Autumn Holidays
| Autumn Holidays | |
| Sheldsmet 27 | Autumn Equinox |
| Sheldsmet 28 | Saint Michael's Day (Michaelmas) (Erato) |
| Damhar 7 | All Troth's Day (Fides) |
| Damhar 10 | Saint Garimund's Day (K, Vortumnus) |
| Damhar 14 | Taskday (Ladon) |
| Damhar 21 | The Harvesting (Podalirius) |
| Damhar 27 | Fall Fair Day (Minos) |
| Sultain 5 | Foundation Day |
| Nollaig 5 | Last day of Hieronymide calendar |
Sheldsmet
Godric's Day
Godric's Day is a significant holiday to Baelthor, the Stonehands, and tends to be practiced primarily in rural, manorial areas, though some cities where worship of Baelthor is particularly strong also participate. The celebration, which takes place on the autumnal equinox, is a day-long feast dedicated to the bounty of the earth. It is held inside, where possible, and is supplied by the people who eat of it. On this day, the farmer may take his fill first, with the knights of the noble next, and finally, the highest ranking individual present, often the noble of the household, who must take the scraps left behind. The purpose of the ceremony is to remind the nobility that they subsist only through the hard work of their subjects. Most nobles take the ceremony in good humor, as there is rarely a paucity of food to go around. Nobility who refuse to partake are often viewed with suspicion at best and banning the holy day outright is typically seen as the sign of a tyrant. Godric's Day is dedicated to Heiliger Godric.
Ralishar (the Coloring)
Ralishar, the Coloring, is observed by worshipers of Abaris on the autumnal equinox. Typically, a service is held at the Mysteriorum at dusk where Apprentices who are deemed ready are formally recognized as Masters in their respective Orders. If a worshiper can't attend the Ralishar Convocation, they are expected to at least observe a moment of prayer to Abaris at dusk. Most observers will wear a holly leaf or spring of holly on Ralishar.
Saint Michael's Day (Michaelmas)
Saint Michael's Day (also known as Michaelmas) is a holy day to Erato honoring Saint Michael the Archer. In most areas, husbands and wives exchange flowers, paramours write poems for their intended and even children give little heart-shaped wreaths to one another. In regions where Erato is particularly honored, there are archery competitions throughout the day, with the victor being proclaimed "Lord of Love" and (if he is unwed) granted free visits to the a brothel dedicated to Erato for the following week. The day is also marked with a mass at noon, where the local priest entreats those harboring a secret love to reveal that love to the object of their affection.
Damhar
All Troth's Day
All Troth's Day is a high holy day dedicated to the god of oaths, Fides the Oathbinder. Traditionally, it is considered an auspicious day to enter into new contracts, treaties between nations are formally recognized and a day to affirm the renewal of annual contracts (many contracts initiated by the faithful of Fides will stipulate this annual renewal as a requirement of the contract). In most urban areas, this renewal is handled in a morning service at temple, where the congregation participates in a general promise to renew all oaths given in the previous year. Lying on All Troth's Day is considered to draw the particular wrath of Fides and children often play "Trothed or Durst" where a question is asked and the other must answer truthfully or accept a dare defined by the questioner.
Fall Fair Day
The Harvesting
The Harvesting is a high holy day of Podalirius the Gnarled Man. This harvest festival is a day set aside to celebrate the year's harvest and to give thanks to Podalirius for his bounty. The day is marked with feasting and agricultural games, like plow races, baking competitions and hay-heaving. An evening mass is conducted at the local temple. Typically, any chevage due by the peasantry to their lord is paid or accounted for by this holiday.
Saint Garimund's Day
Saint Garimund's Day is a feast day for the god of honor, Vortumnus, dedicated to Saint Garimund of Ryard. It is believed that on this day in 198 IC Saint Garimund was martyred fighting in the Battle of Waite Crossing against giants who sought plunder from a temple to Vortumnus there. Nobility who observe the day grant their workmen a day free of labor for feasting, though there is typically a long services in the morning recounting the deeds of Saint Garimund of Ryard (though those who follow the Imperial and Aebasan traditions focus on his martyrdom and ignore the discovery of the Glorious Galleon in this youth).
Taskday
Taskday is a feast day honoring Ladon Stronghands observed on Damhar 14th. In regions where the worship of Ladon is respected, workers are granted the day free of labor, with feasting, dancing and games encouraged. Even in the few regions where the worship of Ladon is prohibited, slaves will often find a way to secretly celebrate the day at a communal evening meal.
Sultain
Foundation Day
Foundation Day is celebrated solely in the Freecity of Neptaris on Duria. On this day in 1 NC, it is believed that Zarakos of Taranio and his companions founded Neptaris after years at sea searching for a new home. The day is celebrated with triumphal marches, parades celebrating the independence of the city and the veneration of those gods popular among the people of Neptaris.
Samhain
Nollaig
The Reckoning
The Reckoning is the high holy day of Aridnus the Fair, set on Nollaig 5th. The day is marked with a solemn morning service intended to remind adherents of their duty to truth and proper judgement. After this service, merchants and craftsmen are expected to come to the priests of Aridnus to have their weights and measures examined and approved. Particularly devout worshipers are also expected to submit themselves for judgement for any sins they have yet to atone for in the previous year. In regions where the priesthood of Aridnus act as secular judges, the day is usually marked with the execution of criminals and judicial fines from the previous year are to be paid on this day.
