

Centrallis
Centrallis is the world in which Points Change is set.
It has its own calendar, religion, technology, slang, currency, sports and games.


Calendar
The Centrallis calendar year begins with the first day of spring and ends with the last day of winter.
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).
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.
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.
The religious holidays are:
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Anguiss Day, a day of frivolity and a night of practical jokes and fancy dress.
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Lupun Day, a day of song, dance and incense.
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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.
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Equuse Day, a day for extreme gambling, gluttony and selfishness.
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Lacerataon Day, usually celebrated by spending a day of leisure with friends/family.
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Olorea Day, a day of thanksgiving and charity.
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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.
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Cancur Day, a day for cleaning the house and/or self-cleansing (e.g. by taking of spa waters).
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Muse Day, a day for alone time in the wilds of the natural world.
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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).
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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").
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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.
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.


Religion
Religion is an important part of Centrallis life.
There are multiple gods:
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Aquilia the Eagle, God of the Aether (Heaven)
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Melesuun the Badger, God of the Naether (Hell)
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Tigrisseo the Tiger, God of Good Luck and Financial Gain
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Elephuuse the Elephant, God of Victory
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Lepusseo the Hare, God of War
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Mustelase the Weasel, God of Thunder
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Phasianusse the Pheasant, God of Agriculture
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Falcoer the Falcon, God of the Sky
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Chelonioideon the Turtle, God of the Sea
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Anguiss the Adder, God of Healing and Mischief/Sin
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Lupun the Wolf, God of Music and Celebration
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Luter the Otter, God of Light
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Picavea the Magpie, God of Love and Alliances
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Equuse the Horse, God of Gambling and Gluttony
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Lacerataon the Lizard, God of Safe Passage
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Olorea the Swan, God of Peace and Plenty
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Raneo the Frog, God of Transformation and New Starts
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Cancur the Crab, God of Cleanliness and Hygiene
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Muse the Mouse, God of the Wilderness
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Vulpeso the Fox, God of Justice
There are religious buildings:
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Sacri Palacii; large building, which caters to all or most gods' religious practices.
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Sacri Manerio; medium building, which caters to two or more gods' religious practices.
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Sacri Domo; small building, which caters to no more than one god's religious practices.
Every god uses ve/vir/vis pronouns and has vis own practices. Twelve gods have holidays, on which their followers celebrate with feasts, merriment, togetherness (and unique traditions specific to the god's practices).
Sport
Another important part of Centrallis life is sport. Those creatures that have no interest in religion tend to have a passion for at least one sporting activity.
The most popular sports are:
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Chimes (something like a combination of Cricket and Rounders and/or Baseball)
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Rosebridge Mead (a little like a crude or developing early version of Rugby or U.S. Football)
Sports most often played in schools and children's clubs are:
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Hedgehogs (somewhat like Bowles, but also nothing like Bowles)
Other common sporting activities include:
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Steam carriage racing
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Hot air and gas balloon racing
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Archery
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Tracking (this usually involves pets, such as beetles, to trace an item)
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Shin kicking
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Swimming and diving championships
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Boat racing (usually the rowing variety, but a few steamboat races have appeared in recent years)
