Folks usually refer to 'in-game' time as Elven Time (also known as Eastern
Standard Time, or East Coast Time).
The calendar in Elanthia
coincides with our real life calendar. So if it is Tuesday May 12th in real
life, you know it is Tilamaires, the 12th day of Ivastaen.
Our year is slightly different. Elanthia runs 3100 years ahead of our real life
calendar. So if it is 2003, just add 3100 to it and you get the Elanthian year
of 5103. Simple. Check below for months and days.
Days of the Week:
Months of the Year:
Restday -
Sunday
Lormesta -
January
Volnes -
Monday
Fashanos -
February
Tilamaires -
Tuesday
Charlatos -
March
Leyan -
Wednesday
Olaesta -
April
Niiman -
Thrusday
Ivastaen - May
Day of the
Huntress - Friday
Lumnea - June
Feastday -
Saturday
Koaratos -
July
Phoenatos -
August
Hours of the Day:
Imaerasta -
September
Dawn - Hour of
Lumnis
Jastatos -
October
Noon - Hour of
Phoen
Eoantos -
November
Dusk - Hour of
Tonis
Eorgaen -
December
Midnight -
Hour of Ronan
Elanthian Holidays:
14th of Fashanos - Day of Voaris and Laethe (February 14th)
1st of Olaesta - Day of Zelia's Warning (April 1st - April Fool's Day)
1st of Ivastaen - Day of Kuon's Blessing (May 1st)
20th of Ivastaen - Festival of Oleani (May 20th)
14th of Koaratos - Cholen's Eve (July 14th)
31st of Jastatos - Eve of the Reunion (October 31st - Halloween)
20-25th of Eorgaen - Feast of the Immortals (November 20-25th, Thanksgiving)
31st of Eorgaen - Lornon's Eve (December 31st, New Year's Eve)
Common
names:
The Dark Moon, The Shadow, The Faceless
Lornon, despite its size,
remains quite a mystery to most scholars, mostly due to its distance from
our home. It appears to be quite a distance away compared to Liabo, and it
takes around a full month for it to achieve full orbit.
The most intricate telescopes
of elven and gnomish make available to us convey that Lornon is a very dead
world, as cold and ruthless as the Arkati which once inhabited it. Not much
can truly be determined from observation through telescopes, as Lornon seems
to literally shift and swirl, leading most scholars to conclude that its
true landscape is hidden underneath a collection of grey gasses.
Tales passed down from the
Time of Rebuilding say that underneath the dark surface of this moon are icy
caverns where the Dark Arkati once dwelt, filled with strange forms of
magic. This cannot be proven or unproven, as all we have are fragments of a
past, and very historically cluttered era.
Verifiable facts about Lornon,
however, is that it appears to influence our world in strange ways, the most
noticeable of these beginning on the 20 - 30th of Eorgaen, culminating in
what can only be described as a cataclysmic event, Eorgaen the 31st -
Lornon's Eve. Over the course of these days, Lornon's surface begins to
swirl with streaks of crimson until the entire moon is washed with the
bloody hue, then glows brightly with the sickly color as the night of the
31st begins. All cultures throughout Elanthia find this a terrible time to
endure, for many disastrous workings become apparent once this process
begins. Scholars have agreed that it can be no mere coincidence that this
event coincides with the increased activity of the Dark Arkati and numerous
risings of undead throughout the continent. There is proof that this lunar
event does have a tangible effect on our world beyond this, but theories
abound as to how it occurs - the mana foci around the world become more
chaotic and unpredictable as Lornon swirls and comes ever closer to its
bloody zenith. Whether the minions of the Dark Arkati become strengthened by
this, no one can truly say. For this reason, every civilized culture
associates Lornon with dark times and ill portent, and rightfully so.
Legends speak of numerous
undead uprisings and dark magical powers waxing as Lornon's Eve passes, so
it is not a surprise that most minions of the Dark Arkati await this night
to do their most nefarious deeds. Myths abound of invasions of towns, even
whole cities destroyed on this most terrible of evenings. It is truly a time
to fear. Tales have also spoken of Lornon being seen in reflections of water
before a particularly disastrous event, yet these stories are set from the
dead of night to the brightest of noons, and neither have anything truly in
common save for the impending doom. These legends seem to be a common
occurance across all cultures, and there are many theories as to its
significance to Lornon's power. It remains a mystery even to this day.
