Ferstaal:
Seasons of Intrigue

Ferstaal’s Calendar

The year is marked primarily in seasons of 13 weeks each, although farmers also mark time by months. Originally, the number of days in a month varied, but a system has since been introduced that assigns four weeks to the months that start and end a season, and five weeks to the mid-month of each season. One week in the mid-month of each season is a festival week. Thus over the course of the year, months 2, 5, 9, and 11 have 35 days each. All the other months have 28. Specific weeks are sometimes named for the activities of the King’s court during that week.

The year begins at the start of the Spring Season. Years are numbered from the crowning of King Armis I, which took place on the first day of Spring in what is now referred to as Year 1. The current year is 808.

For purposes of recording dates, the system of month/day/year (sometimes called “farmers’ notation”) will be used to record historical events, birthdates, etc.

Calendar for the Autumn Season of Year 808

Autumn season begins with the arrival of representatives of the noble houses to the King’s Court in the capital city of Medbobd. The first week of Autumn is commonly known as “Carriage Week” because of the parades that take place in Medbobd as noble families arrive for Winter Court. The citizens of the city line the streets and cheer the arriving families, who traditionally throw coins and trinkets to the crowds. Carriage Week ends with the King’s Autumn Ball, one of the most important social events of the year because it is the time when nobles make “first impressions” for the season.

The second week of Autumn begins with a day of rest, which is a holiday for the common folk of the city. It is officially the Meditation of the Fields, a church holy day where one final appeal is made to the spirits for a bountiful harvest. In actuality, citizens of Medbobd often refer to it as “Hangover Day”, a day set aside to sleep off the revels of the Autumn Ball, and the parties that take place throughout the city that night.

Court officially opens on the second day of the second week of Autumn, and official court business usually dominates the rest of that week and the next. In the fourth and fifth week, the King holds the Autumn Hunt, which takes place on Royal land near Medbobd. The entire court relocates to a set of country estates and hunting lodges for this event, which culminates in a massive outdoor feast and bonfire.

The sixth week is devoted to business and preparations in Medbobd.

The seventh week of the season is the Festival of the Harvest, a week of celebrations, feasts, and dances.

From there, the court settles back into business for an extended period lasting four weeks.

The final two weeks see a number of official ceremonies. There are often weddings scheduled during this time, and the elections of representatives to parliament take place throughout Ferstaal during the twelfth week of Autumn. This week ends with the Candle Vigil, a solemn religious holiday in preparation for the coming winter. The King traditionally visits the poor and sick on this occasion, and many nobles also seek ways to perform acts of compassion and generosity.

In the final week of Autumn, the noble families pack for the return trip to their lands. Some nobles remain for the winter, either to serve in Parliament or as representatives in the King’s court. There is no formal ball or feast this week, but there are always many small private parties held by the different noble houses for the purposes of saying goodbyes to those heading home for the winter.

Timeline of Events

Past History

01/01/0001 Armis Staal (King Armis I) crowned King of Ferstaal.

11/15/733: Holfrid Vasille (King Holfrid II) born.

9/20/735: Duke Frederic Vasille born.

11/26/740: Ilyana Vitur (Queen Ilyana Vitur Vasille I) born.

2/28/757: Wedding of Crown Prince Holfrid Vasille to Lady Ilyana Vitur at the royal retreat house of Oak Grotto Hall.

2/25/778: Princes Tor Vasille and Willem Vasille born.

9/22/806: Queen Ilyana Vitur Vasille I died of illness.

Current Season

7/1/808: First day of Autumn. Carriage Week begins in Medbobd (OOC Note: Start of play in current game season).
7/7/808-11/8/808: King’s Ball and Dawn Dance. First Sister Talavaria is Crown Prince Tor Vasille’s escort at the King’s Ball. Lord Lucien Slade is stabbed outside of the Dawn Dance.
7/08/808: Meditation of the Fields (“Hangover Day”).

Upcoming Dates

7/8/808-7/14/808: Court Opening Week.
7/9/808: Court officially opens.
7/19/808: Last day of Court business before Royal Hunts and Harvest Feast.
7/21/808-8/7/808: Royal Hunts take place. Outdoor feast and bonfire on 8/7/808.
8/15/808-8/21/808: Festival of the Harvest.
8/22/808: Court re-opens.
9/15/808-9/20/808: Parliamentary elections held throughout Ferstaal.
9/21/808:Candle Vigil
9/22/808: Anniversary of the Queen’s death. Day of mourning.
9/28/808: Last day of Autumn.
11/15/808: King Holfrid II’s 75th birthday.
11/26/808: Anniversary of the Queen’s birthday. Not an official day of mourning, but it is expected that no court business will be conducted, and Parliament is expected to adjourn for the day out of respect for the Queen’s memory.

Ferstaal Pages

Main Ferstaal Page - Introduction/Directory.

Player Directory - Faces Behind the Characters

Characters - Master List of Characters in Ferstaal.

Game Rules - Rules of Play and Guidelines for Character Creation.

Map - Map of the Kingdom of Ferstaal.

Calendar and Timeline - The Ferstaal Calendar and timeline of events.

Church - The Church in Ferstaal.