Let's build a setting, one post at a time.

npick03

Explorer
Millennia of exposure to the psi-magical radiation of the auroras have made the polar Gears strange, surreal places, stalked by dweomer phantoms and monsters from the id. Memory and nightmare manifest upon the ice, and the howling of the wind forms wild, unceasing spells.

Bereft of the lunar blessings and solar energies that bathe the equatorial lands, the People of the Gears have mastered animism, quelling the spirits of the cruel ice and mad wind with their druidic arts.

Occasionally a child is born who is touched by the chaotic power of the aurora. These Auraborn possess strange psionic and magical powers, as well as unusual physical mutations that mark their irradiated heritage.
 

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This Deep Lore may not be knowable or, if it can be known, it will be thanks to some entity like Tide. It's here mainly to help flesh out the past and, hopefully, giving options for the present and future.

While Oul was the last of the Sun Builders, she was not the first. Indeed, "Sun Builders" is a bit of a generic name for the host of beings who entered into the Sphere on the Argent Spire. There are others, like Tide, called "World Builders", but this is (for whatever reasons) considered less impressive and is less known or said.

The first of the Sun Builders was a titan called Hescan, a deity of the forge. Ze began creating the sun in another dimension, the same one that Xandahaal came from and, indeed, Tide came from as well. They, among others, lived in the Argent Spire arcology. The creation of the sun started after an empty Crystal Sphere was found adjacent to the {World Of Divine}. Hescan had six apprentices: Avin, Eador, Imon, Oul, Uwe, and Yi.

Avin, though eager at first, quickly lost interest after his idea for improvements were rejected (mostly due to the fact whatever he built tended to randomly catch fire, melt, or explode spectacularly). He left when the sun was 1/6 of the way complete. If Avin still exists, he is the God of Bards and, indeed, is probably roaming the world as one, having flings with any mortal that catches his eye. He can change shape, so neither species nor sex is a barrier. If he has descendants, they'd likely be ancestors to beings equivalent to the Aasimar and Tieflings and, possibly, some of the Sorcerers.

Eador was a well-meaning apprentice, always eager to please. Though he tried very hard, his real talent lay in baking and cooking and Hescan gently suggested he focus on those. He left when the sun was 1/3 complete. If Eador still exists, he is the God of Chefs and, likely has a bakery/café/restaurant somewhere akin to Maccadam's Old Oil House. He and Yi always liked one another and would be married.

Uwe studied the arts of artificing under Hescan to merge with her true passion: making weapons. The sun was 1/2 complete when she left. If Uwe still exists, she is the Goddess of War, especially focused on developing new weapons of war and strategic planning.
Yi, like Eador, was a well-meaning apprentice who always did her best and helped create many artisanal designs. However, her true talents lay in art and crafting of a different type. Much like with Eador, Hescan gently suggested she focus on those. She left when the sun was 2/3 complete. If Yi still exists, she is the Goddess of the Hearth, of Art, Literature, Poetry, and of Domestic Crafts. She and Eador would be married and, much like Eador, has a shop somewhere (it may not, in fact, always be in the same place). The shop could vary in appearance as well, ranging from fashion items, to a book store, to a "magic shop".

Imon was one of Hescan's most promising student. Indeed he was only matched by Oul. Imon tried very hard to get the sun to be a self-sustaining artifact that would never burn out. His attempt, however, failed and he was killed by the strain, much to the grief of both Hescan and Oul. The two, however, were able to place his divinity into a cenotaph that it might be reborn. Imon died when the sun was 5/6 complete. Whether Imon has been reborn--and what he has been reborn as--is unknown, but he'd make a good God of Science and Magic.

Oul was the most talented and powerful of Hescan's apprentices and the last of the Sun Builders to remain. She helped to complete the great work. Her powers included Life and Fertility (which became Uripan), Death and Rebirth (which became Xalaphera), Hearth and Forge (which became Nehüsh), and Dreams and Night [this includes prohecy, illusion, shadows, and secrets] (which became Koia). She foresaw the need for the dragon-khan and also set other events in motion. She was one of the few to remain behind after creating the setting, though their great citadel of the Argent Spire remains.

After finishing the sun, Hescan returned to rest in the Argent Spire and then left for new realities. Oul remained and took charge of the sun.
 

