The Founder’s Festival is a yearly festival, this event is a longstanding tradition held in honor of the founding of the city and those important people credited in establishing a peaceful and prosperous kingdom over a thousand years ago. Aside from the long dynasty of Emillion's rulers, the founders of the Guilds (Benjen Fairweather, first named Riskbreaker of the Fighters Guild, Vadril Rhavanni, first named Sage of the Mages Guild, Althea Penrose, first advocate of the Bards Guild) are also paid respect. Guild presence is heavy during these events and members are often eager to contribute, or take advantage of the potential audience as the case may be. The festival starts with a parade on the first morning and lasts for three days, with events held in many different areas of the city. This year, funding for the event has been generously added to by the recent visitor of the city, the Duchess of Limberry, who also will be seen amidst the festivities.
MAIN FESTIVAL EVENTS.
GAMES & RIDES: The city's main major public park is taken over for the duration of the festival. Many temporary booths are raised in neatly arranged rows throughout, offering several different games of chance in arrows, darts and air rifles, tests of accuracy and some for strength. Rides for children have been constructed as well, a popular attraction for those able to afford the tickets. Along with the games and rides, local smiths and artisans have formed their own row of booths to display their work to the passersby. Accusations of swindlers at the game booths typically abound, although many claims remain unproven.
THEATRE ENTERTAINMENT: The Theatre District enjoys an unusually high volume of activity. Famous local musicians, dancers, theatre companies and entertainers of all variety perform throughout the festival, all of them eager to earn a wider audience and greater gil. These events are most popular with the common citizenry, and crime activity flourishes later in the evening hours. As such, EKP presence is increased in the duration of the festival.
FOOD AND DRINK: Many local taverns host specials on ale, mead, imported liquors and even wine tastings from local vineyards. Street vendors have doubled in numbers, and can be seen on nearly every busy street corner, offering common foods to bizarre "delicacies". Finer establishments hold private parties and dining events, bringing in chefs and artisans from all across Ivalice.
SALES AND WARES:The Bazaar District is especially busy, hosting a variety of sales on "new" and "rare" goods and imports, with most vendors and shops offering discounts on their usual wares. Fire-eaters, sword-swallowers, jugglers, dancers and other street peddlers set up between the merchant stalls as well, attempting to further capitalize on the activity. This year, it appears the merchant of the year prior is not going to be hosting the scavenger hunt.
DAY ONE EVENTS.
FOUNDERS FESTIVAL PARADE: A showcase of Emillion’s talented and elite, along with important members of city society and the visitors from far away, the Duchess of Limberry and her royal entourage. Members of the Bard's guild, Councilors from each guild, EKP and notable Mage Guild members are common to witness pass by during this grand show.
FIGHTERS GUILD SKILL EXHIBITION: Meant to positively showcase the members of the Fighters Guild and their skills, the first day is a large group melee event. The main participants are the knights of the city, and it has become something of a popular show as brawls between the Holy Knights and the Fell Knights are often expected to escalate as the commonly known tensions between the two groups can easily rise.
BARDS GUILD TECHNOLOGY DISPLAY: An event held throughout much of the day, the event encompasses several large tents nearest to the Aerodrome. The freshly indoctrinated Machinists, (only those classified as new to the profession), showcase their inventions and technological innovations to the citizens, oftentimes in the hope of catching the eye of potential financial investors.
CHOCOBO RACES: For the ease of participants, this event is held in the afternoon at the stables just outside the city walls. Anyone who can afford the registration fee is able to participate in this event, and it is often a means for chocobo breeders to establish credibility in the city. Winners of this day walk away with an additional 500 Gil to add to their savings.
FIREWORKS: The final event of the first day, the evening fireworks are a joint effort between the Mages Guild and the local Machinists. Starting after sunrise, the fireworks can be viewed throughout the entirety of the city. The bright and extravagant displays carry on for as long as the Mage’s have power, and the Machinest have gunpowder to spare.
DAY TWO EVENTS.