An interesting fact about
Lornon's name is that it has always been the same throughout every major
civilization upon Elanith. Vague records from the elven people at the Time
of Rebuilding point in this same direction, which brings most scholars to a
fascinating conclusion - Lornon is one of the only words that we know of
that is a true word in the language of the Arkati. Whether this could
conceivably affect its power in any fashion is indeterminable, but it is a
historical curiosity worthy of noting.
Liabo
Common Names:
The Great Moon, The Second Sun, The Ivory
(Liabo
is the larger moon)
Most commonly recognized by
even those not versed in the lore of the night skies, Liabo is the largest
of all the moons and also the lunar body which has the strongest influence
upon Elanthia's tides. Thus, most sailors often are more than familiar with
Liabo and keep track of its position in the sky regularly. Liabo is very
close to our world, and it takes about a week for it to fully achieve orbit.
In color, Liabo's surface is a brilliant silvery white, its shining surface
a beacon of light in the night sky. Unhidden by any veils of gas, Liabo's
face is dotted with many craters and deep valleys. Seemingly made from the
purest ivory, Liabo is beautiful to behold against the darkness of night.
Even more transfixing is the moon's visage when one is fortunate enough to
catch a glimpse of it in the day - for it is ensconced in a pale golden
glow, like a sister to the sun within the sky. It is a regal and elegant
sight, and surely anyone can see why the Arkati chose it as their domain. As
with Lornon, Liabo's name has been universally recognized through all
cultures, thus it is thought that Liabo is one of the true words in the
Arkati's language.
Like Lornon, Liabo seems to
have an affect on the world around us, though exactly how still remains a
mystery. As it influences the tides of the ocean, Liabo also appears to
influence the mana foci on our world. When Liabo waxes, powers involving
healing are also purported to become mildly stronger. Folklore and legends
portray a far different picture of Liabo, crediting it with numerous good
deeds over the centuries. The tales range from the tapping of intense
magical power apparently emanating from Liabo to children's stories, but
neither are verifiable by any means a respectable scholar would employ.
Still, Liabo is generally
considered a good omen to most every culture. Charms and other trinkets
bearing the likeness of the moon are often sold among most races as signs of
good fortune and other positive aspects. If nothing else, the Liabo moon is
a symbol of hope and an inspiration to all the races dwelling upon Elanith.
Tilaok
Common Names:
The Red, The Flamedance, The Spark
(Tilaok is the smaller of the two moons)
Most often associated with
fire due to its reddish-orange surface, Tilaok spins in a frenzied dance
around Liabo, earning the common name "The Flamedancer" among many in
Elanith. Though quite small and thus harder to study through telescopes and
magic, we can determine that there is a layer of gas hiding Tilaok's true
surface, and this is what imparts the fiery color. Tilaok does not directly
orbit our world, rather, it circles around Liabo in a frenzied dance.
First named by stargazing
sylvans years ago, Tilaok has a small influence on Elanthia's tides but not
nearly strong as Liabo or Lornon, more working in conjunction with the other
two. Often gazed upon by artists and other seekers of beauty, Tilaok is
regarded as one of the most beautiful sights in the night sky, never staying
in one place but always breathtaking to behold.
Makiri
Common
Names: none
Barely known to those not
fixated upon night sky, Makiri is the tiniest of all the moons we know of.
Like Tilaok, this celestial body also orbits Liabo. Shaped irregularly from
what the most sensitive of telescopes are able to tell, the surface is dark
and featureless, and strangely smooth. Another curiosity is that Makiri was
once cited to be much smaller centuries back by astrologers at the time,
perhaps this is due to Makiri's orbit shifting slightly over the millennia
so that it is closer than it was before. Tales among the more superstitious
of mages that it is somehow growing are easily dismissed by this plausible
theory.
While it also orbits Liabo,
it is too small to have any effect on the tides of Elanthia. Little is known
about this moon as it is quite hard to study due to its small size.
The
Queen of Enlightenment
(5 stars) (September 12 - September 25)
The
Trident (6 stars)
(September 26 - October 10)
The
Jackal (7 stars)
(October 11 - October 25)
The
Gryphon (7 stars)
(October 26 - November 8)
The
Lady of the Green (6
stars) (November 9 - November 23)
The
Bat (8 stars)
(November 24 - December 7)
The
First (21 stars) (June 16 - June 30)
Jastev's Crystal (8
stars) (July 1 - July 14)
The
Huntress (1 star)
(July 15 - July 29)
The
Guardian (10 stars)
(July 30 - August 13)
The
Sun God (4 stars)
(August 14 - August 27)
The
Wagon (5 stars)
(August 28 - September 11)
The
Handmaidens are
Zelia's
ladies-in-waiting. They sit, clustered tightly about each other in the
night, looking down at the world and giggling insanely.
