The Calendar and the Holidays

No world would be complete without holidays! I've prepared some information that will further build onto the world your characters live in and interact with.  The year of this campaign is broken into 12 months with 30 days in each. This results in 360 day years and 4 seasons to a year. Days are still twenty for hours, weeks are still 7 days.  To give credit where credit is due some of these month names I took from a list of month names compiled by Shamus Young who runs Twenty Sided which is a fantastic blog for Dungeons and Dragons among other things and is really the inspiration of using a blog for a campaign although Jonathan Drain gets some credit too.  The article of Shamus Young's that lists the months can be found here.  The names that aren't from Shamus Young have been lifted from the Finnish Culture. 

The month's names are:

Month of Winters Heart - Named for the coldest and darkest time of the year
Month of Pearl - Named for the ice coated trees made visible by the return of the sun
Earthy Month - Named for the earth that is finally visible under the snow
Burnwood Month - Named for the wood that is burned as farmers clear land
Newbloom Month - Named for the flowers
Ripetide Month - Named for the month where the fishing is most profitable
Suncrest Month - Named for the month where the sun is highest
Month of  Summer's End - Duh
Month of Lands Blessing - Named for the crops that begin to ripen
Month of Harvest - Named for the harvesting that takes place all month
Deadyear Month - After spring and summer the world turns dark and the year dies.
Wintertide Month - Named for the freezing that occurs in the rivers and lakes ceasing contact with many of the Aquan races that dwell inshore.

Each race has a number of different holidays that the observe.  Below are the holidays and the races that celebrate them.  Most of these were taken from the races of stone and races of wild books.  It should be noted however that these are not the only holidays in existence.  Towns and villages will have their own holidays as will other nations and races.   The few listed below represent the most important holidays in these races life.  I've also made a calender of the year which is posted after all the holidays.  It also lists the 1st day of each season. 






Humans: Humans celebrate a number of holidays based mostly around things that affect the lives of the lower class or events that royalty deems important.

Harvest Moon:  During the Month of harvest there is a period where the moon shines exeptionally bright allowing the farmers to work well into the night bringing all their crops in in two night.  The night after a grand feast is held to celebrate a year of good crops.
    During this 3 day period all humans gain a +1 morale to profession checks. Held annually during the Month of Harvest from day 12 to 14

Day of Fortune's Favour:  This day commemorates an ancient battle that was won due to many favourable circumstances.  When armies of the Eastern Invaders approached with conquest in their heart a freak snow storm appeared and many of the invading army died, unprepared for such unfavourable conditions. 
    During the day of Fortunes favour every human gains +1 to all saving throws. Held annually on the 8th of the Suncrest Month.

Festival of the Coming Generation: Every 2 years humans celebrate the new generation (typically those 15-17).  It is a community wide coming of age festival.  It is meant to teach responsibility and to celebrate a certain future in the youth.
    During this 1 day celebration every human gains a +2 to their charisma. Held on the 1st of the Newbloom Month Bi-Annually.

Dwarves: Despite their stoic demeanor and sometimes dour reputation, dwarves celebrate a large number of holidays.  Many of these holidays are unique to a perticular clan or guild, and remain unknown even to most dwarves.  Whether a simple prayer at the beginning of a week that is sacred to a revered ancestor or a more elaborate ritual to celebrate the founding of a guild, these minor holidays appeal to dwarves' lawful natures and their sense of honor. Most dwarves observe the smal set of major holidays described below.

Avalanche: Originally this celebration began as a slow somber ceremony that many dwarves believed had the power to prevent avalanches, cave-ins, and similar natural disasters common to the mountains and underground regions that the dwarves inhabit. As the tradition grew however, it became more of a celebration and less of a warning, and the ceremonial aspects all but disappeared.  Although it still bears the name Avalanche, this one-day celebration has almost nothing in common with it's origins.  Activities include feasting, singing of old dwarven songs and general merriment.
   On the day of the Avalanche, dwarves gain a +3 bonus on attack rolls when charging (instead of the normal +2 bonus), but when doing so they also take a -3 penalty to AC until the start of their next turn. Held Annually on the 5th of The Earthy Month.

