Calendar

There are several **calendars** in use throughout Morgaea.

The most common calendar in Morgaea is the Ministry calendar, which is used everywhere outside the Adamantium. Its twelve months are each named in honor of the Twelve Disciples, and its first year honors the appointment of the first head of the Ministry, Matron Augora I. Anything prior to **1A01** is known as the Dark Ages, and denoted using negative numbers. The Ministry calendar is further divided into Ages, each a hundred years long. There have been nearly nine ages since the formation of the Ministry.

### Adamantine calendar

The Adamantium uses its own calendar, known as the Adamantine calendar, which predates the Ministry calendar by over a thousand years. It starts at the date the Adamantium was founded and the first Archon crowned, marked as **0 AE** (-1195D). The Adamantium temporarily switched to using the Ministry calendar, shortly after its creation, but returned to using its own calendar after the Schism of **3A87**, and the separation of the Maudesian and Adamantine Ministry. Anything prior to **0 AE** is denoted using negative numbers.

### Elven calendar

The oldest known calendar is the elven calendar, which has gone almost entirely unused outside of scholarly circles after the Adamantium enslaved the elven race and banned its use. It begins with the founding of Hathalas, capital of the elven empire, and is marked as 1 FA (-6405 AE or -7600D), the earliest recorded date in the history of Morgaea, though it's only a rough estimate.

## List of Holidays

Both the Ministry and Adamantine calendars consist of twelve thirty-day months with an additional five days known as *annums* which are used to mark the transition between seasons and the first day of the year. The *annums* are major holidays celebrated throughout most of Morgaea, from the Adamantium to Nordain. The system was developed in the early years of the Adamantium and was influenced by the elven calendar. Although each month has a name in the language of Ancient Adamantium, the people of Nordain commonly use the "low" names. Typically, only courts and scholars use the high names for months. The Adamantine names are listed first, followed by the more common name for the month.

The five holidays, or *annums,* take place at the beginning of the month within which they fall.

* 1st month: **Volusenna** / Janerius (*Annum*: First Day)
* 2nd month: **Plutanius** / Febrion (*Annum*: Wintersend)
* 3rd month: **Nobulius** / Marcolt
* 4th month: **Luvestia** / Aperri
* 5th month: **Molorius** / Meyar (*Annum*: Summerday)
* 6th month: **Ferventius** / Juna
* 7th month: **Solius** / Julia
* 8th month: **Matrinalius** / Augora (*Annum*: All Soul's Day)
* 9th month: **Parvolius** / Septarius
* 10th month: **Drumentum** / Octwald
* 11th month: **Umbralius** / Novaria (*Annum*: Vainalis)
* 12th month: **Cassius** / Decemius

## Days of the week

The following are the names of the seven days in a week:

* Sundus
* Morndus
* Tuerdus
* Middus
* Thorodus
* Freddus
* Loredus

## Description of holidays

### First Day

The traditional start of the year, this holiday involves visits to neighbors and family (in remote areas, this was once an annual check to ensure everyone was alive), as well as a town gathering to commemorate the past year, accompanied by drinking and merriment. In some areas it's customary to eat chicken on First Day.

### Wintersend

Once called “Nystralius” and dedicated to Nystria, the Dragon-God of Beauty, this holiday has now become a celebration of the Watcher. It stands for the end of winter in many lands and coincides with tourneys and contests at the Proving Grounds in the City of Adamantium. In northern lands, this holiday has become a day of gathering for trade, theater, and, in some areas, the arrangement of marriages. It is celebrated at the beginning of **Febrion**.

### Summerday

Once called “Xurtealis” and dedicated to Xurteus, the Dragon-God of Stars, this holiday is universally celebrated as the beginning of summer, a time for joy and, commonly, marriage. Children ready to come of age don white tunics and gowns. They then join a grand procession that crosses the settlement to the local Ministry, where they are taught the responsibilities of adulthood. Summerday is a particularly holy occasion in Maudet. It is celebrated at the beginning of **Meyar**.

### All Soul’s Day

Once called “Funalius” and dedicated to Vemon, the Dragon-God of Magic. However, since Vemon’s rise during the First Scourge, Morgaeans turn a blind eye to any old ties between the day and the dragon. The holiday is now known across Morgaea as All Soul’s Day and is spent in somber remembrance of the dead. In some southern lands, the people dress as spirits and walk the streets in parade after midnight. The Ministry uses the holiday to remember the death of Sibylla, with public fires that mark her immolation and plays that depict her death. It is celebrated at the beginning of **Augora**.

### Vainalis

Once dedicated to the Dragon-God of Freedom, Patemis; but now attributed more to the moon, Vaina. This holiday is accompanied by wild celebration, the wearing of masks, and naming the town fool as ruler for a day. In Lysadore, Vainalis lasts for a week or more, while a week of fasting follows. In more pious areas, large feasts and the giving of gifts mark the holiday. Vainalis is celebrated at the beginning of **Novaria**.