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ailendolin · 2 years

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Fluff Friday - 5 - Yonderland

Title: Friends [AO3]

Characters: Ho-Tan/Vex, Debbie, Edith, Lynn, Sue, Mary, Jenny, Palla the Parvuli

Prompt: Ho-Tan and Debbie having a Girls' Night In - Prompt by the lovely @iris-in-the-rain

A/N: This is a very loose sequel to my story Amends in which Ho-Tan and Debbie spend a day together and Debbie apologises for reversing Ho-Tan's Pipple Fruit wish. You will be able to understand this fic without reading it first but it gets briefly referenced in the beginning.

Prompts are open, so if you want me to write a story for you as well just send me an ask with the fandom, characters and your prompt. I’m writing for Ghosts, Yonderland, Horrible Histories and Bill at the moment.

Six Idiots Whump Wednesday / Fluff Friday masterlist is here.

————

Friends

When Debbie proposed a Girls’ Night In, Ho-Tan hadn’t been quite sure what that meant. She’d had a Girls’ Day with Debbie once and while that had turned out to be an absolutely marvellous experience, she had no idea what a Night In entailed, especially considering it wouldn’t be just her and Debbie this time since Debbie had invited some of the friends she’d made on her adventures as well. Palla the Parvuli would be joining them this evening, as well as Mary and Jenny – a lovely couple who owned a trinket shop Ho-Tan liked to spend more money in than she really should – and Edith, Lynn and Sue who had promised to bake something for the occasion.

Ho-Tan had to admit she was a little nervous. She barely knew these women, and she had no idea what one was supposed to wear for a Girls’ Night In. Would her usual robes suffice? Or was she supposed to wear a pretty dress? Not that she actually owned one. Oh gods, what if there was a dress code, quite literally? The shops were closed by now and she’d never be able to sew a dress on such short notice and–

Someone gently took her hands and gave them a squeeze.

“I can hear you thinking, my dear,” Vex said softly and Ho-Tan felt her racing heart calm down a little. “What’s the matter?”

“I don’t know what to wear,” Ho-Tan whispered and let her head hang.

With a smile, Vex gave her hands another squeeze and let go of them to take a look at her wardrobe. After a moment, he pulled out a hanger. “How about this? It’s nice and cosy and the colour always makes your eyes shine.”

He was holding up the softest pair of beige breeches Ho-Tan owned and the dark blue shirt she secretly loved but rarely wore. “Are you sure? It’s not very … girly.”

Something changed in Vex’s face then. It was subtle and yet Ho-Tan felt a tug at her heart when he hung up the hanger on the door and reached for her hands again. “Women wear trousers all the time.”

He had a point there, Ho-Tan had to admit. Debbie and Mary certainly seemed to prefer trousers to skirts and dresses. Still … “There might be a dress code, though.”

“If I remember correctly Deb-beh said you could wear whatever you felt most comfortable in.” Vex inclined his head. “Would a dress make you feel more comfortable?”

Ho-Tan shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. I’ve never worn one.”

“Would you like to?” Vex asked softly.

Ho-Tan swallowed and looked down at her shoes. “Maybe? Just once, to try it.”

“Then we’ll get you a dress,” Vex promised without hesitation. “Tomorrow, if you’d like.”

Ho-Tan felt herself melt a little at the love shining from his eyes. She leaned up to press a short, sweet kiss to the corner of his mouth before she reached for the breeches and shirt he had picked out for her, feeling lighter than she had all day.

“Thank you,” she said. And then, a little more quietly, “I mean it, Vex. Thank you.”

Vex smiled and shooed her off to the bathroom.

————

Half an hour later, Ho-Tan nervously fiddled with the hem of her shirtsleeve as she waited for the others to arrive. It was almost time. Only a few more minutes and the clock would strike–

A knock on the door made her heart jumped. Standing up from her sofa, Ho-Tan took a deep breath and smoothed down her shirt before she went to open the door. To her surprise, no one was there. She frowned and was about to chalk it up to nerves when a high-pitched voice said, “Down here.”

