Seasons & Holidays

[Mysteria]

Seasons & Holidays

Teair Nova experiences four seasons within a years full cycle. With Nova being in a tempera climate; Nova experiences all four seasons. However, each season has a holiday that the nobility and civilians celebrate.

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Flora Blossom - Spring

Flora Blossom: Flora Blossom consists of two months Floreo and Diluvium, each lasting for 30 days.  

Climate: 50^of to 60^of

Season Description: Spring starts as the first signs of life spring up from the icy frost. Often early spring is cold and blustery; with occasional warm days that begin the snow's melt off. These occasional warm days are what start the new blooms and bring hope for finer days ahead. Towards mid spring rains come and often the rivers surrounding Nova become highly dangerous with fast moving currents. The torrential down pours coupled with the snows melt often cause flooding, and the roads are often thick with mud. However,towards later spring the blooms are in full swing and paint Nova in a wonderful array of colors and smells.

Holidays 
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Life Bloom Moon - Life bloom happens in early spring on the first new moon of the season, which usually occurs on the 3rd day of Floreo. During this night there are no moons in the sky, only stars prick the darkness. The first new moon of spring is met with celebration; every citizen of Nova lights a paper lantern to send out into the dark night as a symbol of warmth to come.


Blossom Festival -  In mid spring, the willow trees at the Meadow get fuzzy catkins. They last for around a week before maturing into proper yellowy catkins, but this happens to always coincide with the time that Zeapon sheds his horns. Zeapon's horns represent evil, and the fact that they always grow back represents that evil will always be a part of us, even if we try to cast it off. The Blossom Festival is a celebration of the carnal side of humanoid nature taking place during the 27 through the 30th of Floreo . Popular practices include face-painting, burning men constructed from straw and the most common, sex. The festival mostly takes place around the Meadow, but events can spread to the nearby woods or spring. 

Escapade of Fools & Thieves Night- This event takes place on the 30th of Diluvium, and is a smaller holiday meant for funny, harmless, pranks. Harmless during the day and costly during the night. The evening of Fools Day is often referred to as Thieves Night. As this is the night that the thieves are out in the plenty. Thieves often hold a competition on this night on who can snag the most loot; to the victor goes all the spoils. This holiday takes place late spring.

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Sun Harvest - Summer

Sun Harvest: This seasons has a total of three months, Sato which lasts for 31 days, Canto which lasts for only 30, and finally Ignis which lasts for 31 days. 

Climate: 75^of to 110^of

Season Description: During the beginning of Sun Harvest the temperature is consistently growing warmer; as warm fronts come in so do some more severe thunderstorms. Tornadoes are a known threat along the western and southern borders of Nova. Very rarely do they make it past the forever forest or Heavens pass; however a rare one has been known to touch down once or twice in the farming district of Nova. During which citizens take shelter in dugouts. For the most part the weather is sunny and warm during the Sun Harvest months. Allowing Nova’s citizens to shed their layers for more colorful lighter fabrics. By mid through late Sun Harvest the weather reaches scalding temperatures, often causing citizens to make frequent trips to the beaches or the lake around Dragons Breath falls.

Holidays 
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Purification Ceremony - After the savagery of the Blossom Festival, Ai visits the Goussael River, where many people congregate to take part in the Purification Ceremony. It takes place every evening for the first week of Sato. The Ceremony involves splashing oneself, or being splashed with water from the waters of Goussael and then sleeping in the meadow beside the river at night. It is one of the few celebrations that doesn't involve lots of alcohol. The more devout followers also flog themselves with barbed whips, in repentance. It is a lot more somber than the other holidays.

Festival of the Gods - This is the most massive festival of the entire year -- all the Deities visit Nova at once, and head to the Moon Temple, where much revelry is had. The markets are insanely busy; because gift-giving is one of the most known traditions during this time.
--The reason for that is because it is also the 9th King's Birthday. Along with the summer harvest and to celebrate the 'Champions Call' where the Gods attend the Arena battle and enjoy the festivities. The occasion is rarely solemn and is distinguished by large quantities of alcohol and food consumption, constant laughter, and fantastic, though dangerous, fireworks.

