The cool spring air clung to the meadows, carrying the scent of fresh earth and blossoming flowers. Beneath the pale glow of the full moon, villagers danced and sang, ribbons swirling around the Beltane Pole. Away from the fires, a young couple lay on a blanket of soft grass, their skin bathed in moonlight. His fingers intertwined with hers, the silence between them filled with an unspoken hope as the soft notes of a flute drifted through the night—was it Sliske's doing, or a lonely shepherd?
She tilted her head, listening. “Sliske’s flute?” she whispered. He smiled, pulling her closer. “Perhaps. If we’re lucky, he’ll bless us with more than just music tonight.” The haunting melody played on, and for a moment, the world shimmered with quiet magic. Whether it was the Fey or the moonlight itself, the couple felt the night’s promise—of life, of renewal, of the hope carried in their hearts.— from Beltine, A Night Beneath the Moon.
Time and the Wheel of the Year
In Tavomia, time is measured from the Rebirth, a transformative event that reshaped the world. The Landrian Calendar divides the year into thirteen months, each aligned with the phases of the moon, Luni, whose cycles are visible across the entire world. Unlike many realms, Tavomia is flat, allowing Luni to touch all lands equally with its light. This celestial rhythm, set by the gods, is inextricably linked with the natural world, where the influence of the Fey Courts governs the seasons.
The Summer Court and Winter Court, led by Dianus and Lir respectively, control the turning of the seasons, their power shaping everything from the first bloom of spring to the deep snows of winter. Ang, the god of nature and fertility, ensures that the seasons remain balanced, preventing the Fey Wilds from overwhelming the world with unchecked growth. This delicate interplay between the Fey and the gods defines life in Tavomia, and is honored by people across the land through the annual cycle of festivals.
The Festivals of Tavomia
Throughout the year, festivals celebrate the harmony between the gods, the Fey Elders, and the natural world. These events vary by region, but all are deeply tied to the rhythms of nature and the cycles of life and death.
Winter’s Night
The Festival of Winter’s Night begins on the eve of the shortest day of the year and continues into the first days of Winter Song. It is a time of gathering and reflection, where families and friends come together to share food and drink, and to give thanks for the year that has passed. In rural areas, especially in the colder northern regions like Yurvonia, offerings are made to the Winter King, Lir, seeking protection from the harsh winters. In contrast, in Rashira, where winters are more spiritual than physical, Rashida is the focal point of the celebrations, as families honor their ancestors and seek her guidance for the coming year.
Local lords often organize feasts, lighting bonfires and decorating homes and trees with lanterns to bring warmth and joy. The focus is as much on community as it is on preparing for the winter months ahead.
Beltane
Beltane, or the Spring Festival, takes place during the full moon of Seed Song and is a celebration of fertility, both of the land and of life. Villages mark the occasion with dances around the Beltane pole, weaving ribbons to symbolize union and the promise of new life. Ang is honored for his role in bringing fertility to the land, while the Fey Lord Sliske is a mischievous presence, said to wander freely during this time. His flute is often heard on the wind, signaling his playful blessings—though his presence is treated with both excitement and caution.
In regions like Yurvonia and the Sholeon Plains, where the Fey are a constant presence, Beltane takes on a more mystical tone. However, for the Alantri, who have children only once or twice in their long lives, Beltane holds a more symbolic significance. It is a time to honor the cycles of life without the immediate focus on fertility seen in other parts of the world.
Midsummer
The Festival of Midsummer is one of the most joyous times of the year, occurring during Summer Song when the sun is at its height. Towns and cities across Landora and beyond host weeklong celebrations, with feasts, parades, and bonfires that bring communities together. Lul’nir, the god of light, is honored for his protection, and his priests, along with the Order of the Light Bringers, travel the land seeking new aspirants among the common folk.
At night, the streets fill with dancers dressed as wild creatures and Fey spirits, celebrating the abundance of the season. In rural areas, offerings are left for Dianus, the Summer Queen, in hopes that her blessing will ensure a bountiful harvest. The festival also takes on a more mystical air in regions like the Sholeon Plains, where villagers believe the Fey Elders roam freely during these long, warm nights.
All Spirits Eve
All Spirits Eve, celebrated during the full moon of The Reaping, is a night of remembrance and reflection. As the veil between life and death is thinnest, the priests of Rashida lead ceremonies to guide lost souls to the afterlife, while families honor their ancestors with lanterns and offerings. In rural areas, Mother Adaranth, an ancient Elder Fey, is believed to be reachable during this time, and nobles often seek her wisdom for guidance into the future.
In Rashira, where Rashida is especially revered, All Spirits Eve is a time for deeper reflection, focusing on Rashida’s role in releasing souls back into the cycle of life. While the festival is observed across Tavomia, it holds particular significance in regions with strong ties to Rashida, such as Rashira and the desert lands.
The Balance of Life and Death
The faction known as The Circle is a loose alliance between the priests of Ang and Rashida, two gods whose roles in the world are intertwined. Ang fosters life and growth, while Rashida ensures that souls are guided to rest before they are returned to the cycle. The Circle works to maintain the balance between life and death, though its members often find themselves at odds over how best to achieve this.
During the spring months, particularly in The Thawing and Beltane, the influence of The Circle is most visible. Priests of both gods lead joint ceremonies, recognizing the interconnectedness of fertility, growth, and the release of souls back into the world. While the Circle’s influence is strongest in rural areas, especially in Yurvonia and Sholeon, their work ensures the natural balance is preserved throughout Tavomia.
Timekeeping in Tavomia
In advanced regions like Landora and the Escali Empire, clocks are symbols of status and technological progress. Large mechanical clocks can be found in the estates of wealthy merchants, nobles, and key institutions such as the Landrian House of Scholars. These clocks are rare and expensive, often regarded as both functional and decorative pieces. Portable timepieces, such as early pocket watches, are even more prestigious, owned only by the wealthiest or most powerful individuals. Magical enhancements on these timepieces are rumored, but rare.
Sundials are the most common and accessible form of timekeeping across Tavomia. Found in nearly every village and town, particularly in areas of trade, sundials serve as public timepieces. Larger, ornate sundials are sometimes seen in noble estates or city squares in places like Arleth or Escalant. Affordable and practical, sundials are widely used, though they are dependent on sunlight and can be inaccurate during cloudy days or in regions with harsher climates.
In rural regions such as Yurvonia and Sholeon, time is primarily measured through natural cycles. The sun’s position in the sky and the phases of the moon are used to track the passing of the day and night. Festivals and agricultural activities are based on these natural rhythms, with little reliance on mechanical timepieces. Luni, the moon, plays a significant role in the timing of festivals and religious events, especially in rural, nature-bound cultures.
Comments