“Oh!” Ho-Tan said and looked down at the Parvuli. “I’m sorry! I didn’t see you there. Come on in!”

She opened the door a little wider to let her first guest in.

“Thank you,” Palla said with a smile in her voice just as someone shouted behind them, “Hold the door for us!”

They turned around and saw Jenny and Mary hurrying up the street, hand in hand and with matching smiles on their faces. It didn’t escape Ho-Tan’s notice that they were both wearing trousers, and she felt a little tension drain from her shoulders.

“Hi, Ho-Tan!” Mary said happily and, much to Ho-Tan’s surprise, pulled her into a hug. “You look lovely tonight!”

Ho-Tan ducked her head shyly. “Vex said I should wear it.”

“He has excellent taste,” Jenny said before drawing her into a hug as well. “Are we late?”

“No. It’s just me so far,” Palla piped up from the ground.

“Oh, hi there!” Mary beamed. “Would you like me to pick you up?”

Palla smiled and nodded.

Ho-Tan showed them the way to the common room – decorated with more pillows and blankets than Ho-Tan thought the Elders actually owned and beautifully lit with scented candles that made the room smell like a wildflower field in the height of summer. Then there was another knock that had her hurrying back to the door.

“Oh, what a delicious smell!” she exclaimed before she could stop herself. Edith, Lynn and Sue stood before her, wearing pretty pink dresses that made Ho-Tan’s heart ache just a little and holding three trays of cakes and muffins that not only smelled heavenly but also looked the part as well.

“Let’s hope they taste just as good,” Lynn grinned at her. She leaned a little closer and added in a conspiratorial whisper, “Between you and me, Sue’s creation is a lot more experimental than it looks.”

Sue glared at her. “I may be getting older but my hearing’s just as good as ever, Lynn.”

Lynn rolled her eyes but didn’t stop grinning. Ho-Tan didn’t know them well but it was obvious that this teasing banter was a regular occurrence between them, especially when Edith added, “Ladies, please. We are guests here.” She turned to Ho-Tan with a smile. “Good evening, Elder Ho-Tan. Thank you so much for hosting tonight.”

“Thank you for coming,” Ho-Tan smiled and let them in. “Just head straight down the hallway and take the last door to the left. Jenny, Mary and Palla are already there. I’ll just wait for – Debbie!”

In the middle of the street, Debbie was stepping out of the portal with a big smile on her face and wearing the most comfortable-looking sweater Ho-Tan had ever seen.

“Hi, Ho-Tan!” she said before she waved at Nick and Elf. “Thanks, guys. See you later!”

“Not too late,” Nick grumbled. “I need my beauty sleep, you know?”

“I think all hope’s lost there, mate,” Elf said.

Their bickering faded into the distance as Ho-Tan was pulled into her third hug that evening.

“I’ve brought snacks,” Debbie declared once she’d pulled back and held up two bags that were filled with different types of crisps as far as Ho-Tan could determine.

“And we brought cakes,” Lynn said brightly, gently shaking the box in her hand as proof.

“Well, what are we waiting for, then? Let’s get this party started!” Debbie grinned and swung her free arm around Ho-Tan to pull her down the hallway.

Ho-Tan let everyone’s excited laughter wash over her and ease her nervousness. Perhaps this time, she thought, she wouldn’t be the odd one out. The thought made her smile.

————

“Hey.” Ho-Tan glanced up to find Edith sitting down next to her. “Is everything all right? You seem a little quiet.”

Ho-Tan smiled at her. “Oh yes, everything’s fine. I’m just not used to … all of this.”

