The Wind Festival

[Stygg Whitefeather]

Royal Rocks echoed in the early morning with the sounds of horns, signaling the start of the Wind Festival. The mountain atop which the capital city lays seemed to roar and come alive, the call for the festival would reach far and wide, signaling other griffon settlements to begin their own festivities. Namely The Hollow, which would be holding festivities of its own. While Royal Rocks boasted in its grandeur of showy arts and culture, a political griffon-and-pony show, The Hollow would be holding the contests of strength and unity where pony and griffon alike can show their abilities in competitive good-nature sportsmanship.

For the festivities of the Royal Rocks, King Whitefeahter would be overseeing the events, though having grown increasingly lazy and fat over the years, he would not be participating directly in any events. A judge for some, especially any food related events and acting as the master of coronation. He would make his appearance, say some nice words, and officially start the event later in the morning.

The city was ablaze with decorations, yes – even streamers, the city center was lined with all manner of festival fair, from food stalls to gifts, to far-off wares from every corner of the griffon empire and beyond. The festival was to official kick off soon, for now, griffons and ponies from across the lands were gathering to await the festival kick-off

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Festivities will begin soon, this thread will be used for interacting with all those wishing to participate in the festival. A airship is being used to ferry from Royal Rocks to The Hollow; you may participate in any contest or event related to the festival no matter where your preferred location of interaction may be.

[Selenia]

Selenia was more than prepared to compete in the legendary Wind Festival in the Griffon Kingdom. Her next (and top secret) assignment found her within the bounds of Griffon territory, so things just so happened to work out.

Selenia wasn't much for creativity in food, visual art, or song and dance, so she would stay well away from those facets of the festival. The secondary competition oriented challenges, yet to be detailed, were all but in the bag for her. Some of the competitions entailed teaming up witha griffon, so that would be something fun to look forward to.

[milkfeather]

Milktail slowly rolled a four wheeled cart through the courtyard, stopping to occasionally dart his head up and search around before ducking back behind the cart and pushing it a little more forward with his head. It was the festival of the wind and he, like any other small business owner, was looking forward to making a few extra sheckles selling to the attendees of the events and contests.

Milktail was hoping to make a lot of sales this year. He's been in business long enough to see three of these festivals. During the first he tried to sell milkshakes but ended up having to go home early when the sun melted all of his ice. the second year he attempted to enter the baking contest with a giant tiramisu, but he got got disqualified, and laughed out of the contest when Gustave LeGrand pointed out the ladyfingers he had used had actually come from HIS bakery.

This year he was planning on keeping it simple: iced coffee. The natives would love it. Maybe he'd even catch the attention of a few tourists interested in the "flavors of Royal Rocks." He was able to save enough coin this year to make sure he had enough ice to last all day.

Finally finding an adequate nesting place, Milktail finally brought his cart to a stop and began the process of building it out: pulling the telescoping sides out from the middle, propping up the bown and white striped canopy and rifling through the cabinets for the cups, shakers and beakers he would be needing to mix coffee drinks all day.

[frostsight]

Frost Sight circled the air above the festival, stalls full of various wares where growing in mass below her. With a slight tilt of her body she circled back around to get a better view. The cool wind felt good in her hair and her goggles kept her gaze clear as she scanned the ground below much like a hawk would.

She figured she couldn't stay in the air forever and picked a landing spot, her strong wings kicking up a gust of dirt as she alighted on the ground. She pulled her goggles back and took a good look around. Activity was growing and would only increase as time wore on. A smile came across her face as she trotted into the mess, her white hair wild and her eyes showing a glint of mischief.

[splatterpaint]

The Wind Festival. Splatterpaint had no idea what it would be like. She had never been to the Griffin Kingdom before. Sure, she had seen griffins and read about the kingdom and it's past and everything. But she had never been there. And man, was it a site to see. Splatters eyes were wide with excitement as she looked around marveling in the beauty. She had been excited about the festival since she had heard of it. And now she was here! And she was ready for games, food, art, contests, and all that jazz. She was particularly ready for the art. She had lots of paintings with her, as she was thinking of setting up a little spot for her to sell her paintings at some point during the day. Her parents had come to do just that. All the paintings but one she was planning to sell. One was particular special. She had spent days reading up on it and thinking about it and paining it. She had spent all night working on details. And now it was done. She had been quite satisfied with the outcome.

