Frostbound Vigil
The festival commemorating the Red Winter Siege of 1351 in Wescovia is called The Frostbound Vigil. Though celebrated throughout the kingdom, its originating location, and thus its largest celebration, occurs in Carleberg.
It takes place every year during the traditional start of winter the second week of Icefall, when Carleberg's walls and rooftops are typically blanketed in snow.
It takes place every year during the traditional start of winter the second week of Icefall, when Carleberg's walls and rooftops are typically blanketed in snow.
History
Beginning in the 1500s, the Frostbound Vigil commemorates the Red Winter Siege of 1351, when rebel orc clans led a revolt against the king and tried to topple Carleberg. The siege took place over the entire winter that year, from Icefall through Year's End and finally ended in Frost Thaw 1352 when reinforcements arrived from the west coast.
Initially, orc citizens in Wescovia found the festival uncomfortable — especially because the early commemorations painted them solely as villains. However, over the last 150 years, the Frostbound Vigil evolved. Modern retellings now acknowledge the complexities of the conflict: the siege wasn't merely "orcs vs. the kingdom," but a clash between old clan loyalties and the new unified Wescovia.
Today, many orcs proudly participate in the Vigil, particularly in the Feast of Accord, seeing it as a celebration of their people's resilience and an acknowledgment of their enduring presence in Wescovia’s history. A notable tradition started about 80 years ago where an orc chieftain descendant is invited to open the festivities with a short speech honoring both the past and the future unity of the kingdom.
Initially, orc citizens in Wescovia found the festival uncomfortable — especially because the early commemorations painted them solely as villains. However, over the last 150 years, the Frostbound Vigil evolved. Modern retellings now acknowledge the complexities of the conflict: the siege wasn't merely "orcs vs. the kingdom," but a clash between old clan loyalties and the new unified Wescovia.
Today, many orcs proudly participate in the Vigil, particularly in the Feast of Accord, seeing it as a celebration of their people's resilience and an acknowledgment of their enduring presence in Wescovia’s history. A notable tradition started about 80 years ago where an orc chieftain descendant is invited to open the festivities with a short speech honoring both the past and the future unity of the kingdom.
Observance
The week-long festival takes place during the second week of Icefall. On the first day of the festival, an opening speech is given first by a descendant of the orc chieftan leading the rebels, and then by the monarch. During the week, mock battles and reenactments are performed by militia groups and children, honoring the defenders (but nowadays portrayed in a more theatrical, less militaristic way).
On the penultimate day, the Feast of Accord is celebrated, where citizens share communal meals in the streets to symbolize unity and survival. Following the feast, a night-long vigil is held around bonfires in the streets, symbolizing the endurance of the city during the darkest days of the siege.
On the final evening, lantern processions wind through the city, with participants wearing white and blue to honor those lost. The monarch gives a final speech honoring the past and looking forward to the future of the kingdom.
On the penultimate day, the Feast of Accord is celebrated, where citizens share communal meals in the streets to symbolize unity and survival. Following the feast, a night-long vigil is held around bonfires in the streets, symbolizing the endurance of the city during the darkest days of the siege.
On the final evening, lantern processions wind through the city, with participants wearing white and blue to honor those lost. The monarch gives a final speech honoring the past and looking forward to the future of the kingdom.
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