Holidays in the Realms - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Holidays in the Realms

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
tancread
Dec 25, 2008 13:28:22 As I sit here on Boxing Day eve, my son asked if there were major holidays in the Realms. I just finished Darkwalker on Moonshaes and they celebrated Spring Solstice as a major festival, are there any Realm spanning celebrations? I am curious as there is one pantheon that sits over everything, do the holidays spread over the whole realms? If not, what are the major ones in the various countries? Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your Boxing Day Eve and have a merry Boxing Day!
#2
Stigger
Dec 26, 2008 1:57:35 The major holidays were listed in the 3e FRCS... I'd imagine they should be the in the FRCG for 4e somewhere... and if not, well, probably best not to comment on that one.
#3
tancread
Dec 26, 2008 7:15:09
The major holidays were listed in the 3e FRCS... I'd imagine they should be the in the FRCG for 4e somewhere... and if not, well, probably best not to comment on that one.

Thanks, I think I have the Third Edition one around, I will look it up.
#4
Cyber-Dave
Dec 26, 2008 10:23:36
I'd imagine they should be the in the FRCG for 4e somewhere... and if not, well, probably best not to comment on that one.

They are not. Despite what I consider to be the amazing work that the 4e FRCG has done with making the realms playable (for my tastes), its MAJOR failing is the lack of some essential flavoring components (the book contains no calendar, no list of months and their names, no timeline of the realms, no list of holidays, nothing like that). In fact, I have found that the lack of these components in the 4e FRCG has become one of the primary reasons for me to finally make use of my 3e FRCS. Ironic, if you ask me...
#5
rauric
Dec 26, 2008 10:34:21 Page 43 of the campaign guide has a calender with the seasons and months.
I used to use the month and date system in my old FR game. Every session I would explain which day it was. The players never gave a hoot and I made all that extra effort for nothing. Never again. The small one on page 43 is useful nonethless just for a DM to get a sense of how a year of FR is set up.
#6
Zireael
Dec 26, 2008 10:35:09 There's a list of holidays at Candlekeep. I've used it myself.
#7
Stigger
Dec 26, 2008 10:38:33 Wow... so much more glad I never bought those books. I'd be really... angry... had I noticed that. But as long as we're on the subject, you can also take a look at 2e's City of Splendor's boxed set if a $4 pdf is feasible to come by, they had a fairly extensive section on holidays in the city of Waterdeep, though I suspect quite a few of them were specific to the region.
#8
rauric
Dec 26, 2008 11:39:39 Like I said there is a small calendar in the 4E FRCG. It mentions when the solitices or equinoxes are. No real descriptions to holidays or what are done on the holidays. They probably thought adventurers that are off saving the Realms or even a town might not care too much about that stuff. Perhaps info on Holidays may be in a DDI article or two. Anyway the calendar of the Realms is in the 4E book.
#9
lord_karsus
Dec 26, 2008 11:49:36 -Shieldmeet.
#10
Keith53
Dec 26, 2008 15:23:30 The same general holidays from 3E are repeated in 4E in the FRPG (not the FRCG) on page 155.

Midwinter
Greengrass
Midsummer
Shieldmeet
Highharvesttide
The Feast of the Moon

Each region may have local holidays as well as religions may have specific holy days.

Keith
#11
lord_karsus
Dec 26, 2008 15:55:09 -Crystal Day, in Tabot, is another.
#12
old_sage
Dec 26, 2008 20:43:16
There's a list of holidays at Candlekeep. I've used it myself.

Note, however, that some of those listed aren't entirely canonical. While others only exist as names and nothing more. The rest have been largely derived from Realms sources and Ed's replies at Candlekeep.
#13
tallric_kruush
Dec 26, 2008 21:05:06
They probably thought adventurers that are off saving the Realms or even a town might not care too much about that stuff.

Yeah, which is somewhat silly of them. Sometimes, a local holiday or festival can itself be an adventure hook. At the very least, it can add some good background color and verisimilitude.