Persons born under the influence of the Handmaidens tend to be scattered,
suffering from a lack of attention span. They also tend to be tremendously
creative and energetic, and laugh easily. Some older tomes imply such
persons are doomed to bouts of erratic behavior, but the Sisterhood's
research has not found this to be universally true. The Handmaiden's
influence is subtle, incorporating both genius and madness, creative energy
and hysteria.
Three stars
form the tail of this celestial rodent as he hunts lunar cheese through the
night.
Those influenced by the Rat are adventurous and energetic, dynamic and
quick-witted. Like the rat, they survive and thrive in conditions others
would find rocky. Their faults lie in being selfish and avaricious,
sometimes quick-tempered, and they can often be impulsive or impatient.
Twin nebulae
ripple through the wings of the Dragonfly, adding an iridescent quality to
the nocturnal insect.
The Dragonfly is beauty, and those affected by her influence are artistic
and creative, usually graceful and well mannered. However, they often place
too much stock in appearances, some might call them vain. Beauty in others
can produce either adoration or worship, or jealousy and disdain. Frequently
those individuals most strongly affected by the dragonfly can be flighty,
possessing little forethought and short attention spans.
Depicted
by five stars in the shape of a T, the Hammer is said to be
Eonak's. Some say
that, on clear nights, you can hear each ringing strike as the Master of the
Forge works gleaming veil iron into the stars themselves.
Those whose birth is influenced by the Hammer embody strength and
perseverance. They are steadfast in the performance of their duties and very
reliable, and can be counted on to perform under pressure. However, they can
be shy or reserved around other people, and do not enjoy the spotlight.
Quiet effort and steady progress towards their goals are their primary
traits, their faults lie in stubbornness and dogmatism.
Andelas has made his
mark on the night sky with the Cat's Paw. Eleven stars form the paw and
claws of a giant feline.
Persons influenced by the Paw are quick and powerful, they revel in the hunt
and the stalking of their prey. They are sly and quiet, eyes ever watchful
for opportunity, but can sometimes be considered sleepy or lazy by those who
underestimate them. They rarely misstep, and are cautious people, although
their self focus can be disturbing to others. They have little pity for
opponents, in some cases to the point of cruelty, but are lovingly devoted
to those who have earned their respect.
Nine
stars form the leaf, stalk, and petals of
Oleani's flower in
the brilliant spring sky. The Mistress of Adoration watches over the spring
courtships and lovers laying together to watch the scintillating stars in
each other's arms.
Oleani's constellation influences people to be warm, loving, and caring.
They are romantics and dreamers, often to the point of making poor personal
choices in their quest for love. Love is blind, and the major fault of those
influenced by this constellation is allowing themselves to give too much,
and to always think the best of others even when such faith is not
warranted.
The First
represents the First Drake, Ka'lethas. His body was covered in silver scales
that shone like the stars, and a mane of deep indigo framed his face,
represented by a faintly visible purple nebula in the head of the
constellation. The First winds his serpentine way through the middle of the
summer sky.
The First generates the traits of power, ferocity, mystery and magnetism in
those he influences. Other people tend to find them fascinating and
charismatic. But the darker side exists as well, these persons can be cold,
aloof, rejective of perceived weakness in others. Their standards are high,
often impossibly so, and perfectionism is a common trait.
This
constellation resembles the scrying ball in which legend says
Jastev forsees the
fate of the world. There are four stars in the ball itself, and four stars
in the base.
Jastev's Crystal has strongest influence on mystics and seers, and those
whose perceptive powers are strong. They peer into mystery and seek to
discover all that is hidden, though it is said that those who learn to much
are rarely happy. Those influenced by the crystal can be bright and
creative, or moodily somber. Emotionally stormy, those influenced by the
crystal experience joyous heights and terrible depressions.
The
Huntress'
constellation is made up of a single star, called Krrska. Ancient stories
hold that, as the Huntress died after exacting revenge upon her Queen and
Arachne, the gods
raised her to become the star Krrska. This star is held as remarkable by all
astronomers, as it constantly shines with a brightness that surpasses all
other heavenly bodies, and it always has exactly eight points.
Those influenced by the Huntress' star are optimistic and freedom loving.
