Calender - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jasondm Dec 08, 2008 19:36:29	I'm finding that i need to keep track of time better for my game, but saying "ok, you guys spend a week on the road, it's November now" sort of kills the mood. Does anyone know of an official D&D calender of month names and festivals and stuff? Also, your homebrew ideas are appreciated too!
#2 space_dragon Dec 08, 2008 21:00:58	Well, instead of using the twelve-month lunar calender, maybe the standard timekeeping system is solar. As in, four months, each starting and ending at a solstice or equinox. As in "today is the forty-ninth of winter." Maybe some societies (probably worshippers of a moon god) have a 12-month lunar calendar instead, so they use different dates. Might make local color more apparent, if different nations use different calenders.
#3 fenrir7139 Dec 08, 2008 23:43:29	You could always use real-world calendars; I'm sue that the majority of your group aren't familiar with most calenders, such as the Islamic Calendar: Islamic Calendar Months 1. Muharram (or Muḥarram al Ḥaram) 2. Safar (or Ṣafar al Muzaffar) 3. Rabi' al-awwal (Rabī' I) 4. Rabi' al-thani (or Rabī' al Thānī, or Rabī' al-Akhir) (Rabī' II) 5. Jumada al-awwal (Jumādā I) 6. Jumada al-thani (or Jumādā al-akhir) (Jumādā II) 7. Rajab (or Rajab al Murajab) 8. Sha'aban (or Sha'abān al Moazam) 9. Ramadan (or Ramzān, long form: Ramaḍān al Mubarak) 10. Shawwal (or Shawwal al Mukarram) 11. Dhu al-Qi'dah 12. Dhu al-Hijjah
#4 jasondm Dec 09, 2008 9:05:49	I use the basic pantheon, plus a few gods of my own, so pelor is worshiped the most. A 4 month calender would work out, with a festival at each solstice and equinox! I'm also a fan of importing real world stuff, though. I do that with my currency to show a fluctuating economy.
#5 eldritch_lord Dec 09, 2008 13:25:30	I'm finding that i need to keep track of time better for my game, but saying "ok, you guys spend a week on the road, it's November now" sort of kills the mood. Does anyone know of an official D&D calender of month names and festivals and stuff? Also, your homebrew ideas are appreciated too! I don't know of any official calendars (or at least, none I can find anymore), but...a homebrew calendar, you say? Here's one I whipped up for a primarily Pelor-worshiping city-state. Enjoy! Pelor's Holy Calendar Assume a 380 day year, broken up into 12 months of 24 days each and 4 of 23 days each; month names are Accipio, Abitio, Vernus, Requiescat, Falacer, Cataplus, Aestivus, Solis, Auctumnus, Obaratus, Sterculius, Volturnus, Algidus, Caligio, Hibernus, and Aeacus. 1 Accipio--The Dawn of the Year. Pelorites leave small offerings at local temples for those less fortunate, to begin the year on a positive note. 14 Accipio--Feast of St. Cuthbert (Holy Day of Obligation). 1 Abitio—Day of Investiture. New priests and clerics of Pelor take their oaths on this day; all Pelorian temples are open around-the-sundial to welcome well-wishers. 7 Abitio to 8 Vernus--Month of Illumination. Pelorites rise at dawn and sleep at dusk (regardless of whether they'd wake or rest before or after these times) and may not eat or work when it is dark. 9 Vernus--Feast of St. Pholtus (Holy Day of Obligation). 10 Vernus--Feast of St. Celestian (Holy Day of Obligation). 11 Vernus--Feast of St. Ayailla (Holy Day of Obligation). 22 Vernus--Hours of Noon. Pelorites rich and poor come together for a three-hour period of prayer and feasting, celebrating the abundance of spring and thanking Pelor for providing for them. 1 Falacer--Induction Day. Pelorites believe that children should be named and inducted into the Church only during the summer, when Pelor’s power (and protection) is strongest, so any children born after 24 Solis the preceding year are named, inducted, and baptized on this day. 9 Falacer--Feast of St. Elishar (Holy Day of Obligation). 