KHOVALAFEST

[libertyybelle 6187]

 

 

The Festival of St. Henrik & Gorm

 

Issued by

VA VE EDLERVIK,

 

As our crops flourish once more into the harvest season, our Kongzem is blessed by the cultivation of yet another year’s worth of hard, honest work. In celebration of such, it is the pleasure of the Nazdiesk Kort to announce the cultural occasion of Khovalafest, a reawakening of the timeworn Haeseni festival. 

 

Along with celebrating the fields’ bounties and the dedicated farmers that cultivated it, Khovalafest, celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox, is closely tied to two figures: St. Henrik, a Barbanov saint, and Gorm, a figure of ancient Haeseni folklore.

 

In life, St. Henrik of Albarn, the patron saint of Justice, was keen to uphold morality and dispel corruption within the Kongzem’s court and commonfolk. His virtuous efforts eventually lead to his canonization, and the moniker of ‘Henrik the Humble’. His saintly influence has since been seen in many forms, but the celebration of Khovalafest harkens to his blessing of historically harsh winter in the early years of Markev. 

 

It is said that a farmer of seven years, and seven children, wept to the Saint, pleading for veneration and strength for his kin survive the deathly winter. The farmer’s words were heard, it seemed, as the next morning he awoke to find his fields abundant with golden grain, meadows grazed by miraculous cattle. In remembrance of this miracle, the Khovalafest celebrates the abundant charity of St. Henrik for our harvests. 

 

Historically, Gorm, the mysterious Three-Eyed Crow, was a deity believed by ancient Haeseni to be an advisor and general to many gods of the Nikirandz pantheon, Gorm was a figure known for great wisdom. A patron of the Hussarian basin— the very origin of the Raev— Gorm is closely tied to the history of the realm and its connection to its land, even believed to have inspired the form of the Karovic. 

 

His connection to the crow placed his association within the autumnal Haeseni land, significant of the change of the seasons. Thus, the figure would be invoked in hopes of good luck and blessings for the upcoming harvest, and in turn celebrated with another successful year. In his honor, Khovalafest is represented by symbols of the crow, named aptly within this missive as the Festivities of Gorm. 

 

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FESTIVITIES OF ST. HENRIK

 

TO CELEBRATE ST. HENRIK AND THE EQUINOX, a number of activities and games shall be held for all visitors to partake in. For those more competitively inclined, a jousting tourney shall take place. 

 

A signature of the harvest season is the fruition of apple orchards across the Kongzem, the first sign of the Harvest season’s gifts aplenty. With this celebration of bounty, we celebrate the miracle of St. Henrik, who caused barren lands to flourish again. The most entertaining way to do such is with apple bobbing,

 

The scarecrow craft station, will be available to be crafted aside the apple bobbing booth, in order to put together a scarecrow that will oversee the crops; bringing forth luck and prosperity for the Haeseni harvest. Lastly, there will be a jam making area in which guests may use the provided fruits and berries to create little pieces of autumn to take home with them. 

 

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FESTIVITIES OF GORM

 

TO CELEBRATE GORM AND THE EQUINOX, there will be a few areas and events dedicated to the enigmatic crows of Haense. For those interested in seeing the birds up close, there will be a petting zoo full of Haeseni crows. There will be plenty to learn and see, just before some of the Kongzem’s feathered friends migrate for the colder seasons.

 

While not every crow in the Kongzem looks the same, not every crow sounds the same either. The nation’s crows have different calls that any can hear through the crow whistles for sale at Khovalafest. They showcase the uniqueness of the birds and fine Haeseni craftsmanship.

 

While attendees can sound like crows, they can look and move like crows as well. There will be time for the Karoskaros Dans, where attendees will mimic crows in costume and dance. In two main rounds, groups that can dance together the longest will win special items for their victories. Winners of the first round will get a collective cash prize of 150 mina they may divide as they see fit.

 

GODANI JEST WIELKI,

 

 

HER ROYAL MAJESTY, Juliya of Reinmar, Queen-Consort of Hanseti and Ruska, Princess-Consort of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duchess-Consort of Carnatia, Vanaheim, and Valwyck, Margravine-Consort of Korstadt, Rothswald, and Vasiland, Countess-Consort of Alban, Siegrad, Werdenburg, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscountess-Consort of Varna, Baroness-Consort of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Buck, and Astfield, Lady of the Westfolk, Protector and Lady of the Highlanders, etcetera.

 

HER EXCELLENCY, Svetlana vas Ruthern-Colborn, Grand Lady of Hanseti-Ruska 

Royal Mistress of the Wardrobes

 

THE NOBLE, Mahaut Marie van Leuven, Deputy Grand Lady

The Crow Warden.

 

THE HONORABLE, Gavrila Gianna Godunov, Baroness of Verskaya

Cultural Arts Advisor to ve Nazdiesk Kort, Matriarch of House Godunov.

 

 

Spoiler

OOC: Friday 6pm EST, Tourney Grounds

Huge thanks to Wardyn and Pomegrad for helping me direct this post, you guys ate it up. NO CRUMBS LEFT.

 

[prophetisms 982]

Mahaut bustled about New Valdev with arms chock-full of missives, supplies, and even a cloaked cage making clamorous cries. Such a busy and exciting week of preparation!