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comicaurora · 4 years ago

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What are the months in this world, and what kind of “woohoo it’s not winter!” festivals are there? (Is there an equivalent to the maying?)

Ooh, I get to show off the calendar!

Aurora’s year is 380 days long. (Days are still roughly 24 hours.) The Ancients divided the year up for practical purposes, and while the days have gained additional associations over the millennia (most feast days now honor specific global conceptual deities), the base structure has remained unchanged.

Due to a combination of a noticeably elliptical orbit and an axial tilt, each hemisphere experiences a half year of temperate weather (the “long spring”, where the heat or cold of the axial tilt is offset by the cold or heat of the variable orbit), followed by an intense summer and then a sudden shift into an equally intense winter (where the heat or cold of the axial tilt is augmented by the heat or cold of the variable orbit).

The year is divided into thirteen twenty-eight-day intervals called sindahlan, a word roughly meaning “two-hand-pass”. It refers to the fact that the small red moon, Sword, makes exactly two full orbits in that time, describing it in terms of a combat maneuver where the sword is passed behind the body. Each sindahlan is further divided into four seven-day intervals, each called a sef. The days in a given sef are Wayann, Sinunn, Hemunn, Jifedann, Jauann, Jesann, and Sefann, which roughly translate to “first sun”, “second sun”, etc., up through “seventh sun”.

Each sindahlan begins with a feast day that is not considered part of the regular schedule. There are thus thirteen feast days, each followed by 28 regularly scheduled days, and this schedule of 13 29-day intervals accounts for 377 days of the year. Three days are left over, and serve to close out the year with a three-day festival before the schedule restarts with the new year.

The first sindahlan begins with The Feast Of The Scales, a festival that honors Wys, god of balance and temperance. The larger moon, Shield, is always full on this day. It heralds the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere, though in the southern hemisphere it just falls in the midpoint of the long spring. In the northern hemisphere, crops are harvested and bonfires and feasts are held to celebrate and prepare for the coming cold. In the southern hemisphere, it’s a more generic festival, but the party atmosphere is maintained, and new beginnings are celebrated.

The second sindahlan begins with the Feast of Liunn, a festival in honor of Liunn Keen-Eyed, goddess of inspiration. While mostly considered a fun public holiday with lots of bonfires and dancing, for artists and creatives this holiday is much more personal. They present their current unfinished work for public scrutiny, in the hopes that the mortifying ordeal will draw the eye of Liunn and grant them a burst of inspiration to help them make progress. For chefs, this tradition has morphed somewhat, and many use this as an opportunity to taste-test their newer, more experimental creations, some attempting to one-up each other with more and more wild creations. It’s often considered unwise to eat any suspicious festival pastries, and the more mundane they look, the more dangerous they might be.

The third sindahlan begins with Ishva’s Turn, a festival that honors Ishva, The March Of Stars, deity of time and decay. In the heart of northern-hemisphere winter, families celebrate at home with a hearty meal and an exchange of gifts. Some children honor Ishva by constructing effigies from snow - as they melt and deteriorate, it is seen as a reminder of Ishva’s inevitability. The southern hemisphere has no snow at this point, but honors Ishva with a special drink - a hardened sugar candy shaped into an effigy of Ishva is stirred into warm milk and allowed to dissolve, a delicious reminder of life’s impermanence.

The fourth sindahlan is led with Twin’s Turn, a festival the Ancients celebrated to honor The Twins, the only gods the Ancients seem to have deemed worth notice. This sindahlan sees many animals reproducing in advance of warming weather, and the new life is celebrated with specialized pastries and bonfires among the melting snows. The southern hemisphere celebrates similarly despite nearly being in summer by now - the Ancients never colonized that far south, so the holiday traditions migrated later without really adapting.

The fifth sindahlan begins with Hesta’s Embrace, a festival honoring Hesta, The Open Hearth, goddess of compassion. In the northern hemisphere it heralds spring, while in the southern hemisphere it heralds summer - the whole world embraces the coming heat with a festival of dancing and song. In honor of Hesta, all food is shared with at least one other person.

The sixth sindahlan begins with Pendulum’s Swing, a festival in honor of Graiann, god of justice. Shield is full on this feast day, and it is seen as a turning point in the year. This is a grimmer holiday than some, and the festival is a more subdued affair. Debts are repaid or forgiven, a tradition which in some areas has evolved into a symbolic exchange of gifts. Also, sometimes seekers of vengeance will choose this day to take their revenge, hoping that Graiann will favor their endeavor.

