The Meletian calendar was established by the astronomers and philosophers of Meletis. The festivals and
details of this calendar are presented for you here so that you may keep in mind the correct measurement of
time and observe the festivals of the gods. The Meletian calendar has been adopted for the most part in Akros
and Setessa, although some festivals are given more significance in different poleis.
Precise knowledge of the Meletian calendar varies between, and even within, the races of Theros; the Lagonna
Band centaurs have adopted the Meletian calendar to assist with trade while the Pheres Band note only the
passing of the seasons. Although the phases of the moon appear to be a prominent aspect for several
non-human groups, it is unclear to what extent they have a formal calendar. For example, it has been observed
that the leonin relate their own festivals to the moon and the equinoxes, but it is unclear to what extent they have
a formal calendar. Little is known of the means by which the tritons track the passage of time; it appears
to be based on observing the currents and tides of the ocean which is linked to the phases of the moon.
Those tritons who dwell within Meletis typically adopt the Meletian calendar as their own methods for tracking
time are disturbed by the harbor wall. The satyrs of the Skola Valley seldom have a need to record the date
and find such measurement of nature distasteful. Similarly, most of the minotaurs that roam the badlands of
Phoberos have no desire to record the date, although they do have an oral tradition of recalling great battles
which produces a vague form of history. The minotaur polis of Skophos may have a lunar calendar; the blood
moon is significant to Mogis. Time seems to have little meaning to the Returned, for the most part they are
either unaware of or unconcerned by its passage.
The Meletian calendar begins with spring and divides
the year into 12 months; the length of those months
alternates between 29 and 30 days and each month
begins with the new moon. Every three years an extra
30-day month is added at the end of the calendar to
ensure it remains aligned. Each month is holy to a
specific god and named after a major festival that
takes place during that month.
Meletian compared to Athenian
The Meletian Calendar is based on the Ancient
Greek Athenian or Attic calendar although there are
differences. The Athenian calendar began in the
summer with Hekatombaion, equivalent with
July/August, with the first day of Hekatombaion
being the first new moon after the summer solstice.
The Meletian calendar does not appear to be as
focused on the solstices.
The Athenian calendar has been used as inspiration
to produce this more detailed Meletian calendar.
In the Athenian calendar a 30 day month is known
as a ‘full’ month and a 29 day month is known as a
‘hollow’ month and it is likely a similar practice takes
place on Theros.
The Athenian calendar had a local focus: it was meant
for Athenians, not the wider world. The sightings of
the new moon were determined locally, so would have
varied and there is no evidence that they tried to keep
the calendar aligned between different communities
as there would have been little reason to. The calendar
was rather fluid with additional days added when and
where it was required. The calendar was unconcerned
with recording the year, with past events referred to by
the name of one of the yearly magistrates of Athens.
Year
The Meletin calendar, similar to the Athenian calendar,
is unconcerned with recording the year. This appears
to be partly linked to the nature of Theros; history and
myth are indistinguishable, an event was not 10 years
ago, but many years ago. Some events could be used
to suggest a general time frame; an event might be
from ‘before the silence of Kruphix’, an event from a
long time ago might be from ‘before the fall of Olantin’.
In Athens the name of the yearly magistrate was often
used. This could be true of Meletis where the council
of philosophers named the Twelve are elected for a
term of 4 years at time, with the current leader being
the centaur Perisophia. There is no mention of term
limits or indication of how long Perisophia has been
the leader of the Twelve but this could be used to
indicate events from years ago ‘before the last election
of the Twelve’ or perhaps from slightly further in the
past ‘from before Perisophia led the Twelve’.
A previous head of the Twelve may have been Olexa.
She is referenced in two of the Magic: the gathering
cards related to Theros, Ephara’s Radiance and
Traveling Philosopher. She appears to have been a
champion of Heliod as she is mentioned in the Theriad
but later is noted to be a member of the Twelve.
Phases of the Moon
The phases of the moon are significant to the Meletian
calendar. Each month begins with the new moon.
The month is then divided into three phases related to
the moon; the first 10 days of the months is during
the waxing of the moon, during the second 10 days
the full moon occurs and during the third phase of
either 9 or 10 days is the waning of the moon. Though
for the Athenian calendar the final phase was actually
a countdown to the end of the month, this might get
confusing during game play, as for example the 5th of
Lyokymion would refer to two different days one at
the start of the month and one at the end, and so the
Meletian calendar has been made without counting
down the final phase.
