Haruspex Festival

Historical Overview

   

Age of Rule

  In the first century of the Age of Rule, the goddess Vestria began to formalize the College of Vestrial Priestesses, and selected the first High Priestess, Cecilia Laval. Legend holds that Laval had an unusually close relationship with Vestria, a particularly reserved goddess. In the course of their long friendship, the two often meandered down from the Vestrial Tower to Vestria's Grounds, a sacred grove within the forest of the same name.   While the High Priestess had a long life, common in those early years, she eventually passed in 154AR. During the period of her advanced age, Vestria walked the path to the Grounds alone, on the 16th of Mistra of each year. Following the death of High Priestess Laval, the goddess maintained her traditional procession, and was said to let one tear fall upon each journey. Allegedly, this eventually created the sacred pond in the center of Vestria's Grounds.  

Age of Men

  Following Vestria's exit from the mortal world during the Crossing Over, the College of Vestrial Priestesses began an annual journey to the Grounds. To commemorate the goddess' mournful trip, the procession arrives at the Grounds on the 16th of Mistra, after a week-long journey to Honeymill from the Vestrial Tower. The priestesses stay in a tower off of the Haruspal Way for the evening, then finish their procession down the sacred route on the 16th.  

"Pious families across the city have begun the annual trek to Honeymill for this year's Haruspex Festival. Interested parties are recommended to move quickly, as the best lodgings have once again been bought up by noble families of the capital." - The Whistling Observer 

  The city of Honeymill, a minor farming center for House Prominere, is situated upon a scenic cliffside along the route out of the Coquet Heights towards The Promenade. Despite the idyllic scenery in the area, there is little to do in the city and normally no particular touristic draw, unless taking a caravan north. Inevitably, the procession of Vestrial Priestesses became a festive affair, and as word of Honeymill's quaint celebrations spread, pious, or just interested, parties began to make the trek there from the capital.   Visitors begin arriving at Honeymill in the weeks leading up to the procession, and the seasonal town of Bourdons Acres, situated outside the city walls, begins to fill. Normally used for restocking merchant caravans, Bourdons Acres is full of hostels, inns, taverns and restaurants, and host those too poor or late to afford accomodation within the city-proper. Dedicated celebrants remain in Honeymill until the last stranglers leave in early Mae.   

"The smell of Meliloaf wafted towards me as I passed by farms miles outside of the city. I told my companions we would need to stop soon, as any experienced festival-goer knows the food is better if you get it in the countryside." - Le Friand in Anhara 

  During the month-and-a-half celebratory period, Honeymill's businesses do particularly well. Saisson Brewing, the largest brewery in the city, spends most of the year preparing for the festival, and sells the vast majority of their stock during the month. Saisson's products pair well with the city's other iconic food, Meliloaf, a honey-cake popular with festival-goers.