The Great Aurora Festival is the biggest party of the year in @Aurora's Rest. It marks the anniversary of the town's founding, but mostly, it’s an excuse for the villagers to stop working, eat excessive amounts of sugar, and enjoy the perpetual winter.
There are no ancient rituals to perform, no barriers to recharge, and no doom to avert. The only "danger" is eating too many of @Ignis's spicy cookies or losing the snowball fight to a two-headed hydra. It is a night of music, games, and lights, culminating in a spectacular view of the Northern Lights purely for the beauty of it.
Franz should run these as low-stakes mini-games where the goal is earning "Festival Tokens" or unique cosmetic items.
1. The Aurora 500 Sled Race
Host: @Flurry
Description: A high-speed race down the winding mountain path using sleds, shields, or greased woks.
Mechanic: Animal Handling (if using dogs) or Acrobatics (to lean into turns).
Reward: Goggles of Velocity (Faster travel pace).
2. The Highland Log-Lug
Host: @Magnus
Description: A traditional test of strength where participants flip a massive frozen log (caber) end-over-end.
Mechanic: Athletics (Strength). DC 20 gets a "Perfect Flip."
Reward: @Magnus's Protein Shake (Potion of Hill Giant Strength).
3. The Grand Snowball Melee
Host: @Pip and Pop
Description: A chaotic, free-for-all snowball fight in @The Whispering Woods. It’s not war; it’s recess.
Mechanic: Ranged Attack Rolls (Non-lethal) & Stealth.
Reward: The title of "Snow Champion".
4. Finnegan's "Big One" Derby
Host: @Finnegan
Description: Ice fishing at @Mirror Lake. The goal isn't the biggest fish, but the weirdest item pulled from the depths (old boots, messages in bottles, or legendary fish).
Mechanic: Survival (Wisdom).
Reward: Rod of the Reel (Advantage on fishing).
5. The Glacial Sculpting Contest
Host: @Pond
Description: Carving a block of "Singing Ice" into a statue.
Mechanic: Sleight of Hand or Performance.
Reward: The Blue Ribbon (Wearable cosmetic).
6. The Ugly Sweater "Knit-Off"
Host: @Barnaby
Description: A competition to create the tackiest, loudest, most jingling holiday sweater possible.
Mechanic: Weaver's Tools or Dexterity.
Reward: Sweater of Repulsion (+1 AC, enemies find it hard to look at you).
7. The Lantern Run
Host: @Luna
Description: Parkour across icy rooftops to hang hundreds of paper lanterns on the highest eaves before the ceremony begins.
Mechanic: Acrobatics (Dexterity).
Reward: Lantern of the Borealis (Reveals invisible items).
8. The "Secret Krampus" Gift Exchange
Host: All Villagers
Description: You draw a random villager's name and must investigate clues to craft their perfect gift without them knowing.
Mechanic: Insight (Investigation) & Crafting.
Reward: The gift from the villager that got your name.
9. The Potluck Judge
Host: @Ignis
Description: The player is appointed the "Official Taste Tester" and must sample every dish
Mechanic: Constitution (to eat weird food) & Deception (to pretend it's good).
Reward: @Ignis's Secret Recipe Book.
10. The Great Snowflake Census
Host: @Luna Luna
Description: Catching unique, magical snowflakes on velvet pads and cataloging them before they melt.
Mechanic: Investigation or Nature.
Reward: Lens of Truth (Magnifying glass).
11. The Tree-Dressing
Host: @Holly
Description: Climbing the massive crystal Ever-Tree to place the Star of Frost at the very top.
Mechanic: Athletics (Climbing) & Perception (Placement).
Reward: Cozy Inspiration (Reroll a failed die).
12. The Midnight Concert
Host: @Melody
Description: The grand finale. The player joins the choir or plays an instrument to harmonize with the town as the Aurora appears.
Mechanic: Performance (Charisma).
Reward: The narrative ending cutscene and the "Warmth" buff for the next in-game week.
Players can trade Festival Tokens won in games for these items:
Reindeer Antler Headband: Cosmetic item. Makes you look festive.
Sparkler Wand: Sheds dim light and shoots harmless sparks.
Portrait of the Mayor: A signed painting of Barnaby holding his ice pinecone.
Infinite Hot Cocoa Mug: Refills once a day.