World of Phantasie - Calendar Notes

NOTES ON THE DATES IN WORLD OF PHANTASIE

YEARS AND DATES

In Melcanth, notation of a year is usually placed in a format denoting whether the year is CY (Common Year) or BCY (Before Common year. The dividing line for these two distinctions is referred to by the Aeris as the Night of A Thousand Tears, which was not a single night at all, but a range of a few weeks in which the Aeris left their homes and went into seclusion, leaving the world of humans. Most historians refer to this period as the Rise of the Age of Man, and have since back-dated that year in which the Aeris left to be the first year of the Common Era (or CY 1). Before Common Year dates progress backward from about BCY 3500, when first recorded history began to take shape, and there is no year 0. The dates progress from BCY 1 to CY 1 seamlessly.

Dates given in a format of Common Years appear as such:

CY 378, BCY 192

BCY 130-110, CY 200-225

Anathelgart, King of the Myr (BCY 478(?) - 421)

In the Common Year format, the first saga in the World of Phantasie begins in CY 876. A Simple Quest, Easily Fulfilled begins earlier, in CY 870.

The Common Year system is widely used by historians in Melcanth, Esterlaunde, the Isle of Graces, and civilized portions of the continents all throughout who have followed Melcanthian Scholars’ lead. However, in Phelaria, where national and religious fervor has led to remaining dutifully separate from Melcanth, the date is usually listed as the number of years into the reign of the Hierophant, and anything previous to the Wars of Separation listed as (X) number of years before the Hierophant Heronimous. So a realtively simple date in the Common Year system might equate like so:

CY 682 = 12th year of the rule of the Hierophant Garmeau.

Thus far, with a relatively short national history and the fervor of their worship, that has yet to prove a problem for Phelarian scholars; however for the ease of any reading the histories who are unfamiliar with the progression of Hierophants, any dates listed in the writings of the World of Phantasie are converted to their Common Year equivalent, regardless of their origin.

MONTHS AND SEASONS OF THE YEAR

Most of the civilized races in the two continents recognize a specific calendar of three hundred forty two (342) days, split into twelve months of twenty-eight days each, with two feast periods of three days each in Spring and Autumn. The months of the Phelarian and Melcanthian calendar are as follows:

1. Newmont - Mid-Winter

2. Frostmont - Late Winter

3. Stormsmont - Early Spring

Springstide (Three-day feast)

4. Bloomsmont - Mid-Spring

5. Freedmont - Late Spring

6. Amorsmont - Early Summer

7. Greensmont - Mid-Summer

8. Gracedmont - Late Summer

9. Goldenmont - Early Autumn

Harvestide (Three-day feast)

10. Harvestmont - Mid-Autumn

11. Embersmont - Late Autumn

12. Bleakmont - Early Winter

HOLIDAYS

Aside from the feasts of Springstide and Harvestide, few holidays are recognized on a ‘national’ basis, especially by both Phelaria and Melcanth, where bad blood still exists. However, some do exist, more or less on a country-wide basis. The Phelarian Theocracy, for instance, has a number of recognized religious feast days (over a hundred, at last reckoning) that are recognized throughout Phelaria because of the reach of the church’s influence.

However, aside from a few notable exceptions, local holidays are more often the norm, as would be expected in a pair of countries as diverse in culture and history from coast to coast as Melcanth and Phelaria. That said, a few of the more notable holidays are listed below, with notes on their celebration dates and where they are celebrated. An M denotes the holiday is celebrated in Melcanth, a P denotes Phelaria. Local holidays will denote the town or city name after its date of celebration:

Newmont’s Day - 1st of Newmont (M/P): The celebration of a new year and the mourning of the old one’s passing.

Sekalna, or Long Night - 13th of Newmont (M): Most often, this is the longest night of the year, a night that has traditionally been considered sacrosanct to Sekhal, the God of the Moon and Stars, and often brings with it dire omens. A full or new moon on this night is often a portent of great calamity.

Faerweven - 1st week of Freedmont (Amersk): Historically, the first week of Freedmont brings the first favorable wind after the spring gales for sailing upon the Lordless Sea. (Faerweven - “Favored Wind”) In Amersk, this feast culminates with the beginning of the heavy trade season.

Amorsday - 16th of Amorsmont (M): The day for lovers, considered sacred to Arianna, in those regions where she is worshipped. Traditionally, it is considered a good omen to wed on this day, and many couples do.

Day of the Hierophant - 6th of Gracedmont (Phelaria): This holiday commemorates the day that the first Hierophant, Heronimous, ascended to the title, and moreover, marks Phelaria’s dissolution from Melcanth.

Illeweven - 2nd week of Embersmont (Amersk): The converse of Faerweven (Illeweven - “Ill Wind”), this is historically the week when the winter winds begin to make trading much more difficult from the Bay of Amersk, and marks the beginning of the more sluggish sea-trade season.

Newmont’s Eve - 28th of Bleakmont (M/P): Considered a time to give thanks for the blessings of the past year.

DAYS OF THE WEEK

The majority of the civilized races in World of Phantasie operate on a seven day week, as well. The days of the standard week throughout Melcanth and Phelaria are as follows:

: 1. Dawnsday; 2. Sunsday; 3. Moonsday; 4. Tradesday; 5. Faerisday (Phelarsday in Phelaria-- this is generally the day of devotion.); 6. Restsday; 7. Dusksday