The seventh sindahlan holds the exact midpoint of the year (the 15th day of the sindahlan, specifically, which is technically the equinox as well as the point where the planet's distance from the sun is exactly midway between its two extremes), and thus its feast day was considered too significant to dedicate to a single conceptual god. Instead, it honors the sun itself. The sun does not have a god (at least, not one anyone on the planet has ever seen) but it is sometimes personified in literature and artwork as Yanna the Golden, a shining figure with indistinct features. A wide assortment of pastries and fruits are eaten on this day - anything is permitted as long as it’s round and yellow-to-golden-brown. Some specialized desserts are also made for the occasion, creatively called “sun-cakes” - though their only defining feature is the stylized sun stamped on them, and the exact recipe can vary a lot from region to region. Some are even savory or spicy. Lots of outdoor festivities.

The eight sindahlan marks the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere, and begins with Lyssandra’s Turn, a festival honoring Lyssandra, She Who Finds A Way, goddess of survival and adaption. While the northern hemisphere is deep in the long spring at this point and enjoys a typical relaxing holiday with a few specialized dishes, the southern hemisphere celebrates by harvesting the crops and sharing a feast of cured meats and very solidly-baked bread - the leftovers are stored to help survive the coming winter.

The ninth sindahlan begins with the Feast of the Storykeeper, a festival honoring Shanyasi, goddess of music and stories. Poets and bards sing tales of monsters, gods and heroes, plays are performed, etc. Supposedly, Shanyasi incarnates in disguise and shares a story nobody’s ever heard before - though the truth of the story is highly dubious, as it’s in a story’s nature to change, and Shanyasi has never been very invested in the truth. This puts her at odds with Sennaia Word-Seller, goddess of knowledge, who ALSO supposedly incarnates on this day to try and fact-check Shanyasi before she misleads any mortals. Some of the older bards insist that this is just how they flirt.

The tenth sindahlan honors Emnis, god of dreams, and begins with the Feast of Rest, a relaxed celebration with some low-key public festivities and soothing mulled beverages. Emnis is a very old god, supposedly worshipped before humans and elves even left the caves, so this festival seems to be a very ancient holdover from something celebrated before their civilization properly began. Revelers hope for sweet dreams and uninterrupted sleep, and some share their most interesting or wild dreams - which handily tend to lull listeners to sleep. But some also remember to honor Emnis’s less-liked sister, Erebas, the Nightmare Queen. While Emnis brings restful, pleasant sleep, Erebas more often brings warnings of future dangers, and so some remember to appease her as well, to ask that their nightmares be more than just unpleasant. Erebas is honored with a bitter drink mulled with a mild hallucinogen.

The eleventh sindahlan begins with the Feast of Serenis, a festival honoring Serenis Bright-Eyed, deity of love. This sindahlan marks the end of southern-hemisphere winter and the beginning of the long spring, and the beginning of northern-hemisphere summer. Spirits are high, and an air of togetherness permeates this festival. While many would-be couples take this opportunity to confess their feelings, Serenis appreciates honest expressions of love in all its varieties, and many revelers simply spend time with their friends or families.

The twelfth sindahlan begins with Siodha’s Turn, a festival honoring Siodha Swift-Footed, deity of safe travels. With the world warm and temperate, many people travel in this sindahlan, and some trade routes reopen in earnest here. Siodha is honored casually, with very few public festivities, but anyone planning on traveling in this interval leaves a drink outside for Siodha to quench their thirst. If the cup is emptied by the following day, it’s seen as a good sign for the hopeful traveler.

The thirteenth and final sindahlan begins with Learner’s Lesson, a festival honoring Brenn Ever-Changing, god of learning and wisdom. On this day, people reflect on the lessons of the previous year and what they’ll do going forward. Some pray to Brenn to help them internalize the lessons they've learned and develop better habits. Many treat this as the last chance to make good on their resolutions for the previous year, too. Public festivities are common, and many revelers engage in a form of self-deprecating humor where they explain the funniest, most slapstick lesson they learned that year.

The final three days of the year aren’t dedicated to any one god, and are celebrated in a myriad different ways around the world. Usually they’re dedicated more to local gods or spirits, and in regions where such things are rather less relevant, these three days mark a general period of rest, relaxation, and contemplation.

#aurora #asks #worldbuilding

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idolizerp · 6 years ago

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LOADING INFORMATION ON POIZN’S MAIN RAP, LEAD VOCAL JEON DOYOON...

IDOL DETAILS

STAGENAME: j.dean CURRENT AGE: 29 DEBUT AGE: 21 TRAINEE SINCE AGE:15 COMPANY: 99 SECONDARY SKILL: Lyric writing

IDOL PROFILE

NICKNAME(S):

korean homer: this embarrassing nickname was thrusted onto him in the early days of POIZN since 99 media played him as this rising, prodigal songwriter. ( the nickname is, obviously, used as a joke )

yoonie bear: mostly used by female fans when they saw the stark contrast between his stage persona as a looming and intimidating figure, and his real self who is soft like a teddy bear.

