Day of the Gods
General
The Day of the Gods is celebrated all across Ebea every year on Veiltear 10. People typically do not work on this day. Those born on this day are considered favored by the Gods. Some great heroes, such as Thea Dawncrest, were born on Veiltear 10.History
There is evidence that the Day of the Gods was first celebrated in the Age of Chaos. The celebrations have changed significantly in scale throughout the Ages. While the celebrations for the Day of the Gods were a big deal in the prosperous Second Age, they became small and more private in the war-plagued years of the third Age. During the Age of Illusion, the festivities started evolving into celebrations the whole village or city participates in again.
With the wars of the Sixth Age and the current growing unrest, the people of Ebea are using every opportunity to celebrate. It helps them to forget their worries for a while.
Execution
People gather on the town square, or in front of the Temples, before first light. Those who can afford it make their way to one of the bigger cities to partake in the celebrations there. With the first light of dawn, the priests of the Gods hold a small sermon, praising the Deities. Typically each Deity is represented by one of their priests. In smaller villages, one priest might speak for all the Gods. Alternatively, followers of the Gods take up the role the priests have in larger communities. Either way, people are extremely careful to equally represent each of the Gods as this day serves them all equally.
Festival participants spend the early afternoon sharing how the gods have blessed their lives over the past year. They make small offerings to the Gods on this day, thanking them for the fortune that has befallen them and placating them to prevent misfortune. This is especially prevalent in regards to the upcoming Crossing of Souls.
Those who can afford it bring food to contribute to the evening feast. The leftovers of this feast usually are given to the less fortunate afterward. At dusk, enormous bonfires get lit. They are left to burn until dawn, and there is much dancing and drinking until the early morning hours.
Participants
Nobles and citizens alike partake in the celebrations for the Day of the Gods, with no distinction made between social classes on this day.
The Day of the Gods is celebrated as part of the Ebean Calendar.
More information about the Ages can be found here.
