The Calender and notable holidays of Durn
Aug 2, 2018 16:44:04 GMT -5
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Post by ripx187 on Aug 2, 2018 16:44:04 GMT -5
The Kingdom of Durn follows the Common Lunar calendar, which has been altered some. The 13 months of the year, at one time, were named after the gods, but since this was such an unpopular idea they have been renamed. They are currently known as the following:
Each month has 30 days, and the week is seven days long. For ease of use, we will call them by traditional names, but the characters will know them as Duty, Mother, Soldier, Trader, Labor, Wanderer, and Mead.
The old way was Sun worship, and this calendar of varying days is lost, however, some holidays have been rebranded from the old solar calendar.
Feast of the Dead: 1st day of the Shedding Moon; Honor the dead with gifts, Children dress up as monsters to scare the evil spirits away for the year.
Yule: Mid-winter, shortest day of the year, usually in Late Hunting, early Fog: Celebrate Family with feasts and gift giving.
Candle Fest: First day of the Snow Moon; Great fires are lit, and special candles must be kept burning all day and night in hopes of bringing a gentle winter.
Bird Fest: Late Horning Moon, signalled by the return of the birds. Eggs are painted and hidden for children to play outside. Special cakes are made to be given away.
Mother's Fest: 1st day of Seeding; a Polite term is Flower Fest, but it is a fertility holiday that encourages sexual licenses. Mothers are celebrated, as is nature itself.
Soldier's Fest: the Solar holiday of the longest day of the year, usually towards the end of the Hare Moon; Great battles are remembered, the fallen are honoured. On this day boys of age become men through a ritual. It is also tradition for communities to burn the effigy of an Elf. Children are encouraged to go on Fairy hunts, an act that the church doesn't like, but the kids do it anyway.
Sports Fest: The first 15 days of the Fallow Moon; large faires are opened and people gather to compete in all sorts of events; from who makes the best pie to jousting. A celebration of Community.
Feast of Bread: First day of Sports Fest, neighbours break bread with each other and settle disputes. A day of Peace.
King's Fest: the end of Sports Fest which ends in the Captial where the winners of local competition compete nationally. Lords settle their debts with the King, and matters of law are discussed and redistributed until the end of Fallow.
Fest of the Vine: Autumnal Equinox, late Corn Moon; Communities gather to host a huge feast, almost everyone is invited. This is a Harvest festival, as rural neighbours must work together to collect all of the food before winter sets in. The local lords are expected to manage this event, the lords' wives plan the menu and see that everything gets done.
There are other, smaller holidays, but these are the largest and most notable festivals.
The Wolf Moon Jan
This moon is a hard one to survive, it is winter but now the days will slowly get longer and longer. Hunting is definitely required.
The Snow Moon Feb
Winter seems to be the cruellest during this month. If you didn’t prepare enough firewood to last the winter, this is also probably the month that you will freeze to death. It is also the last month where you can prepare for the next moon.
Horning Moon Mar
The cruellest moon of all. It is time to completely live off of your stocks, and conserve your energy. It is this time when you stay indoors, tools can be remade, fixed, and sharpened. This is the month of the family, where you keep you’re loved ones close to you. Travel is out of the question, it is too dangerous. Even the animals are scarce because of the terrible winds and snows. Music is really important, as is teaching children about the faith and their role in it. A time of rest to prepare for another busy year.
The Plowing Moon Apr
It’s still winter, however, the harshness is letting up during this month. The waterways melt and the ground starts to soften. It’s still hard as a rock, but it is this time that you must force yourself to plough. If the people bury their dead, it is now time to do it. (The dead were kept during the winter months wrapped up and kept in a building that wasn’t heated so that they wouldn’t rot.)
The Seeding Moon May
Spring is now starting. Farmers must go out and plant their first crops. This is also the time to get youngsters involved in romance with other families. Friendships are renewed and new ones are formed. A happy time, you have survived another harsh winter!
The Hare Moon June
Babies are typically up and running around during this moon. Re-birth and the Mother’s rule has returned. The world is coming alive, as are the people.
The Merry Moon July
The month of Marriages, and a time of joy. It is now summer, but not so hot that it is unbearable. Mead is generally made during this month and it is plentiful and cheap. Food is also plentiful, and this is a great time to be alive!
The Fallow Moon Aug
The time where farmers re-plough their fields and let the earth rest for a time. The land is redefined, and new fences built. Towards the end of the month, new crops are planted (always they are rotated so not to kill the soil)
The Corn Moon Sept
Fast growing crops with big yields (typically corn) are tended. Buildings must be finished by the end of this month, as next month there will be no time for such things.
The Harvest Moon Oct
Autumn is beginning, the crops are harvested and processed. A very busy time, winter stores are replenished, but there is lots of food for everybody.
The Shedding Moon Nov
The rule of the God is returning, the Trees and plants dry and die.
