Winter Holidays
| Winter Holidays | |
| Nollaig 8 | Winter Solstice
First day of the Hieronymide calendar |
| Nollaig 21 | Feast of the Yul (Alcyoneus) |
| Eanaire 7 | Sanctuary (Pavor) |
| Eanaire 14 | Accounting (Minos) |
| Eanaire 22 | The Ascension of Saint Garimund (K., Vortumnus) |
| Folloch 1 | First day of the Davidian Calendar |
| Folloch 14 | Saint Saraphina's Day (Drames) |
Nollaig
Clemency
Clemency is the high holy day of Clementia and takes place on Nollaig 8, the winter solstice. On this day, prayers for the unfortunate and oppressed are given from dawn to dusk at all temples to Clementia. Devout worshipers are encouraged to tender work in food houses, orphanages, hospitals and leper colonies, regardless of whether they are supported by the clergy of Clementia or not. Alternatively, worshipers can dress in the robes of a beggar and sit on the stoop or at the gate of the wealthy, imploring mercy for criminals and the sick to any who pass (this symbolizes Clementia's place at the doorstep of her mother, Betshaba, begging for her to be merciful). In some large cities, the day is marked by granting clemency to minor criminals currently in custody. In regions where the worship of Clementia is prohibited, there are often massive pogroms on these days as her worshipers steadfastly refuse to keep their beliefs secret.
Feast of the Yul
The Feast of the Yul is a high holy day of the god of youth, Alcyoneus the Yul. The day is celebrated with feasting and gift-giving, particularly for children. Generosity and kindness is particularly encouraged by celebrants. Groups of singers will often travel from home to home singing hymns or light ditties, expecting a warm beverage in a show of generosity and appreciation. Among the Valtang, it is traditionally a day to hunt boar, a tradition that has begun to spread even among their enemies across Aurea and Duria (though in regions where boar are rare, other animals will suffice).
Noxheggan (the Darkening)
Noxheggan, the Darkening, is observed by the worshipers of Abaris on the winter solstice. Observant worshipers are expected to attend service at the nearest Mysteriorum at midnight followed by the Noxheggan Symposium, where the mages who have passed in the last year are recognized for their accomplishments. Even if a worshiper is unable to attend the Symposium, they are expected to give thanks to Abaris silently at midnight for those mages that have come before them, noting particularly any deceased Masters or mages who influenced their work. The flower of the Black Hellebore is commonly worn by worshipers of Abaris on Noxheggan.
Eanaire
Accounting
Accounting, which takes place on Eanaire 14, is a high holy day for Minos, god of commerce. On this day, merchants and craftsmen observant to Minos are expected to balance their books, pay any remaining debts past due and submit their accounting to the nearest temple to Minos, where it is recognized and recorded (and often sent to the local lord to determine appropriate taxation and fines). Failure to comply with the tradition is, at least, considered disrespectful to Minos and, in some regions, considered an attempt to avoid paying taxes, subjecting the merchant to arrest and imprisonment for failure to pay his debts.
The Ascension of Saint Garimund
The Ascension of Saint Garimund (often referred to simply as 'Ascension') is a high holy day for Vortumnus, god of honor. It is thought that this is the day that Saint Garimund of Ryard rose from the grave and ascended into sainthood at Vortumnus' side. It is a solemn feast day where observed, marked with a morning mass for the dead and an afternoon mass celebrating the resurrection of Saint Garimund as a demigod.
Sanctuary
Sanctuary, held on Eanaire 7 is a high holy day of Pavor Longshanks. The day is marked with feasting and observers are expected to welcome any traveler to their feast table in return for stories from far off lands (or just the village down the path, depending on how far they have traveled). In some regions, outlaws are granted the right to travel into towns and villages unmolested by the local authorities, though they are expected to depart by nightfall. Outlaws specifically considered excommunicate by the clergy of Pavor (often for taking advantage of Sanctuary) are similarly excluded from the day and may be arrested if found.
Folloch
Saint Saraphina's Day
Saint Seraphina's Day is a high holy day for Drames, the Many-Sheaved, in honor of Saint Saraphina the Kind. It is a feast day in honor of handmaidens and midwives, but is typically also a day for young wives and their husbands to entreat Saint Saraphina to intercede for them with Drames for fertility or, if the woman is already with child, an easy child birth. Breads and beer are common at the feast and midwives are treated as guests of honor, served by those they have helped through childbirth (both mothers and, possibly, their children).
