Seren Calendar — Calendar

Description

The calendar used in Balior, invented by the Tharizians and adopted by the Balians once they settled there. It follows the pattern of the star Seren, which is the only star visible on the Halflight horizon. The year starts on the first day Seren shows on the horizon. This marks the beginning of Serenrise, which ends exactly 70 days, or 10 weeks, later when the star crosses the first third of the horizon. Then the Zenith begins, which lasts exactly as long as Serenrise. In the middle of the Zenith season, the star peaks, a day often celebrated across Balior. After crossing the second third of the horizon, Serenfall begins. Serenfall lasts for the same amount of time as the other two seasons, and the Nadir follows after it. Nadir is the longest season, starting when the star disappears from the horizon, 211 days into the year, until it reappears 98 days later on the first day of the following year.

Folklore

Superstition runs deep in how the Balian people relate to the Seren calendar, most of all in their fear of the Nadir, the forsaken season. As the star descends beyond the horizon, it is believed that evil gains entry to Neravel. Any crops grown, harvested or sown during the Nadir cannot be eaten, so the land is left to rest and people live off what was gathered during the rest of the year. Children born during this period are viewed as unlucky and are considered bad omens. They are believed to turn bad or outright evil, and some are said to grow incredibly powerful. In extreme cases, families have murdered their own children born during the Nadir. The other three seasons carry their own beliefs, if less fearsome ones. Those born in the Serenrise are believed to be charismatic, cheery and outgoing. The season is viewed as the restoration after dark times. The Zenith symbolises the peak of strength and power throughout the year. Those born in this season, especially around the middle of it, are viewed as natural leaders, strong and powerful. The Serenfall is the last light before the dark and believed to produce the greatest yield on crop and some of Balior's sharpest minds.