Meaning and Significance
The Calendar of Oryth is designed to pay respect to the godly entities of this multiverse as well as the elements of magic itself.
Eras
The beginning of an era marks a world-changing event in
history. For example, the Era of Ascension signifies a the in history that The Ascended slew the mighty terrasque and ascended to divinity. At the beginning of every era, the year is marked as Year 1, starting the calendar over rather than continuing the number from the previous Era.
Example: "The 541st Year of Rebirth" is actually the 6,373rd year of recorded history.
Years
Each year of Oryth is comprised of exactly 315 days or 15 months. A year is measured by the time it takes for Oryth to make a complete revolution around Peloris, the celestial body at the center of the system.
Seasons
The seasons of Oryth are divided into 5 seasons. They are the Seasons of Sowing, Growth, Tending, Harvest, and Rest respectively. Each gets its name from the phase of agriculture the farmers of the lands work their crops.
Season of Sowing
Beginning on the 13
th Day of Fharbis, the Season of Sowing is when the ground is best suited for the sowing of seeds and planting of crops. This is when the people of Oryth work tirelessly to make sure that every inch of farmland is organized and accounted for. Aside from agriculture, however, this is alternatively seen as the Season of Love and is when the most romantic gestures are seen including the presenting of flowers, picnics, and gift-giving.
Season of Growth
Beginning on the 13
th Day of Istbis, the Season of Growth is when the labors from the previous season begin to show. The first sproutlings begin the break the surface and the last of the crop rotating finishes. The season is said to be the best time for self-reflection and metaphysical growth according to the sages and oracles of the land. Many seek recognition from their various deities and hope to build onto their futures by worshipping in an attempt to gain favor from higher beings.
Season of Tending
Beginning on the 13
th Day of Celebis, the Season of Tending marks the time of the year where laborers fortify their crops to survive until the Season of Harvest. This is the season that many pests try to claim the crops for themselves and must be dealt with pesticides for insects or brute force for burrowing critters. This is also the hottest time of the year where many tourists will flock to areas with large bodies of water for refuge from the blistering heat of Peloris.
Season of Harvest
Beginning on the 13
th Day of Boccbis, the Season of Harvest is the final process of the agriculture cycle. Crops are harvested and stored. Animals are slaughtered and salted. People prepare for the following season of unforgiving cold.
Season of Rest
Beginning on the 13
th Day of Olibis, the Season of Rest is the season where the people of Oryth simply try to survive the harsh months of cold. Most towns have little-to-no tourism, merchant profits go down, and adventures tucker themselves in whatever town they happen to come across. There are those, however, that test their metal during this brutal season and the rewards can be worth the risk since people are more inclined to pay higher due to the scarcity of those looking for jobs. As grim as this season can be, however, it also marks the coming together of the community during the most widely celebrated holiday, the Day of Curiosities.
Months
Each month of Oryth is comprised of exactly 21 days or 3 weeks. A month is measured by the time it takes for Obis to make a complete revolution around Oryth.
Each month of the year is named after a deity in order to pay them reverence:
Cuthbis - The Month of Saint Cuthbert
Fharbis - The Month of Fharlanghn
Erybis - The Month of Erythnul
Ehlobis - The Month of Ehlonna
Istbis - The Month of Istus
Hexbis - The Month of Hextor
Heirobis - The Month of Heironeous
Celebis - The Month of Celestian
Nerubis - The Month of Nerull
Pholbis - The Month of Pholtus
Boccbis - The Month of Boccob
Ralibis - The Month of Ralishaz
Zagbis - The Month of Zagyg
Olibis - The Month of Olidammara
Trithbis - The Month of Trithereon
Days
The days of Oryth are 26 hours longs and are typically separated into 13 hour "night and day" cycles. 13 is considered a lucky number in many societies as the five seasons all begin on the 13th of their respective months. It is said the 13th hour of day and night are the best time for magical rituals and ceremonies to take place and often behoof magical boons for those casting during them.
Each day of the week is named after the mystical energies of creation:
The Day of Sound - Sondis
The Day of Entropy - Mordis
The Day of Heat (or lack thereof) - Colsdis
The Day of the Mind - Psydis
The Day of Radiance - Raddis
The Day of Force - Fosdis
The Day of Lightning - Shosdis
Brevis Solstice
The Brevis Solstice, also known as the Day of Tricks, is marked by the 1
st of Cuthbis and is the shortest day of the year. It received its nickname the day that the gnomish god,
Garl Glittergold, collapsed a cavern on the kobold god,
Kurtulmak. Though this holiday is hated universally by kobolds, it is loved by children and humorous folk throughout the lands. It is traditional to play harmless pranks on loved ones and yell out "Finc!", the gnomish word for "trick", when someone falls for a joke.