Tonguez

A suffusion of yellow
As promised a while back I did the calendar (well the first year anyway) and yeah it was a slog and might get out of whack in future years but for now ...
CALENDAR

Nights
Uripan (20-nights)
Phase = 2 night
Nehush (40-nights)
Phase = 5 nights
Xalaphera (80-nights)
Phase = 10 nights
Koia (160-nights )
Phase = N/A
NOTATION - Seasonal Events, Festivals and Indicators
1​
Full Moon>
Vitality​
Full Moon
Power/Fire​
Full Moon
Transitions/Death​
Full Moon
Protection/Wisdom​
WINTER MOON TIDE, NEW YEAR​
2-10​
New Moon​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
FULL​
HAG WINTER (Spring)​
11-20​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Hagwane​
URIPANS BLESSING​
21-30​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
Hagwane​
Le Sacre du Primetemps​
31-40​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW (REST)​
Hagwane​
GREEN AWAKENING​
41-50​
2>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
HAGS REST​
First Shoots​
51-60​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
HAGS REST​
Green Growth​
61-70​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Maiden Rise​
71-80​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
Koia Rising​
NEHŰSH RISEN​
81-90​
3>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Summer Shift​
91-100​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Koia Rising​
Summer​
101-110​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
KOIA ARISEN​
NEHUSH CRESENT​
111-120​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW​
KOIAS DOMINION​
FIRES OF NEHŰSH (Mid-Summer)​
121-130​
4>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
KOIAS DOMINION​
Hag Fire Summer​
131-140​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
Hagwane​
Summers​
141-150​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
Hagwane​
Summers End​
151-160​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
Hagwane​
RADIANT NEHUSH​
161-170​
5>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
HAGS REST​
XALAPHERA’S WARNING​
171-180​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
HAGS REST​
FEAST OF SHADOWS (Remembrance of Ancestors)​
181-190​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
Koia Rising​
Autumn​
191-200​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW​
Koia Rising​
XALAPHERA WAKES​
201-210​
6>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
Koia Rising​
HARVEST STARTS​
211-220​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
Koia Rising​
Harvest​
221-230​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
KOIA ARISEN​
Harvest​
231-240​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
KOIAS DOMINION​
AUTUMN MOON TIDE​
241-250​
7>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
KOIAS DOMINION​
Hag Mother​
251-260​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Hagwane​
Forest harvest​
261-270​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
Hagwane​
Forest Harvest​
271-280​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW​
Hagwane​
LAST HARVEST​
281-290​
8>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
HAGS REST​
WINTER STARTS​
291-300​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
HAGS REST​
HAG REST​
301-310​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Winter​
311-320​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
Koia Rising​
High Winter​
321-330​
9>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Winter​
331-340​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Koia Rising​
Winter​
341-350​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
KOIA ARISEN​
Hag Winter​
351-355​
Waxing​
WAXING GIBBOUS​
Waning Dark​
KOIAS DOMINION​
Waning Darlk​
355-360​
FULL>​
FULL​
Dark​
KOIAS DOMINION​
HAGWATCH​