Hunting Moon Dec
The animals are fat and plentiful. It is time to prepare meat for winter use. Winter has begun again.
The Fog Moon
This name comes from sailors, the seas were the most dangerous at this time because of the thick fogs that would roll in and make navigation impossible, but they had to go fish regardless.
This moon is a hard one to survive, it is winter but now the days will slowly get longer and longer. Hunting is definitely required.
The Snow Moon Feb
Winter seems to be the cruellest during this month. If you didn’t prepare enough firewood to last the winter, this is also probably the month that you will freeze to death. It is also the last month where you can prepare for the next moon.
Horning Moon Mar
The cruellest moon of all. It is time to completely live off of your stocks, and conserve your energy. It is this time when you stay indoors, tools can be remade, fixed, and sharpened. This is the month of the family, where you keep you’re loved ones close to you. Travel is out of the question, it is too dangerous. Even the animals are scarce because of the terrible winds and snows. Music is really important, as is teaching children about the faith and their role in it. A time of rest to prepare for another busy year.
The Plowing Moon Apr
It’s still winter, however, the harshness is letting up during this month. The waterways melt and the ground starts to soften. It’s still hard as a rock, but it is this time that you must force yourself to plough. If the people bury their dead, it is now time to do it. (The dead were kept during the winter months wrapped up and kept in a building that wasn’t heated so that they wouldn’t rot.)
The Seeding Moon May
Spring is now starting. Farmers must go out and plant their first crops. This is also the time to get youngsters involved in romance with other families. Friendships are renewed and new ones are formed. A happy time, you have survived another harsh winter!
The Hare Moon June
Babies are typically up and running around during this moon. Re-birth and the Mother’s rule has returned. The world is coming alive, as are the people.
The Merry Moon July
The month of Marriages, and a time of joy. It is now summer, but not so hot that it is unbearable. Mead is generally made during this month and it is plentiful and cheap. Food is also plentiful, and this is a great time to be alive!
The Fallow Moon Aug
The time where farmers re-plough their fields and let the earth rest for a time. The land is redefined, and new fences built. Towards the end of the month, new crops are planted (always they are rotated so not to kill the soil)
The Corn Moon Sept
Fast growing crops with big yields (typically corn) are tended. Buildings must be finished by the end of this month, as next month there will be no time for such things.
The Harvest Moon Oct
Autumn is beginning, the crops are harvested and processed. A very busy time, winter stores are replenished, but there is lots of food for everybody.
The Shedding Moon Nov
The rule of the God is returning, the Trees and plants dry and die.
Hunting Moon Dec
The animals are fat and plentiful. It is time to prepare meat for winter use. Winter has begun again.
The Fog Moon
This name comes from sailors, the seas were the most dangerous at this time because of the thick fogs that would roll in and make navigation impossible, but they had to go fish regardless.
The old way was Sun worship, and this calendar of varying days is lost, however, some holidays have been rebranded from the old solar calendar.
Feast of the Dead: 1st day of the Shedding Moon; Honor the dead with gifts, Children dress up as monsters to scare the evil spirits away for the year.
Yule: Mid-winter, shortest day of the year, usually in Late Hunting, early Fog: Celebrate Family with feasts and gift giving.
Candle Fest: First day of the Snow Moon; Great fires are lit, and special candles must be kept burning all day and night in hopes of bringing a gentle winter.
Bird Fest: Late Horning Moon, signalled by the return of the birds. Eggs are painted and hidden for children to play outside. Special cakes are made to be given away.
Mother's Fest: 1st day of Seeding; a Polite term is Flower Fest, but it is a fertility holiday that encourages sexual licenses. Mothers are celebrated, as is nature itself.
Soldier's Fest: the Solar holiday of the longest day of the year, usually towards the end of the Hare Moon; Great battles are remembered, the fallen are honoured. On this day boys of age become men through a ritual. It is also tradition for communities to burn the effigy of an Elf. Children are encouraged to go on Fairy hunts, an act that the church doesn't like, but the kids do it anyway.
Sports Fest: The first 15 days of the Fallow Moon; large faires are opened and people gather to compete in all sorts of events; from who makes the best pie to jousting. A celebration of Community.
Feast of Bread: First day of Sports Fest, neighbours break bread with each other and settle disputes. A day of Peace.
King's Fest: the end of Sports Fest which ends in the Captial where the winners of local competition compete nationally. Lords settle their debts with the King, and matters of law are discussed and redistributed until the end of Fallow.
Fest of the Vine: Autumnal Equinox, late Corn Moon; Communities gather to host a huge feast, almost everyone is invited. This is a Harvest festival, as rural neighbours must work together to collect all of the food before winter sets in. The local lords are expected to manage this event, the lords' wives plan the menu and see that everything gets done.
There are other, smaller holidays, but these are the largest and most notable festivals.