Cycle of Festivals

The Yearly Cycle of Festivals are a series of twelve festivals based on the twelve title-holding fae of Terra. Human calendars are structured around each festival, with 30-day months that count down to the festival on the 31st. Originally, festivals were a dangerous affair that required constant sacrifice and worship from humans, but of late, they have become either stripped of their previous dangers through human intervention (see Arrhenius's slaying of Alhaz) or turned into a cultural, tradition-based event (see the Stagfell Masquerade Ball).

The general flow of the festivals begins with reflection at the previous year and preparation for the year to come, followed by a series of fae-based trials leading up to the end of the year.a

Year's Remembrance
"'Year's Remembrance marks the survival of a Year and a time when once, travelling Threadbearers would collect and share stories of Years past as well as occasional hints of Years to come.'"Year's Remembrance is a festival for the fae god "The Weaver" during the month of Remembrance. During the month leading up to Year's Remembrance, Terran Humans often spend time visiting one another, exchanging stories and gifts, and reminiscing over the year previous. On the festival day, Terrans often have a grand gift exchange day accompanied by a feast of thanksgiving. Common dishes are often meals comprised of ingredients set aside during Year's Harvest, and tend to be fermented, pickled, or otherwise aged and meant to last throughout the winter.

Before The Weaver disappeared in 8499 A.T.T (according to the Tapestry), Threadbearers would also reportedly come and visit the Terrans, doing the work of The Weaver as their followers. They would tell stories, fables, give prophecies, and accompany it all with an illusionary musical show. In modern day, a bard carrying a Trimming string will occasionally do the same thing, but more limited in ability.

Year's Rest
"'Year's Rest marks a time when there is a great stillness among the people of the earth. Many die in their sleep at the hands of the Sandman.'"Year's Rest is a festival for the fae god "The Sandman" during the month of Rest. During the month leading up to Year's Rest, Terran Humans will often be plagued by dreams and nightmares seeding the hopes and fears of the Year to come. On the festival day, Terrans attempt to stay up for the entirety of it, from sunrise to sunrise, as those who fall asleep enter a coma-like state and must pass The Sandman's trials if they are ever to wake again. To combat this, Terrans often sleep through the entirety of the 1st to Rest and begin a series of mentally and physically stimulating challenges, often manifesting as some form of sports festival.

Year's Rebirth
"'Year's Rebirth marks the time of planting and toil, a blessing unto the people of the earth by Vesna Oberon, the Faerie Queen.'"Year's Rebirth is a festival for the fae god Vesna Oberon, "The Faerie Queen" during the month of Rebirth. During the month leading up to Year's Rebirth, Terran Humans (specifically farmers) work to prepare their fields for seeding, which occurs on the festival day. On the festival day, Terrans have a major growth or a change happen to them, generally to their crops, but either in a positive or a negative way.

Year's Tears
"'Year's Tears marks a time of increasingly heavy rains and floods, courtesy of The Mariner.'"Year's Tears is a festival for the fae god "The Mariner" during the month of Tears. During the month leading up to Year's Tears, there are often [article pending because this concept is necessary on like a civilization level but at the same time kind of cheeks]

Year's Quick
"'Year's Quick marks a time when [redacted]. Carried out by [redacted].'"Year's Quick is a a festival for the fae god "[redacted]" during the month of Harvest. During the month leading up to Year's Quick, [redacted]. On the day of the festival, [redacted]. [extra information]

Year's Hunt
"'Formerly a time of terror for the people of the earth, Year's Hunt now marks a celebration of victory of the fae and a time of a festival in honor of love.'"See also Year's Hunt (festival).

Year's Hunt was originally a festival for the fae god Midsomnir Titania, previously "The Faerie Queen" during the month of Hunt. Historically during the month leading up to Year's Hunt, Terran Humans would relocate in preparation of a grand romp across the continent where Midsomnir would chase her prized stag, Alhaz, destroying many settlements. She would be aided in her hunt by maiden Huntresses, and on the day of the festival the blood of Alhaz would pour into The Well, blessing all that were strong enough to survive the event.

After Arrhenius Hart slayed Alhaz in 8669 A.T.T., Year's Hunt was handed over to a fae in the domain of love and lust, who required substantially less from the Terran Humans. During the month leading up to the new version of Year's Hunt, Terran Humans in committed relationships usually spend their time deepening their bonds with their loved ones, leading to a moment of resonance as it peaks during the day of the festival in accordance to the nature of the relationship.

Year's Tempest
"'Year's Tempest marks a time when the winds of Aeolus wreak their havoc over the people of the earth, often involves a visitation from a dragon, be it friend of foe.'"Year's Tempest is a a festival for the fae god "[redacted]" during the month of Harvest. During the month leading up to Year's Tempest, [redacted]. On the day of the festival, [redacted]. [extra information]

Year's Cup
"'Year's Cup marks the time when the Bloodmaker would test the mettle of the people of the earth, fighting a champion in single combat.'"Year's Cup is a a festival for the fae god "[redacted]" during the month of Cup. During the month leading up to Year's Cup, [redacted]. On the day of the festival, [redacted]. [extra information]

Year's Purge
"'Year's Purge marks a time of mental trials. A truth must be made known. Carried out by Confession.'"Year's Purge is a a festival for the fae god "Confession" during the month of Purge. During the month leading up to Year's Purge, [redacted]. On the day of the festival, [redacted]. [extra information]

Year's Masque
"'Year's Masque marks the time when the veil between the phys and fae is thin, and when the Master of Confusion plays their pipe. Normally celebrated with a masked dance.'"Year's Masque is a a festival for the fae god "The Trickster" during the month of Masque. During the month leading up to Year's Masque, [redacted]. On the day of the festival, [redacted]. [extra information]

Year's Harvest
"'Marks the time when crops are reaped, and the people of the earth make peace with their gods. A time of grand reflection as all fae grow in strength. Carried out by the fae of the earth.'"Year's Harvest is a a festival for the fae god "[redacted]" during the month of Harvest. During the month leading up to Year's Harvest, [redacted]. On the day of the festival, [redacted]. [extra information]

Year's End
"'Year's End marks the end of the world, which shall one day be carried out by the dread king of the Unseelie as they lay low their scythe upon the people of the earth.'"Year's End is a a festival for the fae god "The Unseelie King" during the month of End. During the month leading up to Year's End, [redacted]. On the day of the festival, [redacted]. [extra information] Though technically Hel is the current Unseelie King and has true dominion over the festival, the previous king Ozymandias also claims dominion over Year's End on grounds that it will one day be the day the world ends, due to the Tapestry running out on Year's End.

Trivia

 * The Terran calendar corresponds loosely with the Greek zodiac calendar, with the changing of each zodiac/the final day of each zodiac corresponding with a festival
 * The zodiac-month alignments are as follows:
 * Remembrance: Aquarius (Janurary 21 - February 21)
 * Rest: Piscies (February 21 - March 21)
 * Rebirth: Aries (March 21 - April 21)
 * Tears: Taurus (April 21 - May 21)
 * Quick: Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
 * Hunt: Cancer (June 21 - July 21)
 * Tempest: Leo (July 21 - August 21)
 * Cup: Virgo (August 21 - September 21)
 * Purge: Libra (September 21 - October 21)
 * Masque: Scorpio (October 21 - November 21)
 * Harvest: Sagittarius (November 21 - December 21)
 * End: Capricorn (December 21 - Janurary 21)