Phase 1 – Waxing, from the 1st to the 10th
Phase 2 – Full moon from the 11th to the 20th
Phase 3 – Waning from the 21st to the 29th or 30th
The phases of the moon are linked to several festivals;
• Worshipers of Karametra gather to feast under
the full moon
• The blood moon is a holy occasion for worshipers
of Mogis
• Nights of a waxing moon are sacred to Pharika
• Services to Phenax are conducted under the
new moon
• The Abora market in Setessa is only open to
outsiders on the seven days surrounding the
full moon
• The Leonin elect a new Speaker on the day of
the first full moon after the autumn equinox
Festivals and Events
Festivals and events are marked on the calendar
with some of the events more significant to specific
groups. For example if you enter a town where there is
a celebration of Phenax on the first day of each month,
it is probably a town of criminals. There are some
monthly events and at least one major festival each
month from where the name of the month is derived.
Information is provided for all of the events after the
calendar, which should aid in running those events.
Gods Without Months
Three of the Gods do not have specific months or
festivals linked to them: Heliod, Phenax and Klothys.
Of these three, the absence of Heliod is most
surprising although this is likely because he is praised
throughout the year; in Meletis some families bow
in the direction of the dawn’s first light each day as a
sign of respect. Additionally, there is a feast to Heliod
during the summer solstice.
While the first day of the month is sacred to
worshipers of Phenax, it is unlikely that this is
celebrated in Meletis. More likely the citizens keep a
better eye on their valuables on that day. Denoting a
full month to Phenax would no doubt cause further
discord, not least amongst the Gods. Erebos and
Athreos would not care for such a development, but
perhaps the worshipers of Phenax have more festivals
then the people of Meletis realize.
Klothys only recently returned from the underworld
and so for the most part is unknown to the people of
Meletis. A champion of Klothys may wish to establish
a feast to Klothys, perhaps during the 13th month of
the year, as it is that month that realigns the Meletin
calendar with the cycles of nature.
Meletian Calendar
| Month |
Length |
God |
Season |
| Lyokymion |
30 Days |
Thassa
| Spring
|
| Protokynion |
29 Days |
Nylea |
Spring |
| Astrapion |
30 Days |
Keranos |
Spring |
| Polidrysion |
29 Days |
Ephara |
Summer |
| Thriambion* |
30 Days |
Iroas |
Summer |
| Megasphagion |
29 Days |
Mogis |
Summer |
| Chalcanapsion |
30 Days |
Purphoros |
Autumn |
| Necrologion |
29 Days |
Athreos |
Autumn |
| Therimakarion |
30 Days |
Karametra |
Autumn |
| Katabasion |
29 Days |
Erebos |
Winter |
| Cheimazion |
30 Days |
Pharika |
Winter |
| Agrypnion |
29 Days |
Kruphix |
Winter |
| Anagrypnion+ |
30 Days |
Kruphix |
- |
* ’Iroagonion’ in Akros
Festivals and Events
Monthly Events
Some events occur every month, these have been
included in the calendar and the details of these
events are outlined here.
1st - Each month this is the new moon and rituals
are performed by worshipers of Phenax. Most of the
worshipers of Phenax are criminals and gamblers,
to attract Phenax’s favor they bury sacrifices
at crossroad or throw them into deep crags.
Such sacrifices are often valuables from a successful
robbery, loaded dice or documents filled with lies. Criminals planning more complex activities will make
offerings before undertaking their plans in hopes of
gaining Phenax’s blessing.
1st to the 10th - The nights of the entire first phase,
the waxing of the moon, are sacred to Pharika. During the nights of the waxing moon worshipers
of Pharika harvest medicinal plants.
11th to the 20th - During the second phase of the
month, the period surrounding the full moon, the Abora
Market in Setessa is open to outsiders. Outsiders are
still restricted from the rest of the polis. The market is
famous for the sale of Setessan hunting falcons.
15th - The full moon, worshipers of Karmetra gather for
a feast to celebrate the god’s role in parenthood and
community. New parents and young couples
hope to receive gifts and blessings.
29th or 30th - The final day of the month is sacred to
worshipers of Keranos. Offerings of fish and distilled
spirits are brought to temples of Keranos. The fish are
cooked under the stars with a shot of spirits thrown on
the flames.
Annual events
Each month there is an annual festival, or celebration,
from where the name of the month is derived.
The number of annual events has been increased with
the inclusion of additional festivals based on Ancient
Greek festivals, the history of Theros and solar events.
Many of these annual events do not have a specific
date attached to them; a suggested date has been
provided in the calendar, although some events are
not linked to a specific month and could be moved
to benefit the adventure being run.
Events not specific to any month;
The Eye of Mogis – Protokynion
The Silence Remembrance – Astrapion
The Xenoysia Festival – Megasphagion
The Panoukla Festival – Therimakarion
The Festival of the Haloa – Katabasion
The Remembrance of Olantin – Cheimazion
The Anthesteria Celebration – Agrypnion
The Theophiliam Mysteries – Anagrypnion
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