12 months = 21 days for 11 months, with 1 day added to the month of the Winter Solstice.
7 days a week (Which makes 3 weeks in
a month.)
These numbers are explained in the
Cosmology.
The Main Continent (The
Known World) is in the southern hemisphere, with the deserts of
the northlands (Diria and Zene) at the equator. So the
seasons and months correspond to a southern climate (As in
Our Australia/South America/Africa.)
Consequently Summer is
at the beginning of the year and Winter is in the middle of the
year.
Yearly Calendar
The separate Empire's would have their own respective calendars, however,
the Holy Camarian Empire is the center of the stories so the dates
will follow the Camarian calendar.
These months were made from a mix of Welsh, Old English and my Ellearn (Sere'th)
as the common tongue of the Camarian Empire is Gaelian, which is a mixture of Welsh and English. The
nobles speak Gaelian Trom which is Old English, so the months have ended up with
a bastardized mixture of the three languages and have stayed this way ever
sense.
The Summer Solstice and the First Day of Summer is Cynteya 21st.
Gorfanaur (Of Dry Hopes - The Celebration of The Summer Solstice and the New Year in Camara)
Cynteya 21st is also the last day of
the previous year, known as the 'Longest Day', and is an
auspicious holiday devoted to new beginnings. In the cities, a
fair takes place that celebrates the Goddess of Music, Rina Linn
and the God of the Sun Nau'ar. Dancing is had and music is
played in the streets and good will is a plenty in the cities.
In the towns and villages, however, so dependent on the leniency
of the God of the Sun for their crops, there is little
celebration and much veneration. The God of the Sun and Fire is
known to as the God of Power and it is in his nature to be
selfish and vain. If dances or prayers are given up they are
made to Nau'ar only as these communities offer ritual sacrifices
of some of healthiest cattle and sheep to appease him.
1st Month - Meheleire (Midsummer)
2nd Month - Zwngahaf (The End of Summer)
3rd Month - Haeeren (Harvest, Named after
Goddess of Nature)
Autumnal Equinox - Zwngahaf 21st
4th Month - Nn'harsal (Autumn, Named after God
of Death/Souls)
5th Month - Hrethsos (Fierce Winds)
6th Month - Pyrmogae (Of Dusk, Loss of the Sun)
Winter Solstice - Pyrmogae 21st
7th Month - Gaesneira (Snow and Ice)
8th Month - Endelrhew (Last Frost)
9th Month - Neivorlyng (Spring Start)
Spring Equinox - Neivorlyng 1st of 2nd
10th Month - Matarshae (Rains, Named after the
God of Water)
11th Month - Gwanlote
(Blossoms Blooming)
12th Month - Cynteya (Beginning of Summer)
Summer Solstice - Cynteya 21st
The Winter Solstice is on Pyrmogae 21st.
Nostrildom (Of Night Stars - The Celebration of
Midwinter in Camara)
The week of Pyrmogae 14th to 21st is celebrated as
Midwinter by the Holy Camarian Empire with the 21st being the
Longest Night, where The God of Light won over the God of
Darkness. This is of religious importance to the day that
follows, the ill-received 22nd. One candle is lit on the 14th in
all homes that celebrate, and this pattern is continued until
the 21st. On the Longest Night, there will be seven candles to
protect the inhabitants of the home from the darkness and evil
that will be most powerful that night and the following day.
The Goddess of Stars Clerics and Holy warriors all keep vigil
from dusk to dawn each night of this week, kneeling before Sila
Vor's statue. Prostate they remain, with their heads to the
floor upon cobblestone of her temple. There is a fast during
these hours for these men and women who protect.
On the final night, the Longest Night of the 21st in the
Imperial Castle the most beautiful Elven woman in the city is
chosen to represent the Goddess of the Stars and Elves. Her face
is hidden by a veil as the Goddess's beauty is so, that no
mortal can see it and survive. Wrapped in silks and lace, this
Elven maiden plays her part and is nearly captured by the God of
Darkness Nanqa, a man painted as an ebony demon. He dances
around her, seducing her away with whispered promises and evil
intent from the half angel who shines, representing the God of
Light, Reinn Anon. This half angel who is the husband of Sila
Vor protects the maiden from the Dark God Nanqa, capturing the
loathsome God and collaring the demon, signifying that life is
preserved and protected for another year.
Through the castle into the city streets the three parade, Reinn
Anon protecting his beloved, shielding her and marching the
imprisoned Nanqa to the Grand cathedral where Nanqa will be
locked inside a man-sized cage. Cloth of darkest and thickest
black will be thrown over the demon to re-enact the God of
Darkness being vanquished and banished far out into the void
where he could never return. The King or Queen would then lead
prayers in thanks to the King and Queen of Heaven (Reinn Anon
and Sila Vor) upon the balcony of the Imperial Castle and the
evening will end with dancing and merriment.
As a Side Note: The celebration has been calmed by the Royal
Family in the last twenty years, whereas prior, Nanqa's player
being a demon was not symbolic. The Church would find a demon
born and force them to play the part, heavily collared, where he
would be sacrificed inside the God of Light's Grand Cathedral as
a clear sign of Reinn Anon's superiority and power over the God
of Darkness.
Pynzanqa (Gate of Darkness - The Extra Day in Camara)
The most superstitious and feared day of each year follows on
the coat-tails of the Winter Solstice in the Camarian Empire.
Pyrmogae is the only month of the year to have 22 days, and many
Camarians consider this 22nd day to be very ill luck, and most
dare not leave their homes for fear of demons and the Dark God,
Nanqa. If anyone must leave their homes they do so swathed in a
cloak, with faces hidden by masks that were worn for the Winter
Solstice celebrations the night before. These disguises are used
to hide not only those who are afraid of being found by demons
but also by those with ill intent.
As so few individuals are willing to go out on this day, the
22nd of Pyrmogae is considered a day of anarchy where abuses of
the law are many: murder, adultery, intoxication, and theft
abound. Holy Paladins of Reinn Anon's Light are called to keep
order in the many cities of the Empire throughout this grim day.