Splatters trotted through, loving what she was seeing. All the vendors, all the scenery, all the ponies and griffons. Splatters didn't think she had ever seen so many griffins in one place before. Not that that was surprising. She walked over to a cart that was being run by a pale white griffon. Iced Coffee, huh? while the filly wasn't a complete fan of coffee, maybe this iced coffee would taste a bit more to her liking. He didn't appear to be completely set up just yet, but she spoke up anyways, "Hello there! she beamed, "Can I get an iced coffee when you're done setting up? And how much would a cup cost?"

[milkfeather]

"I uh, oh certainly..." Milktail said with a spring and immediately began to work, putting together the coffee powder, milk and topped the iced mixture with foam from the hot cappuccino machine...a specialized technique.

All the while he contemplated his first customer. A pony, that's for sure. Milktail didn't interact with any other races except for the bovines in the farms where he bought his milk shipments. Quite a small pony it was too. Was she old enough to drink this? Didn't coffee stunt your growth? Milktail reasoned there was no limits to the age of eating food ponies liked such as apples.....or cupcakes. He'd best add some sugar.

Leaving all the questioning to himself, though, he finished the drink and set it at the counter top. "Here you are, that will be two bits..." Milktail said in a modest tone. Two bits was certainly a modest price given that the coffee looked like something a gourmet was willing to drink.

[mafipulater]

A chocolate-colored pegasus trotted along the streets of Royal Rocks, smiling at the fantastic decorations of the city behind a pair of shades. Today was, of course, the day of the Wind Festival, the host to many special events, including the main reason why the Manehattan mare travelled so far to the Griffon Kingdom: the music and poetry contest.

A festival in itself was a good enough reason for Sea Swell to visit, but a chance to experience griffon culture and music and perform was simply the icing on the cake. And besides, this was the perfect opportunity for her to really make a splash in both the pony and griffon independent music scenes, assuming everything went well. And to ensure that things did go well, Sea spent many nights at her piano with a pen and paper in preparation for this contest. Anticipation welled up inside of her as she finally became satisfied with the final product. And now here she was, at the festival, with her friend and bandmate, Strings, and a backpack full of her equipment, ready to go. But there was still some time to kill before the contest began, so she figured they may as well wander for a bit.

Looking around and noting all the stalls and festivities, Sea said to her companion, "Wow. Griffons sure know how to host a festival, huh?"

[Stygg Whitefeather]

The horns once more rattled through the mountain top, heralding that King Whitefeather was about to make his appearance to officially starting The Wind Festival. The royal palace, its tall, winding and earthy minaret towers blasting the call as the kingdoms finest fliers performed a spectacular fly-over, trailing smoke, weaving it into an intricate pattern, outlying the bust of their king in the sky above.

Blustering drums started below, like the tremors of a growing quake, shook the cargs and cracks all along the mountain side. The palace, the tallest of the structures in Royal Rocks, jutting out from the city as if in an attempt to stab the heavens exploded with a steady, metallic beat as the guard tapped the pummels of their weapons into the stone, coupled with the steady beat of wings. A ticker-tape parade of sounds, muddled with the petals of wild flowers and motes of dandelions caught on the whipping winds that race through Royal Rocks summoned forth the royal court on a balcony overlooking the heart of the city of the festivities.

King Whitefeather, in all his pudgy and aging glory, shuffled out flanked by his Queen. In close tow was Stygg, appearing disinterested and bored, and near her slinked the Secretary-griffon, Loci. All donned formal regalia of the finest griffon craft - brilliant and functioning jeweled armor. When they stopped, the whole of Royal Rocks hushed in a flash, replaced by an eerie and bated silence - say for the whistling, sweeping wind.

Whitefeather lazily surveyed the scene below, than raised a talon and addressed.

