In eons past, after the great elemental wars and the founding of the first empires of Dwarf and Elf, time was not considered as a valuable commodity. Its flow was only considered on occasions. A great battle, a discovery or even a lowly birth. Measurement was simply not something to be considered. But with the second birthing of the Gods came a structure to amplify this order.
The changing of the days, seasons and years have been recorded since the spirits were born into this world, none are as obvious as the establishment of the great stone circles. These constructions date from before human civilisation. The Elves and Dwarves do not know who or indeed when they were created yet the elemental races remain strangely quiet when questioned. Nevertheless, these structures undoubtedly required great strength of foresight as well as physical numbers to construct. Something that should not have gone unnoticed by the major races at the time. Recent events have shown a relationship with the mysterious group calling themselves Druids, who have some sort of connection with the structures. It is believed that the Druids themselves did not build the structures, but inherited them from their previous wards; the evidence which bears this out is that a nature loving organisation, presumably, would not carve stone from the living earth as it is contrary to their ethos. Nevertheless, these circles have accurately traced the movement of our planet through the cosmos and our Calendar, more accurately than any other method used by our neighbouring countries.
The Stone circles themselves are formed by a number of upright stone pillars in a circle, topped with a horizontal lintel across every pair, most are rough hewn stone, but some seem to be formed by intricate carvings, which have now been worn away by the passage of Father Time. In all formations, there are twelve pairs in the main circle but some have additional outer lying circles containing some single stone pillars or pairs of capped pillars at seemingly random intervals. The central pillars are aligned accurately to identify the changing of the seasons. During the summer and winter equinox and the spring and autumn solstices, at exactly midnight, the particular Constellation of the time passes its head into the southernmost opening under a capped pair of pillars. These nights are cause for celebration and our calendar holds special days for these events. The four seasons separate the year into quarters, each being overlooked by two of the God Dragons that control magic within our realm.
Winter is, naturally, the domain of Snare, as this time is indicative of cold and snow, and praise to the ice dragon is offered for protection through these dark times. But later in winter, Desutal gains dominance over Snare as Death reigns. Although the cold overcomes the will to live; when the cold ebbs away the opportunity is provided for life to continue. The end of winter starts the thaw, changing to a new year where things are the same but life is subtly different.
Spring is the time of re-growth and life. With the changing of the season comes the changing of the weather. As the Dragon of wind gains great power through praise by sea travellers, Amethyne rises above his brothers in these days, as He is mostly associated with early spring, which tends to be windy. Washing away the sense of dread and bringing with it the rain. Late spring is well known for being wet. This is the domain of the Green Dragon. Viriol’s Star rises as the year progresses. A common saying is Amethyne’s winds and Viriol’s showers brings forth Katanal’s flowers.
Early summer, new life is being born and growing for spring. Flowers blossom and Katanal is resplendent. The pains of winter and the harsh beginnings of new life in spring are but a distant memory. Everything is good, food is plentiful and not a bad thing can happen. But as such the Moon, everything revolves. Where life gives, it also takes away. Rain is sparse as Rubione is ascendant. Summers are hot and the days are long and people both praise and curse the heat. Rivers dry up and the fauna and flora die of starvation and thirst.
But not everything suffers. Autumn marks the end of summer. The days have become noticeably shorter but the Deer are rutting. The circle of life continues as animals seek a mate and the bush bears fruit. The harvest is reaped in preparation for winter. Thus the balance of Yasdril comes to being. As the days shorten further and the harvest is complete, nature becomes aware of the expectations due in the following months. The bear beds down with the squirrel as bush and briar shed their leaves to don the dead shade of nights to come. As animal and tree return to the earth, Negrat’s powers wax, until, often unexpectedly, Snare has risen again.
With each year split into seasons and into the eight Godly domains, the universe has sought to break it down further. The Moon which lightens the night sky also contributes to the order of time. As this most recognisable heavenly body changes, so we mark the passing of the months. A bastardisation of the ancient Elven for Mooneths meaning the fight of Order and Chaos, Light and Dark. The months track the time it takes for the Moon to change from Light to Dark. Each month starts with a fully lightened moon and after a number of days, whilst darkness overcomes, become fully black and unseen except for those with the God sight. The light returns to defeat the darkness over another span of days returning to the bright orb we can trust to show our way home. This progression happens twelve times a year and takes just over thirty days to complete.
Although the rural areas take great heed of the seasons, many civilised populations care not of the seasons only to know when to dust off the full length oiled cloaks. Months are more prevalent as a measurement of the ages. Each month lasts for exactly thirty days. Although the alteration of the moon lasts longer, the addition of the yearly equinoxes and solstices fall outside of the months, being the single day spaced between the end of one month and the start of the following. Spaced every three months, these days are not only considered festival and holy days but help to tie in the moon to the stable calendar we all know.
With three hundred and sixty four days a year, most people would feel this would be sufficient. But minds past realised that each year was not quite this length and by following this pattern, the solstices happened progressively later in the year. Whether simply a miscalculation on the acts of the original figures or an act of godly pettiness, He who is not named was awarded a holy day dedicated to Himself. This occasion rises only once every other year and currently falls in early spring. This date can on occasion change, according to the statements of the Royal Collage of Magic on His command but this is not common. This day, like the Solstices and Equinox’s falls outside the normal monthly time but is currently at the end of the month of Thaw. Only forty three years ago, it was held as an additional day between the 12th of Thaw and the 13th whilst this may have suited His followers, many thought this confused things further.
On that subject, to further confuse matters, each day is dedicated to one of the gods, in a progressive order. A circuit of these days is called a week. Most dedicated followers of these deities consider these days as minor holy days and perform rituals to their Patrons. In contrast to this, many people, especially in rural areas, refuse to work on the day dedicated to Desutal. In this they hope to placate Katanal and ward of this evil presence from their lives. There seems to be evidence that in times past, a week consisted of ten days, not the current eight. It is believed that these additional days were dedicated to the sun and the moon in less enlightened times, but these days have been dropped.
Each year is also dedicated to one of the Gods in sequence. The single day midway in each year is also dedicated to its Dragon as the apex of that entities power in this mortal realm. In every eight years, this day also falls on the weekday dedicated to the same dragon. These days are often treated with great reverence as that Dragons influence is multiplied. All great rituals to the Dragons are performed on these days. In contrast, if this day falls on the Dragons opposite, then the Gods powers are diminished. Snares followers are weary when His day falls in the same Weekday as Rubiones.
God Common Name Weekday Season
Desutal Silver Dragon Desuday Winter
Amethyne Blue Dragon Ameday Spring
Viriol Green Dragon Viriday Spring
Katanal Golden Dragon Kataday Summer
Rubione Red Dragon Rubiday Summer
Yasdril Bronze Dragon Yasday Autumn
Negrat Black Dragon Negraday Autumn
Snare White Dragon Snareday Winter