It would've been nice to get the calender and the list of Holidays together, with descriptions, into both the FRCG and the FRPG. As it is, I didn't think FRPG p155 was that bad. It included a calender and a description of each of the six major holidays (Midwinter, Greengrass, Midsummer, Shieldmeet, Highharvestide, and The Feast of the Moon). I'm not sure why so many are bemoaning the lack of this very thing...

I agree with Cyber-Dave that the lack of a timeline was egregious. That's a great disservice to any DM new to the Realms, or anyone who doesn't have the 3E FRCS as a reference. One could buy the FRCS, AGHotR, or even both, but one shouldn't have to do so.
#14
rauric
Dec 26, 2008 21:14:17 I guess they wanted it to be bare bones and if DMs needed tons of detail they could hit up the Grand History or other sources. That is the thing, they just need to hook people not give them everything they could possibly need.
I was not fond of EB until I read multiple articles and a few books on it. Now it is the setting I run my 4E game in. In 2004 I totally hated the setting, now I love it. Viewpoints change over time.
#15
tallric_kruush
Dec 26, 2008 21:22:56
I guess they wanted it to be bare bones and if DMs needed tons of detail they could hit up the Grand History or other sources. That is the thing, they just need to hook people not give them everything they could possibly need.
I was not fond of EB until I read multiple articles and a few books on it. Now it is the setting I run my 4E game in. In 2004 I totally hated the setting, now I love it. Viewpoints change over time.

I can see why many feel that way, with some of the things omitted. I've repeatedly read that no further FR material is planned beyond DDI, so you'd think they'd have been very careful of what they chose to include/exclude. I'd rather pay $50 or more for a comprehensive guide, than $40 for a sufficient guide.

EB = Eberron? I've always wondered if you played Eberron, with your Kundarak Heir avatar.

