Page 156 - Eberron -Rising from the Last War_Neat

BRIGHTBLADE (12 NYMM) -- THE --
The festival of Doi Dorn is noted across the city with S M A � n � n o u � S � l � W �
prizefights, wrestling matches, archery contests, and
other tests of strength and skill. This activity culminates
O
with a grand contest of champions in the Cornerstone
district in Middle Tavick's Landing. T H E RACE F E I G H T
B
THE RACE OF EIGHT WINDS (23 LHARVION)
This event is an aerial race that takes place around W I N D S E G I N S !
Dura Quarter.
THE HUNT (4 BARRAKAS) Banners are flying across Dura today, and the streets are
In honor of the Sovereign Balinor, a fierce beast is full of color. Walk through Oldkeep wearing brown and
brought to the city and released on this day into an iso­ red, and you'll be invited to raise a glass to the Griffon; if
lated section of Old Sham. Anyone can participate in the you're dressed in white and gold, the colors of the Hip­
Hunt by making a donation of 5 gp; the hunter (or group) pogriff, you'd best be prepared to defend yourself.
who brings down the beast wins a purse of 500 gp and If you're new to Sharn, you might think our city's gone
the blessing of Balinor. The motif of the Hunt can vary; mad. And in some ways it has, but it's a madness that
reaches its peak every summer with the Race of Eight
in some years, multiple beasts are released, and the Winds. Long ago, King Galifar used Dura as a proving
hunter who catches the most of them is the victor. In any ground for aerial calvary. What's more important, quick­
case, it often turns out that the other competitors are a ness or strength? Our modern race is a test of speed and
greater threat to hunters than the beasts they stalk. skill through a course that weaves around and through
the spires of Dura. There are eight competitors, and
FATHEN'S FALL (25 BARRAKAS) each of these brave jockeys rides a different flying crea­
This celebration commemorates a priest of the Silver ture-except for the gargoyle Carralag, who relies on his
Flame who was martyred while exposing lycanthropes own wings!
in Sharn. The day's activities often cause tension with Speed is important, but merely surviving the race can
the shifter community. be a challenge. The spilling of blood isn't prohibited,
but the only weapon a rider can carry is a light sporting
BOLDREI'S FEAST (9 RHAAN) crossbow; the steeds can use their talons and beaks,
Gatherings across the city mark this celebration of which is what makes the Griffon such a fierce contender.
community. The wealthy compete to throw the grandest Poison, magic, or anything else that would directly in­
parties, and the most generous among them will be re­ terfere with beast or rider is strictly forbidden-though
over the years we've certainly seen imaginative attempts
membered throughout the year for their largesse. to stretch the rules!
Dura is divided into eight regions for the race, each of
THE ASCENSION (1 SYPHEROS)
which is represented by a different creature. If you're go­
The sacrifice of Tira Miron, who gave her life to serve ing to spend time in Dura, it's best that you know your
as the Voice of the Silver Flame, is honored on this day. mounts! The beasts of Upper Dura are the fastest in
The holiday is marked by services at all Silver Flame the race, and overall have the best record. The reigning
churches and shrines, and the faithful are encouraged champion is the Pegasus of Highwater, whose supporters
to find some way to help their communities. wear white and silver. The Hippogriff is tied to Over­
look and Daggerwatch in Upper Dura, and its colors
WILDNIGHT (18-19 SYPHEROS) are white and gold. Detractors often say that the Sharn
Supposedly the Fury, the god of Passion and Revenge, Watch favors the Hippogriff and that House V a dalis
reaches the height of her power on this night. Emotions helps the Pegasus, but the referees always insist that the
run high, and impulse control runs low. Shy and super­ race is fair.
The beasts of Middle Dura are versatile. The Eagle
stitious folk stay indoors, while others see it as a time to represents Broken Arch and Stormhold in Middle Dura,
cast aside inhibitions. The streets fill with revelry that and its supporters wear brown and gold. The clever Owl
lasts well into the night. flies for Rattlestone and the Bazaar, and its colors are
brown and gray. The Hawk represents T u mbledown and
THRONEHOLD (11 ARYTH) Underlook in Middle Dura, and wearing its blend of tan
This observance marks the day that the Treaty of and brown can usually get you a good price at an inn.
Thronehold was signed, officially ending the Last War. The beasts of Lower Dura are more infamous than re­
This year (998 YK) is only the second time the event has liable. The Griffon flies for Precarious and Oldkeep, and
been commemorated, and the Lord Mayor of Sharn has its colors are brown and red. It has never won the race,
promised a truly epic festival. but there's gold to be made betting on which opponent
it will bring down. The Glidewing represents Gate of
LONG SHADOWS (26-28 VULT) Gold and The Stores, and'its supporters wear green and
gray; many believe that the Boromar Clan pays for the
It's said that the power of the Shadow, the sinister de­
ity of the Dark Six, is at its height during these three upkeep of the mount and its rider. Malleon's Gate used
to be represented by the Bat, but twelve years ago they
nights. Careful people spend this time indoors with exchanged that mascot for the Gargoyle, whose colors
friends, but those who relish the darkness might decide are black and gray. The current Gargoyle is a stone-faced
to take to the streets to prey on the weak and foolish. f e llow named Carralag, and his supporters are quite pas­
sionate about their winged champion.

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