Time, Calendar & Holidays

Calendar

Time: Minutes and hours are equivalent to real life
Day: equivalent to real life
Week: equivalent to real life
Month: The months are translated into their RL equivalents, but all odd-numbered months have 31 days & all even-numbered months have 30.
Year Length: 366 days.

Cristos Reckoning (CR)

Cristos Reckoning is named after the astronomer who developed the current calendar system, which was popularized by the Suielman Empire. There is no relation to Yahshua, though he was born within a few years of 0 CR.¹

Ancient Calendar

Here is a link to an older style calendar, that was used prior to the CR calendar.

Holidays

Note Many of the observances listed below are based on the Lothanasi calendar, back when the Lothanasi was a religion. Remnants of these observances may exist either within the current form of the Lothanasi, or within the society as a whole (e.g. Daedra'kema). Additional observerances listed are from the Metamor Keep Wiki- Calendar and need to be modernized and updated by the Librarian when the information is available.

January

• New Years, December 30(31) - January 2(3)
  • Celebrations over a new year and new beginnings.
• Kala'kema, January 10th
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the goddess Akkala. After New Year's Day, the faithful spent nine days in reflection, fasting, and ritual purification, as they examined their lives over the last year and prayed for Akkala's guidance and favor during the coming year. The last day, Kala'kema, ended with a ceremony of renewal and blessing, followed by a community meal after sunset.
• Memorial Day, January 22 - 25
  • Honors the men and women who fought in past battles. Every year three different famous battles are reenacted, to honor the combatants.

February

• Vele'kema, February 19th
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the goddess Velena. Women hoping to be blessed by Velena's favor made donations of flowers or jewelry to the local temple, or engaged in acts of charity toward the poor and needy. Girls who have had their first period in the previous year were brought before the altar at the Lothanasi temple, where they were anointed with perfumed oil and blessed by the priest in Velena's name. This was the traditional rite of passage for girls in western Galendor, and after this ceremony the girl was considered a woman and eligible for marriage.
  • These days Vele'kema has developed into the real life Valentine's Day.

March

• Dokor'kema, March 12th
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the god Dokorath. Regions at peace entreated him to be merciful and keep his hand away from them, while lands engulfed in conflict and war (as the Keep usually is, with the forces of the Northlands) prayed for victory. Dokorath was believed to honor those who did _honorable_ battle on this holiday day in his name. Soldiers honored the God of War by with sacrifices taken from the spoils of battles that they have fought and won honorably during the previous year. Armorers and weaponsmiths brought their finest work to be laid upon the altar and blessed by Dokorath for use in combat. Justicars and other disciples renewed their vows of service, often taking on tattoos, brands or ritual scars that show their devotion; these markings were administered by one of their fellow disciples, usually an elder who held a position of authority over the one receiving the mark.
• Vernal Equinox, March 21 - 23
  • Celebrating the end of Winter and the beginning of the planting season.

April

• First Planting, April 1.
  • The Lightbringers blessed the soil of the surrounding lands and pray for good harvest in the coming year. Sacrifices from the previous year's harvest were made to the earth and river nymphs.
• Dvali'kema, April 30th
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the god Dvalin. Petitions were made for good weather in the coming year.

May

• Kammo'kema, May 15th
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the god Kammoloth. A great feast was hosted by the Lothanasi in celebration. Ceremonies consisted of prayers, petitions, and drink offerings (libations). In a normal year at Metamor Keep, a large tent was raised on the parade grounds in Euper, at the base of Metamor Ridge, and the party was open to everyone in the Valley, with much eating, drinking and merry-making.

June

• Artela'kema, June 3rd
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the goddess Artela. The Lothanasi ceremony for this holy day can be seen in Rites of Ascendancy. This was also a major day for celebration by druids, who would send musicians and dancers (called mummers) into the towns and cities to sing praises to Artela and dispense their wisdom and teachings to the common folk. As part of the celebration, one animal caught in the annual Duke's Hunt was released back into the wilds as a show of mercy.
• Day of Dedication, June 22
  • At sundown, all Lothanasi priests and priestesses renewed their vows of dedication to the Lightbringer Order. Fasting precedes this day for a full week, and is participated in by all priests, sanctioned healers, and other temple workers.

July

• Yaji'kema, July 20th
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the goddess Yajiit. During Yaji'kema of 706 CR, Merai was visited by the goddess and given the name Elenin ("starchild"), which pointed to her place within the Starchild Prophecy. At noon, on what was believed to be the hottest day of the year, one-twentieth of all the cattle in the land were ritually slaughtered in sacrifice, placed on stone altars and burned to ashes. These ashes were then spread over the fields and pastures of the land.

August

• Samek'kema, August 2nd
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the god Samekkh. On this day by they lit a sacred fire in the temple and burning a special mixture of herbs and flowers that is believed to open the mind to receive visions from Samekkh. Merai received such a vision during the Samek'kema of 707 CR.
• Remembrance Week, August 7 -14
  • This is in memory of the Battle of Three Gates. It is celebrated over a one week period. It is not celebrated on the date of the battle out of respect for all who fought in it. Mainly the battle is reenacted and honor those who fought at the battle.