FIGHTERS GUILD SKILL EXHIBITION: The second melee event involves four different combat specialists: Berserkers, Sentinels, Samurai and the Dragoons. Commonly the Berserkers are pitted against Sentinels, and Samurai against Dragoons so that the polar opposites of the guild can really shine.
TECHNOLOGY DISPLAY: The next event is a formal competition, as mechanics put their inventions up against one another by popular vote. The Machinest with the most votes - if it be because of how cool their invention looks, or how awesome functional it is - at the end wins a prize of Gil (500!) and parts.
CHOCOBO RACES: The winners of the first days races compete once more, this time in a racing course full of hoops, jumps and other unique challenges. This is where a great number of contests get knocked out. Only the Chocobo’s who can really stand up are the ones who pass on this day. Winners of this day get to walk away with a gil purse 2,000 Gil heavier than when they started..
AIRSHIP SHOW: An afternoon event, this display showcases the talents of local airship captains and the skills and designs of each ship. This display of skill, luck and wit cummulates in one of the most popular races of the entire Festival with high flying antics, and daring aerial acrobatics abounds. Winners are afforded a trophy, as well as the annually coveted reward purse of 10,000 gil per ship.
FOUNDERS PLAY: A dramatic production given every year in the Theatre District, this particular play displays a fictional reenactment of the founding days of Emillion and the four legendary heroes who first established peace in the area by collecting the crystal shards required to defeat a great evil. By the word of many historians, this tale is said to be highly embellished, and includes many different themes each production, from dragons to demons to wild displays of magic and acts of heroism.
DAY THREE EVENTS.
ARCHERY/RANGED WEAPONRY COMPETITION: Giving the Archers types a chance to show off before being shown up by the local monks!, the Archery/ranged weaponry competition has several of Emillion's best marksmen and markswomen facing off against each other for placement, prize money (5,000 for 1st place! 2,500 for 2nd, and 1,000 for 3rd!) and bragging rights until next years competition rolls around again! Rumor has it, that sometimes the EKP pulls new ranged members based on this, and the other Fighter's Guild exhibitions outcomes. However, this has never been proven (or discredited!) to be true.
FIGHTERS GUILD SKILL EXHIBITION: The final day of this event is a more unconventional show between the monks and the archers respectively. The unarmed combatants provide a brief but exciting display of their individual fighting abilities, while the archers engage in a small tournament of skill between them. There’s also always some interesting exchanges as some Monks - particularly daring sorts! - will make deals with Archer’s for arrow catching competitions. As for the last show, the Guildmaster himself puts on a one man melee display, taking on several fighters from the guild, either individual, or at once!
TECHNOLOGY DISPLAY: A battle tournament between large and highly embellished fighting machines, several mages and members of the EKP are kept on hand should an accident or fire occur. If one machinest’s creation can make it all the way through the multiple rounds of battle, they’ll walk home with a whopping 15,000 gil for their time, costs and trouble!.
CHOCOBO RACES: The last race of the festival, winners from the previous days engage in the most challenging competition yet to decide the overall winner of the festival. Chocobos who win in this event bring great interest to the owners and breeders after the festival, and the rider is given a sizable reward of gil (8,000 gil!).
HOVERBIKE RACE: Traffic is temporarily blocked off in the warehouse district, as private owners compete against one another with their own customized hovercraft. Gambling on winners is widespread throughout the crowds, and accidents and sabotage between competitors is typical.
FESTIVAL BALL: The last and largest event of the festival, the ball is held in the nobles district and hosted by the owners of the opulent Sackheim Inn. This is often the only opportunity many have to be a part of such lavish events and as such, ballroom accommodations reach capacity quickly. Food and beverages are freely afforded, entertainment is often provided by the most popular performers and musicians in the city, and security is seen in great amounts due the increase of public traffic. The winner of the scavenger hunt is also announced.
THE SCAVENGER HUNT!
This year a new comer to the city - Edgar Chere - has decided to step in, and host the yearly scavenger hunt! Perhaps looking to make a name for himself, Edgar has decided to up the ante this year to 5,000 gil to whomever (or whatever group can divide the 5,000gil between their members!) gets their checklist the closest to complete. If someone is able to complete the initial 25 items (not including bonus #26) the reward will double to 10,000 gil. Teams consisting of up to three members are allowed to compete.
