For those of us in the United States, our country’s independence day is celebrated this week on July 4th. Throughout the country people will be grilling, drinking, having friends and family over, which all culminates in a firework display.

This week, think about the world you are currently playing in and create a local holiday. What does it commemorate? How is it celebrated? What food, sounds, and traditions are practiced for this holiday? You could go one step further and include what your character thinks about the holiday.

Here is my attempt.

The Bright Day – takes place on the summer solstice

About 4 days before the actual day various traveling vendors start to show up. There is a large open air market which starts to form in the middle of town. This allows for more rare and interesting things to be bought and sold. There is also a bit more crime during this time as well.

Magical potions, scrolls, interesting books, masterwork weapons and armor are just a few of the things which one might be able to find with a little bit of luck and hard work. This is also a time when things that can’t usually be sold can be sold and little questions are asked about them.

One particular curiosity is the Tattooed Man, Sak Yant. He shows up and sets up a tent to perform tattoos. Very few people ever take him up on his offer, but he is usually able to make enough money to make it to the next town and get a bed and full belly. He also–for the right price–will give people magical tattoos. He is very secretive about this aspect of his work but he will hint at it if the right person comes along.

Another particular curiosity is the Tinker, Crew Swithins. Crew comes into town on a wagon pulled by an old oxen. The wagon clanks as it passes down the road from all of the pieces of metal which hang from the side of it. At first blush most people think he is a traveling blacksmith, but once he gets his tent set up it is clear that he is so much more than that. He is a tinker who has developed and created all sorts of wonderful and interesting clockwork creations.

The other aspect of The Bright Day is the games of skill and chance. There are usually three or four games each day.

Examples of games played in the past include the following:

• Trivia Games
• Poetry Contests
• Dice Games
• Fighting/Wrestling Matches
• Darts and Shooting Sports
• Carnival Games – Ring Toss, Ball Throw
• Greased Pig Chases
• Small Sail Boat Races
• Horse Races

And as always please share with us what you come up with.