"All! Griffon and pony alike, We hereby declare the official start of celebrations, this the... the-" Whitefeather stumbled at the number. His Queen, about to interject - was quickly verbally pushed aside by the slippery griffon to the king's right.
"Hundred and third." Loci hissed into the King's ear.

"Ah-hmm, this the hundred and third Festival of the Wind-" Reiterated Whitefeather. Stygg buried her beak into a talon for a brief moment, wishing nothing more than to slip back inside.

"Which follows on the turbulent winds of a close victory our gracious and staunch allies and friends, the Equestrians, have so brilliantly have again soared through with stark resolve in the face of terrible trepidation. We welcome you to our lands with open arms to celebrate our combined heritage as stewards of peace and civilization in this, a world rife with chaos and turmoil. My our unshaken alliance forever stand as testament to the combined strength our two people have shown throughout the ages. We are like the wings which hold the foundation of culture and progress, soaring above the flustered masses below, as shining beacons of hope for all who look for the sky for solace. May our bond of friendship never be broken." Whitefeather paused to breath and to think on his speeches words. "Our people, our griffons of all feathers and fur, let us open our fine kingdom up so that the world may gaze upon our wondrous works and history. Through our strength and wisdom, let us continue to shine high in the heavens as the proud people we are so that none may question our might and resolve. As crafts-birds, artisans, and warriors of talon and wing, never shall we falter through turbulent winds or grow complacent upon the soft breeze. We soar, now and forever more! Let the festival begin!"

Another roar erupted from out of the Royal Rocks, the din of a thousand birds drowning the mountain till it would seem the rocks would shattered and crumble. King Whitefeather stepped back slowly into the palace once more, along with his Queen and daughter, Stygg. However, his advisor remained there on the balcony. He peered over the side inquisitively, staring down at those assembled below, his head flicking back and forth. Eyes ablaze with some bizarre curiosity.

And with that, the Festival officially begun, here, and across the Griffon lands. Messenger griffons shot forth from the palace grounds to bring the words of the king to all corners of the land.

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Admin:This will be the main thread for general Festival activities. Please post in contest threads to ensure participation. Check The Hollow for contests of combat and strength.

[splatterpaint]

"Thanks!" Splatter beamed, taking the coffee and handing the griffon two bits. She took a sip, "Wow, this is yummy! Thanks you!" she trotted off, taking more sips. That was a nice griffon. And this coffee was amazing; this place sure did have good-tasting refreshments. She tossed her drained cup into the trash and continued walking, looking around. She was startled when a voice boomed out. She turned her head curiously. Ah, that must've been King Whitefeather. She had never seen the king before. She listened intently for the first few sentences of the speech before getting distracted. A familiar pony had caught her eye. "Hey, Sea Swell!"

[Deleted]

Strings walked through the Royal Rocks in the Griffin Kingdoms, marveled by all the spectacular decoration set up for the Wind Festival. After getting back from the battle with the Cult of the Eclipse, Strings went to Manehatten to start a band with a pony he had met, Sea Swell. Now they were her to participate in the music contest, and perform for the first time as band.

"Yeah, this place looks great." Strings replied to his traveling companion. He looked back at the cart he had been pulling, which contained all his music gear. His guitar, his amps, and some Electronic gear to create a drum beat. Because he and Sea only just started the band, they didn't have a drummer yet, so they've been using a drum machine just to give them some beat. "So, how about we find some place to get some food. I'm starving!"

[mafipulater]

When the king began talking, Sea listened for a bit, but about halfway through, she muttered, "Wow. Guy sure likes to talk a lot..." Then, turning to Strings, she replied, "Sure. Wonder what kinda food they got over here..."

Then, hearing a familiar voice - a voice she hadn't heard in a while - Sea turned and spotted its source, a young-looking unicorn. "Splatter! I didn't know you were gonna be here at the Wind Festival. You here for the art contest?" said Sea, happy to see an old friend. "Oh, Strings, this is my friend, Splatter. Splatter, this is my bandmate, Strings."