Almost in unison, they both looked over at the others who were currently competing for the first place in a game called Twister Debbie had had hidden at the bottom of one of her snack bags. Ho-Tan wasn’t quite sure about the rules – Palla seemed to be rotating a needle on some sort of board and every now and then announced something like, “Right foot on green!” that left the others scrambling to find one of the green circles on the mat with their right foot. It looked like fun, Ho-Tan supposed, but it was also loud and chaotic and right now, she just needed a moment of peace and quiet to process everything that had happened so far – from eating the most delicious cake she’d ever tasted and snacks she’d never even heard of before to laughing at the silliest things and most embarrassing stories.

She’d never felt so comfortable in a group before, if one didn’t count the Elders. There was just something about the way Mary and Jenny smiled at each other before they explained one of their inside jokes, or the way Edith, Lynn and Sue bickered with a fondness that reminded Ho-Tan of Vex and Choop. And little Palla told the most amazing stories – Ho-Tan really needed to ask her if she would allow her to record them, if only so she could use them as bedtime stories for the Youngers in the future.

This must be what it feels like to have friends, she thought to herself. As a child, her life had been so busy between school, housework and taking care of her younger siblings that she simply didn’t have the time for sleepovers and play dates – all things she knew her schoolmates regularly enjoyed in their free time. It made it hard to maintain friendships, and it hadn’t helped that she’d always been a little … different. Until today she’d never truly realised how much she had missed out on back then, and while she knew it was decades too late for little Alfie now, Scribe Elder Ho-Tan was glad beyond words she got to experience it at all.

“I know how you feel,” Edith said, pulling Ho-Tan out of her thoughts. “Before I met Lynn and Sue, I never felt comfortable in large groups, especially when I didn’t know anyone. It was all a bit overwhelming – the noise, the people, all the expectations that come with social gatherings.”

Encouraged by Edith’s understanding smile, Ho-Tan admitted, “I couldn’t stop worrying about what I should wear. Now it seems rather silly.”

Edith shook her head. “No, it’s not. I kept redoing my hair at least four times before Sue dragged me away from the mirror.”

Ho-Tan felt her heart warm. “Really? I think it looks very pretty.”

“So does yours,” Edith smiled.

A little self-consciously, Ho-Tan twirled a strand of hair around her finger. And then, before she could lose her courage and change her mind, she said, “I really like your dress.”

Surprised, Edith looked down at herself. “Oh, this old thing? I’ve had it for ages. It was a birthday present from Lynn and Sue.”

She smiled to herself fondly and with a far away look in her eyes that told Ho-Tan she was lost in the memories of that special day. Ho-Tan knew what that felt like and reached up to touch the butterfly hairclip behind her ear.

“I could make you a dress like this if you’d like,” Edith offered.

For a moment, Ho-Tan could only gape at her like one of those fish from the river Goingdownhill. She must have looked so shocked that Edith thought she’d offended her somehow for she quickly backtracked and said, “I mean, only if you want me to. I’m sure you could make one yourself just fine.”

“No,” Ho-Tan hurried to say. “No, it’s not – it’s not that. I was just surprised. I … I’ve never worn a dress in my life – any sort of dress, and I really wouldn’t want you to go to all that trouble for nothing.”

Edith’s eyes softened. “How do you know it will be for nothing if you haven’t tried it?”

Ho-Tan shrugged and nervously started to fiddle with her shirtsleeve again.

“How about this,” Edith said, gently taking her hand in hers. “You come over for a visit whenever you like and try on some of my dresses. We should be about the same size, I think. That way you can see if you’re comfortable wearing one and which style you like the most.”

She was smiling so openly at her that Ho-Tan found herself nodding along even before Edith had finished. “I’d love that.”

“Wonderful!” Edith exclaimed just as they heard a loud thump from the other side of the room. They both looked over to see Sue lying flat on the mat with Jenny, Debbie, Lynn and Mary all piled on top of her.

“Mary wins!” Palla declared as loudly as she could over Sue’s unhappy grumbling.

Ho-Tan and Edith looked at each and burst into laughter.

