Calendar

Toresta uses a calendar based up the founding of the city. This date is 753 years in the past. It is standardized as having an origin date of just after the Winter Solstice which begins the Five Day Festival.

The year is made up of twelve thirty day months. Months are not named and run from First Month (01) to Twelfth Month (12).

Major holidays include The New Year, which follows the Five Day Festival, The First Feast of the Star Guardians, which occurs on 03/20 and is the Vernal Equinox, Guardian's Day which is on 06/22 which is the Summer Solstice, The Second Feast of the Star Guardians, which is 09/26 and is the Autumnal Equinox, The day of the Princess, also sometimes called the Lover's Day, which occurs on 12/27 and is the Winter Solstice, and finally the Five Day Festival, which is the last five days of the year.

Once every four years the Five Day Festival ends with the Day of Balance, an additional day added to the year, said to have been instituted by Cassia herself.

New Year's Day is celebrated as a day of renewal. It is traditional to clear debts and terminate or renew contracts on this day.

The Święto Strażników Gwiazd, The Feasts of the Star Guardians are both major holidays in Toresta. The Star Guardians are patrons of the city and their worship and veneration is an important part of Torestan religious life. The Vernal Equinox is particularly oriented toward Noctis, although Astraios has his place in the festivities. As for both holidays balance is an important aspect of the holiday, most especially as concerns matters of justice, restitution and forgiveness. As it opens planting season in Outer Toresta, with spring starting, many dances and fertility celebrations occur on this day.

During the Autumnal Equinox Astraios takes center stage with Noctis playing a more minor role. Balance is still an important consideration, but with the harvest either in or due to be done, the celebration of thanksgiving for the fruit of the earth brought forth is an important part of the celebration.

Guardian's Day celebrates the day Straznik the Guardian rescued the Princess Cassia from the hands of the Dark Queen. It occurs on the Summer Solstice. Slavery is outlawed in Toresta, so no creature is a slave in the city. But many slaves are rescued or find their way to Toresta and by tradition and treaty, any slave who spends two Guardian Days in the city are recognized as free. That is if they remain resident for the year between holidays they are free anywhere on Pasaulis, at least anywhere that fears and respects Toresta. It is a holiday of great festivals, balls and celebration. By tradition it is the day Magic was once again loosed in the world. That makes it a special day for mages and other magic users.

The Day of the Princess, as know as Lover's Day is celebrated on the Winter Solstice. This is the day Cassia first beheld Straznik. As such it is a day that lovers celebrate particularly. Those who have the talent often write poems and sonnets to their lovers, or to those they desire. As the Mistress of Magic many magical gifts are given this day, not just to paramours, but to family members and friends. Masquerade are held, particularly the Grand Masquerade, a lavish affair hosted by the leaders Founding Families to which only the most favored of Toresta non-Sapphire Journal citizens are invited. Invitations are so coveted, that not even all listees in the Sapphire Journal are invited.

The Five Day Festival is a week long party which envelops all of Toresta. With its mild rainy winters the city is never truly cold, and though the daily rains require large street pavilions and hardy celebrants, the festivities are seldom tempered by the rain. Very little work gets done at this time and both the Depot and the Aerodrome are shuttered. Few ships moor or depart during this time and only a skeleton crew staffs the ley shard farms. Private parties are but diversions from the great party that drenches all city streets. Costumes, makeup and other finery are the clothing of the day, and even the moderately poor manage to decorate their persons and environs in celebration. Largess on the part of the rich to poor is an established tradition with patrons hosting lavish street feast which feed thousands. Some look forward all year long to a time when they can go to bed well fed every night. Sixth Day, which is New Years Day ends the feast.

Duke's Day is a roving feast day which celebrates the day of election of the city's present ruler.