Callaxian Calendar, Moons, and Holidays

The Callaxian Civil War began with Dra'rek Calla's gambit to apprehend her brother Brek Calla on Colidrik 12th, A4550. (34th of Chonsa Rising, 347C according to the Soran Calendar.)

The Tarnish calendar is observed by the continents of Tarn and Kemper and among the Tarnish Rayzi on Rayz. The Sunrunner double-lunar calendar is observed by the Sunrunners and various other native groups, such as those found in the islands north of Rayz.

## Months and Days in the Tarnish Calendar

The Tarnish calendar is based on the planet's 312-day orbital period around its sun and the 26-hour day.

The Tarnish calendar with 12 months, each consisting of 26 days:

1. Arxonus (Spring begins)
2. Flokynth (Flowering)
3. Krezynar (Growth)
4. Sakithor (Summer Solstice)
5. Estivarum (Summer)
6. Colidrik (Heat)
7. Lauternis (Autumn begins)
8. Deklorn (Decline)
9. Pluvonar (Rain)
10. Vintarum (Winter Solstice)
11. Gelidon (Winter)
12. Speronar (Renewal)

There are six days a week, and 52 weeks a year:

1. Xalai (First Day)
2. Yilai (Sky Day)
3. Pintolai (Wind Day)
4. Grelai (Ground Day)
5. Imalai (Flow Day)
6. Rolai (Star Day)

They have a leap week every 309 years to account for the fact that a tropical year on Callax is 312.0194 days. The last leap week occurred in A4446, 104 A years ago. Since that time, there has been an alignment of the Angelic Dawn holiday and the Confluence of Shadows every 21 years. When the next leap week occurs in A4755, this alignment will no longer take place.

## Moons:

Fo'mul and Go'mul are the two moons that orbit Callax, each with distinct cycles and impacts on the planet.

Fo'mul is the larger of the two moons and has a lunar month of 39 Callaxian days, which means it completes one full orbit around Callax in that time. Go'mul, the smaller moon, has a shorter lunar month of 26 Callaxian days.

The simultaneous full moons of Fo'mul and Go'mul occur when their respective cycles align, which happens every 234 Callaxian days (the least common multiple of 39 and 26). This event is known as "The Confluence" and is considered a time of heightened spiritual significance in Callaxian culture. The evening and night of each Confluence is a holiday called the Confluence of Shadows.

Tidal effects on Callax are significantly influenced by the presence of the two moons and the massive gas giant Xanthis. Fo'mul, being the larger moon, has a greater impact on tides, causing higher high tides and lower low tides. Go'mul's influence is less pronounced but still contributes to the tidal patterns.

During The Confluence, when both moons are full, their combined gravitational effects result in more extreme tidal ranges, known as "sprung tides." These tides can cause flooding in low-lying areas and create strong currents, making navigation more challenging. In contrast, when the moons are at their respective first or third quarter phases, they exert a more balanced gravitational pull, resulting in more moderate tidal ranges known as "neap tides." Read more about Callax's solutions for dealing with their unusually strong tides here.

## Selected Holidays from Tarnish Calendar:

If a holiday on the Tarnish Callaxian Callendar is on a specific date, then it will always take place on the same day of the week, due to the fixed nature of their calendar. Some important holidays include:

1. Angelic Dawn - Arxonus 1st, (Xalai)
2. Fet Festival - Lauternis 18th, (Imalai)
3. Day of Reversals - Deklorn 9th, (Pintolai)
4. Day of Tranquility - Pluvonar 4th, (Grelai)
5. Gahlam - Vintarum 22nd, (Imalai)

### Angelic Dawn: A Sacred Commemoration of the Angelic Visitors - Arxonus 1 - Xalai

Taking place on the first day of Arxonus, Angelic Dawn is a sacred holiday that celebrates the angelic visitation near the Argony Sea, which marked the establishment of the Stratum and the beginning of the calendar. (This was known as the Expounding.) This holiday emphasizes the spiritual connection between Stratists and the angels who sanctioned the existing Stratum system and called it divinely ordained.