————

“You waited up for me,” Ho-Tan said softly after she had bid everyone goodnight and locked the door.

Vex smiled at her and took her hand in his to lead her down the hallway to her bedroom. “Of course. How was your Girls’ Night In, my dear?”

“Simply marvellous,” Ho-Tan beamed. “We ate so many things and played games and talked and, oh Vex, I had so much fun!”

“I can see that,” Vex said. “You’re almost glowing as brightly as the Glow-Worm People from Radiation Springs!”

Ho-Tan huffed out a laugh. “I’m not. That would be weird.”

Vex pretended to ponder that before he made a vague noise that Ho-Tan knew was the equivalent of a shrug and leaned down to peck her cheek. “I’d love you anyway.”

Warmth spread through her whole body. Ho-Tan didn’t think she would ever grow tired of hearing him say those words. “How about you go ahead and get ready for bed? I’ll just quickly tidy things up.”

“Oh no, you won’t,” Vex said and before Ho-Tan had a chance to react, he put one arm around her back, the other behind her knees and literally swept her off her feet.

“What are you doing?” Ho-Tan laughed. “Put me down!”

Vex grinned down at her and shook his head. “No. We can worry about cleaning up tomorrow. Right now, I want to cuddle with you and hear all about your night.”

So Ho-Tan allowed herself to be carried back to her room. She felt young and newly in love again, and the butterflies in her stomach went crazy when they got ready for bed side by side and tried to make each other laugh with toothpaste smiles and foamy faces just like they used to do when they were children.

They were lying side by side in bed, the blankets pulled up to their chins, when she finally told Vex about Edith’s offer to make her a dress.

“That was very kind of her,” Vex said and searched for her hand under the blankets so he could intertwine their fingers.

“It was,” Ho-Tan agreed. “I didn’t ask her but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind you coming with me.”

Vex laughed, a low rumble that reverberated in her ear, and shook his head. “I think you’ll have all the help you need without me there trying to pretend I know anything about dresses. Or fashion in general.” He tightened his hold on her hand, prompting her to look up at him. “That is, unless you want me to come with you. Then I’ll accompany you, of course.”

A few hours ago, Ho-Tan wouldn’t have needed to think about her answer. The mere thought of going into a shop and looking for a dress on her own would have made her feel nauseous – it still did, if she was being honest. But now she wouldn’t have to go to a shop – she’d just be going to Edith, Lynn and Sue’s. She’d be among friends, not strangers, and that made all the difference.

“You know what? I think I’ll be fine on my own,” Ho-Tan said. Then, with a teasing smile, she added, “That way I can surprise you with my dress later on.”

“As long as it makes you happy, I know I will love it,” Vex said softly. “Just like I love you.”

Ho-Tan smiled up at him and leaned a little closer. “I love you too.”

He met her half-way in a kiss.

#scribe elder ho tan #wise elder vex #debbie maddox #the cake bake ladies #cake bake lady edith #cake bake lady sue #cake bake lady lynn #palla the parvuli #mary and jenny #yonderland #vextan #my fic #fluff friday #wwff challenge

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exhausted-archivist · 1 year

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Thedosian Calendars and Holidays

Thedas has twelve 30-day months and five holidays, or annums. which start at the beginning of the month. Their day lengths are contradictory if not unclear as one instance mentions 24-hour days while all the clocks we've seen in Orlais work in 8-hour increments. Though it should be noted that clocks are dwarven in invention and manufacturing according to lore.

While the Chantry calendar shares some similarities to the Gregorian calendar, due to the placement and functions the holidays in regards to what they mean to the common people; it falls more in line with some versions of medieval calendars, though not entirely. For the common folk in Thedas these universal holidays mark the change of the seasons: letting them know what weather to expect, when harvests must be finished, when to plant, and other seasonal work and activities.

