The Festival of the Gods

The Festival of the Gods is a five-day festival of Arenthum dedicated to the five gods of Fertility, Health, Justice, Contentedness and Moderation. Each day is dedicated to a different god in order and a play is performed for each.
Day one, the Day of Fertility, takes place in the very middle of the year. On this day the first of the five plays is performed, the storyline linked to Fertility in some way - a common choice is the story of a young female travelling to find an [insert object, often a flower] which will bring her fertility that she lacks. The god will then intervene upon seeing the hardship she has been through and will grant her that which she desires.
Unions (see Unions and Bonding) are often arranged to begin on the Day of Fertility.
On Day two, the Day of Health, the play is always a happy one, where no character is allowed to die. Often the story will lead a character near death to be cured, but there is little anxiety for the audience due to the knowledge this rule. If an Arenthian citizen dies on this day it is believed they have been taken to be a servant for the goddess Health, and the customary curses and obscenities shouted at her by the children of priests at a death are suspended.
Day three, the Day of Justice, holds the play later than on other days (afternoon/evening instead of midday). This is because at the usual time court is held, open for the public to watch. The main character of the play that follows is usually one of the high-profile magistrates, and formats itself as a comedy, with the depiction of funny or ridiculous cases in court.
On Day four, the Day of Contentedness, there is far less of a structure. The playwright in charge of this play is usually the most high-profile, with the aim of them giving the best or most satisfying of all plays, but there is no specific theme or storyline for this play. Food is shared between everyone on this day, and alcohol is drunk.
Day five, the Day of Moderation, usually sees people waking up with headaches and illnesses from having drunk the night before. This is seen as a reproach from the goddess Moderation and brings the people into her domain. The play is one with a moral, always why something should only be done in moderation and the dangers of going to far with something.
At the end of the Day of Moderation, the City Elders make a speech and send everyone home.

History

Though the celebration of the Arenthian gods has taken place on these days for as long as anyone can remember, the custom of the five plays arose from the playwrights themselves. Over the years they realised that keeping to these themes and displaying their work on these days was a way to gain more of a following and recognition, especially by the Elders and Councillors. Over time it became tradition for these to occur, with the selection of the playwrights for each year being assigned to two of the Councillors.

Participants

The most firmly set rule as to who must attend what during this festival is set for the playwrights, who must attend all the plays in order to learn and critique. In general, the Elders and Councillors attend all of these as well, and when any miss a play without any obvious good reason, the playwright will take it as a slight. Occasionally this is used as a political move if a playwright has made an obvious unfavourable mention of a Councillor/Elder in a previous play.
The citizens of Arenthum are encouraged to attend as much as possible, and most do, but the people especially try to attend the plays of the patron god of their craft, or those who they worship above the others.

Observance

Takes place on five consecutive days starting on the day right in the middle of the year. This is because around this time is when animals start to give birth to offspring, so the god Fertility is seen to be active, ready for the Day of Fertility.

Primary Related Location

Arenthum

Related Ethnicities

• Arenthian (Ethnicity)