The Days of the Forging: In the early days of the world, Moradin forged the dwarf race in his own image and placed them deep within the shelter of the earth that he had created.  Each year, on the anniversary Moradin's forging, dwarves celebrate their many gifts by crafting items of exquisite value and beauty.  Many smiths produce their greatest works during this short period and some go so far as to schedule their most demanding projects during the celebration.  The Days of Forging are a time of toil and craft but the dwarves celebrate all the same, chanting as they work and crafting well into the night.
    During the Days of Forging, all dwarves gain a +1 morale bonus on Craft Checks.  Held annually from the 19th to the 22st of the Ripetide Month

Fellhammer: Commemorating the days of the fallen and the anniversaries of the famous battles is a strong and serious part of dwarf tradition, and many such minor holidays span a single clan or multiple nations.  The most prominent of these is Fellhammer.  Also known as the Days of Stone, Fellhammer commemorates the stand of three dwarf legions led by the great Durek Fellhammer, against two hordes of orcs and goblinoids bent on the invasion of the civilized lands.  Fellhammer is a two-day event that happens once per year.
     During the two days of Fellhammer, all dwarves gain a +1 morale bonus on melee weapon damage rolls.  Held annually from the 1st to the 2nd of the Wintertide Month



Elves: Elf communities host a wide variety of seasonal festivals.  In addition, they often hold a party or feast to celebrate the official appointing of a new captain of the watch, master builder, or other official.  Elven holidays tend to be grand community-wide events.
   
Arrow Meet and Arrow Sunder:  Once a season, the elves in a local militia gather for two days of training and competition.  On the first day, they divide into teams and hold a capture-the-flag war game, using blunt arrows that sting but deliver only non-lethal damage.  The first game ends at dusk.  Participants then form new teams, mixing the victors and losers, and hold a second game that lasts from dusk to dawn.
   On the second day, individual achievement is celebrated by an extremely competitive archery tournament.  The second night ends with a festival that recognizes the achievements of the victors.
    During Arrow Meet and Arrow Sunder, all elves gain a +1 morale bonus on attacks with ranged weapons.  Celebrated 4 times a year on the 16th to the 17th of The Month of Pearl, The Newbloom Month, The Month Summer's End and the Deadyear Month.

Child's Play:  Once every four years in times of peace and prosperity, elf communities celebrate their young by having a day during which age-dependent roles are reversed.  The children are given free rein to do as they please and be in charge.  They can ask any question, pursue any activity, and enlist adults' help in any of their ventures.  This holiday allows children an opportunity to experiment with leadership roles or simply relax and be silly.  It's a day of experimentation and fun.
    On the day of Child's Play, all elves gain a +4 morale bonus on saves against fear effects. Held quadra-annually on the 12 of Suncrest.

Spring Revel: As spring stirs the sap in the trees, elves feel nature renew their spirits. After a long winter, elves welcome the return of spring with a grand affair.  The Spring revel is an event hosted by the clerics and followers of Aboal Lorfiril (page 20 of Races of Wild), but it's more a secular than religious festival, and folk of all faith happily participate.  The festivities last for five days, during which elves celebrate the crafts they have practiced and skills they have honed over the winter months.  A large area is set up for elves to buy, sell or simply display their creations.  Events during the festival include singing, dancing, story-telling, archery and swordplay competitions, wine tasting, and demonstrations of new innovations in magic spells and items.
    During Spring Revel, all elves gain a +1 morale bonus on Perform checks. Held Annually on the 7th of The Burnwood Month.


Gnomes: Gnome holidays celebrate life and wit, and almost all of them employ music as a part of their celebration.

The Day of Silence: Life, for most gnomes is peaceful and full of learning.  As pleasant as this life is, gnomes learn never to take it for granted, mainly due to the Day of Silence.  During the Day of Silence, gnomes do not speak, laugh, or play jokes of any kind.  They take this day to contemplate quietly, pray, and remind themselves that the life they have is not always easy.
    The prohibition against speaking during the Day of Silence includes the use of verbal components for spellcasting.  In extreme cases, a gnome can break this restriction, but afterward she takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, checks, and saves for three days. It is held on the 19 of The Burnwood Month

The Dance of Lights: The Dance of Lights is a week long celebration at the height of spring.  Gnomes fill the time with lively music, dancing, and wondrous illusions.  Many gnome communities hold contests to see who can produce the most compelling illusions.  Members of other races often have a difficult time appreciating the Dance of Lights because of the prevalence of illusion magic and the large number of practical jokes that gnomes indulge during the celebration.
    During the week of the Dance of Lights, add +1 to the DC for all saving throws against illusions cast by gnomes.  This bonus stacks with the normal +1 bonus all gnomes add to the DC of illusions spells that they cast. It is held annually on the 4th week of the Suncrest month.