Additionally, it is important to know that Thedas appears to be in the southern hemisphere. It is never explicitly stated in lore or by any of the devs, but the context clues of things such as Tevinter being to the "north" and Orlais and Ferelden making up "southern Thedas" are the most prominent pieces of evidence. Though I will note that sometimes the devs/writers have gotten this mixed up and have referenced things like "birds flown south for the winter".

Thedosian Calendars - General

Of all calendars in Thedas, we know only of three: Chantry, Elven, and Tevinter. For other prominent cultures, we know nothing about the Avvar, Chasind, Dwarven, and Qunari calendars. They are not mentioned in lore, but are likely systems they would have.

Thedas, in its entirety, has converted to the Chantry calendar after the Second Blight. It became the universal calendar, and it's season marking holidays became the five universal holidays - though this doesn't mean they are the only holidays in Thedas. It is also unclear as of now whether the sharing of names and holidays are all the Tevinter and Chantry calendars share. We do not know if that extends to format, twelve 30-day months, or other factors.

The elven calendar fell into disuse after the fall of Arlathan when Tevinter outlawed its uses and enslaved the elven people. Now, not much is known about how the ancient elves of Arlathan kept track of the passing of time. Only a few notable events have lasted through the centuries to be recorded by modern scholars.

While the Tevinter Imperium did follow the Orlesian Chantry Calendar at some in their history, after the schisms between the two Andrastian cults they chose to return to their original calendar that dated back to the foundation of the Imperium. It is from this calendar that the Chantry took inspiration. It is suggested that elves had some influence on the creation of the Tevinter calendar (though this is only mentioned in the Traveler's Guide in the Origins Collector's Edition Game Guide). The Tevinter calendar is where the high names of the months come from.

The Orlesian Chantry calendar adopted several things from the Tevinter calendar, including the adoption of some holidays dedicated to the worship of the Old Gods that overlapped with their own holidays, and in turn gave them new meaning. Additionally, it is the Tevinter calendar that we inherited the high names and from the Chantry calendar the low names of the months.

Months and Days of the Week

Months

Each month has two names:

a high name - used by scholars and courts

a low name - used primarily by common folk

Most codex and dates shown in Dragon Age use the low name even when it is written in the voice of a scholar or noble, so I have listed them below in Low/High name format.

Wintermarch / Verimensis

Guardian / Pluitanis

Drakonis / Nubulis

Cloudreach / Eluviesta

Bloomingtide / Molioris

Justinian / Ferventis

Solace / Solis

August / Matrinalis

Kingsway / Parvulis

Harvestmere / Frumentum

Firstfall / Umbralis

Haring / Cassus

If the Chantry calendar and by extension Tevinter calendar were to follow the same solar equivalent dates as the real world, the months would land as follows in accordance to the southern hemisphere:

Spring/Vernal Equinox: September 21-23 -> Guardian / Pluitanis 1st

Summer Solstice: December 21-23 -> Bloomingtide / Molioris 1st

Autumnal/Fall Equinox: March 21-23 -> August / Matrinalis 1st

Winter Solstice: June 21-23 -> Firstfall / Umbralis 1st

My only note about this is that Tevinter seems to be predominately a tropical climate that begins to encroach closer to the equator. In the real world, this would usually result in them using a lunar (or lunar-solar) calendar as their seasonal changes would be relatively minimal. Solar calendars are more typical in temperate regions as there are more seasonal changes and they're impacted more by the the decrease/increase of sunlight.

That said, Tevinter seems to follow a more solar calendar that made it an easy port for the rest of Thedas. The likely reason for this might have simply been to keep things simple, as it would make it a little easier to track.

Days

As stated before, the length of a day seems to be 24-hours, though the clocks seem to work in 8 hour increments. Additionally, from what we can tell, Thedas has the same days of the week that we do. Except, there has yet to be any mention of Monday or Wednesday.

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Holidays, Celebrations, Ceremonies, and Festivals

It is noted that there are more holidays in the world than the ones listed in universal holidays. The following holidays/festivals/feasts listed are predominately human and surface, there isn't much on Orzammar and their holidays or celebrations nor the Dalish.

