Here may be found a brief overview of the ages of the world (written from an in-world continental perspective); this is followed by an overview of the calendar in use among continental cultures.
Ages of the World
TouchstonesAncient Egyptian Religion, The Myth of Atlantis, the Silmarillion, the book of Genesis, the fall of Rome, the narrative of Renaissance “rebirth”.
As it would seem Right and True to me, a lowly Historian in the High and Holy Court of Lippewick, to set down the Foundations of the History of our World, for the Education of so Noble and Graceful a Son of the Rightful Queen of Lippewick, Crown among Crowns in Teutanny, I have endeavored to prepare this Sketch of our History for His Highness, the Prince. May Amun’s Grace rest upon me in this Charge.
The Age of Paradise
The world began many thousands of years ago, and when it was formed, it was perfect. Those we call the races of mortalkin had not yet tasted of death, and they awoke among the innumerable host of shining beings now worshiped as gods.
These gods, so much more graceful, and mighty, and wise than the children of this earth, ruled over them in tranquility and peace. The high and holy arts of these times is now long lost, but it is certain that the years that passed in the bliss of paradise, in this Kingdom of Akasha, more than exceed tenfold the tale of years since.
The Cataclysm
There was one among the gods, Apep the Great Serpent, who desired to rule alone among the halls of paradise. Long was their thought poisoned by their rank ambition, and for many centuries they prepared the downfall of the gods. Little still is known of their plan, but what is known is this: on a night of revelry, Apep struck, breaking the foundations of paradise and slaying many of the gods, the rightful rulers of this world.
Many, but not all. Some of the gods survived, and they rallied their forces to drive the Serpent Apep from this world. Fear and death entered into the world. The races of mortalkin cried out for their lost paradise, but a time of valor was upon them.
The Age of Heroism
Thus, the gods chose among the mortal races champions, great heroes who would defend their people from the servents of Apep and those who lusted for his power. The gates of Paradise became the Gates of Death, and many long wars were fought in the newly dark and dreary world. At long last, after ten thousand years of valor, the Serpent Apep and their servants were bound, cast beyond the gates of Death.
The Age of Strife
The promise of peace loomed large for the race of mortalkin. And, indeed, the children of those Heroes, their grandchildren, and those even to the fourth generation, rested. This was a time of brief tranquility, as our forebears in those generations followed the wisdom of the gods in all humility. The gods made fast and secure the Gates of Death, and slowly they retreated from their rule of mortals, setting themselves the task instead of guarding eternally the Serpent, Apep.
In times of peace, evil ever wends its way into the hearts of mortalkin. A great empire of crystal spires rose in the far west of our world. This was the Empire of Lemuria, and the high art of this people would fain rival the wonders of the age of Paradise. In their pride, they cast a challenge before the gods now departed beyond the gates of Death.
And this challenge was answered. The spires of that empire were cut down to the roots; fire rained from the skies. The very land was struck as with the hammer of the heavens, and little remains of this ancient empire but fallen ruins. Mortalkin fled those shores, sailing east, those still faithful to the gods trusting in their guidance.
The Aptalian Age
The noble and faithful eventually found this land, the cradle we now know as the Continent. Here, cities once more began to rise, and the high priest of the gods was chosen to rule. The House of Ptah, as it was known, conquered all this land, laying the foundations of the Aptalian Empire.
For one thousand, nine hundred, three and sixty years this empire ruled. The art and commerce of this empire could not reach the height of the empire of Lemuria; but yet, neither did the sins of this empire’s children. Many a faithful ruler enthroned wisdom and prudence in the capital of Aigyptos; many an evil ruler crushed the face of the people under their boot.
Moonfall
It was in that year, the 1,963rd year of the Aptalian Empire, that the great Serpent Apep escaped their bonds beyond the Gates of Death.
The gods, having held back this tide of chaos for many ages of the mortal world, had been spent, their strength failing us in this late hour. Still, one god foresaw this end, and for this he had prepared. He had chosen to be born among mortalkin, a hidden prince among the rabble. And in our time of need, he rose.
As the serpent sped to our shores, he cast off the raiment of mortality and stood, clothed in the glory of the immortal: Amun, Last Emperor of the Aptalian Empire, defender of Life, Warden of Death. He strode against the Serpent, and their battle shook the very roots of the mountains. The Serpent, in their madness, sought to swallow the moon itself; but as powerful as they were, in this their reach did exceed their grasp. The moon shattered under their jaws, and fire once more rained down from the heavens. Thus, this cataclysm is known as Moonfall.
Many are the tales of this time, but in the end, Amun triumphed over his foe, sealing him away beyond the gates of Death once more. And there, beyond those gates, he performed his Great Work, fashioning the Paradise of old. Those valorous souls who prove faithful to his name would find their way prepared.
The Age of Amun’s Grace
Thus, the last Emperor of the Aptalian Empire passed the right to rule to the Patriars, stewards of his throne. Thus, the Age of Amun’s Grace, from whence we count the years of our new calendar, began.
