Yearly Calendar and Festivals of Wearth

Adventures in the World of Wearth

Wearth Home	Overview of Wearth	Recent Updates
The Places	The Powers	Races/Classes
The Characters	The NPC's	Campaign Diary
Downloads	Dead Character Files	Links

This is the universal calendar used most everywhere on Wearth. This calendar was started by the first of the World Emperor's after the end of the Rule of the Sorcerer Kings. The calendar date starts with the reign of the first World Emperor

The calendar is arranged with seven days in a week, 12 months of 28 days each, and a seven day festival every three months. This makes a total of 364 days in a year.

STARDAY (workday)	SUNDAY (workday)	MOONDAY (workday)	GODSDAY (worship)
WATERDAY (workday)	EARTHDAY (workday)	FREEDAY (rest)

This frigid 7-day period marks the transition from one calendar year to the next, and is usually accounted as the start of the new year. Merchants typically complete their annual bookkeeping during Sunsebb, just prior to this week as most taxes are due on the first day of Fireseek.

Most towns and villages have the 1st of Needfest (Starday) as the first council session of the year.

All seven days of Needfest are public holidays in all major cities and towns, it is a time to celebrate life when the weather is most miserable. Food stored from the harvest is brought out and grand parties are thrown. Traditionally each noble or employer invites their vassals and workers to dinner one night during this week and charitable gifts of food and drink are common at such parties. The news and gossip from the past year is rehashed and plans for the next year are made. Overindulgence and merrymaking are the rule. Some middle-class and noble citizens have a tradition of decorating their homes with yellow candles, boughs of evergreen (symbolizing the triumph of life thru hard times), and even magical lights and decorations.

In some Northern lands Needfest is known as the Feast of Telchur, this holiday honors Telchur's valiant battle in creating winter and celebrates the beginning of winter's waning.

Needfest is not a religious celebration per se, but local religions take note of it nonetheless. Special services are held at many churches and temples, complete with singing, music, sermons and feasts to which the clerics and lay people invite all followers. The religions of Rao, Pelor and St. Cuthbert banded together after the end of the Rule of the Sorcerer Kings to feed the refugees and started the practice of feeding the poor. On Godsday (4th of Needfest), the clerics of these religions distribute small loaves of bread from their temples to any needy person. In major cities and towns these form long lines. The distribution is done typically done by low level clerics of Rao and Pelor with the stoutly armed faithful of St. Cuthbert acting as crowd control.

The Clerics of Heironeous, Pholtus and Tritherion do not participate, but they attempt to perform good deeds each day during the week.

The evening of Needfest Godsday is also known as Midwinter Night as on this day Luna is a new moon. The height of the midwinter celebration is Needfest 7th, the Feast of Fools which is honored by many diverse faiths (Boccob, Lydia, Lirr, Norebo, Olidammara, Ralishaz, Tritherion, and even Rao). Starting at 5:00 pm to midnight, the theme of reversal is explored. The high is made low, and the low is made high. This is overseen by The Fool, the most talented bard or jester in the village/town. For the seven hours of the festival the Fool is the lord of the village/town, whatever the Fool orders is done. Elsewhere during the Feast of Fools a kind of madness reigns. Thieves secretly leave bags of coins (always copper) for former victims and the poor to find. Warriors beg children to save them from unseen monsters. Rangers claim to be lost and paladins loudly challenge puppets to single combat. Judges and Court officials are set on docks and tried by lowly clerks for absurd crimes and then (briefly) jailed. Sages and men of learning sit and listen as their students lecture them with nonsense. Even clergy of churches and temples take part in this event, though the actual rites vary from religion to religion. Priests of Rao are addressed as fools and lunatics. Clerics of Heironeous listen to tales of heroism and sacrifice told by known liars and cowards. Members of the Order of St. Cuthbert listen to any religious advice offered by those of other faiths and appear to be completely won over, smacking themselves on the forehead for having been so misguided before.

