Gods' Day was an annual holiday in Waterdeep that commemorated the anniversary of the end of the Time of Troubles in the Year of Shadows, 1358 DR. It was held on Marpenoth 15.[1][2]
Description[]
The holiday was considered a solemn and serious event, especially at night, when Waterdhavians offered prayers in the city's temples to thank the gods for their lives and in remembrance of the catastrophic events of the Time of Troubles.[1][2]
The holiday was particularly special to followers of Mystra. A huge festival was held at the House of Wonder, specifically celebrating Midnight's elevation as the new Mystra. By the late 14th century DR, this practice had gradually begun to be adopted in other temples dedicated to Mystra throughout Faerûn.[3][4]
Activities[]
During the day, a common custom involved people wearing their favored deities' holy symbols and exposing their private shrines, as well as businesses displaying them in the windows. Customers who worshiped matching deities with their merchants enjoyed discounted prices on products and services, and the difference was donated to temples or to the city itself.[1][2]
During the night festivities, the Griffon Cavalry set up a large bonfire at the top of Mount Waterdeep to honor the deities who appeared in the city during the conflict, namely, Ao, Cyric, Helm, Kelemvor, Myrkul, and Mystra.[1][2]
It was customary for people to decorate the inner walls of Waterdeep with garlands as part of the celebrations.[1] The holiday was also semi-officially called Be Kind to the Guard and Watch Day as a form of gratitude for the efforts of the City Guard and the City Watch to defend the city during Myrkul's invasion of the Castle, Dock, and Southern Wards. Waterdhavians typically offered kind words to guardsmen and watchmen, as well as gifts. It was considered improper, however, to give any donation worth more than a few nibs, as it might be interpreted as bribery.[1][2]
During the entire day, in memory of the wild magic that accompanied the Time of Troubles, the use of magic of any sort within the confines of the city was limited to self-defense and cases of extreme need only. Individual cases were adjudicated by the Lord's Court.[1][2]
History[]
In the late 14th century DR, the City of the Dead saw a considerable increase in visitation by people who had lost loved ones during the conflict.[1]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Adventurer's Guide to the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 28. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 187. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 129. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.