Incorporating Ceremonies and Celebrations in Your Roleplaying Games
Ceremonies and celebrations are one of the ways we mark the passage of time and the important events we experience in our lives. They can take the form of a joyous wedding, a somber funeral, or a boisterous harvest festival. These events can be enormous consequential events with a guestlist in the thousands or intimate seemingly paltry affairs occurring within a single village or even a household. As I am composing this blog, I am packing and preparing for my sister-in-law’s imminent wedding in a nearby state. Considering all of the work and preparation that goes into a wedding and the emotions and feelings tied to these events, I thought it pertinent to talk about how to introduce these keystone events into our roleplaying games and how they can serve as a fun living backdrop to the scenes that the players can interact with.
What is happening?
The first thing to consider when using an event is what is the purpose? If it is a wedding for instance, is it a wedding between peasant families or a political wedding between previously warring nations ushering in a new age of peace? Or perhaps the wedding is scandalous as the bride and groom come from two different classes. Perhaps it is instead a funeral for a well-loved monarch which will thrust the ill-prepared noble scion onto the throne prematurely. Or perhaps it is a seemingly innocuous harvest festival where the villagers sacrifice more than goats and wheat to appease their less than beneficent gods. . . . Consider the purpose of the event. Is it to mark the union of two families alike in dignity? Is it to say farewell to a well-respected leader or teacher? Is it to mark the changing of the seasons or even to celebrate the anniversary of an important event in the community's history? Knowing why the event is taking place will often have an effect on the atmosphere surrounding the event.
How does everyone feel about the event?
After considering the purpose of the event, it is important to consider how people feel about the event. After decades of war is the sudden political alliance welcomed with open arms or with suspicion? Maybe it is seen as a betrayal to all those who died in the previous years of war. Is there suspicion surrounding the recent death of the monarch whose funeral is being observed or are the people concerned that the young successor is too inexperienced to take the throne? Perhaps the festival being celebrated is a somber one that celebrates the sacrifice of local soldiers against horrific monsters. Conversely, perhaps it is a celebration of fools filled with pranks, fireworks, and revelry. The event could even be viewed by the people attending it as an obligation and a dull affair. How those involved or observing the event feel about it will play a major role in setting the tone surrounding the party and can act as a great foil for players. Imagine a serious party of characters with tragic backstories suddenly finding themselves in a town celebrating by playing fish-themed pranks on one another. How would they react? This could add some much needed levity to a dark and serious party or horror campaign. It is important to also note that not every person involved in or affected by the event will have the same view of the event. Some may be happy about the event and others indifferent. Try to take that into consideration as well.
Is someone directly (or indirectly) profiting from the event?
Large events such as festivals are prime targets for less reputable folk such as thieves and con-artists. Charlatans, spies, assassins, blackmarket traders, and more may flock to these events to ply their craft and reap their ill-gotten gains. But they are not the only ones who may benefit from a specific event. A noble family could be trying to centralize their wealth and power through a political wedding. Or a cult could be trying to establish a foothold in a village by attending a festival. These are all seemingly selfish and negative gains that would likely bring them into direct conflict with the party. But profiting from the event does not have to be negative. Perhaps the people of the land are finally able to heal after decades of war as peace sweeps across the land and they have begun celebrating in the streets. The key takeaways are to consider if someone is profiting from the event or if the event is affecting someone negatively.
What are the long term ramifications of the event?
Celebrations and ceremonies mark important milestones in the life of a community and sometimes they can have long-lasting effects. Sometimes they mark the coming of age or the passing of the torch to a new generation. Try to consider what the long lasting effect of these events might have on the community and once again who might be affected by the ramifications of them. These could be positive or negative effects or even a mixture of both. Perhaps something happens at the event that makes it memorable [perhaps it is even due to the actions of the player characters.] Maybe they save the day and the festival can continue or conversely they disrupt a ritual that causes the community to descend into chaos. The heroes may have well earned notoriety or infamy as the case may be and the character’s role in the event may be spoken of for years after. The heroes may even become a part of the celebration in future years!
Next time your players visit a town, try to consider when the next ceremony or celebration will be. It is a great way to add some color to your campaign and make it feel like a living place where even the simple things deserve celebration! A toast to those who make our games great!
Take Heart!
Karington Hess
Game Master and Founder of Open Heart Games