I love Eberron. Moreso than the Realms, honestly; though, the new Realms have reinvigorated my interest. I was on board from day one with Eberron, and can't wait to see what they do with the 4E iteration. I'm waiting to run a campaign therein until I get my hands on the ECG.
#16
blackmasque
Dec 30, 2008 10:48:09 -Demihumans have all kinds of separate holidays.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 tancread Dec 25, 2008 13:28:22	As I sit here on Boxing Day eve, my son asked if there were major holidays in the Realms. I just finished Darkwalker on Moonshaes and they celebrated Spring Solstice as a major festival, are there any Realm spanning celebrations? I am curious as there is one pantheon that sits over everything, do the holidays spread over the whole realms? If not, what are the major ones in the various countries? Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your Boxing Day Eve and have a merry Boxing Day!
#2 Stigger Dec 26, 2008 1:57:35	The major holidays were listed in the 3e FRCS... I'd imagine they should be the in the FRCG for 4e somewhere... and if not, well, probably best not to comment on that one.
#3 tancread Dec 26, 2008 7:15:09	The major holidays were listed in the 3e FRCS... I'd imagine they should be the in the FRCG for 4e somewhere... and if not, well, probably best not to comment on that one. Thanks, I think I have the Third Edition one around, I will look it up.
#4 Cyber-Dave Dec 26, 2008 10:23:36	I'd imagine they should be the in the FRCG for 4e somewhere... and if not, well, probably best not to comment on that one. They are not. Despite what I consider to be the amazing work that the 4e FRCG has done with making the realms playable (for my tastes), its MAJOR failing is the lack of some essential flavoring components (the book contains no calendar, no list of months and their names, no timeline of the realms, no list of holidays, nothing like that). In fact, I have found that the lack of these components in the 4e FRCG has become one of the primary reasons for me to finally make use of my 3e FRCS. Ironic, if you ask me...
#5 rauric Dec 26, 2008 10:34:21	Page 43 of the campaign guide has a calender with the seasons and months. I used to use the month and date system in my old FR game. Every session I would explain which day it was. The players never gave a hoot and I made all that extra effort for nothing. Never again. The small one on page 43 is useful nonethless just for a DM to get a sense of how a year of FR is set up.
#6 Zireael Dec 26, 2008 10:35:09	There's a list of holidays at Candlekeep. I've used it myself.
#7 Stigger Dec 26, 2008 10:38:33	Wow... so much more glad I never bought those books. I'd be really... angry... had I noticed that. But as long as we're on the subject, you can also take a look at 2e's City of Splendor's boxed set if a $4 pdf is feasible to come by, they had a fairly extensive section on holidays in the city of Waterdeep, though I suspect quite a few of them were specific to the region.
#8 rauric Dec 26, 2008 11:39:39	Like I said there is a small calendar in the 4E FRCG. It mentions when the solitices or equinoxes are. No real descriptions to holidays or what are done on the holidays. They probably thought adventurers that are off saving the Realms or even a town might not care too much about that stuff. Perhaps info on Holidays may be in a DDI article or two. Anyway the calendar of the Realms is in the 4E book.
#9 lord_karsus Dec 26, 2008 11:49:36	-Shieldmeet.
#10 Keith53 Dec 26, 2008 15:23:30	The same general holidays from 3E are repeated in 4E in the FRPG (not the FRCG) on page 155. Midwinter Greengrass Midsummer Shieldmeet Highharvesttide The Feast of the Moon Each region may have local holidays as well as religions may have specific holy days. Keith
#11 lord_karsus Dec 26, 2008 15:55:09	-Crystal Day, in Tabot, is another.
#12 old_sage Dec 26, 2008 20:43:16	There's a list of holidays at Candlekeep. I've used it myself. Note, however, that some of those listed aren't entirely canonical. While others only exist as names and nothing more. The rest have been largely derived from Realms sources and Ed's replies at Candlekeep.
#13 tallric_kruush Dec 26, 2008 21:05:06	They probably thought adventurers that are off saving the Realms or even a town might not care too much about that stuff. Yeah, which is somewhat silly of them. Sometimes, a local holiday or festival can itself be an adventure hook. At the very least, it can add some good background color and verisimilitude. It would've been nice to get the calender and the list of Holidays together, with descriptions, into both the FRCG and the FRPG. As it is, I didn't think FRPG p155 was that bad. It included a calender and a description of each of the six major holidays (Midwinter, Greengrass, Midsummer, Shieldmeet, Highharvestide, and The Feast of the Moon). I'm not sure why so many are bemoaning the lack of this very thing... I agree with Cyber-Dave that the lack of a timeline was egregious. That's a great disservice to any DM new to the Realms, or anyone who doesn't have the 3E FRCS as a reference. One could buy the FRCS, AGHotR, or even both, but one shouldn't have to do so.
#14 rauric Dec 26, 2008 21:14:17	I guess they wanted it to be bare bones and if DMs needed tons of detail they could hit up the Grand History or other sources. That is the thing, they just need to hook people not give them everything they could possibly need. I was not fond of EB until I read multiple articles and a few books on it. Now it is the setting I run my 4E game in. In 2004 I totally hated the setting, now I love it. Viewpoints change over time.
#15 tallric_kruush Dec 26, 2008 21:22:56	I guess they wanted it to be bare bones and if DMs needed tons of detail they could hit up the Grand History or other sources. That is the thing, they just need to hook people not give them everything they could possibly need. I was not fond of EB until I read multiple articles and a few books on it. Now it is the setting I run my 4E game in. In 2004 I totally hated the setting, now I love it. Viewpoints change over time. I can see why many feel that way, with some of the things omitted. I've repeatedly read that no further FR material is planned beyond DDI, so you'd think they'd have been very careful of what they chose to include/exclude. I'd rather pay $50 or more for a comprehensive guide, than $40 for a sufficient guide. EB = Eberron? I've always wondered if you played Eberron, with your Kundarak Heir avatar. I love Eberron. Moreso than the Realms, honestly; though, the new Realms have reinvigorated my interest. I was on board from day one with Eberron, and can't wait to see what they do with the 4E iteration. I'm waiting to run a campaign therein until I get my hands on the ECG.
#16 blackmasque Dec 30, 2008 10:48:09	-Demihumans have all kinds of separate holidays.