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Ash tear- Fall

Ash Tear: Ash Tear lasts for two months, Eruditio which lasts for 30 days, and Emeto which lasts for 31 days.

Climate: 40^of to 55^of

Season Description: When cooler weather begins to return to Nova it is the mark of Ash Tear. The cooler temperatures causing the leaves to change to an array of gorgeous hues of red-orange and yellow. During the earlier days of Ash Tear the weather is still somewhat warm, a welcome relief from the scalding days of Sun Harvest. The Holiday Fables and Epics marks the time to begin harvest of the year's crops. Many Nova citizens are called out to bring in the crops, as well as stock their stores for the upcoming winter. By late Ash Tear the first signs of frosts come, and the nights begin to drop down into the freezing temperatures. The end of Ash Tear being marked with the Holiday Ashen Haunt.

Holidays 

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Fables and Epics – In the early days of Ash Tear in the month of Eruditio, which in its very essence means knowledge celebrates Saden 's immense knowledge. This holiday is celebrated by camping out in the wilderness with strangers, and sharing stories, as well as trying to survive for however long the trip lasts! Although people can technically camp anywhere, in order to have the highest chance of meeting Saden, groups often spend time in the Forever Forest. The celebration itself is relatively simple -- a swapping of knowledge and experience, and a chance to make new friends -- but it's an interesting way to gain knowledge without having to be too studious. 

Ashen Moon Haunt - During the last day of Ash Tear which is the 31st of Emeto. Zeapon is celebrated by the burning of fields in the third district. The burning starts early in the morning and at the end a large festival is held in the city. Citizens of Nova dress up in elaborate costumes to emulate Zeapon's ability to cast illusions. However it is also custom to decorate the city with carved pumpkins in hopes of warding the against an unwanted visit from the god himself. Citizens will also gorge themselves on candies and sweets as well as wine for the Holiday.

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Frost Fall - Winter

Frost Fall: The longest season of them all consists of a 121 days which is roughly four months long. The months starting with Gelu which lasts 30 days. Then comes Largior which last 30 days, Phasma fallows it and lasts for 31 days. Finally comes Novus the last month of the winter season which lasts 30 days.  

Climate: -20^of to 40^of

Season Description: Temperatures continue to drop, mornings are met with frost and snow begins to fall anywhere from the early to late weeks of Gelu. The trees have all lost their leaves and the landscape takes a more solem tone. The winter seas around Nova become rougher while ponds and such begin to freeze over. Snow fall begins late Gelu, and will last until late Phasma. By which point Nova would be buried under several feet of snow. However this transforms the city, especially the lower half into a landscape of ice castles and burrows. Many citizens take the time to sculpt elaborate designs around their homes which are often encased in ice. Snowshoes are often worn by citizens, and sleds become the main mode of transportation. Severe blizzards are not un common during these times. The end of the snowy season is Novus, the temperatures begin to rise during the day light hours, starting the melt of the layers of snow.

Holidays 
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Magus- The beginning of Gelu marks the busy season for mages; mages are often conscripted in this time to aid in preparing Nova for the harsh winter. They charm water sources from melting, enhance the physical strength of buildings, ect. To celebrate all their hard work and work to come for the long months, mages are given three days of celebration called Magus. Which ironically during this time Mages are not to do any magic. It is seen as a resting period; in which their magic can renew itself. During these three days large feasts are held; often fallowed by dancing and merriment by most.

Silver Moon Festival- The Silver Moon festival, also known as Mid Winter, is held towards the middle of the Frost Fall season during the month of Largior. Most of the civilians spend this time giving gifts to loved ones and friends. It is also a time where families spend time together for the harsh winter months ahead. The holiday lasts for a week; the first day often being spent with immediate family, the fallowing days with friends and extended family.

Escapade of Souls- As the nights get longer and colder, and the land is dormant, Nova citizens prepare for the longest night of the year which occurs on the 31st of Phasma. Unlike any other night of the entire year, Souls Night last for an entire twenty four hours. It is said on that day the barrier between Yursoul and the living realm thins. Many people will take this night to celebrate the lives the ones who have passed from the living realm. Feasts are set up near grave yards, often fallowing a ritual of leaving offerings for the deceased. Take caution this is not a night to spend alone for who knows what you might run into.

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