The people of Sarradar mark the passage of time according to the standards developed by the Ancients millennia ago. Even since the fall of the Ancients, almost all of the realms have continued to use this standard, partially out of convenience, but for the most part because it is accurate. The only changes made since the fall of the Ancients are in the names of the days, and the dating of the years.
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Days are 24 hours long
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Days are divided into two daytime periods and two nighttime periods, each of six hours. These are known as: Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Nightfall.
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Weeks consists of 10 days.
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Months consist of 3 weeks (30 days).
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Years are 365 days long and are divided into 12 months.
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There are an extra five days at the end of each year. These five extra days are known as intercalary days or the Sazarian Days and the Ancients treated it as a sacred half-week dedicated to the god Sazariel.
In order from the start of the year to the end, the months are known as follows;
Month | Name | Season |
---|---|---|
1 |
MorningStar |
Spring |
2 |
Snowmelt |
|
3 |
Newseed |
|
4 |
Verdantwood |
Summer |
5 |
Dawnlight |
|
6 |
Suncrest |
|
7 |
Midyear |
Autumn |
8 |
Harvestfall |
|
9 |
Hearthfire |
|
10 |
Frostfall |
Winter |
11 |
Dusklight |
|
12 |
Evenstar |
|
* |
Sazarian Days |
Winter-Spring |
These names are said to have originated from the land of Avyrnas, and have been used in the place of the Ancient names for the months since their empire’s fall. The months are divided into four seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, with the Sazarian Days marking the end of Winter and the start of Spring, making a calendar that is focused around the seasonal changes on Sarradar’s southern hemisphere.
The days are known either by their Old Tongue names or by their Common Tongue names as listed below;
Day | Language | |
---|---|---|
Common |
Old Tongue |
|
1 |
Monday |
Morandas |
2 |
Tuesday |
Tyrdas |
3 |
Wednesday |
Vedensdas |
4 |
Homeday |
Heimdas |
5 |
Loreday |
Loredas |
6 |
Middleday |
Middas |
7 |
Thursday |
Thurdas |
8 |
Friday |
Freydas |
9 |
Saturday |
Sathardas |
10 |
Sunday |
Sunedas |
For most, the measurement of time on a daily scale is a matter of estimation or consultation of a sundial, or listening out for the town clock. In the fortunate case that an individual has knowledge of the magic of Divination, the time can be told with almost absolute accuracy. It is therefore not an uncommon occurrence that a town will try to ensure it has at least one novice mage with the ability to magically tell the time, given how handy it is for the planning of events and labour schedules.
To bring time to the people, tinkers in Alteraan have in the last few decades been able to reduce the size of the mechanical clocks to produce pocketwatches. While still expensive and uncommon, they are highly sought after my humble merchants to dashing adventurers alike.
It was the custom across the Empire of the Ancients that within a week the fifth, ninth and tenth days were to be days of rest, though not necessarily for their slaves. Nowadays the tradition has continued in Alteraan, Sachsenheim and Valeria. In Korashur the fourth day is also taken as a rest day. In the Dra’zhar lands there are no specific days of rest.
During the intercalary days at the end of each year, the Ancients allowed even slaves to put down their tools, rest, and pay homage to the gods. At the end of the five days the new year began. Across the Five Realms this half-week is still taken as a time of relaxation, though each culture treats it in a different way with their own particular rituals and homages.
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For the Sachsens it is a time to honour the dead, burning offerings and speaking the rites of remembrance.
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Amongst the Dra’zhar the whole tribe will focus on repairing broken tools and gear, and mending relationships if enmities have arisen.
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The Alteraanians take the time to share gifts amongst their family and household and hold lavish parties.
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In the Empire of Valeria the faithful will attend church services and pray to The Twelve and Chiera for forgiveness for any sins over the year, and for her blessings in the coming year.
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Lastly, in the land of Korashur the magelords follow most closely the traditions of the Ancients, coming down from their sanctums and residing with the lower classes as they pay homage to the Primes.