So, my player's are 2/3rds of the way into Rivers Run Red, and their barony (Three Rivers) is about to have its first festival. I'll probably integrate Event 3 from the chapter into things, but I'm looking for ideas for events (roleplaying opportunities, minigames, and such) to flesh out the harvest festival. So, forumites, what you got?
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If it is a festival, there would be more emphasis on any regional traditions, like a May Queen, or a Straw Man burned to banish evil spirits. Perhaps there is also a tradition of the local ruler, like a feast where all the common and poor people are let inside the castle halls to eat like the king/baron/lord eats for a day.
There are probably going to be contests, but nothing as serious as a tourney. Maybe a treasure hunt, dunk tank, riddle-tellers, storytelling contests, bragging contests, or maybe eating/drinking contests. Maybe even a kissing booth.
There should be lots of awards for the best produce/livestock/local recipe made with local produce. For instance in an apple growing area, probably awards for the best apples, best apple pie, best apple cider, etc. There would probably also be some sort of show or display after dark so that the merry making could continue late into the evening.
In general, my take on festivals is sort of like a county fair, flavored with local traditions and seasonal specifics, like Yule, May Day, etc. There should be lots of food, lots of drinking, lots of traveling merchants and vendors, and of course, lots of pickpockets :P
I'd also mix in some kind of tournament (not as grand as the one in #5, though). Since it's a harvest festival, I think you can blend in all of redcelt32's ideas above.
If you have access to RotRL #1 - look at the swallow tail festival described there and remove the relation to Desna.
Ruyan.
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By the time my PCs were ready to run their first party they had the Cold Iron Feybane sword from the tomb of the barbarian tomb. My PCs invited delegates from Restov, Varnhold, Drelev, Kyonin (and Sevenarches), Five Kings, Pitax and Mivon. Pitax and Mivon both refused the invitation.
During the ball I had a few events:
Drelev tried hitting on some of the female PCs because he's a creep.
Varn introduced his daughter Holly (think Bonny Macfarlane from Red Dead Redemption). In an attempt to cement a political alliance.
The Baron (a dwarf) was introduced to the fiancee he had agreed to marry at the Restov Ball.
The Elves gave the PCs the task of finding some elven ruins.
I also had a half-elf thief attempt to steal the sword from the castle vault. Which led to a chase through the party and through the castle grounds. The thief was sent by "the Green eyed lady", which was their first real indication of Nyrissa.
My players have gone for 12 festivals per year. At the top of my head :
- Tax Day : Religious day for the followers of Abadar
- Archers' Day : Religious day for the followers of Erastil.
- Beer Fest : In honor of Caydan Caelian.
- Fey Day : Kind of an April's fool, where feys are invited to trick people.
- Aldori Duelling Festival.
- Choral Games : It's similar to the highland games.
- Foundation Day : To celebrate to founding of the nation.
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My players have gone for 12 festivals per year. At the top of my head :
- Tax Day : Religious day for the followers of Abadar
- Archers' Day : Religious day for the followers of Erastil.
- Beer Fest : In honor of Caydan Caelian.
- Fey Day : Kind of an April's fool, where feys are invited to trick people.
- Aldori Duelling Festival.
- Choral Games : It's similar to the highland games.
- Foundation Day : To celebrate to founding of the nation.
Keep it coming guys!
How could I forget the famous Fangberry Pie Festival?
Oooooh, fangberry pie! That encounter in #1 nearly TPK'ed my group since nobody had area (elemental) damage at his disposal. Good times, good times.
Another idea would be to mix in Carnival of tears - without all the sinister stuff going on there, just the circus/festival-related stuff.
Ruyan.
Fangberry Tart Days, and the annual crowning of Miss Fangberry Tart, are the highlight of my players' kingdom's social calendar.
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We've got Brewfest (ever since Maegar Varn brought over some Delver's Stout and it outdid the local brews), and the locals always celebrate Archerfeast (Erastil holiday) with free food and lots of marriage proposals.
I'll second Carnival of Tears for having an excellent set of fair-based events, though it's not so much fun without the 2nd half...
Also consider some rodeo-events: bull riding, tricks on horseback, best of show animals. Maybe some local flavor events like a hammer toss, riddle contest, or dancing competition.
Don't make all the contests about win/lose, your party should be able to participate without showing up everyone.