Harvest Feast

In the Kingdom of Atreus every Rugji 23 the Harvest Feast is celebrated marking the final harvest before the coming Winter. The agrarian peoples of the plains of Atreus make offerings to Gimmias and Rugiai, thanking them for the bounty and begging their mercy in the Winter months. The feast is a time of celebration in the face of fear. The harsh winters that drift into the plains from north of the Adamant mountains make life in the Winter months demanding for the Atreans. Each year, they go into the season hoping for mild weather, but as the years draw on the chill only seems to grow deeper. Many celebrate even as they fear that their families may not survive the season. Prince Luris is terribly distraught over the plight that faces his people and has sought the aid of priests and oracles that he might find the cause of the deadly Winters, but none have been able to provide answers. In light of this helplessness the Prince has done his best to fill his Kingdom with hope. The feast in the crown city has become an event that draws travellers from across Raiven, but the Prince always reminds visitors that this celebration is in deference to the gods and in recognition of his industrious people. Though depleting the captial's resouces further in the face of hard times has been a risky dicision it has also proven inspiring to the common Atreans. As long as the Prince is able to keep aiding those in need the great feast is a worthwhile investment, or so Luris claims. Nevertheless, he has ensured his alliances with Larathorn to the east and Axia to the south remain strong that he might call for aid should a Winter too harsh arise.

Observance

The feast in the crown city of Atreus is a two-day long affair, though it seems to grow longer each year. It is filled with festive decorations and, of course, a wealth of culinary wonders. Yet before a single bite is allowed the Prince personally enters the court of the maji and offers the first of the feast to Gimmias and Rugiai. After this holy task is done, the Prince himself goes among the people and helps to serve the feast as commoners and nobles alike dine in the streets. Entertainment and trade has invaded the festival, but the Prince makes a point to keep the focus where he believes it must be for the sake of Atreus. For those Atreans who are unable to travel to the city the observation is certainly smaller, but no less festive. Food and ale are shared either in a community or for the most rural of folk with any neighbor or traveller who should come by. Traditional Atrean music is played, dances are had, and games are played. More than a few rural weddings have been held and even more romances have begun at these feasts as its one of the few times the whole community comes together.