dev notes: The Origin of Fontana Fair

As the sun shines its brightest on Kurestal, the capital city of Caldemount roars with cheers for fiery competition. Tents and stalls line the golden pavements of Eolin’s Plaza in a rainbow of colours, while the festive jingling of tambourines and melodious flutes echo through the air. Children laugh and play, feasting on sweet and tasty treats while their parents and guardians compete in the fair’s many unique games, aiming for the top of the leaderboards. At the centre of the fair, the gleaming statue of Eolin watches over all, her shining fountain spraying refreshing mist that soothes the crowd until the sun finally sets.

Today we call this festival Fontana Fair; a celebration of Kurestian evolution and competition, centred around the core of water. Alas, its origins had been lost to the scars of the Great War. But fear not, for I will spin the tale of how this festival came to inspire Kurestal to move forward.

We shall go back to where it all began; at the edges of the Halycome. From this shining veil, came the first of the Human race. Marooned at sea and robbed of their identities, these castaways clung to the faint glimmer of hope for a fresh start; their hearts beating with the rhythm of endless possibilities. In their long voyage, they finally stumbled upon new lands to call home, the Novan Isles.

But with their newfound lands too small, could not hold their growing number. Their depleting resources, a common concern. Their worries arising, a handful of adventurous Novans set sail, leaving their isles behind to embark on a journey for a new home.

Months of sailing and stargazing eventually paid off. Expressing their gratitude to the currents for safely guiding them, the sailors landed in the larger continent aptly named Spine.

Across this vast continent, the Humans expanded. But, they were not alone. From the mountainous west came the Aegles; beings who seem Human, only taller in stature and with pointed ears. 

For a time, coexistence prevailed, but as societal and cultural disparities emerged, the peace shattered, set ablaze as Humans and Aegles clashed. By the time King Charles declared a new Human kingdom, the road to war was paved.

The shadows of conflict looming, feelings of inadequacy rose amongst the ranks. Many soldiers, aware of their predicament, knew they had to evolve, but strict military training hindered their progress. Commanders, proud and mighty as they felt, forced them into strict routines, discouraging them from pursuing any distractions.

Seeking independence from such order, the soldiers formed secret sparring matches. With time, the secret matches expanded, featuring challenges of hunting, fishing and more. Sticking to their roots, the soldiers would forge themselves near rivers and the sea, the flow of water guiding them as it did their ancestors.

Their training complete, the soldiers prevailed in the field of combat. Proving their worth, the secret matches did not need to be secrets anymore. Such value was found in their training that they opened the gates to outsiders. Here, the folk watched and learned, absorbing all they could should war reach them too. As soldiers embraced their new form of training, their pursuit for progress was never stronger as they continued fighting the Great War.

Centuries later, with peace on the horizon, the once-secret training matches amongst the soldiers blossomed into full-scale public tournaments. Right down to the common villager, anyone was eligible for the menagerie of tamer competitions. From duels to pie-eating contests and ball games, the tournaments became the talk of the town in Caldemount. The capital buzzing with energy and anticipation, the stage was set for a new era of entertainment and friendly competition. Though changed, the significance of continuing progress remained. 

In time, the tournaments became the highlight of post-war Kurestal. Outside the tournaments, stalls and tents were set up, food and merchandise sold to keep visitors in for the upcoming matches. Savvy entrepreneurs transformed the small market into a vibrant festival. Parades and musical performances electrified the atmosphere in the lead-up to the main events. 

Altogether, a celebration of ingenuity and creativity was born, with the spirit of competition only matched by the joy of song and dance in a fair so jubilant.

It was during one such celebration that revellers looking upon the Fontana Fountain, with Eolin ever so present in their festivities, renamed their event to Fontana Fair.

Eventually, the tournaments would become the model of a new challenge to bring forth the finest of Kurestal’s leadership; the King’s League. Following in the footsteps of Fontana Fair’s tournaments, the King’s League became a rite of passage to determine Kurestal’s new king; a warrior who prevails over all opponents with strength, grace and valiance. While the King’s League rose to prominence, the tournaments that heralded in its creation would fade into obscurity, destined to be remembered only in history books.

Tournaments or no tournaments, however, the fun fair kept pulling in the masses until it took on a life of its own. The new Fontana Fair soon evolved, game masters would open their stalls to everyone to show off their skills in minigames. Leaderboards would motivate people, from the tiniest of toddlers to the buffest of bodybuilders.

Since then, the Fontana Fair would continue to be celebrated this way; a gathering of fun-seeking Kurestians honing their skills to rise to the top. No matter the outcome, progress remains the true prize, won by all.

The Fontana Fountain stands at its heart, spraying all with cool mist and Eolin’s blessings. Its flowing waters symbolise the people’s evolution, remaining the core of the Fontana Fair as it guides Kurestians, as it did with their ancestors.

Despite fading knowledge of their ancestry, the people will continue to progress towards a new future. By the time the next Fontana Fair begins, they will be ready to grab their water balloons for the next heated challenge.