22 Cataplus--Feast of St. Syeret (Holy Day of Obligation). 4 Aestivus--Feast of St. Nilthina (Holy Day of Obligation). 17 Aestivus--Day of Unity. Pelorites are encouraged to visit temples of other good deities and show Pelor's solidarity with all beings of honor and goodness regardless of faith. 19 Aestivus--Feast of St. Aurifar (Holy Day of Obligation). 20 Aestivus--Feast of St. Tamara (Holy Day of Obligation). 24 Aestivus--Summer Solstice. All Pelorites are required to give more freely of their possessions (not give away everything, but a bartender might give several rounds on the house, etc.) and give any servants, hirelings, etc. a small boon. Worshipers wear their absolute finest clothing, priests prominently display holy symbols, and orange or yellow banners are hung from all windows. 13 Solis--Feast of St. Stronmaus (Holy Day of Obligation). 16 Solis to 22 Solis--Week of Sacred Reflection. Pelorites meditate on the paragons of Celestia (starting from Barachiel, paragon of the Silver Heaven, and moving through to Zaphkiel, paragon of the Illuminated Heaven) and try to emulate their virtue. By the end of the week, Pelorites are expected to have paid back any debts, forgiven any slights against them, and seeked forgiveness for any wrongs they have committed. 20 Auctumnus-3 Sterculius--Days of Service. During this period, Pelorites over the age of 14 are expected to either make a pilgrimage to a holy site, go on a crusade against creatures of evil, or attempt to convert others to the faith. Most go on a pilgrimage to a holy site, but many also favor a crusade, as during this time clerics and paladins of Pelor are very likely to support and/or accompany them. 22 Volturnus to 1 Algidus--Harvest Days. Pelorites help their communities, for no pay or recompense, to do any work that must be completed before winter, whether harvesting crops or building shelters. 4 Algidus--Day of the Avatar. On this date thousands of years ago, the first mortal to join Pelor as an Exarch ascended; this day is celebrated by honoring those who have given exceptional service to the Church in the past year, and preaching about the history of the Church. First New Moon in Caligio--Night of the Sun. Pelorites keep a vigil all night to remind themselves, by the deep moonless darkness, of the gifts the sun gives which will soon be lacking in the depths of winter. First Full Moon in Hibernus--Holy Day of the Moon. Pelorites honor deities and demigods of the moon for helping Pelor light the world during the dark of winter. 14 Hibernus—Day of Knighthood. Pelor’s paladins of the Ordo Templis are invested on this day, in time for them to protect against the worst horrors of deep winter. 24 Hibernus--Feast of the Winter Sun. Pelorites, who normally eat less and are morose during the winter months, partake of plenty and attend revels to remind themselves that Pelor is always with them despite the cold and darkness. 20 Aeacus to 23 Aeacus--Diem Memoriam. As the year draws to a close, Pelorites remember all those who have died in Pelor's service.
#6 mostly_ghostly Dec 09, 2008 16:25:55	If you're just worried about mood, you can just give environmental descriptions. Say "The air is getting colder, and you can smell dead leaves and woodsmoke" or "You can see buds beginning to appear on branches and the cold of winter is slowly seeping out of the earth". Much more flavorful, and doesn't require a new, potentially very confusing calender.