September

• Day of Admission, September 13
  • New priests and priestesses were inducted into the Order on this night, and this night alone. A time of strict preparation precedes the ceremony, beginning on the Day of Dedication (June 22). The eldest member of the Order — the Lightbringer — has final veto power on any and all applicants.
• Autumnal Equinox, September 22 - 24
  • Celebrated for a good harvest. Many contests oriented with harvesting crops.
• Wvelki'kema, September 29th
  • An ancient Lothanasi observance of the god Wvelkim, Its importance to the majority of Keepers qas questionable, considering how Metamor Keep (now Metamor City) is from the ocean, but anyone travelling to seaside towns and port cities would without doubt find some sort of ceremony or festival taking place. These events probably varied dramatically from place to place, ranging from the self-indulgent (wild parties on all ships in harbor) to the gruesome (throwing a young virgin off a cliff into the sea as a sacrifice). Lightbringers only conduct ceremonies on this day for any Keepers (or friends of the Keep) who lived in coastal lands or travelling by sea.

October

• Daedra'kema, October 30
  • This was the most feared and dreaded of all holy days in the old Lothanasi calendar. On this day, the daedra — sinister, manipulative, basically out-and-out evil brothers and sisters to the Order's "heavenly" pantheon — were allowed to roam unchecked in their meddling with mortal affairs. Most appeared mysteriously in cities and villages throughout the Midlands, taking on human appearance and indulging in their favorite vices — preferably dragging down with them as many mortals as they can. Others took on nightmarish forms and terrorized the peasantry.
  • Due to the influence of the Lothanasi the Daedra Lords did not have individual holy days, but were all combined into this one night (which is similar to the real world’s Halloween & Walpurgisnacht, with *much* sharper teeth and claws).
  • This is still the Lightbringer's toughest working night of the year — they will spend the entire night awake and vigilant, protecting the City against all Daedra Lords and their descendants who step out of line and cause too much trouble. Keeping them all _out_ of the City — or anywhere else — is impossible; the most ambitious goal of the Lightbringers on this night is containment.
  • The events during The Muse occur around Daedra'kema of 1999:

"Daedra'kema?" Will offered. "Costumes, wild parties, kids begging for candy?"
"And also a big night for the forces of darkness," Callie added.

Callie grinned. "Yeah, he [ Artax ] has something for everybody. And this is one of his busiest days of the year."

Will believed it. The magic shop didn't open until ten o'clock, but there was already a substantial line forming in front of the door. Signs in the windows announced special last-minute bargains on costumes, candy, props, decorations and other essential Daedra'kema party supplies. A smaller, more elegantly-lettered sign stated NEED LAST-MINUTE REAGENTS FOR YOUR MIDNIGHT RITUALS? DON'T SETTLE FOR MASS MARKET "BARGAIN" SUPPLIES — ASK ABOUT OUR PREMIUM COLLECTION. WHY RISK BACKFIRES?

As it began to grow dark, Callie took them down to Street level again. "We're going to have to find a place to spend the night," she said. "It's not safe to spend Daedra'kema outside."

Will shook his head. "Is all that talk about wraiths and monsters stalking the streets tonight really true? I never saw any daedra on Daedra'kema back in Haverfield."

"This isn't Haverfield, Will. Why do you think people started throwing parties on this night?"

"Because it's a good excuse?"

"Because they were afraid to sleep. This whole business with candy and costumes and parties is just whistling past the graveyard. It's something to occupy children's minds so they won't look out the windows. Don't worry, we'll find someplace to hole up and then put a ward around it so the daedra won't bother us. I have some holy water in my saddlebag."

November

• Meta'kema, November 24
  • This is the day of celebration for Metamor City itself, was a feasting day where one and (most) expressed their thanks for the City's creation and continued existence. In the old days, The Lightbringer Order would give a blessing over the Keep's inhabitants to Kyia, the nymph who is the spirit of the Keep. This day was alternately known as Kyia'kema.
  • Kyia has always discouraged worship of herself, but accepts the continuance of this holiday of thanksgiving for all the good things in life.

December

• Winter Solstice/Christmas, Dec 15 - 22
  • Celebration of giving and receiving of gifts between friends and general merriment. There will be several winter activities and sports. Christmas is part of the Follower religious traditions.
    • December had no Lightbringer ceremonies — for some reason, no member of the pantheon would claim that month as their own. Because of this, December became associated in the minds of the Lightbringers, with the Supreme Creator — the unknown, inscrutable, true king of the gods. No ceremonies were held for Him because the Lightbringers know nothing about him (and the other gods weren't talking). To the Lightbringers, the implication of The Followers of the Way placing their celebration of Yahshua in December was all too clear.
    • Janus Starson hates this holiday (where some of the traditions are inspired and fueled by a powerful fae) with a passion. See A Lightbringer's Christmas Carol

Other

• Week of Sorrow, Varies
  • This was a time when once a year, for a week long period, people showed respect for a deceased family member. Normally they would place food and an object (i.e. article of clothing) at that person's gravesite. They would then act as though that person is with you at all time for that week. (i.e. they would offer them food at the table) And every night they would pray for the safety of that person's spirit.

Historical Events

Historical Events may provide addtional holidays to be entered into the Library.

Author's Notes

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Sources: The Muse, Akkala, Artela, Dokorath, Dvalin, Kammoloth, Samekkh, Velena, Wvelkim, Yajiit, MK Wiki Yearly Calendar

Footnotes

1. This explination is mainly for people, like the Librarian, who first misheard Cristos as Christos, and wondered at a possible real world connection.