THE LIST OF ITEMS:
1. Songs list from a local music performer. (Easy)
2. An autograph from a lead actor or actress in the annual Founders play. (If a lead member wants to play, they can not use their own signature - Medium)
3. A feather from the winning chocobo which wins the last day of races. (Hard)
4. A broken piece of equipment from the Fighters Guild Exhibition. (Medium)
5. A booklet of festival events. (Easy)
6. A map of the city with all of the best places to eat marked on it. (Easy)
7. An item from one of the Guildmasters. (Hard)
8. A piece from a machinists' defeated fighting machine. (Hard)
9. A used fireworks display tube. (Easy)
10. A photograph of the winning airship as it crosses the finish line. (Hard)
11. An item displaying the Emillion Preparatory Academy emblem. (Easy)
12. A playbill from any of the performances in the Theatre District. (Easy)
13. A prize won from one of gaming booths. (Depends on how you are at games~)
14. An empty bottle of fine spirits from a tavern offering festival discounts (receipt required). (Easy)
15. One ticket for the festival rides. (Easy)
16. Finding Edgar and dancing with him during the Ball. (Medium)
17. A Moogle Plush from the Kerwonian vendor at the corner of Yun and Dia.(Medium)
18. Find someone who can cast a Blizzara, and obtain their signature (this will be checked later so no fakers!) (Medium)
19. A picture with the winner of the hoverbike races! (Medium)
20. Autographs of all guild masters, and council members. (LIFE ON EXTRA HARD MODE)
21. A dragon scale (LIFE ON EXTRA HARD MODE)
22. Picture of the vote winning Machinest display from day 1! (Easy)
23. Obtain a handkerchief from the Duchess of Limeberry. (LIFE ON EXTRA HARD MODE)
24. Obtaining a personally addressed invite to a special party hosted by Duke Reinholdt or Countess Albrecht. (LIFE ON EXTRA HARD MODE)
25. Bring an item of interest to Edgar Chere at some point during the Founder’s Festival. (Easy)
BONUS: 26. Getting Duke Reinholdt into a normal looking waistcoat for the duration of Founders Festival (IMPOSSIBLE MODE - Obtaining this Scavenger Hunt item will quadruple the winning person/team’s prize.)
Q&A
QUESTION: For those who want to have their characters compete against each other in one of the various competitions ICly, how can a fair winner be determined? ANSWER: Please express interest below, and the mods will decide the winner of the races like we do the winner of a summon or Esper. Mainly, pick a number of the one closest to the “magic number” will be the winner as long as they player wrote something in regards to the event they had their character participate in! Each winner will be picked by Wednesday, April 16th.
QUESTION: How does someone win the scavenger hunt? ANSWER: Please sign up below for the scavenger hunt, and based on the number of participants/player based decisions on how reasonable each character’s individual access is to each item of higher difficulty/IC activity (threading) the mods will annouce the winners also on Wednesday, April 16th. If there is a tie on the number of items collected (and player writing of the obtainment of said items!) then the mods will decide via a randomized roll who wins.
QUESTION: Can the savenger hunt be done in teams, or must it be done solo? ANSWER: It can be done in teams! A single character can go cry to do it all alone, or they can team up with other characters to form - up to - groups of three per team.
QUESTION: So you’ve done this before? ANSWER: Yes we have! Here are some links to how we handled things OOCly last year: Link 1! Link 2! Link 3! Link 4!
QUESTION: Are there going to be starters for each event/day? ANSWER: Nope! This will stay relatively free form so that players can go about things as they wish aside from the Festival Ball. The mods will post an official starter for the ball at Sackheim on the last day as that was a popular event last year. Otherwise the mods will post a basic “intro” closed post to set the feel of the day, and talk a bit about the events and atmosphere of each day.
QUESTION: Can we say what our character signed up for OOCly here? ANSWER: Sure! But if you want any prizes, you'll still need to thread!
QUESTION: What if my question isn't answered here? ANSWER: Ask below under the heading marked "Questions"!