All citizens are expected to take part in the evening's wild events, acting precisely opposite of their normal behavior. Brightly colored and bizarre clothing is the norm, the crazier the better. The stories of mock "adventures" and lunacy that go on during this time are enjoyed for years to come. The birth rate soars around Brewfest of the next year. To refuse to participate in the fun is a serious breech of etiquette, and anyone who shows a lack of humor on the topic immediately draws the attention of all nearby merrymakers, who mercilessly hound the spoilsport with practical jokes and snide comments long after Needfest is over. Foreigners are allowed some leeway in participating, but even they are expected to make a show of silliness in harmless ways.

Only two groups are said to act as they always do during the Feast of Fools; the carefree clerics of Olidammara, who encourage revelry with music and song; druids, who have no sense of humor about even pretending to dislike nature or balance, and thus avoid populated areas for the evening.

(I) FIRESEEK (Winter)
1- New Year's Day. The first day following Needfest is officially decreed as the first day of the new year.
11 - Luna's Full Moon
25 - Luna's new moon

(II) READYING (Winter/Spring)
1 - Festival of St. Bane (Banesday) - It is rumored that attempts to "turn" undead on this date receive a +1 level bonus.
1 - First day of spring on the calendar.
10 - Snowdrop Festival - Masks are worn to a sort of all-day party and at dusk clothing are exchanged between sexes amidst general hilarity. Generally due to the weather, this is usually over-clothing, though underclothing is not unheard of in some places.
11 - Luna's full moon
11 - Great Moon's Glory. Sacred to the followers of Celestian. They regard this night as holy and engage in all-night vigils outdoors. People on this night also make offerings to Atroa (goddess of Spring/East Wind), asking the Queen of Spring to come early/ Offerings are also made to shrines of Telchur (god of Winter/North Wind), praising his work but suggesting that he go home to the pole and sleep.
14 - Heartsday, or "Myhrissian". Sacred to the worshipers of Myhriss, Goddess of Love and Beauty. Considered lucky to ask someone to marry you on this day. Tradition is to give gifts to loved ones during this day.
25 - Luna's new moon

(III) COLDEVEN (Spring)
11 - Luna's full moon
11 - Festival of the Blood-Moon. Sacred to worshipers of Nerull and most lawful evil cults as well, this grim festival technically begins on the 10th and ends on the evening of the 12th. It commemorates the blood-red moon, which appeared all over Wearth on this day when the last of the Sorcerer Kings was supposably put down. Elaborate ceremonies are held in fell and shadowy places, many of which are grisly and unpleasant in the extreme.
25 - Luna's new moon
22 - 28 - Trappers Rendezvous. This is an ages old festival much favored by rangers and other woodsmen.

FESTIVAL OF GROWFEST
Growfest is not considered a week long festival. Most towns and villages have a council meeting on the 1st of Growfest (Starday).

Growfest 4th, Godsday is the Vernal Equinox, it is also known as the Feast of Atroa in smaller villages, in celebration of a new growing season and promise of prosperity. This is a time when communities gather together to plan for the future. It is not uncommon for the celebration to center around a community event like a barn raising, or helping a neighbor whose homestead was damaged over the winter.

Growfest 4th, Godsday, is St.Cuthbert's Day, the largest annual festival celebrated by those of his faith. Local worshippers (and visitors) line up outside the town/village and process through the town, singing and chanting while children run besides them in great excitement and strike them with green switches. This is called the "cleansing"; the kids seem to love it.

The highlight of Growfest is the Desportium of Magic. During this day torchlight only, no magic illumination is supposed to be used. Wizards and Sorcerers then perform feats of illusion and magic trying to outdo one another with their displays. Usually there is a panel of judges to decide, in the larger cities there is usually a limit of 5-person teams competing. Each performance during the Desportium of Magic uses a long established theme, that of an attack on the town by various monsters and Dark Elves, repelled by brave warriors and spellcasters. The displays, made up of any number of spells cast without the use of magic devices, cannot actually cause any harm to property or people, but must be as wonderful, striking, detailed, and lifelike as possible. This motif is based on actual attacks through the years from the Uttermost War to the most recent Great Slave Raids. The idea is to make the attackers as dreadful as possible and the defenders as heroic as possible, secondary is to make sure that people will always remember the terror of the Uttermost War. In large cities like the CSIO and CSWE and Tarantis, these performances last all night and are amazing to watch. In smaller villages without spellcasters, puppet plays are often done in it's stead.