Universal Holidays

These are the holidays implemented by the Orlesian Chantry. These are the holidays called annums. With the exception of First Day, they typically mark the changes of the seasons. All of them fall at the beginning of the month.

With that in mind, based on how they line up with the solstices and equinox they seem to be roughly floating holidays that may range from the 1st to 3rd of the month.

Something to note though, is that the holidays were once mentioned to fall outside of any month. Which would align them more towards the special days you would see in a lunar calendar or some forms of historical calendars. However, this arrangement of the holidays hasn't been mentioned since the (Collector's Edition Prima Guide for Dragon Age Origins in the Traveler's Guide).

First Day, celebrated on the first day of Wintermarch / Verimensis

A traditional start of the year that involves the practice of visiting neighbors and family as well as gathering in town to commemorate the year past.

In remote areas this holiday was once the annual check to ensure everyone was alive.

In some areas, such as Serault in Orlais, it is customary to eat chicken on First Day.

Wintersend, celebrated at the beginning of Guardian / Pluitanis (Potential Spring / Vernal Equinox)

Previously called "Urthalis" and dedicated to the Old God of Beauty, Urthemiel.

Currently a holiday that is the celebration of the Maker.

It stands for the end of winter in many areas.

In the Tevinter, coincides with tourneys and contests at the Proving Grounds in Minrathous.

In the south, the holiday became the day for trade and theater.

In some areas, it is also the day for arranging marriages.

Some places, like Orlais, hold Wintersend Balls during the season.

Summerday, celebrated at the beginning of Bloomingtide / Molioris (Summer Solstice)

Previously called "Andoralis" it was a holiday dedicated to the Old God of Unity, Andoral.

Universally celebrated as the beginning of Summer.

For Andrastians, there is the practice where children ready to come of age don white tunics and gowns before joining a procession that crosses the settlement to the local Chantry. They are then taught the responsibilities of adulthood.

In Orlais, this is a particularly holy holiday.

In some places, this festival is described as particularly showy. To where it would be considered an appropriate level of extravagance to welcome a monarch or ruler.

All Souls Day, celebrated at the beginning of August / Matrinalis. (Potential Autumnal / Fall Equinox)

Previously it was called "Funalis" and was a holiday dedicated to the Old God of Silence, Dumat.

The Chantry uses the holiday to commemorate the death of Andraste, they will light public fires and put on plays that depict her death.

This holiday is also spent in other areas as a day in remembrance of the dead.

In the northern areas of Thedas, people will dress as spirits and parade through the streets after midnight.

Satinalia, celebrated at the beginning of Firstfall / Umbralis (Winter Solstice)

This holiday was originally dedicated to the Old God of Chaos, Zazikel. It now is more attributed to the second moon of Thedas, Satina.

Customary celebration includes wearing masks, naming the town fool as ruler for a day, and wild celebrations. In more pious areas, it is simply a large feast and the giving of gifts.

Antiva celebrates this for a week or more, followed by a week of fasting.

Feastday is part of the Satinalia celebration, incorporating the gifts and pranks practices of the holiday. It is unclear if this term is just for Ferelden.

Ferelden celebrates by serving a specific dish, Fluffy Mackerel Pudding, during the holiday.

Regional Holidays, Events, and Festivals

Allsmeet (Rivain)

An event that happens twice a year where the village seers travel to Dairsmuid to meet in council, gorge trade agreements, and pledge loyalty to the Rivaini queen publicly. These are also times where people will attempt to settle old feuds, but there are feasts, gift-giving ceremonies, musical contests, and other such activities. It lasts a few days.

Andraste's Day

An undefined holiday. One for Andrastians but unclear if it is universal to all Andrastian cults, regional to those following the Orlesian Chantry, or regional to Ferelden.

It is a holiday in which family will come to visit.

