Festival of Blooms
Blooms overtake the plains, flowers carpet the woodland, and the chill of winter fades from the land.The Festival of Blooms is a month-long revel celebrating the warmth and bounty of the season of blooms that follows each dreary winter. Folks from all across Brightfield gather in the city of Iverra to celebrate the end of the cold season and the return of the flowers that they missed so much.
Life is coming back to our beloved valley!
Bringing Life Back to Iverra
Adventuring classes really taught me how to keep a base stocked up for the long haul! I've barricaded myself in my dorm for the past month... I'll come back out when the flowers do.Brightfield's winters may be mild by most standards, but the frost-lined dreariness of the season tends to affect its residents more than most. Iverra, in its snow-dusted state, is a quiet city. The energy of its residents is low, as most folks hole up indoors to keep warm and cozy in the cold months. It's a form of doom & gloom that finds itself to be quite contagious, and it spreads to every household not long after winter's first chill sets in. When spring makes its return, however, it's a whole new story; suddenly, indoors just isn't the place folks want to be anymore!
It starts small — residents start noting that their cloaks are much too heavy, so they start dressing down a little. Windows start staying open just a little longer while airing out the house. Days start getting longer, and the weight of early sunset gives way for more activities bathed in daylight. Frozen hearts start thawing just like the snow outside, and something brighter and bolder stirs within them.
It's time for some spring cleaning!
Out With the Cold!
All it takes to kick off a frenzy is one good thaw and a soft, fragrant breeze. Visitors in Iverra turn in to rest at the tavern one snowy night, in a quiet winter village, and awaken in an entirely new world. The streets are lively, the workshops packed, and businesses bustling. The central square is washed clean of the winter rime and grime left behind from the season's final thaw, with folks working eagerly to make the rest of the city match.This startling shift in energy marks a joyous day in Iverra: the first day of the Festival of Blooms.
"It's like the winter crust and dust picked up just about overnight! The walk to the workshop was so gloomy, and now... it's bloomy!"
Awakening the city is merely the first stage of the festival, but its onset is unmistakable! This overnight shift from a snowy, sleepy town to an explosion of cheer and warmth sets a course for a new season of celebration.
The first few days of the festival are spent bringing vibrance back to the city, breathing new life into every corner with each disruption to the residual grey wash of winter. Decorative flowers find their way onto every accommodating surface, gardens are revitalized, and planters are hung from every roof and beam. Color-coordinated flower arrangements line storefronts and official buildings, reflecting branding and heraldry — some stores even have "official flowers" that they order each year for their displays!
The first few days of the festival are spent bringing vibrance back to the city, breathing new life into every corner with each disruption to the residual grey wash of winter. Decorative flowers find their way onto every accommodating surface, gardens are revitalized, and planters are hung from every roof and beam. Color-coordinated flower arrangements line storefronts and official buildings, reflecting branding and heraldry — some stores even have "official flowers" that they order each year for their displays!
"It was also beyond delightful as you took notice of the state of the streets around you, which were covered from the ground-up in floral decorations and arrangements. Blooming ornaments hung from every tree branch, the wooden beams of every building, and any other horizontal surface one could feasibly hang something off of. Every building boasted a beautiful and near-bursting flowerbed beneath each window, and loose petals and leaves gathered at the edges of building entrances and the stone walkways. People ran gleefully through the streets with ribbons and flower crowns, some skipped with baskets of fruit and flowers, and others gathered at shops and pavilions with treats, drinks, and friends. Ffion was right — there is a festival on, and it's in full swing!"
- Excerpt from The Path to Adventure, Chapter 3 | Sweet Setbacks
Whimsy in Action: It's not just the denizens who experience this overnight change; all of Brightfield grows lively with spring's arrival! All traces of winter seem to disappear, and the marks of the season of renewal become immediately apparent throughout the region — the fields clear of snow, the meadows grow lush and colorful, and resources that grow scarce or disappear during winter make a full return in their respective habitats.
Workshop Revival
"You didn't forget how to hold a chisel over the winter, did you?"The influx of sunshine and greenery ignites a fire in the residents of Iverra, who feverishly return to their respective crafts to engage in contests and challenges that put their skills to the test! This bit of friendly competition invites artisans to brush the dust from their workstations and hone their skills after the slow season, ensuring that they're ready to take on the crafts of the year ahead!
"You'll just have to wait and see when I win the contest next week!"
The Festival of Blooms and its assortment of contests, challenges, and workshops largely focus on the crafts which center around the use of plant-based materials: carpenters and wood sculptors, makers of paper, dyes, and inks, dried flowercrafters, florists, and more! Likewise, culinary crafters find themselves competing amongst each other in creating delectable dishes using local ingredients.
Favorite crafts of Festival season include pressed flowers and products made with them, such as bookmarks, handmade papers, and wearable accessories, in addition to flower-inspired goods such as flower pots, wood carvings, and illustrations. It's not enough to be surrounded by flowers themselves, they need to sculpt, etch, and draw them in every material they can manage to get their hands on!