Uripan has a 20 day cycle and her phases only last for 2-3 nights. As such her influence is highly energetic, encouraging action and rapid growth characteristic of Spring.
  • Uripans Blessing, the first Full Moon in spring is when Seeds are blessed ready for planting in the following 10-days.
  • Green Awakening when Uripan and Nehush are full but Xalaphera dark is a time for making plans and sowing intentions
  • Uripan New Moon occurs 10 days after the Full Moon and has become the accepted weekend, 2 days spent rest, reviewing the previous 10-days of vigorous growth and vitality. when families gather to feast and market trading occurs.
Nehush has a 40 night cycle, with phases lasting 5 nights. Nehush promotes action and strength, it is a favoured time for festivals, travel and also war.
[*]Nehush Risen (Uripan, Nehush and Xalaphera full) is a time of high energy and power associated with wild revelries and rituals of purification.
[*][/B] Nehush New Moon[/B]: a time of inspiration, gathering strength for the challenges and work ahead.
[*][/B]Nehush Crescent[/B]: linked to youthful exuberance and passion; a time for adventure, creativity and war.
[*][/B]Radiant Nehush[/B]: time of radiant strength; celebrated with fire festivals, feasts, and contests of skill and courage.
Xalaphera has a 80 night cycle with 10 Nights per phase. Xalaphera is thus considered to be opposed to Uripan and her phases mark each 10-day.
  • Xalaphera Warning (Xalaphera waning during Hag Rest, Uripan is new) People turn their attention to the coming work of harvest and preparing for winter
  • Feast of Shadows: (Xalaphera and Koia are dark but Uripan rises), it is a solemn time of remembrance and honouring the ancestors.
  • Xalaphera Wakes: Start of the Harvest. Prayers for abundance are offered. Communal feasts and Rituals of Thanksgiving are held.
  • Autumn Moontide (all moons full): A time of peak energy and unpredictable weather, when Celebration of the harvest occurs. Associated with death and rebirth, some cultures include the dead in their celebrations, others dress up to keep the dead at bay. After this gardens are put to rest, hunters move inland to harvest the forest resources.
  • Xalapheras Last Harvest: The last harvest is marked when Xalaphera goes in to her dark moon phase. This is a time of decline and letting go. People are encouraged to release old burdens, forgive debts and prepare for the quiet of winter.
As Koia is always dark she does not have traditional phases, however her Rest and Dominant times are noted by sages as she generates psychic whispers that affect dreams and rise and fall with this cycle.
    • Hags Rest (New Moon phase): The Hags Rest last for 20 nights and is a period of introspection when Koia is said to rest. It is a time to honour the Hag's wisdom and guidance, rituals for protection and thanksgiving are performed. Those with sensitive minds will hear Koia’s whispers in their dreams.
    • Koia Arisen: Koia’s whispers rise to a crescendo, new acolytes may be anointed and taking in to training. Rituals of Protection are invoked for Koia’s blessing, Rituals of Silence are imposed for those who seek to hear Koia’s voice.
    • Koia Dominion (Full Phase): Storytelling is emphasized to preserve wisdom through the dark. Psychic emanations are at their strongest and many prophecies are given.
    • Hagwatch*: The final 5 nights of the year are a time of release when Koia is invoked to banish fears and people encourage to shed what is no longer needed from the past.
    • Because the Solar and Lunar years are different lengths, every two years an additional 5 days are added (extending the year). After 8 years the cycle is restored.
 
Last edited:

TwoSix

Master of the One True Way
As promised a while back I did the calendar (well the first year anyway) and yeah it was a slog and might get out of wake in future years but for now ...
CALENDAR

Nights
Uripan (20-nights)
Phase = 2 night
Nehush (40-nights)
Phase = 5 nights
Xalaphera (80-nights)
Phase = 10 nights
Koia (160-nights )
Phase = N/A
NOTATION - Seasonal Events, Festivals and Indicators
1​
Full Moon>
Vitality​
Full Moon
Power/Fire​
Full Moon
Transitions/Death​
Full Moon
Protection/Wisdom​
WINTER MOON TIDE, NEW YEAR​
2-10​
New Moon​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
FULL​
HAG WINTER (Spring)​
11-20​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Hagwane​
URIPANS BLESSING​
21-30​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
Hagwane​
Le Sacre du Primetemps​
31-40​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW (REST)​
Hagwane​
GREEN AWAKENING​
41-50​
2>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
HAGS REST​
First Shoots​
51-60​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
HAGS REST​
Green Growth​
61-70​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Maiden Rise​
71-80​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
Koia Rising​
NEHŰSH RISEN​
81-90​
3>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Summer Shift​
91-100​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Koia Rising​
Summer​
101-110​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
KOIA ARISEN​
NEHUSH CRESENT​
111-120​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW​
KOIAS DOMINION​
FIRES OF NEHŰSH (Mid-Summer)​
121-130​
4>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
KOIAS DOMINION​
Hag Fire Summer​
131-140​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
Hagwane​
Summers​
141-150​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
Hagwane​
Summers End​
151-160​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
Hagwane​
RADIANT NEHUSH​
161-170​
5>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
HAGS REST​
XALAPHERA’S WARNING​
171-180​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
HAGS REST​
FEAST OF SHADOWS (Remembrance of Ancestors)​
181-190​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
Koia Rising​
Autumn​
191-200​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW​
Koia Rising​
XALAPHERA WAKES​
201-210​
6>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
Koia Rising​
HARVEST STARTS​
211-220​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
Koia Rising​
Harvest​
221-230​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
KOIA ARISEN​
Harvest​
231-240​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
KOIAS DOMINION​
AUTUMN MOON TIDE​
241-250​
7>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
KOIAS DOMINION​
Hag Mother​
251-260​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Hagwane​
Forest harvest​
261-270​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
Hagwane​
Forest Harvest​
271-280​
FULL>​
FULL​
NEW​
Hagwane​
LAST HARVEST​
281-290​
8>NEW<​
WANING​
Waxing Cresent​
HAGS REST​
WINTER STARTS​
291-300​
FULL​
NEW​
Waxing Half​
HAGS REST​
HAG REST​
301-310​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waxing Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Winter​
311-320​
FULL>​
FULL​
FULL​
Koia Rising​
High Winter​
321-330​
9>NEW<​
WANING​
Waning Gibbous​
Koia Rising​
Winter​
331-340​
FULL​
NEW​
Waning Half​
Koia Rising​
Winter​
341-350​
>NEW<​
WAXING​
Waning Cresent​
KOIA ARISEN​
Hag Winter​
351-355​
Waxing​
WAXING GIBBOUS​
Waning Dark​
KOIAS DOMINION​
Waning Darlk​
355-360​
FULL>​
FULL​
Dark​
KOIAS DOMINION​
HAGWATCH​