Evil, as ever, wended its way into the hearts of mortalkin. Kings rebelled from the rule of the Patriars. Conquerers plundered, plagues raged, traitors drank their fill of blood, and every mortal found their heart gravely tested by these dark days.
A New Age
Today, we find ourselves on the cusp of a new age. Should we be worthy, it will not be bound by armies, by conquest. It may well be defined by wise rule, by mortalkin reaching once more to grasp for paradise. We know not yet whether our reach will exceed our grasp; whether we will follow in the footsteps of our father, Amun, or in the path of the Serpent. But it is my wish, oh Prince, that your heart would seek the light.
May you lead us to Paradise and a new age of awakening, my sovereign Lord.
— Francesca Geiselhart, Historian of the Court of Lippewick, 1247 A.G. (Four years ago). Three years later, Geiselhart would be executed for her part in a failed conspiracy to assassinate the Queen of Lippewick.
The Continental Calendar
In the calendar of the Continent, years are reckoned from the descent of Amun into the underworld, his conquering of Apep the Serpent, and his return on the dawn after the winter solstice. These are known as “Years of Amun’s Grace,” abbreviated as A.G.
The current year is the 1251st year of Amun’s Grace; also written as 1251 A.G. Years before year 0 use a simple negative (-) sign; for instance, “The Aptalian Empire was founded in the year -1963 A.G.”
Monthly Cycle
Every year consists of three hundred and seven days, broken up into ten months of precisely thirty days each, with seven intercalary days (not included in any month). An additional “leap” day is added every seven years.
The names of the months (and indeed the days) comes from the northern Lochlannis culture, though the observance of Serpent’s Eve is an innovation introduced by Amunism.
The months are as follows:
Starfrost (winter)
Snowbloom (spring)
Raintide (spring)
Maypole (spring)
Nightsun (summer)
Midsummer (3 days, with the Solstice on the 2nd day)
Goldenfield (summer)
Leafturn (autumn)
Applefall (autumn)
Fellghast (autumn)
Serpent’s Eve (1 day, with an extra “leap” day known as the Serpent’s Eye every seven years)
Deepnight (winter)
Yule (3 days, with the Solstice on the final day)
Weekly Cycle
Every month is split into precisely five weeks of six days each. Four of the weekday names are taken from the religion of Lochlann, with the first two names likely originating with the Amunist faith (though there is some debate on this point).
The days of the week are:
Sun’s Day, in honor of Amun, who is often styled in art as the Sun.
Moon’s Day, in honor of the Moon, the once-singular celestial body now shattered.
Tyr’s Day, in honor of Tyr One-Hand, god of the hearth, home, and the defense of both.
Wotan’s Day, in honor of Wotan, the All-Sire, father of the Lochlannis gods.
Veidr’s Day, in honor of Veidr (also called Thor), goddess of the hammer, lightning, defending the innocent, and oath-swearing.
Frey’s Day, in honor of Frey, the god of beauty, kingship and peace.
Back to Pirates: The World of Kaytriss
Kaytriss: The Tale of Years
Here may be found a brief overview of the ages of the world (written from an in-world continental perspective); this is followed by an overview of the calendar in use among continental cultures.
Ages of the World
As it would seem Right and True to me, a lowly Historian in the High and Holy Court of Lippewick, to set down the Foundations of the History of our World, for the Education of so Noble and Graceful a Son of the Rightful Queen of Lippewick, Crown among Crowns in Teutanny, I have endeavored to prepare this Sketch of our History for His Highness, the Prince. May Amun’s Grace rest upon me in this Charge.
The Age of Paradise
The world began many thousands of years ago, and when it was formed, it was perfect. Those we call the races of mortalkin had not yet tasted of death, and they awoke among the innumerable host of shining beings now worshiped as gods.
These gods, so much more graceful, and mighty, and wise than the children of this earth, ruled over them in tranquility and peace. The high and holy arts of these times is now long lost, but it is certain that the years that passed in the bliss of paradise, in this Kingdom of Akasha, more than exceed tenfold the tale of years since.
The Cataclysm
There was one among the gods, Apep the Great Serpent, who desired to rule alone among the halls of paradise. Long was their thought poisoned by their rank ambition, and for many centuries they prepared the downfall of the gods. Little still is known of their plan, but what is known is this: on a night of revelry, Apep struck, breaking the foundations of paradise and slaying many of the gods, the rightful rulers of this world.
Many, but not all. Some of the gods survived, and they rallied their forces to drive the Serpent Apep from this world. Fear and death entered into the world. The races of mortalkin cried out for their lost paradise, but a time of valor was upon them.
The Age of Heroism
Thus, the gods chose among the mortal races champions, great heroes who would defend their people from the servents of Apep and those who lusted for his power. The gates of Paradise became the Gates of Death, and many long wars were fought in the newly dark and dreary world. At long last, after ten thousand years of valor, the Serpent Apep and their servants were bound, cast beyond the gates of Death.
