Date and Time Systems

The calendar and time systems of this world utilize a unique set of of measurements, different from that of other worlds.

Time is measured in centuries, years, moons, suns, bells, minutes, and seconds; a century is the longest period of single measurement, lasting 100 years. A year is twelve moons long, or 360 suns. Each moon is 30 suns long, and is split into approximately 4 weeks of 7 suns each. A sun is a single day, 24 bells long. Bells are equivalent to hours; seconds, as well as micro and nano seconds, follow the same format as other worlds. The calendar follows the below system:

When writing dates, the sun comes first, then the moon, followed by the year if necessary. For example, one would write "the sixth Sun of the Tenth Moon, 1207." Standardized shorthand for dates however is mm/dd/yyyy; the date from the previous example would be written as 10/06/1207.

When writing times, the written format is numerical, following a 24-hour schematic. The format is 00:00, starting from 00:01 to 24:00. The day begins at 00:01, but the sun rises around 05:00, and most people's workdays start around 06:00 to 07:00. The day officially ends at 24:00, though most go to bed around 21:00 or later. When describing time verbally, one would say "the nth bell (of the day)", such as "the 17th bell of the 18th Sun of this moon" or "meet me here at the 14th bell later today".

#### **Elementality and The Pantheon of Seven**

Each moon represents one of the seven elements, except for the element Alephos, which is represented by the full moon in any given month, alluding to its intertwinedness with the other elements. It can be said that the Goddess of a moon's element watches over that period of time each year, assuming the role of a patron deity. By extension, each deity is also a patron of one or two other subjects. Altogether, these become the *Pantheon of Seven*, the zodiac system used within Aelus and other continents to determine one's fortune and aptitude by birth. As with most zodiac systems, the descriptions don't always match up very well with the ones to whom they are given, though some do show a great similarity to their pantheon's qualities.

The Pantheon functions as follows:

* **Pantheon of Dyauses / Luxos** *(1st and 2nd moons)*
	+ Watched over by the Goddess Dyauses, this is the time of light and hope, and of love. This Pantheon is said to be the patron deity of lovers, martyrs, and happiness. Those born in one of these two moons are said to be gentle and kind, as well as often altruistic in nature.
* **Pantheon of Varunes / Aquos** *(3rd and 4th moons)*
	+ Overseen by the Goddess Varunes, this is the period of change, flow, and time. This Pantheon is said to be the deity of the flow of time, death, and the underworld. Those born in this period are said to be highly adaptable and pragmatic.
* **Pantheon of Vayunada / Anemos** *(5th and 6th moons)*
	+ Watched over by the Goddess Vayunada, these moons are a period of wrath, storms, and power. This Pantheon is known as the deity of war, battle, and glory. Those born in these moons are often said to be easy to anger, and skilled in battle.
* **Pantheon of Agnideus / Pyros** *(7th and 8th moons)*
	+ Overseen by the Goddess Agnideus, the 7th and 8th moons are a period of passion, heat, and confidence. This Pantheon is said to be the deity of lovers, determination, compassion, and ambition. Those born in these moons are said to be hot-headed, but compassionate and brave.
* **Pantheon of Thivae / Terros** *(9th and 10th moons)*
	+ Governed by the Goddess Thivae, this moon is a time of growth, learning, and nature. This Pantheon is known to be the deity of botany, scholars, and knowledge-seekers. Those born within this time are said to be studious and in-tune with the earth, and possessed of a strong will.
* **Pantheon of Rahaeses / Umbros** *(11th and 12th moons)*
	+ Watched over by the Goddess Rahaeses, these moons are a time of deception, shadows, and mystery. This Pantheon is said to be the deity of illusions, mysteries, and the night sky. Those born in one of these moons are often said to be deceptive and cunning, and some are said to be otherwise alluring.
* **Pantheon of Azoth / Alephos** *(during full moons only)*
	+ Watched over by the Goddess Azoth, this period is considered a holy and sacred time period, and one where mana flows freely everywhere. This Pantheon is considered the deity of students of magic, the arcane, mana, and truth. Those born in this moon are said to become history-changing people, blessed in the art of magic. It is also said that the full moon is the most likely birth time for Twin children.

#### **Seasons and Worldwide Holidays**

There are four seasons of the year, and each lasts for a period of three moons. Generally, the seasons are within the moons associated with goddesses who's elements have domain within that season.

**Wintral** - the cold season where the air becomes frosty and snow begins to fall, ice forming wherever water lies. Common weather for this season includes cloudy overcast days, snowfall, hail, and snowstorms. A popular time for warm, fluffy clothes, snowpeople, hot cocoa-milk, and delicious cookies. The coveted celebration of Wintral Solstice Day, where people give out gifts under the cover of an extended nightfall, also falls within this season, as well as the celebration of St. Valentia's Day. The season lasts from the 12th moon to the 2nd moon.

**Flostral** - the lukewarm season where the snow begins to melt, and the air begins to warm up a little. In the later moons it begins to rain, signalling the coming of the Solistral season. Flostral is full of both sunny and rainy days, as well as an abundance of mud and flowers. The birth of new life is associated with this season, and is celebrated during the Hatching-Tide celebration. The end of this season also commonly signals the end of the schoolyear for academy students. Lasts from the 3rd to 5th moons.

**Solistral** - the hot season where the sun shines at full capacity, and the air zings with heat, humidity, and thunder. A common time for thunderstorms, as well as trips to the coasts for a dip in the cool ocean waters. Temperatures are at the hottest during the middle moon of this season, and this is also the season in which academy students have their solistral break. The Celebration of Azoth falls within this season as well. This season lasts from the 6th to 8th moons.

**Autumnal** - the chilly season where plant life begins to perish and animals start to stock up for hibernation. A common time for the last harvests of the year, this season is when the annual Harvest Festival takes place. Other notable holidays during this season include the Samhaine Festival, where children and young adults dress up in costumes to ward off lost souls who have returned from the Sealed Realm in search of bodies to possess. These costumed festival-goers frolic from house to house in search of candy, in an allusion to the souls' search for bodies to inhabit. This season lasts from the 9th to 11th moons.