Halloween thoughts - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Halloween thoughts

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
slashnull
Nov 02, 2007 12:57:51 While celebrating Halloween with costumes and fireworks[*] I started to wonder about holidays in the known world. In my glantrian campaign whenever Alexander Day, The Day of Dread, or the Games Day came round there would be an associated adventure. The players got a very good sense of time passing when another year would roll around.

I notice there's a Beasts Day in Karameikos, I may use that in my current campaign, but are there any others that would work well as unique and interesting days of celebration?

[*] Every country has it's day of fireworks, 4th July for the U.S. Bastille day for France. Back home it's Guy Fawkes night on the 5th November, and here in Ireland for some unknown reason it's halloween. I've no idea why...
#2
culture20
Nov 02, 2007 17:03:50 In the Savage Baronies, they celebrate an old Oltec holiday that they call the Day of the Dead (Mexican Day of the Dead). A Glantrian Principality has the running of the bulls (and maybe other monsters).

Innumerable Pagan holidays for Druids: Solstices, Yule, etc.
#3
slashnull
Nov 02, 2007 20:30:02 The Running of the Rust Monsters (while wearing heavy metal armour!) sounds like fun!
#4
Hugin
Nov 02, 2007 20:59:24
The Running of the Rust Monsters (while wearing heavy metal armour!) sounds like fun!

:heehee Classic!
#5
Cthulhudrew
Nov 02, 2007 22:08:55 Alternatively, the running of the gorgons!
#6
twin_campaigns
Nov 04, 2007 3:10:53 One of the nicest yearly rituals is in Five Shires. They capture an orc and drag it through the village, throwing stones at it. I've surprised both of my groups with this one. (I don't have the GAZ at hand, so I can't give the reference, but it's there!)
#7
slashnull
Nov 04, 2007 15:09:31
One of the nicest yearly rituals is in Five Shires. They capture an orc and drag it through the village, throwing stones at it. I've surprised both of my groups with this one. (I don't have the GAZ at hand, so I can't give the reference, but it's there!)

That's fantastic - definitely one to use for local colour!
#8
twin_campaigns
Nov 05, 2007 3:52:43 1) I've used the Darokinian Grand Masked Ball (I don't remember the exact name), many times. It is an interesting and complex event. First of all, the Darokinian culture isn't about display of wealth, it is about wealth itself - except on this day of days. I've connected it to the yearly census and tax collection, as a ritual which allows for old cadres to consolidate their power, newcomers to forge alliances etc. It is also a great setting for political and social scenarios.

For example: The PCs are hired as honorary guard of a young merchant who wants to impress his peers with an interesting mix of hechmen (a great setting for bringing different kinds of PCs together in the beginning of a campaign). The PCs get a chance to glimpse at true wealth and mingle with the crem de la crem of Darokin - and wittness the huge social-political-economical gulf. The young merchant gets into a dispute which is turned into a rapier duel. During the duel, the young merchant dies. The rapier was poisoned, or perhaps it was a powerful magic weapon. Who did it? Why? This would present the players with truly independent choices of allegiance and venue of investigation. (I'd suggest the DM not pre-develop the scenario too much but let the players themselves write the direction of the story - see where it goes and what kind of a story the players are interested in, and then provide them with the setting.)

2) Ylaruamian water rituals: the religion of Al-Kalim was written around the Dune books and the fremens. This is a good setting for describing truly unique rituals, like getting rid of the dead and collecting their water etc.

3) The great horse fair in Ethengar. A wonderful setting.

4) I've always liked the day in Glantri when students go out to blast away the ice in the canals. By the way: if Great School of Magic seems a bit too Harry Potterish to your taste, I recommend Ursula le Guin's Wizard of Earthsea, and its good depiction of the sense of mystery of a young adept.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 slashnull Nov 02, 2007 12:57:51	While celebrating Halloween with costumes and fireworks[] I started to wonder about holidays in the known world. In my glantrian campaign whenever Alexander Day, The Day of Dread, or the Games Day came round there would be an associated adventure. The players got a very good sense of time passing when another year would roll around. I notice there's a Beasts Day in Karameikos, I may use that in my current campaign, but are there any others that would work well as unique and interesting days of celebration? [] Every country has it's day of fireworks, 4th July for the U.S. Bastille day for France. Back home it's Guy Fawkes night on the 5th November, and here in Ireland for some unknown reason it's halloween. I've no idea why...
#2 culture20 Nov 02, 2007 17:03:50	In the Savage Baronies, they celebrate an old Oltec holiday that they call the Day of the Dead (Mexican Day of the Dead). A Glantrian Principality has the running of the bulls (and maybe other monsters). Innumerable Pagan holidays for Druids: Solstices, Yule, etc.
#3 slashnull Nov 02, 2007 20:30:02	The Running of the Rust Monsters (while wearing heavy metal armour!) sounds like fun!
#4 Hugin Nov 02, 2007 20:59:24	The Running of the Rust Monsters (while wearing heavy metal armour!) sounds like fun! :heehee Classic!
#5 Cthulhudrew Nov 02, 2007 22:08:55	Alternatively, the running of the gorgons!
#6 twin_campaigns Nov 04, 2007 3:10:53	One of the nicest yearly rituals is in Five Shires. They capture an orc and drag it through the village, throwing stones at it. I've surprised both of my groups with this one. (I don't have the GAZ at hand, so I can't give the reference, but it's there!)
#7 slashnull Nov 04, 2007 15:09:31	One of the nicest yearly rituals is in Five Shires. They capture an orc and drag it through the village, throwing stones at it. I've surprised both of my groups with this one. (I don't have the GAZ at hand, so I can't give the reference, but it's there!) That's fantastic - definitely one to use for local colour!
#8 twin_campaigns Nov 05, 2007 3:52:43	1) I've used the Darokinian Grand Masked Ball (I don't remember the exact name), many times. It is an interesting and complex event. First of all, the Darokinian culture isn't about display of wealth, it is about wealth itself - except on this day of days. I've connected it to the yearly census and tax collection, as a ritual which allows for old cadres to consolidate their power, newcomers to forge alliances etc. It is also a great setting for political and social scenarios. For example: The PCs are hired as honorary guard of a young merchant who wants to impress his peers with an interesting mix of hechmen (a great setting for bringing different kinds of PCs together in the beginning of a campaign). The PCs get a chance to glimpse at true wealth and mingle with the crem de la crem of Darokin - and wittness the huge social-political-economical gulf. The young merchant gets into a dispute which is turned into a rapier duel. During the duel, the young merchant dies. The rapier was poisoned, or perhaps it was a powerful magic weapon. Who did it? Why? This would present the players with truly independent choices of allegiance and venue of investigation. (I'd suggest the DM not pre-develop the scenario too much but let the players themselves write the direction of the story - see where it goes and what kind of a story the players are interested in, and then provide them with the setting.) 2) Ylaruamian water rituals: the religion of Al-Kalim was written around the Dune books and the fremens. This is a good setting for describing truly unique rituals, like getting rid of the dead and collecting their water etc. 3) The great horse fair in Ethengar. A wonderful setting. 4) I've always liked the day in Glantri when students go out to blast away the ice in the canals. By the way: if Great School of Magic seems a bit too Harry Potterish to your taste, I recommend Ursula le Guin's Wizard of Earthsea, and its good depiction of the sense of mystery of a young adept.