The last day of Growfest is "Foolsday" and is sacred to Olidammara and other trickster gods.

(IV) PLANTING (Spring/Low Summer)
4 - Luna's full moon 4 - Courting Moon Festival. Traditionally the time to ask out new (possible) lovers.
11 - Tanabat, also know as the Seven Sisters Festival. Legend has it that the god Olidammara was entertained on this day by seven lovely sisters, who welcomed him in his guise as a minstrel and treated him royally. So impressed was he by their treatment and their wine that he revealed himself and offered to transport them to his halls, there to live in bliss forever. Though the vineyard's exact location is a mystery, the legend is widespread, and many grape-loving regions claim that the Seven Sisters came from their lands. At night, therefore, the story is acted out and people head out to the grape arbors, listening for echo's of the sisters' laughter as they ascended to paradise. The rest of the holiday is a celebration of the grape and it's byproducts and feature prayers for a good vintage in the coming year, as well as much celebration and sampling of the previous year's wines. It is especially sacred to the followers of the Laughing Rouge (Olidammara), though followers of other nature deities often officiate as well.
18 - Luna's new moon

(V) FLOCKTIME (Spring/Low Summer)
1 - Beory's day. In celebration of Wearth Mother villagers sing and dance around a wooden pole to celebrate the passing of the seasons and the blessings of spring. This festival is usually much more subdued in the cities and towns than in the smaller villages where the festivities often go on into the night.
4 - Luna's full moon
8 - 14 - Dwarven rituals of Harnekiah, or "cleansing of the mountains". Ritual humanoid hunts are conducted. Dwarves go on raiding parties to hunt orcs and goblinoids. In major cities most half-orcs tend to stay indoors as much as possible during this time. Some humans (especially mountaineer rangers) also celebrate this time calling it "Ulaa's Hunt" after the goddess of hills and mountains.
15 - St. Cuthbert's Day. Sacred day to the worshipers of St. Cuthbert. Many of his more active followers honor this day by trying to root out evil cults before Walpurgis falls. Unfortunately, this frequently leads to mistakes and misunderstandings, especially when strangers are involved.
18 - Luna's new moon
18 - Walpurgis, The Dark Night. This night of the new moon is extremely sacred to clerics of evil. Many evil congregations hold elaborate, depraved ceremonies in dark and unholy places. Others send agents out into the night to perform assassinations or otherwise engage in unspeakable acts. On this dread night, all turning rolls against undead are at -4, in addition to any other penalties, and all clerics with the "evil" domain may cast twice as many evil domain spells. Most other folk with any sense stay inside, preferably with shutters locked and barred.

(VI) WEALSUN (Low Summer/Summer)
1 - Goodrhys. A festival dedicated to the arrival of the demigod Mayaheine (Protection/Justice/Valor) on Wearth. She was first summoned towards the end of the Uttermost War when she helped turn the tide of several battles.
1 - 4 - Festival of the Blinding Light. Festival sacred to the god Pholtus (Light/Law)
4 - Luna's full moon
16 - Bawming of the Thorn. A placation of evil nature aspects by a parade of children who tie a ribbon to the oldest thorn tree in the region. Intended to ensure safety for the next year.
17 - Ceremony of the Turning. During this day seven-year olds are carried blindfolded and barefoot into the woods and must find a new name before returning to the village feast. Each child is released separately and alone. They are guided by rowdy singing (and a huge bonfire if they are slow), and when they return are carried into the center of the gathering to whisper their name into the fire. This is their Truename, with all that implies. It should be noted that rangers and clerics of Ehlonna are also especially busy this night, quietly patrolling the area and looking out for the children's safety. It is said that even the High Elves are drawn to this ceremony and it is considered an extremely good omen for a child to successfully spot one.
18 - Luna's new moon

The hot breezy week of Richfest is not observed in full as a public holiday. Generally on Richfest 1st, Starday, most towns and villages hold council meetings.