They tend to be jovial and good-humored, often philosophical. However, they
also have a tendency to be somewhat irresponsible, preferring freedom to
duty. Their nature is restless, and their dealings with other people
somewhat uncomfortable, some say that they lack tact.
The Guardian
is always just behind the constellation of The Huntress, guarding her back
as she travels across the sky as he guarded her in life. The "head" star is
Apparea, with the other nine falling loosely into the shape of a man.
Those influenced by the Guardian are the very soul of honor and duty. They
are brave and trustworthy, and give of themselves to benefit and protect
others. However, this also can lead to intractability, and they are often
stiff-necked and overly demanding of others. Like a bulldog, they can cling
to their cause tenaciously, right or wrong they choose and stick by their
decisions.
The Sun
God is
Phoen's
constellation, the nighttime reminder of his sovereign reign over summer. It
is shaped like a wide sunburst.
The star burst is warmth and light, and those influenced by it are reverent
and strong in their support of life, love, happiness. They are nurturing,
and make excellent parents. But the darker side of the Sun God is egotism,
and the use of power too quickly and with lack of forethought. Often their
strong responses to most situations are considered overboard, and their
eagerness can cause more harm than good.
With four
stars as the wagon's body and one as its yoke, the Wagon celebrates the
traders and merchants that travel the land in the summer, pulling their
cards of wares to sell.
People influenced by the Wagon tend to wander the world, rarely staying in
one place for long. They can be open and encouraging, and love to meet new
people and see new things. However, there is a hint of greed and
acquisitiveness, and their wandering natures make them poor choices for
friends or mates, except with like-minded people. They are meticulous in
their planning, and can often overwork themselves.
With
five stars patterned like a W to represent each ring in her symbol, the
Queen of Enlightenment is said to watch over Elanthia, gathering knowledge
with its five shimmering eyes to pass on to
Lumnis.
Those influenced by the Queen are seekers of knowledge and researchers. The
tend to be good councilors, wise in their decisions and fair in their
dealings, offering guidance and wisdom. However, they can also be bookish,
awkward around other people, and pedantic in clinging to beliefs.
Charl's symbol
presides over the autumn sky, and over the stormy seas of the fall. There is
one star for each of the tines, one for the base, and two for the handle.
Many a shipwrecked sailor has glanced up from the remains of his ship and
cursed the Trident, blaming Charl's influence for his predicament.
The Trident embodies storms, mercurial and violent. Persons influenced by
this constellation tend to be very warlike, pugnacious, often spoiling for a
fight. But like the ever changing seas, their moods are fickle, they have
greater depths than what is seen on the surface. It is said that soon or
late the seas wash up all manner of things on the shore, and those the
trident's wyrd will surprise you with the treasures they bring to the
surface at odd moments.
The Bringer of
Terror holds his place in the night, inspiring nightmares with his jackal
head constellation. Some say that each star represents a different kind of
nightmare, leading to the ultimate insanity of the stargazer.
It is said that the Jackal brings only nightmares, but as all constellations
it is not wise to underestimate him. The power of dreams is also the power
of ambition and aspiration, and persons under the Jackal's eye seem to
achieve positions of power and responsibility (and yes, great wealth) with
ease. Oft enough your dreams once achieved will not turn out precisely as
you'd hoped, and the unreal nature of dreams must lead you to wonder if your
prettiest dreams may somehow turn to horrors...or perhaps great joy. Fate is
a strong variable in the Jackal's realm.
One of
Elanthia's treasured intelligent, magical, and seldom-seen creatures, a
rampant gryphon holds a special place in the night sky. The seven stars
represent each leg, the tail, the beak, and one glimmering eye.
The Gryphon's dual nature is reflected in those under his sway. Generous and
warmhearted, enthusiastic, broad-minded and expansive are they. And yet...at
the same time we see reflections, pompous and patronizing, bossy,
intolerant. Their dichotomous nature makes them dangerous to others in love
or business, yet their large hearts make these maddening individuals hard to
resist.
Represented by six stars of a curiously golden color,
Imaera, Goddess of
the Autumn, watches over the night with her stellar stalk of wheat. Two
stars form the main stalk, while two stars on each side make up the kernels
of grain.
To be touched by Imaera's wheat is to be healed, and in many ways those
possessed by the Lady of the Green are whole and hearty people. Their lives
tend to be serene and calm, and without fanfare they bring peace and healing
to troubled hearts around them. Yet the Lady is also the touch of autumn,
where good things begin to fade slowly away; and these peaceful souls can
sometimes wither and twist into something unhealthy, instead spreading
corruption where once they healed.
