Saturday, July 30, 2011

Greyhawk Calender


Greyhawk Calendar


StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1
New Year's Day		234567
891011
121314
151617181920
21
22232425
262728


Readying
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1
Festival of St. Bane		234567
8910
Snowdrop Festival		11
121314
Heartsday
15
161718192021
22232425
262728

Coldeven
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234567
8910
11
Festival of the Blood Moon
121314
15161718192021
2223
Trapper's Rendezvous		24
Trapper's Rendezvous		25
Trapper's Rendezvous
26
Trapper's Rendezvous		27
Trapper's Rendezvous		28
Trapper's Rendezvous

Growfest
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1
Banapis		234
567
Foolsday

Planting
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234
567
891011
Tanabat		121314
15161718
1920
21
22232425262728

Flocktime
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1
Beory's Day		234
567
8
Harnekiah		9
Harnekiah		10
Harnekiah		11
Harnekiah		12
Harnekiah		13
Harnekiah		14
Harnekiah
15
St. Cuthbert's Day
161718
Walpurgis
192021
22232425262728

Wealsun
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1
Goodrhys
Festival of the Blinding Light		2
Festival of the Blinding Light		3
Festival of the Blinding Light		4
Festival of the Blinding Light
567
8910
11121314
1516
Bawming the Thorn		17
Ceremony of the Turning		18
192021
22232425262728

Richfest
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234
567

Reaping
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234567
891011
121314
151617181920
21
22232425
Sotillion's Day
262728

Goodmonth
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234
Grandmote festival
King's Festival		5
King's Festival		6
King's Festival		7
King's Festival
891011
121314
15
161718192021
22232425
Miner's Fairs
26
Miner's Fairs		27
Miner's Fairs		28
Miner's Fairs

Harvester
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234567
8910
11
Loggers' Fests
12
Loggers' Fests		13
Loggers' Fests		14
Loggers' Fests
151617181920
Raksha Bandhan		21
22232425
Imperium Invicta
26
Imperium Invicta		27
Imperium Invicta		28
Imperium Invicta

Brewfest
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234
567

Patchwall
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234
567
Bellringer's Feast
891011121314
Lammas
15161718
Wiccrhys
1920
21
22232425262728

Ready'reat
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234
5
Turning of the Shebbear Stone		67
Festival of Hope
891011
Day of Remembrance		12
Day of Reflection		13
Day of Retribution		14
Great Freeday
15
161718
192021
22232425262728

Suns'ebb
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1234
567
8910
11121314
15161718
192021
2223
Marihwyd		2425
Days of Thought		26
Days of Thought		27
Days of Thought		28
Days of Thought

Needfest
StardaySundayMoondayGodsdayWaterdayEarthdayFreeday
1
Mummergin		234
567
Feast of Unreason
Luna = black and white moon
Celene = blue moon (no pun intended)






Greyhawk Calendar and Major Holidays


I Fireseek (Winter)

11th= Luna's full moon

25th= Luna's new moon

1st= New Year's Day. The first day following the Needfest was offically
decreed as the first day of the new year by the Overking in Rauxes and has
been accepted by most of the Oeridian dominated nations around the
Flanaess. The Bakluni nations have their own new year.

II Readying (Spring/Winter)

11th= Luna's full moon

15th= Celene's new moon

25th= Luna's new moon

1st= Festival of St. Bane. Attempts to turn undead on this date receive
a +1 level bonus.

10th= Snowdrop Festival. Masks are worn to a sort of all-day party and at
dusk clothing is exchanged between the sexes amidst general hilarity. Due
to the weather, this is usually overclothing, though underclothing is not
unheard of in some places.

14th= Heartsday, or "Myhrissian."


III Coldeven (Spring)

11th= Luna's full moon

25th= Luna's new moon

11th= Festival of the Blood-Moon. Sacred to worshippers of Nerull and
most lawful evil cults as well, this grim festival technically begins on
the 10th and ends on the evening of the 12th. It commemorates the blood-red
moon which appeared all over the Flanaess on this day in 294 CY. (Some
sages postulated common volcanism as the source, but proponents dwindled
quickly after several sages disappeared under mysterious circumstances.)
Elaborate ceremonies are held in fell and shadowy places, many of which are
grisly and unpleasant in the extreme. This festival is now honoured in Iuz'
lands as well since the Wars, in mocking celebration of the surprise
attacks which decimated the Heirarchs of Molag in 583 CY.


22nd-28th= Trapper's Rendezvous. Much favoured by rangers and other
woodsmen.

Growfest

4th= Celene's full moon, Vernal Equinox

Very important to Atroa, Beory, Berei, Elhonna.

