Feast of the Moon (Vilhon Reach)

The Feast of the Moon, also known as the Festival of Lovers, was a celebration held throughout the Vilhon Reach, including Sespech and Turmish, in the 14 and 15 centuries DR. It took place annually at Highsummer    on the first full moon after Midsummer and lasted the whole night.

14 Century DR
In the 1300s DR, it was a time of drinking, dancing, revelry, and even debauchery. The night saw much feasting, wild singing, pranks, and people chasing one another through the woods under the moonlight. Friends and lovers came together at this time. Nevertheless, many couples were already married, married in the week before, or married on the night, for it was customary for newlyweds to consummate their marriages on this night too. Outsiders were welcome to join in and some travelers made sure to be in Turmish at the time.

A tradition required that lovers find one another in new and unfamiliar locales. For this night, they would go to a previously arranged place, one that neither had visited before, and travel separately along different routes before meeting up for a tryst. Popular meeting places for lovers in Turmish were Evenstar Vale, Faerie Well, Starfall Stream Pool, the top of Bare Bones Hill, and the shores and hills around the Lake of Drifting Stars.

Although the festival was meant to be carefree, the militias of Turmish were generally especially alert to crime, murder, and reckless behavior that might go on under cover of the chaos and the night. Cultists of Malar particularly used this time to kidnap lone lovers to hunt and slay, especially with wild animals. After the Time of Troubles, militia patrols increased to combat them, and the lovers armed themselves too.

On this day, businesses and most government offices were closed.

15 Century DR
In the 1400s DR, it was more a time for Turmishans to relax and enjoy their rewards of the last year and to spend time with friends and family. Turmishan merchants made sure to return home in time.