Uripan has a 20 day cycle and her phases only last for 2-3 nights. As such her influence is highly energetic, encouraging action and rapid growth characteristic of Spring.
  • Uripans Blessing, the first Full Moon in spring is when Seeds are blessed ready for planting in the following 10-days.
  • Green Awakening when Uripan and Nehush are full but Xalaphera dark is a time for making plans and sowing intentions
  • Uripan New Moon occurs 10 days after the Full Moon and has become the accepted weekend, 2 days spent rest, reviewing the previous 10-days of vigorous growth and vitality. when families gather to feast and market trading occurs.
Nehush has a 40 night cycle, with phases lasting 5 nights. Nehush promotes action and strength, it is a favoured time for festivals, travel and also war.
[*]Nehush Risen (Uripan, Nehush and Xalaphera full) is a time of high energy and power associated with wild revelries and rituals of purification.
[*][/B] Nehush New Moon[/B]: a time of inspiration, gathering strength for the challenges and work ahead.
[*][/B]Nehush Crescent[/B]: linked to youthful exuberance and passion; a time for adventure, creativity and war.
[*][/B]Radiant Nehush[/B]: time of radiant strength; celebrated with fire festivals, feasts, and contests of skill and courage.
Xalaphera has a 80 night cycle with 10 Nights per phase. Xalaphera is thus considered to be opposed to Uripan and her phases mark each 10-day.
  • Xalaphera Warning (Xalaphera waning during Hag Rest, Uripan is new) People turn their attention to the coming work of harvest and preparing for winter
  • Feast of Shadows: (Xalaphera and Koia are dark but Uripan rises), it is a solemn time of remembrance and honouring the ancestors.
  • Xalaphera Wakes: Start of the Harvest. Prayers for abundance are offered. Communal feasts and Rituals of Thanksgiving are held.
  • Autumn Moontide (all moons full): A time of peak energy and unpredictable weather, when Celebration of the harvest occurs. Associated with death and rebirth, some cultures include the dead in their celebrations, others dress up to keep the dead at bay. After this gardens are put to rest, hunters move inland to harvest the forest resources.
  • Xalapheras Last Harvest: The last harvest is marked when Xalaphera goes in to her dark moon phase. This is a time of decline and letting go. People are encouraged to release old burdens, forgive debts and prepare for the quiet of winter.

As Koia is always dark she does not have traditional phases, however her Rest and Dominant times are noted by sages as she generates psychic whispers that affect dreams and rise and fall with this cycle.
  • Hags Rest (New Moon phase): The Hags Rest last for 20 nights and is a period of introspection when Koia is said to rest. It is a time to honour the Hag's wisdom and guidance, rituals for protection and thanksgiving are performed. Those with sensitive minds will hear Koia’s whispers in their dreams.
  • Koia Arisen: Koia’s whispers rise to a crescendo, new acolytes may be anointed and taking in to training. Rituals of Protection are invoked for Koia’s blessing, Rituals of Silence are imposed for those who seek to hear Koia’s voice.
  • Koia Dominion (Full Phase): Storytelling is emphasized to preserve wisdom through the dark. Psychic emanations are at their strongest and many prophecies are given.
  • Hagwatch*: The final 5 nights of the year are a time of release when Koia is invoked to banish fears and people encourage to shed what is no longer needed from the past.
  • Because the Solar and Lunar years are different lengths, every two years an additional 5 days are added (extending the year). After 8 years the cycle is restored.
Amazing work.
 

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