Tumanor: Named for a great gnome bard.  Tumanor is a celebration of giving and generosity.  It is common practice for gnomes to give something of personal value to an individual that they greatly respect, and many gnomes make it a point to give smaller gifts to other friends and make sure that those friends know that they are important to the gnome and worthy of his respect.  During the Tumanor, gnomes gain a +1 morale bonus on Diplomacy checks.


Halflings: Halflings work hard and play hard.  They enjoy festivals, even more so when others are doing the work and providing the food.  Often the travels of a halfling caravan include arrivals and sojourns timed to coincide with the nearby friendly community hosting a celebration. Thus, they often benefit from other races' holidays in addition to their own.

Clan Circle:  Once every five years, members of a clan gather together to conduct clan business and catch up on clan gossip.  The event has an off mixture of seriousness and triviality.  The main purpose is serious - selecting the clan elder or confirming the current on.  However, such large gatherings being rare, the event gives a welcome opportunity for sharing of news, socializing and sport.
    On the first day of a Clan Circle, halflings gain a +1 morale bonus on Gather Information checks. Held once every 5 years and varies by clan.

Clan Meet:  When two halfling caravans encounter each other, they often unite to spend a few days camping or traveling together.  It's a time of frivolity, with much boasting and telling of tales to impress the other clan.  Often, unattached halflings use this opportunity to meet and flirt with a variety of romantic prospects.  After spending several delightful days together, the caravans will separate again, sometimes with a new hand fasted partners from the other clan.  During the first week of a Clan Meet, halfings gain a +1 morale bonus on Bluff checks. Happens when it happens

All Meet:  When a matter of grave importance to all halflings comes up, word is passed from caravan to caravan and clan to clan to come to the All Meet, a gathering of many different clans.  Even clanless halflings attend.  This event is exceedingly rare and is on scheduled to discuss matters of world-shaking importance.
    During an All Meet, halflings gain a +2 morale bonus on will saves.  Happens when it happens

Half-Elves:
Half elves can celebrate human and elf holidays equally.

Half-Orcs:
Celebrate human holidays.

The Calendar is listed below

Month of Winters Heart
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30

Month of Pearl
         01 02 03 04 05
06 07 08 09 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 16th - 17th Elves Celebrate Arrow Meet and Arrow Sunder
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30

Earthy Month
                  01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10 5th Dwarves Celebrate Avalanche
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 21st First Day of Spring
25 26 27 28 29 30

Burnwood Month
                           01
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 7th Elves Celebrate Spring Revel
09 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 19th Gnomes Celebrate The Day of Silence
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30

Newbloom Month
     01 02 03 04 05 06 1st Humans Celebrate Festival of the Coming Generation
07 08 09 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 16th - 17th Elves Celebrate Arrow Meet and Arrow Sunder
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30

Ripetide Month
              01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11 8th First Day of Summer
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 19th-22nd Dwarves Celebrate The Days of the Forging
26 27 28 29 30

Suncrest Month
                       01 02
03 04 05 06 07 08 09 8th Humans Celebrate Day of Fortunes Favour
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12th Elves Celebrate Child's Play
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17th to 23rd Gnomes Celebrate The Dance of Lights
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Month of  Summer's End
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 16th - 17th Elves Celebrate Arrow Meet and Arrow Sunder
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30

Month of Lands Blessing
         01 02 03 04 05
06 07 08 09 10 11 12 12 First Day of Autumn
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
Month of Harvest
                  01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12th - 14th Humans Celebrate Harvest Moon
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
Deadyear Month
                           01
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 5th Gnomes Celebrate Tumanor
09 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 16th to 17th Elves Celebrate Arrow Meet and Arrow Sunder
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
Wintertide Month
     01 02 03 04 05 06 1st - 2nd Dwarves Celebrate Fellhammer, 5th First day of Winter
07 08 09 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30