Feast of Fools: Difference between revisions
PlagueBearer (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Holiday |name = |image = |caption = |alt name = |partof = |type = Civic |deity = |location = Free City of Greyhawk |frequency = Annual |date = Needfest 7 |duration = One day |observed = Free City of Greyhawk |activities = |subevents = |significance = }} The '''Feast of Fools''' is celebrated on Needfest 7 from dusk until Midnight and is the culmination of the Ne..." |
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|date = [[Needfest]] 7 | |date = [[Needfest]] 7 | ||
|duration = One day | |duration = One day | ||
| | |observed_by = [[Free City of Greyhawk]] | ||
|activities = | |activities = | ||
|subevents = | |subevents = | ||
|significance = | |significance = | ||
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The '''Feast of Fools''' is celebrated on [[Calendar|Needfest]] 7 from dusk until Midnight and is the culmination of the [[Needfest]] Celebration in [[Free City of Greyhawk|Greyhawk]].<ref>[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] Annual'' #4. Renton, WA (1999)([[TSR, Inc.]]), p. | The '''Feast of Fools''' is celebrated on [[Calendar|Needfest]] 7 from dusk until Midnight and is the culmination of the [[Needfest]] Celebration in [[Free City of Greyhawk|Greyhawk]].<ref>[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] Annual'' #4. Renton, WA (1999)([[TSR, Inc.]]), p.19''</ref> It is usually marked by parties, parades, tourneys, and speeches. | ||
During the Feast of Fools, chaos and role reversals take over as people mock social norms and authority. Thieves secretly leave copper coins for the poor and former victims, while warriors and rangers act helpless and lost. Paladins challenge puppets to combat, and judges and officials are humorously "tried" by lower-ranking clerks. Scholars sit in as their students tell absurd tales, and clergy partake in satirical rituals tailored to their faiths—listening to fools, liars, or other religions with mock sincerity. The event embodies playful anarchy and societal inversion. | During the Feast of Fools, chaos and role reversals take over as people mock social norms and authority. Thieves secretly leave copper coins for the poor and former victims, while warriors and rangers act helpless and lost. Paladins challenge puppets to combat, and judges and officials are humorously "tried" by lower-ranking clerks. Scholars sit in as their students tell absurd tales, and clergy partake in satirical rituals tailored to their faiths—listening to fools, liars, or other religions with mock sincerity. The event embodies playful anarchy and societal inversion. | ||
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During the Feast of Fools, all citizens of Greyhawk are expected to behave opposite to their usual selves, wearing outlandish clothing and partaking in wild antics that become legendary tales. Participation is mandatory, and refusing to join is seen as rude, inviting relentless teasing and jokes long after the event. The celebration’s joyous spirit even leads to a noticeable rise in births around the next [[Brewfest]].<ref>The Adventure Begins (1998)([[TSR, Inc.]]), p.40, 41</ref> | During the Feast of Fools, all citizens of Greyhawk are expected to behave opposite to their usual selves, wearing outlandish clothing and partaking in wild antics that become legendary tales. Participation is mandatory, and refusing to join is seen as rude, inviting relentless teasing and jokes long after the event. The celebration’s joyous spirit even leads to a noticeable rise in births around the next [[Brewfest]].<ref>The Adventure Begins (1998)([[TSR, Inc.]]), p.40, 41</ref> | ||
== Calendar == | |||
{|class="wikitable" | |||
|+ [[Needfest]] | |||
!Starday | |||
!Sunday | |||
!Moonday | |||
!Godsday | |||
!Waterday | |||
!Earthday | |||
!Freeday | |||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |||
|1 | |||
|2 | |||
|3 | |||
|4<br/>[[File:Phase_luna_full.png|link=Luna]][[File:Phases_celene_full.png|link=Luna]] | |||
[[Midwinter Night]] | |||
|5 | |||
|6 | |||
|7 | |||
Feast of Fools<br> | |||
[[Frostbite Run]]<br>[[Day of Trial]] | |||
|} | |||
{{Refbox-Greyhawk-Calendar}} | {{Refbox-Greyhawk-Calendar}} | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
=== Notes === | === Notes === | ||
Latest revision as of 16:10, 2 August 2025
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The Feast of Fools is celebrated on Needfest 7 from dusk until Midnight and is the culmination of the Needfest Celebration in Greyhawk.[1] It is usually marked by parties, parades, tourneys, and speeches.
During the Feast of Fools, chaos and role reversals take over as people mock social norms and authority. Thieves secretly leave copper coins for the poor and former victims, while warriors and rangers act helpless and lost. Paladins challenge puppets to combat, and judges and officials are humorously "tried" by lower-ranking clerks. Scholars sit in as their students tell absurd tales, and clergy partake in satirical rituals tailored to their faiths—listening to fools, liars, or other religions with mock sincerity. The event embodies playful anarchy and societal inversion.
This madness is overseen by The Fool, the most talented bard or jester elected by the city's leaders. For seven hours, The Fool acts as the lord of Greyhawk, issuing paradoxical and whimsical orders that must abide by strict rules—no harm, destruction, violence, or endangering the city's security. The festivities are meant to be harmless fun with no lasting consequences, and The Fool must avoid actions that could provoke serious offense, particularly from powerful figures like the Lord Mayor or feared individuals such as the Guildmaster of Assassins.
During the Feast of Fools, all citizens of Greyhawk are expected to behave opposite to their usual selves, wearing outlandish clothing and partaking in wild antics that become legendary tales. Participation is mandatory, and refusing to join is seen as rude, inviting relentless teasing and jokes long after the event. The celebration’s joyous spirit even leads to a noticeable rise in births around the next Brewfest.[2]
Calendar
| Starday | Sunday | Moonday | Godsday | Waterday | Earthday | Freeday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 
|
5 | 6 | 7
Feast of Fools |
| Greyhawk calendar | |
|---|---|
| Days | Starday • Sunday • Moonday • Godsday • Waterday • Earthday • Freeday |
| Months | Fireseek • Readying • Coldeven • Planting • Flocktime • Wealsun • Reaping • Goodmonth • Harvester • Patchwall • Ready'reat • Sunsebb |
| Festivals | Needfest • Growfest • Richfest • Brewfest |
| Seasons | Winter • Spring • Low summer • High summer • (Summer) • Autumn |
| Solar events | Spring equinox, Summer solstice, Autumnal equinox, Winter solstice |
| Holidays | Agelong • Blood Moon Festival • Breadgiving Day • Council Day • Council of Mayors and Manorial Lords • Crowning Day • Dark Night • Day of the Legion Will • Day of Treachery • Declaration Day • Election Day • Faerieluck • Fallrite • Feast of Edoira • Feast of Fools • Feast of Wenta • Freedom Day • Frost Days • Great Moon's Glory • Guild Days • Holy Day of Serenity • Midsummer's Day • Midwinter Night • Remembrance Day • Rollo's Day • Saint Cuthbert's Day • Spring Feast • Springrite • Thrommel's Day • Yeartide • |
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Miller, Andy. "Campaign Holidays." Dragon Annual #4. Renton, WA: TSR, 1999 (pp. 16-21).
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feast of Fools | Calendar | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 16, 65, 66 | |
| Feast of Fools | Calendar | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 19 | |
| Feast of Fools | Calendar | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 14 | |
| Feast of Fools | Calendar | The Adventure Begins | 40-42 |