Anniversary of Archon Hessarian's Death (Tevinter)

A religious holiday, usually accompanied by an additional feast day for Visitations.

Visitations is a feast celebration of Andraste appearing in the dreams of mages when she crossed into the fade. Celebrated in Tevinter.

Arlathvhen (Dalish)

Its name means "for love of the people".

A celebration of the old ways while lore keepers exchange stories and knowledge, but the gathered Dalish also recount and discuss the sad lessons of the destruction of Arlathan and the Dales.

Barnack Festival (Orzammar)

An undefined festival mentioned by Oghren.

Celebratory Proving (Orzammar)

A type of proving held to celebrate an event.

Victors of these provings are rewarded with ceremonial items.

Commission Day (Orzammar)

A celebration for when one receives their military placement, or commission.

Unclear if this celebration is for all nobility of families of import or if it is restricted to the royal family.

Commission Proving (Orzammar)

A proving done during the commission celebration. It is in honor of an individual gaining a leadership position.

It is not clear if this proving and celebration is just for the royal family.

Coronation of the Divine (Chantry)

It is mentioned that when the first Divine was chosen, the festivities lasted a full year.

It is unclear if such celebrations happen every year in honor of the first Divine.

If it were an annual holiday, it is unclear if it would be only an Orlesian Chantry event or if it is also something that was celebrated in the Tevinter Imperium. Though considering the relationships between the two sects, it is possible that they adopted it in the Imperium but in celebration of their first Divine.

If chosen as Divine, Cassandra mentions that "They would love to bury me in ceremony for my coronation". Suggesting that there is at least some level of grandness that extends past a straight forward ceremony for crowning the Divine.

Drinking Festival (General)

Undefined if this is an Antivan specific festival, a universal one, or a joke. It is mentioned by Zevran.

Memorial Proving (Orzammar)

A type of proving done during celebration and honor of an individual receiving their military role.

Groundbreaking Festival (Universal)

Held much like events in real life, where they celebrate a building - such as a fort, castle, ect. - being built.

Grand Tourney (Free Marches/Nevarra)

A yearly event described as part circus, part tournament, and part festival. It allows contests, feats of strength, food, performers, and merriment. It travels around the Free Marches, and occasionally outside of it.

It is an event that many are aware of and Orlesian nobles are particularly inclined and encouraged by their families to participate in.

According to the Dragon Age Tabletop RPG (ttrpg), Orzammar sent warrior representatives to the Grand Tourney one year. It is unknown if they continued to do so or if this is held up in current lore.

Harvest Festival (Universal)

Undefined, but mentioned that Honnleath celebrates such an event.

Vinter, a Ferelden town mentioned in the ttrpg, celebrates the year's harvest and bounty in an annual event that lasts for several days. This is a major event of merriment and trade, but also open to the Dalish as well.

Hunt Ball (Nevarra)

Balls held in the winter, a lingering custom from when Nevarra used to have annual dragon hunts.

Memorial Proving (Orzammar)

A type of proving done to honor the memory of a dwarf of high stature.

Naming Day (Universal)

Separate from birthdays, there is little information on these parties outside that they occur.

Mentioned by both dwarves in Orzammar as well as found in a box of invitations on the surface.

Solstice Celebrations (Universal)

Avvar have alters dedicated to their favored hold-dieties, they house sacred relic that aligns with the rising sun on the Winter Solstice.

Honnleath celebrates the winter solstice.

Undefined as to which, but stated that the Chantry hold them, at one point for six consecutive years in Cumberland. This seems to be separate from the four holidays that mark the change of the seasons.

In some areas they celebrate the solstices with dinner parties. Aveline throws one. It isn't clear if this is simply a Fereldan practice or universal.

Summer Festival (Orlais)

A general festival that differs by region.

Celene mentions how youths participate in tests of skill though in heavily padded tunics and blunted blades.