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Seems like there are lots of events posted for crafters to participate in! These are the first few that catch your eye...Botanical Paper Workshop
"Learn the ins and outs of botanical papercraft, and how artisans produce marvelous floral paper by hand! Materials will be provided by the studio, covered by the workshop fee. You'll be able to take your creations home with you when you're done!"Sculptwood Bouquet Competition
"Think you've got the softest hand? Let the material be the judge! The Lumberfolk's Guild challenges you to craft the most impressive bouquet in town using the local sculpwood. Materials can be purchased from the guild if you are unable to source your own. Deliver your completed sculptures to the guild hall before the closing ceremony begins! Winners earn a spot at the local museum of arts and a cash prize!"The Great Bloomin' Bake-Off
"It's the sweetest season of the year... let's make it even sweeter! Join us during week three of the festival for daily baking challenges — each day's winner will be invited to the Great Bloomin' Bake-Off during the closing ceremony! The award-winning creation will be featured as next year's official festival treat, and stocking next year's treats pays handsomely! Our grand prize winner will also be invited to host next year's Bake-Off!"Browsing the Bloommarket
The Festival of Blooms' most fundamental tradition has always been a very simple one: Spread the joy of spring with gifts, hand-crafted from the season's bounty. These gifts don't need to be anything extravagant, but love and craft are essential components for any Festival of Blooms gift.Crafting expertise is optional in this tradition; a crudely-fashioned flower crown holds no greater weight than an elaborate mastercraft sculpture.
Village Tradition to City Revel
In the early days of Iverra's development, the Festival of Blooms was a small, local affair, hardly attracting more than a few visitors from out of town each year. With the explosive growth of Ringtale Elementary School in recent years, more visitors started to take notice of the small town and its joyous spring traditions.Today, the Festival of Blooms has grown popular enough that an entire district of Iverra's market is dedicated only to Festival crafts and draws an impressive crowd; every stall and store is filled with locals and travelers both, all hoping to take home beautiful springtime keepsakes and gifts.
Most travelers who come to participate in the festival relish in the thrill of shopping around the market stalls and sampling the crafts and confections of the local artisans.
Denizens of Iverra and the Brightfield region, however, are more likely to fully immerse themselves in the various events taking place throughout the festival, such as contests, dances, and more, rather than shopping extensively at the market — though even the locals can't help being tempted by some of those Festival-unique goods.
It's festival season, after all. Why not splurge a little on some fancy treats and trinkets while they're in season?
Denizens of Iverra and the Brightfield region, however, are more likely to fully immerse themselves in the various events taking place throughout the festival, such as contests, dances, and more, rather than shopping extensively at the market — though even the locals can't help being tempted by some of those Festival-unique goods.
It's festival season, after all. Why not splurge a little on some fancy treats and trinkets while they're in season?
"Hold tight to your coinpurse there, kid!"
"What? Why? Is it not safe?"
"No one's snatching it from you... but your money won't be safe once you see those market stalls."
Artisans in need: Artisans of Iverra often hire Adventurers during the Festival of Blooms to gather the materials that they themselves cannot purchase or harvest, in order to craft exceptional seasonal goods to offer as gifts or for sale. Poke around some of the shops at the festival and keep your ears open by the market stalls — if you're seeking a quest, you'll be sure to find one in no time!
In fact, you catch wind of a few shops in need pretty quickly as you explore the city:
In fact, you catch wind of a few shops in need pretty quickly as you explore the city:
Trouble at the Tea Shoppe
Stepping into the tea shop is always a delight to the senses. The delicate smells of brewing teas, drying herbs, and pressed flowers blend together to invite you into the room with the warmest of hugs. Exactly like a good cup of tea!
Tea is one of the most sought-after commodities during the Festival of Blooms — all kinds of seasonal blends of tea return to the shelves as delectable florals begin resurfacing from the snows of the fading winter. Though the chill is rapidly fading, the brisk spring mornings are still best met with a nice, warm drink in hand!
Though their list is pretty large, and there are many flowers and herbs to help find, the top three on their list have given them the most trouble.
We're Missing a Few Ingredients...
There are many flowers that the shop finds no trouble sourcing on their own, but others call for just a bit of assistance in their acquisition.Though their list is pretty large, and there are many flowers and herbs to help find, the top three on their list have given them the most trouble.
Fumesap Lavender
This flower has an overwhelmingly pungent odor when fresh, but dries down to the most delightful sweetness. Unfortunately, it only grows in some unsightly places, and not many are willing to search for it.
Pondflower
Though beautiful and pleasant-smelling, this flower is sought after for its leaves and stems. Herbal teas made with this plant are great mood-boosters, but they are guarded jealously by woodland beasts.
Sunny Honeysuckle
Wild honeys pair well with many of the season's teas, especially honeys created with the clovers and honeysuckle. The trouble is, honeysuckle doesn't bloom this early in the year, except in small pockets of the wood.Missing Shipment at the Bakery
I had a craving and followed my nose all the way here, knowing the bakery had me covered. If there is a sweet treat you can envision, with all of the tastiest fruits and flowers, Iverra's bakery is ever at the ready to make you a baker's dozen and then some!
