Needfest

4th= Celene's full moon, Winter Solistice

* Begins with 'Mummergin'. People wear disguises and try to remain unrecognized, in order to celebrate the wondrous and strange effect that magic and magical creatures have in the world. Nevertheless, it should be noted that actual use of magic in such disguises is considered cheating, and is frowned on in most areas. There is dancing and general carousing, and the high point is a parade and the Performance of the Mummers, a play in which good and evil battle. Evil wins but the youngest speaking child resurrects good and removes the evil from the bad actor. It is rare but not unknown for some members of evil cults to take steps at this point, and vigilance is usually tight in larger cities.

One exception is The Empire of Iuz, which holds a variant play in which their evil lord fights good and wins. This is usually enacted by having priests in ceremonial masks publicly fight, defeat, and then sacrifice a lightlyarmed prisoner amidst general rejoicing.

The rest of the holiday is devoted to general merriment, and the last night before the months are again counted in the calendar is very special. This is the Feast of Unreason, which is honoured by many diverse faiths (Boccob, Lydia, Lirr, Norebo, Olidammara, Ralishaz, Trithereon, and even Rao and Iuz!) for different reasons. In general, however, the mode of celebration is the same: Servants are promoted to the head of towns, villages, and even royal courts, where they preside over the feast's duration. They orchestrate silly laws {i.e.. having farmers push their carts, wearing only one shoe, etc.} which must be obeyed, though traditionally they are followed about by a 'true' authority who can overrule any proclamations deemed to be disastrous. Popular everywhere, even in the Great Kingdom, but ruthlessly suppressed in the Theocracy of the Pale. This is a very popular Greyhawk festival, where it is colloquially known as "Zagyg's Feast." The Mad Archmage retains his distinction as the only actual ruler to ever be elected to preside at these festivals, and his influence can still be felt today. Mages report that their spells will occasionally misfire in odd and/or humorous ways during this period, though such misfires will never occur in lifethreatening situations unless one has greatly offended Zagyg or Boccob.

* Needfest is also known in some places as the Feast of Telchur, this holiday honours Telchur's valiant battle in creating winter, and celebrates the beginning of winter's waning. In some places, an elaborate play commemorates this event (Great Kingdom). In others, remembrance of family and recital of the family tree is an important part of the day (Keoish principalities, Geoff, and Ulek). Most places, however, celebrate primarily with an open house dinner after dark, the giving of presents, chainlighting of candles, and singing and folk dancing. The goal is to make the sun feel like he is missing the fun so that he comes back before it gets too cold.

I Fireseek (Winter)

11th= Luna's full moon
25th= Luna's new moon

1st= New Year's Day. The first day following the Needfest was offically decreed as the first day of the new year by the Overking in Rauxes and has been accepted by most of the Oeridian dominated nations around the Flanaess. The Bakluni nations have their own new year.