Genn Wintord
UP: Pacific
The Festival of Masks hath been postponed until July 2nd.
It seems like hardly yesterday, but that time of year is upon us
once more. Once again, the Festival of Masks, a yearly holiday celebrated in the
independent city-state of NuJelm, will be held this month, tentatively scheduled for
June 25th.
For those who missed it last year, it is a peculiar occasion by other
standards, the streets are lined with tables covered in free food and drink, and any that
attend are welcome. It earned its name because the festival participants all wear gruesome
masks and dress in bright colorful clothing. There is also a custom that you do not
recognize your fellow revelers, no matter how flimsy the disguise.
Beneath the merriment, however, is a more sinister allure, the Game. At
each Festival, a person carries a special box, which has been locked and trapped by the
best tinkers that money can afford. Those who play the game are to find this person, no
matter what disguise he has, by snooping him, and then another, skilled in the arts of the
pickpocket, must snatch it from him. The Prize can only be obtained if someone brings
whatever is inside the box to the Master of the Ceremonies, who will preside over the
Festival.
Not everyone is happy, though. The Lord General of Trinsic openly
expressed his disgust with the Game in a recent interview, as an example of the decadence,
frivolity, and lack of virtue that NuJelm shares. They award those with
criminal skills! he had growled, clenching his mailed fist so tightly I thought the
rivets would pop out. Here in Trinsic, we have our own ceremonies for such scum,
that are not so pleasant. Your reporters delicate sensibilities prevented her
from inquiring further into the matter.
There are some changes from last years festival as well. The
Master of the Ceremonies announced yesterday that unlike last year, masks will not be sold
to the general public, it will be Bring your own. He cited difficulties in
procurement, and the general chaos it caused last year, as the reason. Ben Kahns of
Magincia, one of the Festival sponsors, told this roving reporter that he would attempt to
find a supply of masks and other festive paraphernalia for those who lack them, but he
made no promises.
The exact date and time of the Festival should be announced soon! Until
then, I will be digging through my own bureau for mine
From the Town Cryer - The Journal of Ultima Online, Tuesday, June 22nd 1999
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