for the right to have an artist use their area for their debut.

Observance

In Omestad, due to the cultural assimilation of the many ethnic-states under the Pegalus throne, Shakra-Ria is typically celebrated on the summer solstice, succeeded by a week of festivals, parties, and gatherings that vary throughout the continent.

In Makan, the observance varies depending on the nation one finds themselves in. The Serene City of Amalfi also observes Shakra-Ria over the span of a week after the summer solstice. The elves of the Ainu Dominion celebrate the holiday on both solstices, winter and summer.