Midsummer's Night, or the Long Night as it is sometimes called, is a festival of music and romance. Uninhibited eating and drinking is also appropriate behavior in most lands. As the name would tend to suggest, the celebration occurs at the height of summer, between Flamerule (July)and Eleasias (August).
The traditions are many, but any Dalesman will tell you how he spent the night chasing his lady love through fields; or perhaps chasing someone else's lady love through fields....Either way there are no enemies on this night, and everyone wakes up in a pleasant mood the following morning (usually next to whoever they were chasing...)
The church of Sune is very active this time of year, needless to say. For them, this is the most important (and largest) festival of the year. As if Sunites didn't throw enough feasts already. Hmph. After dinner unwed maidens run for the hills, being given about a "ten minute head-start" (Actually closer to 30 seconds). The unmaried men then "hunt" for them in the same tradition described above. To younger folk, this is the most fun they have all year. Old maried couples even take the time to laugh at the children running rampant all over the dale.
In addition to this, betrothals are traditionaly made on this night, and some consider it good luck to be married on midsummer's night as well. Unfortunately, there is usually an acute lack of priests and priestesses, as they are usually running about chasing this or that woman or man.
There has always been lovely weather on the Long Night, with the warm temperatures of Flamerule, and never so much as a cloud in sight. Bad weather this night would be a terrible omen, and probably the harbinger of a drought or other disaster. Fortunately, as far back as anyone save perhaps Elminster can remember, this has never happened. No Dalesman ever gives the possibility a first thought, much less a second one.
--Sonus Irontree
Peace, Love, and Pomegranates!
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