The Dragons' Day

The Dragons' Day in Ritheria is an annual festival that takes place at beginning of the Light Months, on the 2nd of the First Month of Light, celebrating the Dragons' Flight and the selection of a Rider. The festival starts at midday and includes a comedic play and recitals of poems from four poets of romantic themes. Drinking commences during the play and then doesn't stop until past the Flight, and food is brought by everyone to share.
The people of Ritheria gather in the city centre, along with the some people of the Ritherian colonies of Scavohla, Isotor, and Resepe who have made the trip to witness or be chosen by the Dragons. A comedic play, involving a Dragon Rider as the lead character, starts from midday, the playwright having been chosen by the heir to the throne earlier on in the year. Usually, the magic of the Dragon Rider is created by props, but playwrights have been known to hire Dragon Riders to do the magic themselves, though they are often too busy.
The play is followed by the recital of four long poems, romantic in nature: three by up-and-coming poets, and the final by one more famous. By this time drinking is well under way, and heckling is common for boring poems - often associated with those lacking any sort of sexual nature. A memorable year had the third poet, Elias Terres, knocked out by a bottle thrown at his head.
By the time of the Flight, taking place at sunset, the city centre and the streets around it are filled with people, abuzz with excitement and alcohol. The crowd cheers and whoops at the appearance of the Dragons overhead, and continue until they're gone with their new Rider. It is the dream of many Ritherians to be chosen as a Rider, but the people are happy for whoever has been chosen, believing it to be the will of both the Dragons and the gods of Light and Dark, whom without their city and populace would not exist as it is.
The Dragons' Flight dates back to the early years of Ritheria following its founding, with Eirla, the founder and first queen of Ritheria, being also the first Rider. The tradition of the play, poems and drinking came about during the Retrian Era of Ritheria under King Acren Retrius IV after his daughter Casmia (later Queen Casmia Retrius I) visited Ferestur and fell in love with the theatre.
For most, the feel at the end of the night (often quite literally - celebrations can continue until the sun comes up in the morning) is one of maybe next year.

Related Ethnicities

• Ritherian (Ethnicity)