With four
stars per scalloped wing, the evening flyer also glides through the autumn
welkin.
The Bat is quick and silent, and those he influences are quick of wit and
quiet of nature. Their jokes are uncommon, but sharp and poignant when
given, and the bat can at times fly joyously and with great skill. But the
way of the bat is also dark and eerie, some of those he influences may turn
dangerous, uncommunicative, malicious.
Guarding
the cold winter nights from the colder touch of Undeath,
Voln's four star
shield protects the heavens from
Luukos' corrupting
fingers.
The Paladin is nobility, shielding the innocent from injustice and holding
fast and true to the ones he loves and cares for. His arm is strong, but
rarely in an unjust cause. However, the cause is not always worthy, and
those the Paladin controls may find themselves tilting at windmills.
Whatever the cause or goal, it is always given a whole-hearted effort, even
to the point of self-destruction.
Glimmering in the ebon sky, eleven stars form the outline of
Lorminstra's gates.
Beyond them is darkness, and perhaps more.
The gates show the way to Winter's realm, as passing begins from what was to
what is to come. Those influenced by the gate are mindful of fate and what
lies ahead, and tend to live for the moment, enjoying the gifts of life
while they last, reveling in today. If they are given to fault, it lies in
too much introspection and self-examination, and at times a lethargic
what-does-it-matter attitude.
LOOK CONSTELLATION: You
gaze up into the sky and see a broad field of lights...
Eleven bright silver stars form the image of an arched, open gate within the
ebon depths of the starry sky. One of the stars is especially brilliant,
marking the very tip of the beautiful constellation. Within the borders of
the pattern there is nothing but a deep, mysterious blackness, with nary a
star to interrupt the vast darkness of eternity.
As
Lumnis has a
constellation,
Fash'lo'nae can
hardly be outdone, seeking to know and enlighten. His slit-pupilled eye
watches from high above the planet, formed by seven twinkling stars.
To be influenced by the Grandfather is to be a seeker, almost monomaniacal
in pursuit of personal goals, power, knowledge, wealth. So strong is the
quest that others hardly matter, and little time is taken to relax. Ambition
is a driving force, as is discovery. But like the Grandfather, not all is
evil, those touched by the Eye make great discoveries, and often are of
great benefit to society around them. Only the record of history can say if
the greatness achieved is worth the price that was paid.
Twelve stars
make up the distinctive six-fingered talon commonly attributed to the
Ur-Daemons. Oral tradition holds that the final Ur-Daemon to walk Elanthia
was not driven back through the tear in the Veil, but was destroyed in a
brilliant explosion, sending his hand into the heavens to remind god and
mortal alike of the dangers beyond.
The First represents power, but the Ur-Daemon represents destruction. Those
guided by the talons cannot seem to help themselves, they always hurt those
around them as they pursue their own goals. And yet there is some good to
them as well, they are determined, passionate, often intuitive and magnetic.
They can be very great leaders, but if the men they lead go to glory or
death is usually unclear.
Five
oddly red stars shine in the winter sky, forming the pattern of an
hourglass. This is the constellation
Arachne, giving us
the view of the spider's belly marking as if she hovered over the world,
ready to eat us all.
Arachne's hourglass represents time, and the forces implicit in history.
Good or ill, time touches each of us, and those under Arachne's influence
seem to have much impact on the world around them. Their good points can be
adaptability, versatility, eloquence, liveliness. But we can also see in
them nervousness, superficiality, inconsistency, and sometimes acid cruelty.
One of
the most brilliant stars in the sky sits at the tip of the Unicorn's horn,
guiding
Ronan's steed through
the darkened sky. The other three stars represent key points along the body,
leaving the Unicorn a subtle but powerful symbol.
The Unicorn is the most unworldly of beasts, capricious, elusive; and many
touched by these stars have those same qualities. Imaginative, sensitive,
compassionate, kind, sympathetic. Untamed is the Unicorn, however, and the
dark side can be escapism, idealism, secretiveness, an unwillingness to
commit to others.
Rising
through the night sky, some legends say that the Spire is where
Lumnis goes to think
and
Fash'lo'nae goes to
study.
The spire is a solid foundation, and those guided by this force tend to
value family, conformity, finding their place in the world and holding it.
They are almost the opposites those guided by the Wagon, they never stray
far from hearth and home. Their critics would call the stolid, pastoral,
even rustic. But the Spire is anchored in bedrock, those who follow it
always persevere and stand the test of time.
(Liabo
is the larger moon)