Winterfest (Unknown)

An undescribed event/holiday mentioned by Dorian. He says he was "hoping for a lively Winterfest gift."

Possibly a regional holiday in Tevinter.

Feasts

Feast of Ascension (Orlais)

Undefined if it is a common celebration, nor what exactly the purpose is.

Feast of Urthemiel (Tevinter, Ancient)

A feast that spanned a total of twelve days, it was the grandest celebration of the year during its time. Celebrated at the height of the Imperium when they worshiped the Old Gods.

Unclear if this feast was part of the Urthalis (now known as Wintersend).

Hivernal Feast (Orlais)

Originating in the highlands of Orlais during the early days of the nation. Groups would go out and hunt Hivernals, on a successful hunt they would return and feast before salting the dragon meat and using the rest for potions, armor, and other supplies to help them last the winter. It is a feast still celebrated in some areas of Orlais.

Noble Feast (Orzammar)

A feast had during a celebration, typically one honoring an individual for their military accomplishments or a service done for Orzammar.

Also used to honor the mercy and/or martial skill of a commander.

General Ceremonies

Uthenera Ceremony (Arlathan)

Where an elder's long life and all their contributions to the elven people was celebrated before they moved on to the next step of waking slumber.

Harvest Ball (General)

A ball held during the harvest season.

Unclear how common or well spread these balls are, but they are mentioned as occurring in places such as Ostwick.

Wedding Ceremony (General)

Can be especially lavish for rulers, nobility, or people of import.

Typically overseen by Chantry Mothers in southern Thedas.

Unnamed Holidays, Ceremonies, Feasts, and Festivals

A religious holiday in the Imperium with a ceremony to mark the day a spell is cast to renew the Eternal Flame that is lit and continuously burns in every chantry in the Imperium.

A holiday in the Imperium that celebrates the death of Joyous II, Orlesian Chantry Divine. It is unclear if this holiday is still celebrated.

At Adamant Fortress the residents would have a celebration which included a feast on the day of the first snow fall. Traditions include the residents putting up wreaths, dancing, and other events.

There is a festival that includes a turkey. But there is little information outside of the line mentioning "festival turkey".

In some Dalish clans, there is a special ceremony for when a Keeper anoints a mage as their first.

Miscellaneous and Trivia

There is a practice of giving gifts on the solstice mentioned by Luka.

People have both a Wintersend gift list as well as Satinalia gift list. It is unclear if the Wintersend gift list is a regional/cultural specific practice, a universal one, or if it was simply confused with Satinalia.

Birthdays while separate from Name days are both celebrated universally.

The Qun does not have holidays or annual festivals. They will have celebrations but usually in response to a death in service to the Qun by an individual who did a great deed. They have a celebration that allows for unabashed revelry; this includes drinking, public chanting, and even meditations are abandoned.

The term "holiday", "on holiday", and "family holiday" are used by those in Thedas as opposed to vacation or the like.

Fluffy Mackerel Pudding, while a Fereldan traditional dish, is a recipe from the 1974 Weight Watchers.

Sources:

BioWare Blog Weight Watchers: Fluffy Mackerel Pudding

Dragon Age Origins Dragon Age 2 Dragon Age Inquisition Dragon Age Inquisition Multiplayer Dragon Age The Last Court Dragon Age Tabletop Dragon Age Tabletop Blood in Ferelden Dragon Age Origins Official Prima Guide Dragon Age Masked Empire Dragon Age Asunder Dragon Age Tevinter Nights World of Thedas Vol 1 World of Thedas Vol 2

Origins Codex: Archdemon Codex: Feast Day Fish A Note from the Honnleath Village Council

Dragon Age 2 Codex: Chest of Unanswered Invitations Codex: Notes on the Avvar Sky Cult Codex: Thedas Calendar

Inquisition Codex: Mad Emperor Reville War Table Mission: A Favor Returned War Table Mission: Rescue the Spy

The Last Court Your Bailiff is Attacked

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