Timekeeping & Feast Days

During the Silver Age and in the first few centuries after the Reverie, methods for measuring time and the seasons were gradually standardized and agreed upon in the Opalian empire. Their methodology was gradually exported to be utilized all over Tal Avalin. Basing their calculations on the movements of the stars, planets, and the two moons of Zophon, they determined a year to have 362 days.

The seven days of the week are: Sirunes, Kyres, Falkes, Codajes, Pharanes, Tigrias, and Malitas. They are named for the gods and planets found and named by ancient astrologers. The first five days are generally considered work days. Tigrias is a work day or leisure day, depending on the region. Malitas is a day of rest and contemplation.

The months, their numbers of days and widely-known feast days are listed below.

Calendar

Month	Days	Feast days
1: Barras	31	Hishalium (4), Moonhide (13), Founding day (21)
2: Kellanva	29	Vynar (19), Ghurkaria (29)
3: Delaut	30	Myrchalia (spring Equinox)(20), Phosalia (26), Ocholium (30)
4: Mekhari	30	Akharia (9), Laibium (11), Actynaria (19)
5: Tull	31	The Wild Ride (4), Twist (12), Floralia (22)
6: Ghanagh	30	Grand Spectacle (12-14), Magmatea (summer solstice)(20), Khukudium (29)
7: Ganack	30	Trade Spree (10), Parantharia (14), Hyperalia (20)
8: Cotillan	31	King's Feast (3), Halikys (8), Opalia (14-17)
9: Tevoras	30	Sirunaria (4), Falkanaria (fall equinox)(21), Malinium (27)
10: Strings	30	Mockingday (7), Iacania (10), Xialium (21)
11: Rhakindar	29	Soultide (9), Criasium (28)
12: Haethadar	31	Heart of Winter Solstice (17), Hushingday (22), Tigraria (30), Year's End (31)

Feastday overview

Here is given a short description of each feastday. Note that there may be regional variation in the degree to which a feastday is observed and how it is celebrated. Generally, even slaves and indentured servants are given leisure time on established feastdays.

1: Barras

Hishalium (4)

The Chthonic feast dedicated to the bleak lord of bones is traditionally a sober affair. Families reflect on loss and sorrow, often sharing a meal and giving out alms if they have the means to do so. It's a common superstition that anyone who passes on Hishalium is doomed in the afterlife, meaning that most people spend the day cautious and indoors.

Moonhide (13)

Astrologers are unsure of the reasons, but the 13th of Barras is a day that sees some variation of lunar eclipse with much more frequency than other days. Even on years where there is no eclipse on the day, people celebrate with colored lanterns and raucous festivities.

Founding day (21)

As myth would have it, this is the day on which the Opal Empire was founded by the Quintet, five legendary heroes who slew a hydra. Where the beast's blood fell, barren soil turned fertile. They gathered their families and built a settlement, which in time grew to be the legendary city of Vyrníma.

2: Kellanva

Vynar (19)

A traditional festival where surplus stores of food and drink are consumed before they might spoil. Over time, a greater focus has been put on wine.

Ghurkaria (29)

The day dedicated to the Aekyrian god of war, Ghurkaria often sees military parades and martial contests. It is also often used as a day for gladiatorial contests, in nations where such bloodsport is legal. Traditionally, gladiators who are victorious in the prestigious Ghurkaria contests are given great prizes.

3: Delaut

Myrchalia (spring Equinox)(20)

The three-faced goddess of earth and nature's celebrations often sees communities band together for some local project that requirees great effort during the daytime, such as raising a barn or digging a well. After sunset, there is a feast with hearty food and plentiful drink.

Phosalia (26)

Dedicated to Menephosius, the god of water and oceans, this day often sees blessings put upon newly constructed ships. Meals are prepared with a focus on seafood, where available.

Ocholium (30)

The mysterious ''feast of blind eyes'' is associated with the Chthonian deity the Watcher, and is not generally sanctioned by local authorities. Most sensible people dim their lights after sundown, spending the night in contemplation. Those who do not might experience a sensation of being observed, even when utterly alone.

What kind of activities the Watcher's mystery cults might get up to one might only guess.

4: Mekhari

Akharia (9)

The god of celebration and drink's own festivities are entirely what one might expect, with one exception. While there is eating and drinking, and music, it is also often a celebration of the arts. Poets and playwrights often present new work on this day, as there is nothing so forgiving as a crowd that has a day off and is mostly inebriated.

