The Cirra

In the first month of summer, The Cirra, a river barge, makes its way from Cirranne, up the River Vane in search of a new Summer Maiden. The barge is decorated with fresh flowers and foliage and is a festive spectacle to behold everywhere it passes. Its sides are bright blue and painted with flowers of all colours while the railings are brimming with fresh flowers. Foliage from all manner of deciduous trees adorns a canopy at the rear of the vessel, where the Summer Maiden will eventually sit.
In every town, village and settlement it passes, the inhabitants offer up a feast to celebrate the coming of a long, bountiful summer. Each settlement picks a young maiden to travel with the Cirra to its destination - the site of The Festival of Cirra at the edge of the Larkwood forest where the plain meets the trees. By the time the Cirra reached its final stopping point, it's followed by a celebration party of hundreds, both in boats and by land.
The Cirra is anchored for three days for the duration of the festival where, on the third day, the Summer Maiden is chosen. The barge then makes the journey back down the river, towards Cirranne, stopping in each settlement to announce the new Summer Maiden.
This journey takes about 15 days each way, so when it arrives back in Cirranne carrying the newly chosen Summer Maiden, summer and the harvest season are well underway. By this time, the whole city is decorated with flowers, and a great feast unlike any other throughout the year commences with the crowning of the Summer Maiden.
The Cirra is then retired and put away until it's time to prepare for next year's journey along the river.

Propulsion

The Cirra is propelled forward by 10 pairs of rowers, each operating one of its large oars.

Rarity

One of a kind

Length

15 m

Speed

Very slow