Midsummer Day (Richfest 4th) is the only real holiday when most business close to celebrate the height of summer and give thanks to the appropriate gods for good fortune. All but the most essential personnel (soldiers, the watch, etc.) are free from any obligations. As this is also Godsday, and most people attend some kind of worship during the day only non-essential clerics usually get it off.

Midsummer Day is called the Holy Day of Pelor. Pelor - master of the sun, light and healing - is revered but most common people and this day sees the most celebrations in honor of Pelor. Temples of Pelor serve huge feasts in the afternoon, served free to all comers. "A starving man in not a wise man", the clerics say as they hand out cups of soup, mugs of fresh water and loafs of bread to all. "The sun gives freely, and we do as well". After the feast the clerics of Pelor, clad in yellow and gold, spread out through the towns and villages and administer healing spells, food and comfort to all who ask, children are given special attention. If any require special attention that cannot be given on the spot they are carried back to the temple of Pelor for healing, free of charge. Pelor grants his clerics extra healing spells for the unfortunate on this day only.

Midsummer Night is the evening of Richfest 4th, Luna is full during this night and a night long vigil is held by the clerics of Celestian. Midsummer night is also holy to the druids of Beory, Obad-Hai, and other gods who consider this night to be the most sacred of all. All quarrels between the different cults are set aside, and the leaders of the local druid circles join in a celebration of Wearth and the Great Balance they serve. This is also the best night to collect mistletoe.

In the major cities the two days after Midsummer Day, Richfest 5th and 6th are a sort of "working holiday". These are called Guild Days, and artisan's guilds in the large cities prepare public displays of craftsmanship. These displays show off the best that the guild artisans can do, and the displays in the major City States is unbelievable. These displays are heavily guarded and everyone who can steals time away from work to see the displays. The Guild Days are not public holidays but the desire to see the displays in overwhelming. Bids may be placed by onlookers for many of the items and these draw people from the surrounding areas to see the display in towns and cities. In the larger City States the guild also hold completions, with each guild honoring the beast craftsman in it's guild.

At midweek during Richfest is the "Feast of the Blue Moon" also known as "Sealord's Rest". This day is sacred to the gods Procan, Geshtai and Osprem. This is especially celebrated in coastal areas and by boatman and seaman everywhere.

(VII) REAPING (Summer/High Summer)
11 - Luna's new moon
25 - Luna's full moon
25 - Sotillion's Day. Known popularly as Labor Day and also, derisively as "St. Ides" (for Saint Idler's). Follower's of the god Sotillion (Summer/South Wind) will do no work and just enjoy the summer on this day. Widely popular, especially for the young and in love. As a result the full moon of this month is often referred to as the Lover's Moon.

(VIII) GOODMONTH (High Summer)
4 - Grandmote Festival. This festival involves large archery competitions, fairs and festivities devoted to the gods of luck (Istus, Ralishaz, Rudd, Norebo)
4 - 9 - Emperor's Festival. This originally started when the Empire ruled most of Wearth. It was a festival to celebrate the Emperor's rule. Now everywhere, except the lands of the World Emperor, this is a festival to celebrate your local ruler (whoever that may be). Festivities range widely depending on just who the local ruler is.
11 - Luna's new moon
11 - Dark Night. The new moon of Goodmonth 11th is always a Godsday. This is a holy night for the followers of Celestian as more stars can be seen on this night than any other. Other people fear this night and in the villages all-night bonfires are common.
25 - Luna's full moon
25 - 28 - Miner's Fairs. This festival is dedicated to the god Blerred (Smithing/Mining). Miners and smiths show off their finest work. In the Dwarven lands this festival is also held but in a more reverent manner.

(IX) HARVESTER (High Summer/Autumn)
11 - Luna's new moon
11 - 14 - Logger's Fests
20 - Raksha Bandhan. A celebration of siblings (usually, but not always.opposite sex), where bracelets and flower necklaces are made and traded along with sweets. For those who do not have siblings, a "blood brother" ceremony is sometimes performed among very close friends. It is considered a great honor to wear such a token on this day.
22 - 28 - Imperium Invicta ("Unconquerable Empire") Celebrated only in the lands of the World Emperor, for obvious reasons.
25 - Luna's full moon

FESTIVAL OF BREWFEST
This is the celebration of the harvest and the arts of brewing, very important to the religions of Wenta, Berei, Beory, and Olidammara. Halfling, and Dwarven gods also hold this festival in high regard. This is also sometimes called the Feast of Wenta in smaller villages and is celebrated with song, dance and offerings of the summer harvest to the goddess Wenta.

Generally on Brewfest 1st, Starday most towns and villages hold council meetings.

(X) PATCHWALL (Autumn)
4 - Luna's new moon
7 - Bellringer's Feast. Everyone gathers at the largest bell in the region (usually a townhall or temple) when it is rung, then exchange treats and other baked goods. The militia also turns out in full regalia, as this festival is connected with themes of warning and preparedness. Though this day has become more festive, in some embattled lands it's original purpose has completely reasserted itself, and celebrations in strife torn areas are likely to be strained at best.
14 - Druidic Festival of Lammas. Usually only celebrated outside the major cities and towns, this festival is characterized by races, games, contests of all sorts and feasting on the harvests first fruits. (god/ess worshiped during this day include Beory, Berei, and Wenta)
18 - Luna's full moon
18 - Wiccrhys, originally celebrated as Samhain. This also known as All Hallows Eve. The borders of the spirit world grow thin this night, so people traditionally dress as spirits and cavort all night as fairies are always depicted as doing. The hope is that true spirits will not recognize them as mortal and thus not harm them. "Soulcakes" are begged of passerby, and some larger cities also have a great mummers play in which everyone dies in the end but then resurrect themselves. Persons being raised from the dead this night receive a bonus to their rolls, but evil is also strengthened. Aside from the obvious danger of summoned outsiders, evil spellcasters spells are opposed as if they were 2 levels higher.

(XI) READY'REAT (Autumn/Winter)
4 - Luna's new moon
5 - Turning of the Shebbear Stone. Commemorates the feats of Shebbear, a famous Wearth hero of awesome strength; also a way of clearing the land. The largest stone on the property is rolled once toward the west. This holiday produces many injuries.
7 - Festival of Hope. Healing and atonement offered, especially by clerics of Pelor and also for Zodal, for whom this is the holiest day of the year. It has attained even greater significance of late as a festival for Good generally, especially among exile communities.
11 - 14 - Days of Dedication. Sacred to the followers of Tritherion (god of Freedom/Retribution).
11 - The "Day of Remembrance", dedicated to those who died defending liberty, begins the festival of the Days of Dedication.
12 - The "Day of Reflection", for the followers of Tritherion to reflect on their lives and their goals.
13 - The "Day of Retribution", where solemn oaths of vengeance are typically sworn against those deserving same, clerics publicly judge disputes among the faithful, and special favor may be shown by the deity to those attempting a daring deed in the name of liberty.
14 - the "Great Freeday", this celebration ends the "Days of Dedication"
18 - Luna's full moon

(XII) SUNSEBB (Winter)
4 - Luna's new moon
18 - Luna's full moon
23 - Marihwyd. A parade of white costumed followers led by a white robed person wearing a horse's skull sing blessings at the doors of the village and are rewarded with treats. This is an ancient festival with ties to no known god.
25 - 28 - Days of Thought. Sacred to devotee of Rao and most sages. Spent in self-examination and study.