Day of Breadgiving
Marked by the 20
th Day of Cuthbis, this event was originally a charitable event for Tok refugees. Subsequently, it has become a day dedicated to feeding the hungry in general. Followers of Saint Cuthbert take the opportunity to preach and gain converts and provide security for the event. The faiths of Pelor and Rao also participate.
Day of Affection
The Day of Affection is marked by the 2
nd of Ehlobis and has its roots from when a secret admirer would profess their feelings to the object of their affection. Traditionally, this is done with a seed of the persons' favorite flower or plant. If the seed should bloom during the following Season of Growth, it was considered good luck and a favorable relationship to come. Annually, lovers will often plant a tree to represent their relationship together. The largest and most beautiful forests representing everlasting love.
The Blooding
Starting on the 8
th day of Hexbis and ending on the 14
th, the Hextorians of Tok exhibit their strength, fitness, and martial prowess, sacrificing the lives of war prisoners to feed their god. Others cut themselves, offering their own blood to Hextor. The week of The Blooding was deliberately placed before the Day of Attonement so that war prisoners would never be absolved of their sins from what the Hextorians believe are heretical gods.
Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement is marked by the 15
th of Hexbis with the sole purpose of confessing the worshippers' sins in accordance to their given gods' decree. This is different for everyone depending on which god they hold closest to their heart. It is said that no matter the god, the disciples' sins will be forgiven.
Longus Solstice
The Longus Solstice is marked by the 10
th of Heirobis and is the longest day of the year. It a day of welcoming and even the secluded and slightly xenophobic dwarven people of Bhar Thadrim open their gates to celebrate Tsharithius' largest festival of the year, the aptly named Longus Solstice Festival where people of all walks of life and sentient beings are welcomed with open arms (especially those willing to spend the coin). This celebratory attitude is not exclusive to just the dwarves of this great city, but all throughout the lands. Large and small cities alike hold festivals and events, drinking and being merry, celebrating the day that Peloris shines brightest.
Night of Hopeful Dawn
Marked by the 1
st of Celebis, the Night of Hopeful Dawn is a holy night for the church of Celestian due to the stars being so easy to observe without the light of Obis and the rotation of the Oryth aligning just right. Many flock to high points all throughout the lands in order to see the galaxy in its full glory.
Day of the Departed
The Day of the Departed is marked by the 21
st of Nerubis and is a day to honor those no longer of the Material Plane. Many make shrines to their ancestors and tell stories of their lives in remembrance. It is often said that the soul of an individual will fade away even in the afterlife when the last person forgets of their memory. It is believed widely that being forgotten is worse than death itself. Large ceremonies and parades will be held for those of great import.
Discovery
Marked by the 12
th of Boccbis and the day before the beginning of the Season of Harvest, Discovery honors the magical discoveries made in the previous year. Every five years, the holiday is expanded to include testing for magical talent and expeditions to rediscover lost lore. This is the one day of the year that magic prowess is allowed in the realm of Tok and the day the recruitment for promising Spellbreakers. Should the magic adept fail the Spellbreaker Trials, however, they are sentenced to death to be carried out at midnight with the turning of the Season of Harvest to symbolize the harvesting of their magic.
Day of Feasts
The Day of Feasts is marked by the 10
th of Zagbis and is traditionally timed with the first appearance of daylight's first sighting of the moon. It is said that no one is a stranger on the Day of Feasts and people from all walks of life gather to feast before the coming of the cold season. People sing songs, tell tales, and cook their finest dishes to celebrate the accomplishments of themselves and their peers. This holiday is a favorite among Halflings and Gnomes.
The Masquerade
Marked by the 13
th of Olibis and the beginning of the Season of Rest, The Masquerade is a day everyone places masks on them and are free of all judgment. People rid their inhibitions and dance and sing, eat and steal. Come the night time, they revel in faceless, but harmless debauchery.
Day of Curiosities
The Day of Curiosities is marked by the 7
th of Trithbis and is the most widely celebrated holiday in all of Oryth. It is the one day of the year that in accordance with the
Laws of War that no blood shall be shed between the nations of Hroff and Tok. It is customary on this day to give three gifts. The first gift is a handmade gift presented to one's parents, the second, a bought gift for one's closest friend or friends, and the third, a gesture of kindness of no material solidarity to a complete stranger.
Comments