On Angelic Dawn, Stratists attend special religious services to honor the divine guidance received from the angels. They light candles and release brilliant white lanterns into the sky and then wait for them to come back down, symbolizing the angels' descent to Callax. Families and friends gather to share stories of the angelic visitors and their impact on Stratist society. They reenact or recite favorite stories from The Angelic Verses. The holiday serves as a reminder of the divine origins of the Stratum and the importance of upholding its values.

### Confluence of Shadows: A Dark and Haunting Night

The Confluence of Shadows is a dark, haunting holiday that occurs every 234 days when both of Callax's moons, Fo'mul and Go'mul, are full at the same time. This eerie but fun celebration is believed to have its roots in a nearly forgotten religion that predates Stratism by more than 4,000 years.

##### In Tarn

In Tarn the holiday is observed mainly in Norvia, New Bray'ed, Parinar, Qarnath and Varana. Only a handful of families celebrate the Confluence of Shadows in other parts of Tarn. During this event, the Tarnish adorn their homes and streets with mystical symbols and decorations, often featuring moon-related themes. People dress up in spooky costumes featuring mythical Callaxian creatures, partaking in activities such as ghost stories, fortune-telling, and moonlit processions. The Confluence of Shadows is a time for embracing the mysteries of the past while celebrating the beauty of the full moons. Children will often stay up late and participate.

##### In Kemper

In Kemper, the holiday has become more of an event for adults, with children typically not being allowed to stay up late to participate. It is seen as a "party night", where big groups of adults will often gather for rather wild, but lighthearted celebrations. Costumes, horror movies, and dark electronic music are common features of the night. Babysitters in Kemper can expect a lot of business that night and are traditionally paid much better than normal as part of the celebration.

##### In Rayz

The Confluence of Shadows is typically not celebrated in Rayz, though some families with more immediate Tarnish roots may throw small parties or put on some activities for children.

### Fet Festival: A Cultural Celebration of the Fet People - Lauternis 18 - Imalai

The Fet Festival, held on the 18th day of Lauternis, is a celebration of the unique culture and aesthetic of the Fet people, who originate from the two large islands of Fet Major and Fet Minor at the bottom of Tarn. The islands are collectively known as the country of Fetarui. This major holiday has begun to bleed into the days approaching the 18th of Lauternis. Known for their distinctive appearance, which includes porcelain skin, strikingly colorful eyes with a gentle upward slope, and very dark hair, the Fet people have a rich cultural heritage that has captivated the hearts of many Tarnish from other regions, and is often seen as enduringly cool and appealing in Tarn.

During the Fet Festival, people across Tarn join in the fun by dressing in traditional Fet clothing, characterized by vibrant colors and intricate patterns, and participating in Fet music, dance, and cuisine. The festival serves as a celebration of the Fet people's resilience and creativity, as well as a reminder of the cultural diversity that exists within Stratist society.

##### In Tarn and Rayz

With two expectations, the Fet Festival is celebrated throughout the countries of Tarn and Rayz.

##### In Kemper

The Fet Festival is observed in much of Kemper, but not with the same gusto as in Tarn.

##### Frostborne

There is not much interest in Fet Culture in Frostborne as there tends to be a very high preference for Fronstbornian culture. The Fet Festival is celebrated privately only by a few families scattered here and there, which mostly consists of having a Fet dinner and perhaps watching a Fet film.

##### In Fetarui

Many Tarnish are surprised when they find out that the Fet Festival is not a holiday in Fetarui and is considered to be the same as any other day of the year.

### Day of Reversals: A Whimsical and Baffling Holiday - Deklorn 9 - Pintolai

The Day of Reversals, celebrated on the 9th day of Deklorn, is a lighthearted and peculiar holiday that is difficult for non-Callaxians to fully grasp. On this day, many Callaxians engage in playful activities that involve reversing roles, clothing, or routines. For example, children may swap places with their parents, Gahls may dress as Zeds, or people may walk or even skip backward. In addition to mixing up roles, elaborate pranks are common.

This holiday is practiced world-wide, but in New Bray'ed the people famously take their participation to the extreme, sometimes shocking non-Bray'edans. In New Bray'ed, creating major messes, causing monumental inconveniences, or even inflicting minor wounds are well within the accepted range of what can be done on the Day of Reversals.

