Calendar of Haven

Haven has a Calendar that is much similar to ours in format, though the names for the months differ. The following are the terms used upon the world of Haven for the Months and Seasons upon the world of Haven, and the reasoning for why.

## **Shaata's Breath (Winter)**

This Season is named for the great frost giant Shaata who once walked the world, only to lay to rest for one season a year. During that season it is said that his breath would cool the world, freezing it over. Since Shaata entered his eternal slumber however, the breath continues to keep the mountains cool year round, only spreading to the rest of the world while the Phoenix slumbers in the heart of the desert.

### **12: The Month of Frost**

As the world freezes over, the final month of the year takes it's place. People cluster to their homes to avoid the growing cold, travel slows to a halt, and the world seems to almost freeze in time. It is not unknown for warring nations to call Armistices during this time, to protect their troops over the coming months. The coldest of days come in the new year however.

### **01: The Month of Darkness**

The coldest of days and the darkest of nights take the world in their icy grasp. Even in the desert the air grows cold, as the Phoenix leaves our realm and prepares for it's rebirth in the new year, the only warmth comes from Zet'tallan himself. In this time of cold, the hearts of Haven's peoples must grow warm to stay alive. Many will put aside their differences and even open their doors to others to help them live through the cold.

* **The Frost Feast** - At the heart of this warmth is the Hillander holiday of The Frost Feast, where people gather in together with family, friend, and stranger alike to feast, toast, and warm themselves by the fire. From the richest of cities, where nobles stoke their fires and open their doors to the common folk, to small hamlets, where families pool together their resources to hold a village feast, even the coldest of hearts find themselves thawing on the night of the Frost Feast.

### **02: The Month of Zephyrs**

As the cold gusts of Shaata's breath fall to but zephyrs, and all stands still, the world waits with baited breath to return to their business. But the world has yet to thaw, for the Phoenix still slumbers. Little happens in the Month of Zephyrs, though many brave souls do set back out into the world to carry about their business, since the worst has passed.

## **Brea's March (Spring)**

Many centuries ago, when the Immortals Brea and Shaata still walked the world, this was when Empress Brea would march across the world to awaken her husband Shaata from his season-long slumber. But no more does Brea awaken Shaata, for she no longer walks this world. Now all that pushes back the Breath is the Phoenix's growing flames, as his own hibernation comes to an end.

### **03: The Month of Rejuvenation**

As the Phoenix breathes life back into the world, Haven and her people are rejuvenated. Trade begins to return to it's normal routes, and vagabonds can once again set out upon the roads.

* **Festival of Cathaea/Fertility Festival** - As the world begins to move again, the Sheana see this as a symbol of rebirth and fertility, and as such during the Month of Rejuvenation takes place the Festival of Cathaea, a celebration of fertility and community.

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