Midsummer Moon
Fullmoon on midsummer is the most important day for the followers of drow goddess Eilistraee, Goddess of Song, Dance, Moonlight, Beauty, Goodness, Hunting, and Swordwork. As the uncorrupted wild-child daughter of Lloth and Corellon Larethian, she is celebrated on her holyday, 16th of Jular. Festival surrounding the event, though, usually starts at 13th of Jular, and continues all the way to 17th day.
In the Silver Shore Island, this is the biggest and most magnificent celebration of the year. While it is still a shadow of its former self on the surface, the celebration is considered as part of Silver Shore traditions and shared culture.
History
History of the Midsummer Moon dates to early years of Age of Scars, and rise of the Children of the Dancer os Silver Shore Island. It almost vanished under the rule of Empire of Islenor, but has recently brought back.
Read the full storyAge of Scars started as a massive earthquake shattered the world, sinking most of what is now known as a Scar Coast under the seafloor. Vanwa Dafro, mountain little away from rest of the mountains stayed on the surface, as well as area around it. As the dust settled the magical energy below the ground had turned the soil with a strange sheen, and on this freshly born island, all the sand was silver. So was born the Silver Shore Island.
Trapped under this Island were two cities of drow, who were now far from the rest of their people. But in their hour of need, when Lloth had abandoned them to die, young matron heard a call of another goddess. G'eldefryn Moondancer was called to Eilistraee and instead of murdering another slave to appease the Spider Queen, G'eldefryn let her own blood, declaring that Eilistraee had summoned her children to her, and would guide them to better life. And so, the drow of the island gave away Lloth and they became The Children.
Ever since this, Faith of Children of The Dancer has gained traction and popularity among all Islanders of Silver Shore, first to druidic wood elf cousins of the drow, and then among other races, humans, dwarfs, gnomes and tieflings alike.
While not all would worship the Goddess of Moonlight, she was soon seen as a welcome figure among the Islanders. After all, wasn't their own island shaped like a moon, with silver sand to match? Her sphere of influence didn't alarm them and such, her faith was let be and her festival in the middle of summer was celebrated, sometimes on the side of other gods and goddesses. For generations, drows who chose to stay in Underdark and those from the surface with worshippers of other races would hold a massive festival each year on the banks of Lake of the Lost, which anyone was allowed to take part in. That was the roots of Midsummer Moon traditions.
This would come to an end in 3550, as Silver Shore became part of the Empire of Islenor. Islenorians were worried for drow, any drow, even a Goddess having any say on the island, and this prejudice would end up in a ban of Eilistraee's worship in 3565. After hostilities drow of the island and representatives of Islenor would meet in 3568, which ended up in massacre that made the drow of the island hide from the surface for next almost 500 years.
Under Islenorian rule, Eilistraee and Midsummer Moon was only celebrated in depths of Mori'tarna and in secret among her followers hiding on the surface. Even non-followers would give their respects to the old tradition, hiding it among other festivities by imitating celebration practices but reforming them to look less threatening for the ruling class of Islenor.
After Silver Shore Island was transferred to the hands of the Dragonborn of Aradace Tharur in 4026, Midsummer Moon has slowly started to gather popularity on the surface. However, big festivals on the shore of Lake of the Lost haven't become reality yet. While tradition has been tried to bring back, the assassination of the prophet Shrinala Moondancer has halted the progress. But hopefully, soon enough, songs to the Goddess of moonlight can be sung under her moon, and not just under the cold, cruel ground.
Execution
The celebrations start at sunset when the brightest light won't blind the drow followers of the Goddess. city squares or forest groves are taken as place of celebration. Food is prepared, traditional drathiraiqy is offered, as the festival begins and lasts until the rise of dawn.
During the Midsummer Moon, hunts, competitions, and several performances are done in Eilistraee's honour. Priestesses of Eilistraee offering blessings of the Goddess to those who participate. They dance and sing the holy rites, both unarmed and holding their swords. Smiths and warriors might want to bring their swords for the priestess to bless, hoping for the favour of Goddess of Swordwork. In fact, there are some who take it upon themselves to smith swords under the full moon, to get the Goddess' favour.
The festival is full of entertainers to bring songs, dance, and joy to the hearts of those present. Traditional Veil dance is particularly popular. Veil dancers, male and female, are dressing in beautiful revealing outfits and dance holding number of veils that the contesters try to catch, while dancers will try to keep them at bay by swinging two veils with knots tied to the ends. A participant who gets most veils until the end of the dance gets a kiss from the dancer. This is a very popular past time among more hormonal youngsters and often used as a way to get the attention of the opposite sex.
Some devotees will take part in sword tournaments on the Goddess' honour and ritual hunts are performed. At the end of the evening, some may take part in ritual blood-letting were participants make small cuts to their skin in memory of the sacrifice of the first prophet. High priestess, and if you are lucky, even the prophet herself will take part in the festive and give her favour to the participants.
Some believers might choose to marry during the festival. Especially poorer folk find the celebration good place to tell their vows, and this is encouraged. What better way to make the joyful festival even more memorable?
Participants
Anyone can take part in the celebration, as Eilistraee's message is one of unity and joy. As such, it's not by any means rare to see travellers and visitors out of the church take part. No one is turned away, as long as they respect the sanctity of the celebration and do not interrupt the festivities.
Priestesses have key roles as overseers of the ceremonies, but many volunteers take part as well. Vendors see the festival as an opportunity for some money and exposure and are allowed to be present and sell their treats and wares, as logs as they true to the spirit of the Midsummer Moon.
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Author's Notes
This article was created as an entry for World Anvil's Summer Camp 2019 event. Sometimes it's easier to get things done when there is an event involved! You can view all my entries to the event here, or check out Summer Camp 2019!