The years in the realm have a total of twelve months of variable lengths, starting at the beginning of the year on the 1st of Coldfall. The following chart will provide further information.

Real World: Thrune: Divine: Days:
January Coldfall Narunae 31
February Blooming Ghesheya 28
March Chillmorn Eogon 31
April Firstsow Jhara-Sune 30
May Raindusk Yshanga 31
June Brightforge Marath 30
July Midstride – 31
August Redmoot Vardur 31
September Dawnfade Eresius 30
October Harvestide Akhanadra 31
November Warmhearth Thazeros 30
December Bonesong Skathos 31

Holidays

 

Forge Day (21st of Brightforge)

In the midst of summer, during the longest day of the year, on the 21st of Brightforge, those on the Frontier turn their focus toward the forges. All throughout the morning, homage is paid to the forges, as locals arrive with a token of their appreciation. Homage is often as simple as offering a piece of wood or charcoal taken from the land worked. Those more well-off may buy a rare wood or incense to be offered. The forge accepts all without complaint or judgment. All offerings equally act as fuel to keep the heart of the forge beating.

This holiday was all but forgotten in the heart of the Empire, but thrived out in the Frontier. Those who dwelled in the comfort of the large cities often thought very little about those who worked the forge, unless they were strolling past their shops. However, on the Frontier, without the forge the farmers would not have the tools to plow the land. Without the forge, the night watch would have no weapons to keep the beasts at bay.

At noon, any apprentice smiths must remove a single ember from the forge, and keep it lit throughout the day. In such a manner, it is said that Marath continuously keeps the Great Forge of the Sun lit, throughout all manner of trials and tribulations. As the day turns to night, and the last rays of the sun fade, the apprentice places the ember into a metal lantern, which has been forged by their own hand.

Sea of Stars (21st of Bonesong)

Initially adopted in the middle of a particularly long Ughol incursion after the Claim of the Bastard, small towns and settlements in the West would call for all their defenders to wait through the darkest hours, keeping a ring of torches lit around the perimeter of the settlement so that raiders were unable to slip in unseen. The naming of the holiday came from a passage in a letter, from a soldier stationed at Northledge Castle remarked “In the darkest hour, I was patrolling the High Balcony, and I looked down and saw what looked like a Sea of Stars, as countless settlements had lit a ring of torches…”

Even though the Ughol horde was eventually turned back, with the death of Gorvek Bloodmoon, many of the settlements adopted an annual ceremony. Young warriors and would-be soldiers would be tasked to walk the outer perimeter of the settlement, ensuring that torches remained lit throughout the long and cold night. While the tradition began in the West, it slowly spread throughout the Empire and beyond, as noted in ‘Celebrations and Celebrants’ by Kerazus Sarmaian,
“From the West the tradition spread, knights traveling for larger conflicts or townsfolk leaving home took it with them and, like the knights riding to the torches to bring the light of Marath, spread the tradition beyond the borders of their own homes. It was a test of resolution during the darkest night of the year, holding watch until the sun would rise, Marath himself being the only one who could relieve them of their watch.”

The Remembrance (End of Harvestide)

Ever since the Warlock King’s curse befell the land, near the end of the month of Harvestide, strange tidings have occurred. Most did not notice the occurrences until fairly recently, as they were more worried about survival in the wilds of the Frontier. It is as if the Curse has created an Echo that repeats itself, ringing out through time. Wanderers have noted that the air begins to feel heavier, a strange chill blows in with the wind, strange sounds without origin, and whispered conversations coming from darkened corners… then there are the Shades.

The Shades are ghostly figures that have been seen wandering about town, and when the courageous have dared to watch rather than flee, it seems that the Shades act out scenes from the past, like fragments of a memory half-remembered. It is rare that they interact with the living, but when they do, they seem to grow confused, angry, and sometimes violent.

Sometimes a simple gift will cause them to pause and return whence they came. Seashells, rag dolls, or other trinkets remind them of how the world once was, and they fade away into a memory.

A Story Told Round the Fire

 

 

special thanks to Dustin Young, Shaun Knipp, and Eric Bragg for their contributions.