First Day of Alcides

The Divine Duality became the official state religion when Nemea was founded by Alcides, himself. It is understood that the observance of the calendar, time, and holidays established by the Divine Duality began immediately. The availability of relevant items, such as the clothing, tools, and other items, used in the tradition, affected variations in observance throughout the kingdom. Today, however, that is no longer a known issue.

At sunrise on day one of the Boar Seedmoon, the men begin the tradition by plowing the fields. Even in places where maintaining agriculture fields is particularly challenging because of weather conditions, such as the desert of the Southlands, a small field will be painstakingy irrigated and maintained, solely for the purpose of observing the agricultural rituals and traditions of the Divine Duality.   The women will follow behind, scattering seeds accordingly. In some locations, the ground may still be frozen. In that case, men will perform a symbolic plowing of the snow or ice, and the women will plant the seeds indoors, in preparation for later transplanting.   The children will milk the new livestock mothers before releasing them to the baby animals, and gather any recently laid eggs.   After the bulk of the work is done, a feast is set, and the dancing begins, including the ribbon-wrapping of the Pole of Alcides.

Everyone is expected to attend the rituals and traditions held on the First Day of Alcides. The commoners perform most of the roles, but Nobles will also particpate, at various levels of involvement. For example, the Dyodian Nobles will do as much of the labor as they are able, and the Myreans, including King Mikalos Tinscuil, will perform symbolically at the beginning of the events. In Beleterra and the Southlands, the Nobles have skuli take their place in the labor.

The First Day of Alcides is observed every year on the first day of the Boar Seedmoon. Thus, it is the third new moon of the year, and generally considered to be the first day of spring.