* 1st day is Banapis, also known as "Losar" among certain Bakluni
sects, who consider it to be New Year's! Huge parties with presents
exchanged, considered everybody's birthday. Not celebrated in Suel lands,
who consider celebration of any but one's actual birth date to be evidence
of ignorance and barbarism.

* Last day is "Foolsday," sacred to Olidammara and other trickster
gods. In Ulek and among rangers, it is traditional to send someone 'hunting
the gawk' {a meaningless errand}. The Lord of Misrule from the Feast of
Unreason, variantly named Motely or Widdershins, is sometimes elected to
preside over this day as well. In Greyhawk, the Desportium of Magick is
held that night in and around the Great Citadel.

* Also known as the Feast of Atroa in celebration of a new growing season and
the promise of prosperity. This is time when communities gather together to
plan for the future. It is not uncommon for a celebration to center around
a community event like a barn-raising, to help a neighbor whose homestead
may have been damaged over the winter. The day's community work is then
relieved with revelry in the evening where bonds of friendship often grow.

IV Planting (Low Summer/Spring)

4th= Luna's full moon


18th= Luna's new moon

11th= Tanabat, also known as the Seven Sisters Festival. Legend has it
that Olidammara was entertained on this day by seven lovely sisters, who
welcomed him in his guise as a minstrel and treated him royally. So
impressed was he by their treatment and their wine that he revealed himself
and offered to transport them to his halls, there to live in bliss forever.
Though the vineyard's exact location is a mystery, the legend is
widespread, and many grapegrowing regions claim that the Seven Sisters came
from their lands. At night, therefore, the story is acted out and people
head out to the grape arbours, listening for echoes of the sisters'
laughter as they ascended to paradise. The rest of the holiday is a
celebration of the grape and its byproducts and features prayers for a good
vintage in the coming year, as well as much celebration and sampling of the
previous year's wines. It is especially sacred to followers of the Laughing
Rogue, though followers of other nature deities often officiate as well.

V Flocktime (Low Summer/Spring)

4th= Luna's full moon

15th= Celene's new moon

18th= Luna's new moon

1st= Beory's Day. Villagers sing and dance around a wooden pole to
celebrate the passing of the seasons and the blessings of spring.

8-14th= Dwarven rituals of Harnekiah, or "cleansing of the mountains."
Ritual humanoid hunts conducted. Some humans {mountaineer rangers in
particular} also celebrate "Ulaa's Hunt."

15th= St. Cuthbert's Day, which many of his more active followers honour
by trying to root out evil cults before Walpurgis falls. Unfortunately,
this frequently leads to mistakes and misunderstandings, especially when
strangers are involved.

18th= Walpurgis, The Dark Night, is extremely sacred to priests of evil.
Many evil congregations hold elaborate, depraved ceremonies in dark and
unholy places. Others send agents out into the night to perform
assassinations or otherwise engage in unspeakable acts. On this dread
night, all turning rolls against undead are made at -4, in addition to any
other penalties, and all evil priests may cast spells as if they were one
level higher. Most other folk with any sense stay inside, preferably with
shutters locked and barred.

VI Wealsun (Low Summer/Summer)

4th= Luna's full moon

18th= Luna's new moon

1st= Goodrhys, a festival dedicated to the arrival of Mayaheine on Oerth.

1st-4th= Festival of the Blinding Light (Pholtus).

16th= Bawming the Thorn, a placation of evil nature aspects by a parade
of children who tie a ribbon to the oldest thorn tree in the region.
Intended to ensure safety for the next day.

17th= Ceremony of the Turning. Celebrated among the Flannae, the
Marklands, and in Druidic communities. Seven-year olds are carried
blindfolded and barefoot into the woods, and must find a new name before
returning to the village feast. Each child is released separately and
alone. They are guided by rowdy singing {and a huge bonfire if they are
slow}, and when they return they are carried into the centre of the
gathering to whisper their name into the fire. This is their Truename, with
all that implies. It should be noted that rangers and priests of Elhonna
are also especially busy this night, quietly patrolling the area and
looking out for the children's safety. In friendly lands some elves are
also drawn to this sort of role, and it is considered a good omen for a
child to successfully spot one.

Richfest

4th= Luna's full moon, Celene's full moon, Summer Solstice

Important to all sea gods, plus Boccob, Sotillion, Llerg (Beasts) and often
Kord (games).

* Sealords' Feast celebrated in coastal areas, esp. "Festival of the Blue
Moon" at midweek, when Celene is full. In Greyhawk and other inland areas,
Guild Days are celebrated at this time instead.

