Sky of Fire

Organiser: The Guild of Fire-Jacks and the Engineers Illumination Collective. The main fire-starting overseer, Bilden Sparks of Corvis, and head designer Kal Yoko Tin (no one actually knows quite where he came from, but man he knows his stuff). And then of course there is their standard team of illuminati, devotees, apprentices, kindlers and the all-important Fire-Jacks.

Description: The main purpose of this event is to surpass the previous year of since the grand city of Corvis is one year grander! But don't take my word for it. Really, the goal is to put on the best fireworks display possible and match the famous illuminati against each other to create a brilliant night of light, mainly to express one final moment of solidarity and beauty for the people before the end of the festival and make promises for the coming year. It is common for everyone to make a wish as the last fireworks fade, and many have been known to become betrothed on this fanciful night.

People "attend" all over the city, covering balconies in the richer classes, and filling the open air squares for the others. Obviously the waterfront is completely packed even hours before dusk hits. The Palace is traditionally held open with seats to be had on its own balconies for anyone with a few coins. It is a time for many to share the sights with those they would not normally converse with and find a moment to realize what a good life it is to live in Corvis.

It all started when the first mysterious Illuminati came to the city many years ago and offered to create a night-show for the current ruler who did not believe in the almost legendary Fire-Jacks. This man, known still as merely The Master, put on a show nobody ever forgot and so Corvis became the centre for this new art, and many travelled to see and some to learn. The Guild and Collective grew up in Corvis and hence every Founding Day the tradition is repeated much to the great delight of the people. Many strangers even make it a point to travel to Corvis for the occasion to see the magic lights and witness the awesome splendour of the Fire-Jacks.

Music and dancing is a free-for-all fancy-free activity throughout the night, often prepared by the best musicians in conjunction with the Guild to keep time to the colourful show above. And there is no lack to the sweet sellers and cocoa hawkers filling the squares.

Agenda:

Before Dawn until Mid-day: Kindlers and Apprentices awake in the barracks beside the docks and begin to prep the Fire-Jacks on the docks.

Mid-day: Devotees arrive to lay the sequences in the Fire-Jacks and make sure no festive city dwellers get too close from now until the first fireworks go off.

Dusk: Music begins and people gather in their chosen spots, the Illuminati arrive and work the crowd into an expectant sea of citizens staring a the sky.

Night-Fall: The first firework is sent up by the oldest Fire-Jack in attendance, re-creating Corvis' city emblem in the sky to a special fanfare and drum roll (sent up by word of the First Lady of the Court).

Far into the Night: The fireworks proceed until the current Illuminati who presides as the honourable "Master" calls for the end of the display and personally sets off the last set of lights from his personal Fire-Jack, which is always the same, the symbolic Rose of Grace - to bring in a coming year of peace, plenty and happiness - and sending everyone off to bed for sweet dreams and late-mornings.

Social crowd: Most citizens drop some of their pomp for social status during the hours of the Sky of Fire, but of course seating still remains hierarchically mandated - private balconies for the elite and the common squares for the public at large. The Palace viewing areas, however, are opened to any and often courtiers can be seen dancing or watching in awe next to weavers and shopkeepers.

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