Panigýri

An erratic and unique holiday, Panigýri "Double Axis" is a massive art festival that takes place annually on the last double full moon of the year, going through each day and night until one of the moons becomes full. The festival has been going on for centuries, long before the Great Event, having been started by two very eccentric Fey artists who decided to have a competition to see who's stuff would be enjoyed more. The festival's overarching theme is to enjoy and indulge in the freedom to express oneself. It serves as a sort of comic relief to the people of Ashenland, letting them take a step back and do something fun even if war or famine had occurred recently.

### Logistics

The festival originally had no date or location. After the first one occurred spontaneously, with artists from all over jumping in on the fun with the charismatic Archfey at the center, people decided that it was worth doing it again. Word of the encore spread like wildfire and the second Panigýri got its name cemented in history. After that, people decided it was worth continuing, so it naturally got a specific date that worked for it; about 5 days long from the last double full moon to the night where one becomes a new moon. As they dispersed, people tried to decide on the next location, but it was impossible to come to agreement. Everyone had their own ideas and no one wanted to give them the power to control such a free event.

Within the next year, rumors spread about where the Panigýri would be. No one new for certain, but talk about one location grew incessant and frequent. So people took a chance and went there. And by sheer luck, everyone else did the same. And this is how the location is now decided--rumor and public whim. After the latest festival, people go back home and live their lives. And they talk. They talk about the experience and where they would like to go next. And each time, a new place catches on. Sometimes they go to the same place as before, usually somewhere else. As long as it's somewhere people can enjoy themselves, they'll go. And it always works out, thanks to the patron's blessing. Supposedly, no matter how crazy the idea, Quentivia will negotiate with whatever force of nature they need to in order to make it happen.

### Content

Panigýri is the biggest art festival and is open to every conceivable definition of such. Music, sculptures, theater, singing, exhibitions of combat and new inventions; people who make stuff just need to come and show off their creations. Many people visit for the new and exotic food or to find new interests, maybe by some fabrics they'd never seen. It's all at the whim of the people there. Quentivia makes no effort to control or coordinate. All they do is make sure, whatever the people decide to try, it somehow 'works out'.

There's an overall sense of individuality and freedom where judgement is critical, not antagonistic. The rich and the poor are welcomed equally, as are people of all races. Naturally, brawls and arguments occur frequently, but never become big enough to ruin the festival. There's ultimately no point to an organized coup against it, as people will just get together again somewhere else the next year.

The festival is tolerated by kingdoms and the like because of the major boons it provides. It's like a beating heart, pushing learning, creativity, and curiosity through the continent. New inventions, spices, and never before seen materials are found here, as well as young geniuses and weirdoes with a lot to offer. People often make life long friends and meet people of like mind in some subject after spending the weekend.