Apollyonic Calendar

The Standard Calendar used across half the Mortal Realm

Written by David_Ulph

The Apollyonic Calendar, originating and spreading first through the Empire of Midland, is the major method of time-keeping in the northern hemisphere of the Mortal Realm, as well as select nations in the southern hemisphere with cultural origins in the old Yoshan Trading Empire such as Xhinjai.

Months of the Year

Days of the Week

There are 12 months in an Apollyonic year, with do not have an equal amount of days like the older Ardenti Calendar still common in the southern hemisphere. In total, an Apollyonic year consists of 365 days apart from every 4 years which is regarded as a Leap Year as of the First Calendaric Reformation conducted by Emperor Sarrus VI von Apollyon, where the month of his birth - Imbolg - receives an additional day.

The majority of the months gain their names from the important festival which occurs on the first day of said month, though in some months the festival which it gains its name may appear later. This allows for the four seasons to be split evenly between the solstices and equinoxes with 3 months each. Winter starts with Samhain and ends with Handsel, Spring with Imbolg and Gearran, Summer with Bealtain to Samhradh, and Autumn from Sinastal to Harvestend.

1. Handsel - 31 days
2. Imbolg - 29 days
3. Ostara - 31 days
4. Gearran - 30 days
5. Bealtain - 31 days
6. Litha - 30 days
7. Samhradh - 31 days
8. Sinastal - 31 days
9. Middleharvest - 30 days
10. Harvestend - 31 days
11. Samhain - 30 days
12. Nollaig - 31 days

There are 7 days in an Apollyonic week, which are named after the traditional happenings of each day. The working week starts on Dimoon and ends in Difast, with Diwash being a rest day and since the Second Calendaric Reformation, the day Dilord has been a day of worship and contemplation.

1. Dimoon
2. Digath
3. Dimid
4. Dimercat
5. Difast
6. Diwash
7. Dilord

Dimoon is the Moon's Day, which the name is believed to be a remnant of Midlandian druidic culture in worship of the moon and its phases. Digath is the Gathering Day, where a town or city council will convene to discuss the issues for the following week as well as a common court date. Dimid comes from the name Middle Week, and is only notable in being a spill-over date for court sessions. Dimercat is the Market Day, where trade is conducted in town squares and the judgements of the previous days court cases are proclaimed to the crowd. Difast is the Fasting Day, the name originating from where people would work so much at the end of the week that they would often skip a meal. Diwash is the Washing Day, aimed for relaxation and cleaning oneself. Dilord is the Lord's Day and regulated by the Holy See, though was originally "Direst" or the Resting Day.

Important Festivals

• 1st of Handsel - Handsel, the Festival of Renewal and Rebirth
• 1st of Imbolg - Imbolg, the Beginning of Spring and Rule of Galana
• 1st of Bealtain - Bealtain, the Beginning of Summer and Rule of Courga
• 1st of Sinastal - Sinastal, the Festival of Harvest and Lawmaking
• 1st of Samhain - Samhain, the Beginning of Winter and Rule of Throff
• 21st of Nollaig - Nollaig, the Festival of Family and Feasting
• 31st of Nollaig - Hogmanay, the Festival of Memory and Celebration

WorldEmber Article #12

History

Establishment

The Apollyonic Calendar was established in the Empire of Midland by Emperor Sarrus III von Apollyon to prevent the 'vague' or 'wandering' calendar and assist in the accurate celebration of the various deific festivals landing on the same day every year. The Apollyonic Calendar helped significantly with civic functions and uniformity across the vast imperial territories.

First Calendaric Reformation

The First Calendaric Reformation was ordered by Emperor Sarrus VI von Apollyon in an attempt to realign the seasons which had over-time wandered out of the designated months and Leap Years were introduced to ensure this would never happen again.

Second Calendaric Reformation

The Second Calendaric Reformation occurred in the establishment of the Holy See, where the calendar and week composition was altered slightly to conform with their theological beliefs. Every nation which has converted to the Holy See and become part of the Holy See Territories are ordered to have this reformation, and all those without influence from the Holy Citadel of Helden mainly still operate under the First Reformation.