* Also known in some communities as the Feast of Sotillion in celebration
of the god's victory in wresting the sun from its southern decline and
bringing it back to warm Oerth and promote growth and prosperity.
Celebrants use the time to enjoy the leisures of summer with picnics and
family reunions. It is a time to put aside family strife and offer
reconciliation, in honor of the sun own homecoming.

* Midsummer Day is consider the Holy Day of Pelor, god of sun, light,
and healing. In most good or neutral places this is an official rest day,
and the holiday is even respected in some evil lands like the Great
Kingdom. Feasting and enjoying the sun are important activities, and it is
considered a sign of respect to wear yellow somewhere on one's person. In
non-evil lands, at least, those who don't are regarded with some suspicion.
The weather tends to be uncannily reliable (rain is generally a sure sign
of Pelor's extreme disfavour with an area), and public services are held
outdoors by Pelor's priests. A public processional is followed by a free
meal, and healing and comfort is provided to the needy while priests and
priestesses vigorously entreat the more fortunate for alms.

* All undead are turned at +4 during Midsummer's Day. Priests of Nerull also
dread this day, as they suffer a -2 on all rolls and opponents get a +2 to
save vs. their spells. The bonus against undead vanishes that night, but
the priests of Nerull must lie low until the next night before their curse
wears off.

* Note that in the Theocracy of the Pale, this day is held to be sacred of
Pholtus instead, though many of the same activities occur. Travelers are
warned that celebrants all wear white instead, and yellow clothing or a
yellow fabric strip pinned to one's tunic are considered blasphemous.

* Both moons are full the 4th day of Richfest, on Midsummer Night.
Lycanthropes aplently, but faeries are also extremely active and Mages also
report certain spell enhancements now and again. This is often the evening
when spell-shows happen.

VII Reaping (High Summer/Summer)

11th= Luna's new moon


25th= Luna's full moon

25th= Sotillion's Day, know popularly as Labor Day and also, derisively,
as "St. Ides" (for "Saint Idler's"). Followers will do no work and enjoy
the summer. Widely popular, especially for the young and in love. As a
result the full moon of this month is often referred to as the "lover's
moon". PCs should be careful not to attack skulking figures or muffled
noises!

VIII Goodmonth (High Summer/Summer)

11th= Luna's new moon

15th= Celene's new moon

25th= Luna's full moon

4th= Grandmote festival, involves large archery competition, fair, and
festivities devoted to gods of luck (Istus, Ralishaz neg., Norebo, Rudd).

4th-7th= King's Festival in Furyondy/Veluna.

25th-28th= Miner's Fairs.

IX Harvester (High Summer/Autumn)

11th= Luna's new moon

25th= Luna's full moon
11th-14th= Loggers' Fests.

20th= Raksha Bandhan, a Bakluni festival still celebrated in those lands,
and in Perrenland and Highfolk as well. A celebration of siblings {usually,
but not always, opposite sex}, where bracelets and flower necklaces are
made and traded along with sweets. For those who do not have siblings, a
'blood brother' ceremony is sometimes performed among very close friends.
It is considered a great honour to wear such a token on this day.

25th-28th= Imperium Invicta festival in the Great Kingdom. Still celebrated
in Rauxes, North and South Kingdoms, Szeffrin's lands, and some other
areas.

Brewfest

4th= Celene's full moon, Autumnal Equinox

* Celebration of the harvest and the arts of brewing. Very important to
Wenta, Berei, Beory, and Olidammara. The Halfling, Gnomic, and Dwarven
pantheons also hold this day in very high regard.

* Also known as the Feast of Wenta in some communities and is a celebrated
with song, dance and offerings of the summer's harvest to the goddess Wenta
for her blessings during the cold days before winter.

* Keoland and allied states celebrate with the Regal Games in Niole Dra.


X Patchwall (Autumn)

4th= Luna's new moon

18th= Luna's full moon

7th= Bellringer's Feast in All but Brotherhood and Great Kingdom lands.
Everyone gathers at the largest bell in the region (usually a town hall or
temple) when it is rung, then exchange treats and other baked goods. The
militia also turns out in full regalia, as this festival is connected with
themes of warning and preparedness. Though this day has become more
festive, in some embattled lands its original purpose has completely
reasserted itself, and celebrations in Nyrond are likely to be strained at
best.

14th= Druidic Festival of Lammas.

