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The Calendar

The Centrallis calendar year begins with the first day of spring and ends with the last day of winter.  The year is currently 5633.

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Midsummer is not a particularly religious holiday, but numerous gods have associations with it and many religious creatures pay tribute to their gods during the celebrations.  There are many gatherings and parties that can last 1-7 days, often celebrated in parks, gardens or streets (with neighbours sharing the festivities together).

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Like its summer counterpart, Midwinter is not affiliated with any god in particular, yet many have associations with it.  Midwinter is a time of storytelling, games and feasting (in front of a warm fire, preferably).  A tradition that came into being before the first reliable central heating was invented is the giving of presents.  Without a way to keep warm without venturing outside for fuel, many creatures were still forced to hibernate.  Friends of hibernating creatures would tend to the sleepers’ homes for them and many, as a little sign that they were missed, would leave small gifts to surprise them when they awoke in the spring.  As time went on, so the practice evolved into a tradition which all species have since taken up.  Children especially love to give and receive presents and always look forward to Midwinter’s Eve, when gifts are exchanged after supper or at midnight, depending upon a household’s preference.

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New Year's Eve and Day are traditionally spent amongst nearest and dearest, reminiscing and planning for the future.  Marriage proposals are popularly made on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is frequently chosen as a wedding day (especially amongst the wealthy) but usually after at least a year's engagement. 

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The religious holidays are:

  • Anguiss Day, a day of frivolity and a night of practical jokes and fancy dress.

  • Lupun Day, a day of song, dance and incense.

  • Picavea Day, a day spent showing the nearest and dearest appreciation.  Also a day for romance and thanking any employees for the previous year's labour.

  • Equuse Day, a day for extreme gambling, gluttony and selfishness.

  • Lacerataon Day, usually celebrated by spending a day of leisure with friends/family.

  • Olorea Day, a day of thanksgiving and charity.

  • Raneo Day, a day of reflection and resolutions.  Many creatures fast for six weeks leading to this day, so feasting is also popular on this day.

  • Cancur Day, a day for cleaning the house and/or self-cleansing (e.g. by taking of spa waters).

  • Muse Day, a day for alone time in the wilds of the natural world.

  • Luter Day, the Festival of Light.  Every home, street and place of entertainment is bedecked with polished metal, glass and candle lanterns and/or gaslight.  Fireworks are often set off from twilight to the Lawful Cut-Off For Noise In Polite Society (9.30 PM).

  • Aquilia Day, a day for spiritual contemplation (and, in the words of the cynical, "trying to strike a bargain with the Aether, for insurance for the soul").

  • Vulpeso Day, a day of forgiveness and making amends.  They say to never let the sun set on your anger or, more importantly, to let Vulpeso Day end without all apologies made.

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Few employers permit their workers to follow more than two gods (or, at the very least, celebrate more than two gods' holidays).  The wealthier a creature is, however, the more holidays they are able to take without comment or retribution.

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The days of the week are:​

  • Monday (Etioppendie). Translates to “Reparation Day”. This is because, before there were seven days in a week, this had been the last day and not the first. The idea was that a creature would make right for any wrongs done or hurt caused on this day, so that the next week could be started fresh. It is now the first day of the week, so it has lost its meaning.

  • Tuesday (Piscisdie). The day of fish. Fish is eaten daily by most carnivores and omnivores, so this is not the day meant for eating fish. Many still remember to give thanks and prayers for the fisherbeasts who work in peril to bring their catches home, on this day, either when at school, in the places of worship, or when saying grace (in families in the habit) at suppertime.

  • Wednesday (Rogationemdie). Translates to “Proposition Day”. Traditionally, it was believed to be the day when the gods would smile upon proposals (be they the business or marrying sort), therefore any outcome would be for the best on this day. This is mostly perceived as “superstitious piffle”, these days.

  • Thursday (Coxitdie). Baking day. Unlike the day of fish, this is exactly what it sounds like. Traditionally, this would be the day when pies, cakes, flans, pasties, biscuits, crackers, pastries and breads would be baked, cooled and stored in the pantries, biscuit barrels, cake tins and bread bins, ready for the coming week.

  • Friday (Baptismatadie). Wash day. Also bathing day, in those houses where hot water is still no more than a pipe dream and they are forced to use a tin bath in front of the fire. In houses with hot water plumbing, underfloor heating and luxurious showers, however, bathing takes place rather more frequently.

  • Saturday (Vicidie). Victorious day. The reason why this day was given such a name appears to have been forgotten. Perhaps a famous battle was once won on a Vicidie. Who knows?

  • Sunday (Requiemdie). The day of rest. No shops open, no banks trade. The landlords are not obligated to undertake the maintenance of their tenants’ homes on this day (though the compassionate will, at their discretion).

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