The Age of Strife
The promise of peace loomed large for the race of mortalkin. And, indeed, the children of those Heroes, their grandchildren, and those even to the fourth generation, rested. This was a time of brief tranquility, as our forebears in those generations followed the wisdom of the gods in all humility. The gods made fast and secure the Gates of Death, and slowly they retreated from their rule of mortals, setting themselves the task instead of guarding eternally the Serpent, Apep.
In times of peace, evil ever wends its way into the hearts of mortalkin. A great empire of crystal spires rose in the far west of our world. This was the Empire of Lemuria, and the high art of this people would fain rival the wonders of the age of Paradise. In their pride, they cast a challenge before the gods now departed beyond the gates of Death.
And this challenge was answered. The spires of that empire were cut down to the roots; fire rained from the skies. The very land was struck as with the hammer of the heavens, and little remains of this ancient empire but fallen ruins. Mortalkin fled those shores, sailing east, those still faithful to the gods trusting in their guidance.
The Aptalian Age
The noble and faithful eventually found this land, the cradle we now know as the Continent. Here, cities once more began to rise, and the high priest of the gods was chosen to rule. The House of Ptah, as it was known, conquered all this land, laying the foundations of the Aptalian Empire.
For one thousand, nine hundred, three and sixty years this empire ruled. The art and commerce of this empire could not reach the height of the empire of Lemuria; but yet, neither did the sins of this empire’s children. Many a faithful ruler enthroned wisdom and prudence in the capital of Aigyptos; many an evil ruler crushed the face of the people under their boot.
Moonfall
It was in that year, the 1,963rd year of the Aptalian Empire, that the great Serpent Apep escaped their bonds beyond the Gates of Death.
The gods, having held back this tide of chaos for many ages of the mortal world, had been spent, their strength failing us in this late hour. Still, one god foresaw this end, and for this he had prepared. He had chosen to be born among mortalkin, a hidden prince among the rabble. And in our time of need, he rose.
As the serpent sped to our shores, he cast off the raiment of mortality and stood, clothed in the glory of the immortal: Amun, Last Emperor of the Aptalian Empire, defender of Life, Warden of Death. He strode against the Serpent, and their battle shook the very roots of the mountains. The Serpent, in their madness, sought to swallow the moon itself; but as powerful as they were, in this their reach did exceed their grasp. The moon shattered under their jaws, and fire once more rained down from the heavens. Thus, this cataclysm is known as Moonfall.
Many are the tales of this time, but in the end, Amun triumphed over his foe, sealing him away beyond the gates of Death once more. And there, beyond those gates, he performed his Great Work, fashioning the Paradise of old. Those valorous souls who prove faithful to his name would find their way prepared.
The Age of Amun’s Grace
Thus, the last Emperor of the Aptalian Empire passed the right to rule to the Patriars, stewards of his throne. Thus, the Age of Amun’s Grace, from whence we count the years of our new calendar, began.
Evil, as ever, wended its way into the hearts of mortalkin. Kings rebelled from the rule of the Patriars. Conquerers plundered, plagues raged, traitors drank their fill of blood, and every mortal found their heart gravely tested by these dark days.
A New Age
Today, we find ourselves on the cusp of a new age. Should we be worthy, it will not be bound by armies, by conquest. It may well be defined by wise rule, by mortalkin reaching once more to grasp for paradise. We know not yet whether our reach will exceed our grasp; whether we will follow in the footsteps of our father, Amun, or in the path of the Serpent. But it is my wish, oh Prince, that your heart would seek the light.
May you lead us to Paradise and a new age of awakening, my sovereign Lord.
— Francesca Geiselhart, Historian of the Court of Lippewick, 1247 A.G. (Four years ago). Three years later, Geiselhart would be executed for her part in a failed conspiracy to assassinate the Queen of Lippewick.
The Continental Calendar
In the calendar of the Continent, years are reckoned from the descent of Amun into the underworld, his conquering of Apep the Serpent, and his return on the dawn after the winter solstice. These are known as “Years of Amun’s Grace,” abbreviated as A.G.
The current year is the 1251st year of Amun’s Grace; also written as 1251 A.G. Years before year 0 use a simple negative (-) sign; for instance, “The Aptalian Empire was founded in the year -1963 A.G.”
Monthly Cycle
Every year consists of three hundred and seven days, broken up into ten months of precisely thirty days each, with seven intercalary days (not included in any month). An additional “leap” day is added every seven years.
The names of the months (and indeed the days) comes from the northern Lochlannis culture, though the observance of Serpent’s Eve is an innovation introduced by Amunism.
The months are as follows:
Weekly Cycle
Every month is split into precisely five weeks of six days each. Four of the weekday names are taken from the religion of Lochlann, with the first two names likely originating with the Amunist faith (though there is some debate on this point).
The days of the week are: