Holiday Calendar in Ethelra

Throughout Eldareth, the calendar is marked by religious observances, civic anniversaries, seasonal festivals, and days of remembrance. Some are recognized across several regions, while others belong to particular nations, faiths, or communities.

The observances below are among those most widely recognized in Ethelra and neighboring regions. Local calendars contain many others, and shared holidays often develop their own customs and names from one community to the next.

Dawn's Vigil

Velisar 1 - Seasonal

Dawn's Vigil marks the first sunrise of the new year. In Vel'Nathar, families commonly gather along cliffs, beaches, and harbors before sunrise, with bells sounding as morning begins.

Bread and salt are placed on some household tables for the first meal of the year. In Stormhaven, the Iron Assembly opens the day with a public address before markets and celebrations begin.

Blessing of Seeds

Elaris 10 - Seasonal / Religious

Blessing of Seeds is observed in farming communities preparing for spring. Farmers and druids inspect seed stores, bless what has been set aside for planting, and make offerings to Yssarel at fields, groves, or local shrines.

Some communities plant the first seeds or saplings of the year during the observance. Seedbread made from grain preserved from the previous harvest is traditionally shared afterward.

Artisans' Unveiling

Zarethil 15 - Civic

Artisans' Unveiling gives craftspeople an opportunity to present work completed during the winter months. Workshops and guilds open their doors, while public squares host exhibitions, competitions, and markets.

In Vel'Nathar, larger guilds reserve spaces for major works, prototypes, and commissions intended for ships, public buildings, or civic use.

Festival of Silver Tides

Zarethil 25 - Vel'Nathar / Alven'Nathiss

Held once every twenty-five years, the Festival of Silver Tides commemorates the relationship between Vel'Nathar and the Isles of Alven'Nathiss established through the Moonlit Treaty.

Delegations from both regions meet for diplomatic gatherings and the renewal of agreements that have developed from the original treaty. Coastal celebrations include public meals, performances, and spell-lanterns set upon the water after sunset.

Day of the Dawnsinger

Vaeloris 1 - Religious

The Day of the Dawnsinger honors Myranthus. Temples open before sunrise, and worshippers gather for morning prayers and processions.

The observance is particularly important in Ostheria. Elsewhere, temples dedicated to the Dawnsinger often use the day for charitable work, the renewal of personal oaths, and ceremonies marking the beginning of an important undertaking.

Festival of Light and Renewal

Vaeloris 20 - Seasonal

The Festival of Light and Renewal is a spring celebration held as warmer weather becomes firmly established. Streets and public spaces are decorated with flowers and lanterns, while communities gather for meals, performances, markets, and other local celebrations.

The festival has developed many regional forms. In Briarhill, it is known as the Blooming Light Festival and lasts for three days. Older customs surrounding the town's spring have become part of the celebration, including wishes spoken at the well, blessings of the water by druids from Lunebrook, and lanterns carried through the village after sunset.

Day of Measure

Toramir 7 - Religious / Civic

Day of Measure is dedicated to Ao and concerns law, public responsibility, and the administration of civic affairs.

Courts and councils in several regions use the day to review regulations, unresolved petitions, and public works. Some government institutions also open proceedings to observers or hold public discussions concerning matters expected to affect the wider community.

Temples of Ao focus their services on judgment, responsibility, and the obligations carried by those entrusted with authority.

Great Concord Games

Toramir - Multi-Day, Every Seven Years - Historical / Civic

Every seven years, cities in Vel'Nathar and Calvessa host the Great Concord Games, a series of public tournaments and competitions associated with the seven deities of the Celestial Accord.

The events vary between host cities and include martial contests, races, archery, magical competition, and other trials of skill. Stormhaven is particularly known for its sailing regattas, while Calvessan hosts often place greater emphasis on magical and scholarly competition.

The Games draw competitors and spectators from beyond the host regions and are considerably larger than the tournaments held during ordinary years.

Wanderer's Day

Calrisar 5 - Civic / Religious

Wanderer's Day is dedicated to Feonar and is widely observed by travelers, merchants, sailors, and others whose work keeps them on the road or at sea.

Temples and roadside shrines offer blessings before journeys, and small tokens wishing safe passage are exchanged between travelers. Taverns and marketplaces often host songs and stories brought back from distant places.

Tradewind Remembrance

Calrisar 23 - Vel'Nathar Specific

Tradewind Remembrance commemorates the War of Trade Winds and the naval victory that secured Vel'Nathar's position at its end.

Harbors hold ship processions and public commemorations, while merchant guilds organize fairs along the waterfront. Naval memorials also honor sailors and crews who died during the conflict.

Assembly Day

Vienor 9 - Vel'Nathar Specific

Assembly Day marks the founding of the Iron Assembly.

Council sessions are opened to the public, and forums are held on current civic issues. Archives and schools also hold readings or discussions concerning major debates and decisions from the Assembly's history.

Harvest Festival

Vienor 18 - Seasonal / Religious

The Harvest Festival marks the beginning of the main harvest in many agricultural regions.

The first gathered grain, fruit, or produce is traditionally set aside before the larger harvest begins. Offerings to Yssarel remain common, followed by shared meals, markets, and celebrations involving the communities working the surrounding fields.

Dreamer's Vigil

Loramir 20 - Religious

Dreamer's Vigil is dedicated to Lerathae and centers on dreams, omens, and divination.

Diviners receive visitors throughout the day, while temples and private households record dreams considered unusual or significant. Some communities hold masked dances or quiet evening gatherings after sunset, and many people sleep with journals or writing materials close at hand in case they remember a dream upon waking.

Ashborne's Fall

Theranis 12 - Vel'Nathar Specific

Ashborne's Fall commemorates the rebellion and the political crisis surrounding it.

Members of the Iron Assembly traditionally give public addresses on the conflict, while schools, archives, and civic groups examine surviving records and competing accounts of its causes and consequences.

The observance focuses less on victory than on the failures that allowed the rebellion to occur and the lessons later generations have drawn from it.

The Quiet Vigil

Theranis 28 - Religious

The Quiet Vigil is dedicated to Athael and focuses on remembrance of the dead.

Candles are placed in windows, temples, and burial grounds after sunset. Families often gather privately to speak the names of deceased relatives, visit graves, or share memories of those who died.

Night of Silence

Dravenis 5 - Widespread / Historical

Night of Silence commemorates the Upheaval and is observed across many parts of Eldareth.

Public celebrations are suspended in communities that observe the day. Bells are sounded at appointed times, memorial fires are lit in public spaces, and many people keep a period of silence after sunset in memory of those lost during the catastrophe.

Day of Ash and Wake

Serathis 3 - Vel'Nathar Specific

Day of Ash and Wake commemorates the Seafire Conflagration.

Harbors affected by the disaster hold memorial services in the morning, and offerings are left for those who died. In settlements with surviving sites connected to the conflagration, processions visit memorials or districts rebuilt after the fires.

The Incursion Vigil

Serathis 10 - Widespread / Historical

The Incursion Vigil remembers the invasion from the Far Realm and those who died fighting it.

Temples and magical institutions hold vigils, while some orders use the date to inspect protections intended against planar and psionic threats. Military memorials, public readings, and ceremonies honoring those who defended affected communities are held in many regions.

In Vel'Nathar, particular attention is given to the Venthari and their role in the battle surrounding the Celestine Obelisk.

Cycle's Turning

Endaril 29 - Religious

Cycle's Turning is dedicated to Io and takes place on the day before the final night of the year.

Temples hold services reflecting on the year that has passed and the obligations that remain unfinished. Debts, contracts, and other outstanding commitments are traditionally settled before the new year where possible.

In some cities, public clocks are stopped briefly before being reset or ceremonially wound for the final day of the year.

Endaril Feast

Endaril 30 - Seasonal

The Endaril Feast closes the calendar year.

Families and communities gather for shared meals, music, games, and storytelling. Homes are cleaned beforehand, preparations for Velisar are completed, and many households remain together until the beginning of the new year.

Unlike many of the year's formal observances, the Endaril Feast is centered primarily on households, friends, and neighborhoods.