Day of Mating

If you think that the nobility shies away from Day of Mating, you better think again. While it officially is a day for us common folks, I have heard and read many stories of men and women of noble birth who hide behind a mask and join us commoners in celebration of life. Then again, I have also heard stories of how some nobles hold their own celebrations, in their mansions, behind closed doors. But they seem to do it a bit differently, them nobles. I once heard a tale of a duchess in Ironville, whose name does not bear repeating, being passed around at court, from the Warlord to the lowest of the 100 nobles.

Day of Mating is one of five nation-wide holy days observed and celebrated by most civilized races on Gemnos.

On the 37th day of summer, cities, towns and villages of Gemnos launch themselves into debauchery.

The tradition is thousands of years old, and probably started as a sort of worship of the Twins, but if it was religion, it has long changed into something more primal, something more primitive. It has become a celebration of life, a tribute to being alive and preserving the race.

On the Day of Mating, all shops are closed, no one works the fields. The streets and markets are filled with tables, booths and fires. Musicians fill the streets with music and the entire day is spent preparing the feast, which is never less than 16 courses.

Everybody who participates are solely clad in half-masks and loin-cloths. As the sun sets, the feasting begins. The eating, drinking and dancing continues all the way until midnight, when the choosing begins. This is usually marked by ringing all bell-towers in town. The rules are simple. Man may not lay with wife. Names are forbidden and women always choose the men.

Quickly the town turns into an orgy of enormous proportions. Everywhere you look, people are coupling with each other, regaining strength for the next coupling or waiting to be chosen. This goes on all night, and at dawn, everybody goes home. Needless to say, the 1st day of the second cycle of summer is usually a slow day.