In the Kemperian city of Frontier, there has in the last couple of decades been a dramatic increase in interest in the holiday. The people there haven't quite taken it to the same levels as New Bray'edans, but that does seem to be the general direction they are taking it.

### Day of Tranquility: When Violence is Forbidden - Pluvonar 4 - Grelai

The Day of Tranquility is a deeply ingrained holiday in Callaxian society, observed by virtually every Callaxian, regardless of their beliefs in the Stratum. Taking place on the 4th day of Pluvonar, the holiday is dedicated to inner peace, reflection, and the bond shared among Callaxians as inhabitants of the same world. On this day, all forms of violence and aggression are strictly taboo, with even the most fervent opponents of the Stratum typically respecting the sanctity of the holiday.

During the Day of Tranquility, Callaxians engage in peaceful activities such as meditation, artistic expression or enjoyment of art, and spending time in nature. They gather with family and friends to share stories and express gratitude for the unity they share as Callaxians.

### Gahlam: A Day of Generosity and Unity - Vintarum 22 - Imalai

A relatively new but important holiday is Gahlam. It was formally instituted by Melgo Calla in A4003 as more progressive views on the Stratum began to be more widespread than ever before, as evidenced by the greater emphasis of having Gahls try to help support Zeds and Laxes a greater degree.

Gahlam takes place on the 22nd day of Vintarum, and is a day when Gahls open their homes to Zeds and Laxes, providing them with gifts of money, food, and luxury items. The Calla Family, in particular, hosts a massive annual celebration at the Calla Complex in New Bray'ed. Zeds from all over the continent and beyond eagerly line up for a chance to join the festivities, which include live performances, feasts, and the distribution of gifts. Gahlam serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the Stratum classes and the importance of compassion and generosity, although in recent years some have seen it as a veiled attempt to placate Zeds and Laxes and foster goodwill for Gahls that isn't really deserved.

## Months and Days in the Sunrunner Calendar

The Sunrunner calendar consists of 13 months based and is based on their double-lunar system:

1. Cintus
2. Lepona
3. Meron
4. Giamos
5. Anu
6. Taranos
7. Bricta
8. Ogmios
9. Erius
10. Sirona
11. Belenos
12. Grannos
13. Rosmerta

The months are named after deities and concepts from their ancient cultural and spiritual traditions, reflecting their deep connection to the celestial bodies and the natural world.

In a double-lunar calendar system, the two lunar cycles are synchronized and incorporated into the calendar structure. The lunar cycles of Fo'mul (39 days) and Go'mul (26 days) interact to create a repeating pattern of months with varying lengths. The least common multiple of the two lunar cycles is 234 days, which forms the basis of the calendar.

The Sunrunner week consists of five days, named after elements and animals:

1. Rugus (Light)
2. Karanis (Thunder)
3. Kernunos (Horned God)
4. Artos (Bear)
5. Nentos (Valley)

## Sunrunner Holidays:

### Katir's Blessing - Cintus 12

Katir's Blessing marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated with feasting, dancing, and games. Sunrunners honor the bounty of the land and express gratitude for the resources it provides. The holiday is named after Katir, the mother figure in their mythology who represents fertility and abundance.

### Lepona's Day - Lepona 1

Lepona's Day is a festival dedicated to Lepona, the goddess of sovereignty and godas (a horse-like creature). This holiday is celebrated with horse races, processions, and rituals to honor the goddess and her connection to the Sunrunners' way of life. Godas hold a special place in the culture, symbolizing strength, freedom, and mobility. Read more about Callaxian fauna here.

### Solunar Festival - Anu 20

The Solunar Festival is a celebration of the unique interaction between the sun and Callax's two moons, Fo'mul and Go'mul. The holiday occurs every 234 days when both moons are full, an event known as "The Confluence." Sunrunners light bonfires, dance, and share stories during the festival, honoring the celestial bodies' influence on their lives and the planet's natural cycles. This holiday takes place at the same time as the Confluence of Shadows, which Sunrunners typically do not celebrate.