Working hand-in-hand with the tea shop, the local bakery is well known for its range of dainty floral treats, fruit-filled pastries, and candied flowers — and more!
Our Supplier Hit a Snag...
The flowers they use are pretty easy to find, so they seldom run into stock issues, but a few road bumps have left them missing two key flowers they're in need of, just as the baking rush begins.
Field Violet
Delightful little flowers that the bakery loves to use as toppers for shortbread cookies — a springtime specialty! The common varieties are all bitter, though... They simply lacked the time to search for the right patch before the rush.
Orchard Sorrel
These apple-flavored flowers are incredible additions to baked goods for their blend of fruity and floral flavor, but the bakery encountered an issue with their latest shipment.Destruction at the Workshop
I want to live a life surrounded by flowers, and those artisans take the whole season to ensure that dream can come true! Their work is perfect — flawless, even! I keep catching myself trying to smell the sculpted flowers they gifted me, forgetting they're just painted wood.
Not everything that calls for flowers results in an edible creation. Many artisans in town seek out materials that become freshly available when springtime begins, using them to craft a wide assortment of items, artworks, and more.
From the functional to the decorative, many trades in town find themselves in need of hard-to-find natural resources as they work to put high-demand goods in the hands of festival-goers.
From the functional to the decorative, many trades in town find themselves in need of hard-to-find natural resources as they work to put high-demand goods in the hands of festival-goers.
The Parcels Came Back Ruined...
A lot of spring's crafting materials are quite delicate in nature. It makes sense, considering most of them are flowers. It seems the local courier had a bumpy trip into town, and now the crafters are down some materials.
Sparrowhawk Orchid
These uniquely-shaped flowers seldom hold their shape when picked and transported, making them exceptionally difficult to order. You just have to go and find them yourself, and hope the journey is smooth sailing.
Halohue Pansy
Pansies bloom in a wide array of colors, but one in particular is used to produce the most sought after dye color of the season: a lustrous pink which bleeds into a yellow-green halo when applied correctly.
Sculptwood
Special wood type available in spring that is soft and moldable, perfect for delicate sculpting — dries out to be exceptionally durable, holding its shape indefinitely!Spring's Grand Sendoff
Suddenly, even the chattiest of the cubs found themselves quiet, their eyes turned skyward.After a long month of celebrating the coming of spring, the beautiful blooms of the season, and the many incredible ways artisans craft with them, the day does finally arrive: the final night of the festival. The entire city is in bloom, a living mural of every color the season has to offer, down to the rarest shades from the most obscure corners of the region. The artisans get to stop and take a breath for the first time in weeks, their marvelous creations now completed and resting atop their podiums awaiting judgment. The displays are stunning, presented by residents and visitors of all skillsets and skill levels.
As the world glittered around them, they found themselves stunned by the realization that the world was far more magical than their tiny selves ever imagined.
Music and dance greet the night with eagerness and joy. Competitions hold their closing ceremonies, the city erupting in cheers and applause with every denizen called to the various stages to accept awards, their impassioned speeches filling the night with sentiment and adoration. The Host of Blooms, chosen anew each year, delivers the final praises of the event, parades the local contest winners through town, and summons forth the old wizard of Brightfield to commence one final, brilliant show.
Starry Sea of Petals
The bloomburst is an invitation for all residents of Iverra, and its visitors as well, to gather for an incredible night beneath the stars, as each little light in the sky is bid to burst into a million blooms each! As the glittering cascade of stardust falls to the earth, the shimmer of magic lingers over all attendees and their surroundings for the remainder of the night. These lingering effects allow for fun and exciting interactions with many of the crafts and arrangements produced during the Festival of Blooms, like animating artificial flowers, bringing flowers to bloom with a touch, and mending damaged foliage on nearby plants.Enriching the Lands
The dust which does not fall upon the city spreads on the winds across all of Brightfield, bringing life to the flowers and foliage, that they may be healthy and rejuvenated enough to make a return again the following year — effectively, magical flower fertilizer! Flowers in the wild and in cultivated plots alike benefit from the bloomburst, and it keeps the entire region in a delightful bloom all spring, every single year, without fail.Future of the Flowers: The old wizard of Brightfield may need to retire soon, however, and seeks an apprentice that might take on his mantle when he finally disappears into retirement for good!
With his delay in finding said apprentice, however, many folks in Iverra have some concern about what might happen if the Bloomburst stops happening each year!
With his delay in finding said apprentice, however, many folks in Iverra have some concern about what might happen if the Bloomburst stops happening each year!
So, wait... It's over already?
I'm afraid so!
The good news is, spring carries on, growing and thriving into a strong summer, then into a brisk autumn, and, yes, another gloomy winter.You know what that means, though, right? There's another spring right after that, and another Festival of Blooms right around the corner.
There's a reason our favorite catchphrase is, "sure as spring!"
It always comes back around again. Sure as spring.
Sounds like a lovely event! Congratulations on the nomination!
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