Dagstav (dɑɑɡstɑɑv/dɑɑɡstɑɑvn̩)

A dagstav (translated: day staff) is an item displaying the calendar used in Auregelmir, which is also referred to as dagstaven (translated: the day staff). The item itself is a wooden board no more than a meter in length, most often made from birch or oak, marked with one notch for every day of the year. These notches are divided into four sections, two on either side of the board, representing the seasons. Holidays or other important dates are marked with a unique symbol, either painted, kolrosed, or carved beside the relevant notch. The most prominent of these symbols is the symbol of the sun. It is found on the end of both sides of the board, and marks the summer and winter solstices.

Variants

Dagtstaven is a must-have item for all households in Auregelmir. Its base form as a calendar is unchanging, yet each board is more or less unique. From the poor having rudimentary sticks with knife marks, to the rich having fine works of art carved upon exotic woods. A family might mark birthdays with a special carving; Some may tie string around the board for future appointments; Some add moving parts like adjustable arrow pointers to count the days.

Across the various aure regions you will come across a variety of standardized versions with markings that would make no sense to a foreigner. These almost always relate to the sun. Auregelmir is mountainous, leaving the sun blocked from many areas during winter. Some northern regions, those above the polar circle, spend the better part of winter without daylight. The special markings tell the date the sun is expected to return to these lands.

Dagstammen

The giants of Miklareya with their big hands and clumsy fingers would struggle with the fine carvings on a dagstav. Some still get a personalized one commissioned, but it has become common practice to place a large pole at the center of a settlement with axed notches correlating to the days found on a dagstav. This pole is jokingly referred to as dagstammen (translated: the day trunk).