Lore:Jester's Festival

The Jester's Festival, also known as Jester's Day,^[1] and the Festival of Fools,^[2] is an annual holiday that falls on the 28th of Rain's Hand.^[1] During the event, troupes of jesters and fools encourage the people of Tamriel of all walks of life to celebrate the foolish and absurd. Performers roam the streets and openly mock the powerful, towns celebrate with festive pranks, and silly games are held with joke prizes rewarded as an incentive.^[3] During this time, the Thieves Guild takes advantage of the insanity and strike people's pockets.^[1]

The origins of the Jester's Festival are speculated, with some stating that it originated with the Daedric Prince Sheogorath once turning the whole world mad.^[4] Indeed, there appears to have some association with Sheogorath, as his fellow Prince Sanguine once manifested under the alias of a Breton named "Samuel Gourone" during the celebration to spice it up in honor of his daedric sibling.^[5] Others believe that it sprung from Mer emulating a caricature of Men.^[4] Other theories tie it closely to the invention of alcoholic beverages,^[6] or Ysgramor teaching Mer humor.^[2]

Some examples of the festival activities include impersonating sovereigns and entrusting fools with tasks of mischief,^[2]^[4]^[6] showering the grumpy with rose petals,^[4] enchanting the crowd and disturbing the peace with illusion dazzlers (enchanted fireworks),^[6] and stealing swine and equating them to royalty.^[2] Completing the tasks set forth from the jester sovereigns, and you will be "crowned" as the Lord/Lady of Misrule, and the Crown of Misrule to show your status as the most mischievous of pranksters.^[7]