The Midnight Festival
The Midnight Festival is the celebration of the moon reaching its yearly zenith, when it is highest in the sky above the horizon. During this time, it glows with an otherworldly light that makes the Kingdom as bright as a normal day. This night is traditionally celebreated by staying up until dawn, with groups of friends and families gathering to tell stories and talk. Due to the nature of confessions that come out when citizens are exhausted and often under the influence, the Church also offers amnesty to any confessions given on the night of the Midnight Festival. Overall, this is a quiet night for friends and family, with special emphasis on cleansing ills with others due to the encroaching Day of Eclipse.
The Day of Eclipse
The Day of Eclipse is exactly 2 weeks after the Midnight Festival, when the moon reaches its zenith at noon, fully blocking out the sun. In the weeks when the moon is visible during the day (see "Movement of the Moon" sidebar), it can be observed creeping closer and closer to fully blocking the sun. This day is dreaded, because the Eclipse prevents creatures of the night from being harmed in the sunlight, and this prompts them to attack anyone they can find during their 36 consecutive hours of freedom (the night before the Eclipse, the day, and the following night make 36 hours). This means that the full Excelcan military is ready to defend anyone they can find on these days, with Clerics and Paladins of the Church being especially needed to protect the people from the waves of lycan and undead.
Movement of The Moon
Throughout the year, the moon's peak in the sky will go from aligning with the horizon, to being exactly above it, and back down to the horizon in an East to West fashion. For example, when the moon is perpendicular with the horizon, it is almost fully covered by the mountains around the Kingdom, and can be seen moving around the perimeter of the mountains nearly horizontally. On the two weeks of the Midnight Festival to the Day of Eclipse, the moon moves almost exactly vertically.
The moon is on a four week cycle, where it spends two weeks visible during the day and two weeks visible at night. This is why the Midnight Festival and Day of Eclipse are two weeks apart, because the moon is on exactly the opposite side of its path in one festival than it is during the other.
Traditions
Vendors are usually seen selling coffee or other caffeinated products on the day before and during the Midnight Festival, due to the difficulty of staying up all night. Although alcohol is also usually consumed, it is done in moderation so no one gets too drowsy.
During the Day of Eclipse, children are usually barred inside with games and books to protect them from the horrors outside. Most are told it is a traditional "no parents" day where they get to do whatever they want in the house, and find out the truth of the event when they are older. Despite this, many children find out when they are young, either by reading about it, sneaking out and seeing the Eclipse, or being told by other kids who found out as well.