Pelor's Holy Calendar

Assume a 380 day year, broken up into 12 months of 24 days each and 4 of 23 days each; month names are Accipio, Abitio, Vernus, Requiescat, Falacer, Cataplus, Aestivus, Solis, Auctumnus, Obaratus, Sterculius, Volturnus, Algidus, Caligio, Hibernus, and Aeacus.

1 Accipio--The Dawn of the Year. Pelorites leave small offerings at local temples for those less fortunate, to begin the year on a positive note.

14 Accipio--Feast of St. Cuthbert (Holy Day of Obligation).

1 Abitio—Day of Investiture. New priests and clerics of Pelor take their oaths on this day; all Pelorian temples are open around-the-sundial to welcome well-wishers.

7 Abitio to 8 Vernus--Month of Illumination. Pelorites rise at dawn and sleep at dusk (regardless of whether they'd wake or rest before or after these times) and may not eat or work when it is dark.

9 Vernus--Feast of St. Pholtus (Holy Day of Obligation).

10 Vernus--Feast of St. Celestian (Holy Day of Obligation).

11 Vernus--Feast of St. Ayailla (Holy Day of Obligation).

22 Vernus--Hours of Noon. Pelorites rich and poor come together for a three-hour period of prayer and feasting, celebrating the abundance of spring and thanking Pelor for providing for them.

1 Falacer--Induction Day. Pelorites believe that children should be named and inducted into the Church only during the summer, when Pelor’s power (and protection) is strongest, so any children born after 24 Solis the preceding year are named, inducted, and baptized on this day.

9 Falacer--Feast of St. Elishar (Holy Day of Obligation).

22 Cataplus--Feast of St. Syeret (Holy Day of Obligation).

4 Aestivus--Feast of St. Nilthina (Holy Day of Obligation).

17 Aestivus--Day of Unity. Pelorites are encouraged to visit temples of other good deities and show Pelor's solidarity with all beings of honor and goodness regardless of faith.

19 Aestivus--Feast of St. Aurifar (Holy Day of Obligation).

20 Aestivus--Feast of St. Tamara (Holy Day of Obligation).

24 Aestivus--Summer Solstice. All Pelorites are required to give more freely of their possessions (not give away everything, but a bartender might give several rounds on the house, etc.) and give any servants, hirelings, etc. a small boon. Worshipers wear their absolute finest clothing, priests prominently display holy symbols, and orange or yellow banners are hung from all windows.

13 Solis--Feast of St. Stronmaus (Holy Day of Obligation).

16 Solis to 22 Solis--Week of Sacred Reflection. Pelorites meditate on the paragons of Celestia (starting from Barachiel, paragon of the Silver Heaven, and moving through to Zaphkiel, paragon of the Illuminated Heaven) and try to emulate their virtue. By the end of the week, Pelorites are expected to have paid back any debts, forgiven any slights against them, and seeked forgiveness for any wrongs they have committed.

20 Auctumnus-3 Sterculius--Days of Service. During this period, Pelorites over the age of 14 are expected to either make a pilgrimage to a holy site, go on a crusade against creatures of evil, or attempt to convert others to the faith. Most go on a pilgrimage to a holy site, but many also favor a crusade, as during this time clerics and paladins of Pelor are very likely to support and/or accompany them.

22 Volturnus to 1 Algidus--Harvest Days. Pelorites help their communities, for no pay or recompense, to do any work that must be completed before winter, whether harvesting crops or building shelters.

4 Algidus--Day of the Avatar. On this date thousands of years ago, the first mortal to join Pelor as an Exarch ascended; this day is celebrated by honoring those who have given exceptional service to the Church in the past year, and preaching about the history of the Church.

First New Moon in Caligio--Night of the Sun. Pelorites keep a vigil all night to remind themselves, by the deep moonless darkness, of the gifts the sun gives which will soon be lacking in the depths of winter.

First Full Moon in Hibernus--Holy Day of the Moon. Pelorites honor deities and demigods of the moon for helping Pelor light the world during the dark of winter.

14 Hibernus—Day of Knighthood. Pelor’s paladins of the Ordo Templis are invested on this day, in time for them to protect against the worst horrors of deep winter.

24 Hibernus--Feast of the Winter Sun. Pelorites, who normally eat less and are morose during the winter months, partake of plenty and attend revels to remind themselves that Pelor is always with them despite the cold and darkness.

20 Aeacus to 23 Aeacus--Diem Memoriam. As the year draws to a close, Pelorites remember all those who have died in Pelor's service.