18th= Wiccrhys. Originally celebrated as Samhain ("Oidche Samha"), or All
Hallows Eve in Geoff, the Ulek states, and Druidic areas. The borders of
the spirit world grow thin this night, so people traditionally dress as
spirits and cavort all night as faeries are always depicted as doing. The
hope is that true spirits will not recognize them as mortal and thus not
harm them. 'Soulcakes' are begged of passerby, and some larger cities also
have a great mummers' play in which everybody dies at the end but then
resurrect themselves. Persons being raised from the dead on this night
receive a +20% bonus to their survival rolls, but evil is also
strengthened. Aside from the obvious danger of summoned fiends et. al.,
saves vs. spells from any evil caster are at -2.

XI Ready'reat (Autumn)

4th= Luna's new moon


15th= Celene's new moon

18th= Luna's full moon

5th= Turning of the Shebbear Stone. Commemorates the feats of Shebbear,
a famous Oeridian hero of awesome strength; also a way of clearing the
land. The largest stone on the property is rolled once toward the west.
This holiday produces many injuries, just in time for...

7th= Festival of Hope. Healing and atonement offered, esp. by priests of
Pelor and also for Zodal, for whom this is the holiest day of the year. It
has attained even greater significance of late as a festival for good
generally, especially among exile communities.

11th-14th= Days of Dedication, sacred to followers of Trithereon. The Day of Remembrance, dedicated to those who died defending liberty, begins the
festival.

12th= Day of Reflection, for followers to reflect on their lives and
their goals.

13th= Day of Retribution, where solemn oaths of vengeance are typicaly
sworn against those deserving same, priests publicly judge disputes among
the faithful, and special favour may be shown by the deity to those
attempting a daring deed in the name of liberty.

14th= Great Freeday celebration ends "Days of Dedication."

XII Suns'ebb (Winter)


4th= Luna's new moon

18th= Luna's full moon

23rd= Marihwyd. A parade of white costumed followers led by a white robed
person wearing a horse's skull sing blessings at the doors of the village
and are rewarded with treats. Popular among Geoffites, Tenha, and Sterish,
as well as the County of Ulek and Greyhawk.

25th-28th= Days of Thought, sacred to devotees of Rao, Delleb, and some
sages. Spent in self-examination and study.

Needfest


4th= Celene's full moon, Winter Solistice

* Begins with 'Mummergin'. People wear disguises and try to remain
unrecognized, in order to celebrate the wondrous and strange effect that
magic and magical creatures have in the world. Nevertheless, it should be
noted that actual use of magic in such disguises is considered cheating,
and is frowned on in most areas. There is dancing and general carousing,
and the high point is a parade and the Performance of the Mummers, a play
in which good and evil battle. Evil wins but the youngest speaking child
resurrects good and removes the evil from the bad actor. It is rare but not
unknown for some members of evil cults to take steps at this point, and
vigilance is usually tight in larger cities.

One exception is The Empire of Iuz, which holds a variant play in which
their evil lord fights good and wins. This is usually enacted by having
priests in ceremonial masks publicly fight, defeat, and then sacrifice a
lightlyarmed prisoner amidst general rejoicing.

The rest of the holiday is devoted to general merriment, and the last night
before the months are again counted in the calendar is very special. This
is the Feast of Unreason, which is honoured by many diverse faiths (Boccob,
Lydia, Lirr, Norebo, Olidammara, Ralishaz, Trithereon, and even Rao and
Iuz!) for different reasons. In general, however, the mode of celebration
is the same: Servants are promoted to the head of towns, villages, and even
royal courts, where they preside over the feast's duration. They
orchestrate silly laws {i.e.. having farmers push their carts, wearing only
one shoe, etc.} which must be obeyed, though traditionally they are
followed about by a 'true' authority who can overrule any proclamations
deemed to be disastrous. Popular everywhere, even in the Great Kingdom, but
ruthlessly suppressed in the Theocracy of the Pale. This is a very popular
Greyhawk festival, where it is colloquially known as "Zagyg's Feast." The
Mad Archmage retains his distinction as the only actual ruler to ever be
elected to preside at these festivals, and his influence can still be felt
today. Mages report that their spells will occasionally misfire in odd
and/or humorous ways during this period, though such misfires will never
occur in lifethreatening situations unless one has greatly offended Zagyg
or Boccob.

* Needfest is also known in some places as the Feast of Telchur, this
holiday honours Telchur's valiant battle in creating winter, and celebrates
the beginning of winter's waning. In some places, an elaborate play
commemorates this event (Great Kingdom). In others, remembrance of family
and recital of the family tree is an important part of the day (Keoish
principalities, Geoff, and Ulek). Most places, however, celebrate primarily
with an open house dinner after dark, the giving of presents, chainlighting
of candles, and singing and folk dancing. The goal is to make the sun feel
like he is missing the fun so that he comes back before it gets too cold. Ref.
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)