Brainstorming about festivals
Festivals are likely going to be part of the new Perk system. I expect Greg already having a detailed concept for them. Nonetheless, I wanted to brainstorm a bit, explore my own ideas and expectations and afterwards see how they differ.
General expectations
My general assumption is that we will get 1 perk level, where you can select one of a couple different festivals for your village to celebrate.
Similar to origins, the festivals should offer multiple pathes forward and generally there shouldn't be one that is the most optimal. In particular that means there shouldn't be a festival that is a direct upgrade of an origin.
Historical festivals usually had some religious background. Nonetheless, I believe it is important to make the effects from the festival something grounded in reality and not a god given boon, because that would feel wrong. The advantages and disadvantages should come from the village focusing on a specific priority in their village life.
Same as origins, festivals shouldn't enable big new content. Choosing a festival should make certain parts of the game easier or more optimal, but shouldn't shut you out of any real content. Like smallholdings just optimizing the backyards. (Note, that I'm likely going to break this a couple of times below).
Festivals are historically tied to a certain time of the year and therefore most festival should have some kind of effect that changes the flow of the year a bit.
Here are a couple of festivals that I thought about. I intentionally did not include Easter or Christmas, because they would likely be celebrated everywhere already, and were mostly religious festivals.
Sacral Festivity
Historical background: f.e. Würzburg at St. Kilian (July)
a big artisan market, lots of beer, sacral processions
Effect:
During summer, buildings in an area around the church have increased productivity.
During summer, import costs are reduced
During summer, idle artisans will generate more tax
Marksmen Festival
Historical background: f.e. Goslar at Corpus Christi
Burger could compete, who is the best marksmen, supported by the town as a defense preparation measurement
Effect:
Ranged militia gains an urban affinity bonus.
During spring, hunting gets a production bonus.
Fair
Historical background: f.e. Augsburg at St. Georgi (Spring) and St. Michaeli (Autumn), Nördlingen at Pentecost (Spring)
Often quite similar to a sacral festival and focused on a church, but more trade focused in general and even
Effect:
During spring, traders will visit more often
During spring, artisans will have an urban and rural bonus.
Livestock Market
Historical background: f.e. Bad Dürkheim (Autumn)
Market for Livestock and/or Food
Effect:
During Autumn, livestock costs are decreased
During Autumn, food production from artisans increased
Harvest Festival
Historical background: celebrated from the 3rd century in christianity in autumn. Festival to thank for a good harvest
Effect:
Idle non-artisans will help with harvesting
Farmland affinity for artisans.
John's Day/Midsummer
Historical background: Christian and pagan tradition, with a big pyre, important day for harvest predictions
Effect:
Allows early harvest
During summer, vegetable and orchard extensions have increased productivity
Spring Festival
Historical background: May festival, St. Walpurga, Pentecost
A big tree with colourful fabric
Effect:
During spring, population gain is greatly increased
Cattle Drive Festival
Historical background: in the Alps and similar places with high terrain, animals were driven to the pastures in spring and back to the families in autumn. The arrival and departure of the cattle was celebrated
Effect:
During winter, increased sheep population gain
Cattle Driver Shed can be build, that allows burgages to buy a single cow each.