Laibium (11)

The Mother's feastday is celebrated in various ways. In rural regions, it is tradionally a yearly fair. Livestock is traded, and farmers hawk their wares and play games. In urban areas, contests are organized involving animals. Horse or chariot racing, or gladiatorial fights involving animals are most common.

Celebrations often last far in to the night, turning gradually more raucous.

Actynaria (19)

The festival of the goddess of love is, as one might expect, not exactly a restrained affair in most regions that honor the Aekyrian pantheon. Depending on local sensibilies however, there might be more focus on romantic affection rather than on physical lust.

Strongly associated with flowers, Actynaria typically sees city neighborhoods or rural villages decorated with whatever local flowers or foliage is available.

5: Tull

The Wild Ride (4)

Originating in rural courting traditions, the Wild Ride festival is dedicated to contests of skill. Horse racing, target shooting, and similar contests are common. Some scholars contend that the fourth of Tull is also a day where the barriers between the world and that of the Fae are especially thin.

Stories of children abducted, or youths returning after a years-long abscence with no memory of the time inbetween are sometimes associated with this day.

Twist (12)

The feast simply called Twist is observed by the roaming travellers of the Scarlet Sign. Organizing a celebration where all are invited to their great tents, they play games and tell tall tales.

Twist is forbidden in some areas where the local nobility are aware of the Scarlet Sign's subversive tendencies. Predictably, this makes the likelihood of a grand Twist all the more likely.

Floralia (22)

A festival celebrated in Vyrníma, where excess flowers are harvested by children and utilized for various purposes.

6: Ghanagh

Grand Spectacle (12-14)

A three-day festival celebrated in Vyrníma, at the nomination of a new Triarch.

Magmatea (summer solstice)(20)

The longest day of the year is celebrated with leisure activities and games.

Khukudium (29)

The hunting cat's feast is celebrated in some rural areas, though large-scale festivities are rare.

7: Ganack

Trade Spree (10)

A traditional day for rural fairs and other trade-meets. Merchants often present new products or hold sales.

Parantharia (14) & Hyperalia (20)

The festivals dedicated to the sibling-gods of fire. Bards and artists performing acts featuring fire are common.

8: Cotillan

King's Feast (3)

An ironically named feastday that celebrates a failed coup against the Assembly of Vyrníma in 1024ER.

Halikys (8)

A minor festival only observed in Charimex.

Opalia (14-17)

A festival that offers remembrance of the legacy of the Opalian empire. Celebrated to varying degrees in the Expanse.

9: Tevoras

Sirunaria (4)

One of the largest feastdays, associated with the goddess of law and justice. It often heralds several days of celebrations, depending on the means of local rulers.

Falkanaria (fall equinox)(21)

A celebration dedicated to the goddess of protectors, this is often a day were proclamations are issued by local authorities. In some regions, amnesty is granted to criminals who haven proven remorseful.

Malinium (27)

A festival that is centered around Malinyx, the spider goddess of prisons and spite. Most often meant to ward against her influence, denying her power by celebrating freedom and exchanging small presents with loved ones. Unsettling decorations are sometimes used as objects of amusement.

10: Strings

Mockingday (7)

A celebration where comedies are performed, and masked balls are held where all citizens are considered social equals.

Iacania (10)

The celebration of Iaco, the trickster god of the sky. Often celebrated with the ritual release of birds.

Xialium (21)

Observed only by rare mystery cults of She Who Bleeds From Above.

11: Rhakindar

Soultide (9)

Traditionally held as a day to celebrate one's ancestors and express gratitude towards them. Often associated with Kytho, the god of death.

Criasium (28)

Observed only by rare mystery cults of the Titan of Frost.

12: Haethadar

Heart of Winter (winter solstice) (17)

A festival held at the depth of winter, focused on taking shelter against the elements and expressing gratitude for the year's bounty.

Hushingday (22)

A day dedicated to an unknown Ascendant who once took a vow of silence. Masked figures wander the streets, playing pranks while maintaining silence.

Tigraria (30)

Dedicated to the stern and calculating goddess of rulership (or tyranny, depending on your perspective) Tigraria is generally only observed in military societies, or by the especially pious.

Year's End (31)

The end of the year is traditionally celebrated by spending time with loved ones and making merry.