INSPIRATION: doyoon had dreamed to become an artist who could tell his own story and was heavily influenced by korean hip-hop artists such as yoon mirae, tiger jk, and epik high, and he thought being an idol would be the best way to get his name out there. SPECIAL TALENTS:

playing the piano with his feet

nail art

NOTABLE FACTS:

lived in montana, usa for seven years and returned to korea with his grandparents at 12 to become a k-pop idol

was a pianist in his church band

his mother gave him the english name james-dean because she is a big fan of the actor

had numerous part time jobs while he was a trainee to financially support himself

started writing songs and lyrics since he was eight. his first song was about his pet rabbit

IDOL GOALS

SHORT-TERM GOALS:

doyoon hopes to regain the trust he had lost with 99, so he can regain the possibility of the solo opportunity they had given him years ago. to do that, he is trying to soften the public perception of him as one of the “scandal-clad screw ups of 99,” and finally reclaim his debut as a solo artist.

LONG-TERM GOALS:

doyoon has realized time and time again that being an idol is hard, and he is somewhat sick of the lifestyle. so he wants to quickly transition out of that idol title he holds and become an artist that he desperately wants to be by being recognized as someone who writes and produces songs — either for himself, his group, or other artist both in and out of 99.

IDOL IMAGE

as if by fate, 99 knew exactly what they wanted doyoon to be ever since they laid their eyes on him. from a visual standpoint, doyoon seemed to have been born just so he could be a part of POIZN with his sharp eyes, intimidating glare, and baritone voice. 99 sets him out to be a bad boy – not exactly a wild, partying bad boy, but as the classic “hollywood” bad boy ( most likely due to his american upbringing. ) while he initially played the role of a rambunctious young blood, doyoon gradually brings it down and became reserved the more he played his role into what 99 wanted him to be.

he is neither loud nor boisterous – loudness is not what doyoon excels at. he is the old school, quiet but strong candidate, a quiet flame in the background that flickers steadily, refusing to burn out. silent, resilient and intense — these are what 99 wanted to convey, and doyoon became the perfect representative of that image.

now doyoon, left alone and away from 99’s packaging, is unrecognizable. his POIZN persona is on one spectrum, and doyoon stands on the exact opposite end of that spectrum. POIZN’s doyoon is boiling lava while jeon doyoon the person is one of the many kindling on the hearth warming your home – gentle, patient, and meek. so the people have always been surprised to hear about the great divide between the mask and the person that lies beneath it, because doyoon was a breath of fresh air; one of the few POIZN boys who had lived his idol life scandal-free due to his hard work behind the scenes, locked up behind studio doors collaborating with producers to help POIZN rise in the ranks.

it played out in their favor, at first.

but who’s to say that this surprising revelation wasn’t media play itself?

IDOL HISTORY

tw: implied alcoholism, dubious consent.

life is full of choices and doyoon seems to be always picking the wrong ones.

the first choice that changed his life wasn’t necessary his choice to make, nor was he given a voice in the matter. he was only five, after all, and the opinions of a five year-old do not really matter, right? he’s given a new life in a new city that belonged to a new country with a new name and a new sibling.

james-dean jeon is his new name – not just ‘james’ and not ‘dean.’ it’s a mouthful, especially because he’s only five and can barely speak the language.

“i promise you’ll have a better life here, doyoon. you can make your dreams come true here!”

that’s what his parents tell him the night before he starts his first day of american kindergarten. but the thing is: he’s had a great life back in korea. he even had a pet rabbit named pony. oh how he missed pony. but he doesn’t question them further. he smiles and nods to let his parents go to bed because, like him, they too have a busy day of work the next day.

vii.

it’s not that he doesn’t like going to church – it’s just that he doesn’t like waking up at 7 o’clock on sundays to go to a church about 40 minutes away from his home when there are plenty of churches in the neighborhood.

“you know grandpa and grandma aren’t very good at english, and you have to immerse yourself in your culture.”

and his parents are right…to a certain degree.

he should be more understanding of his grandparents needs, since he actually goes out into society – all grandpa and grandma have are each other and the rest of the koreans in their city in montana ( which just happens to be the rest of the family. ) so he shouldn’t get so frustrated when they want to be with the people they have in common.

but did doyoon have to leave korea ( and pony and his other friends ) just to immerse himself into his culture?

he doesn’t say anymore, but he does think about it on his way to church.

rap – it’s what his grandparents and the majority of the grown-ups in his church refer to it as ‘the devil’s music.’ it’s what the older kids at his school and church thought was the best thing in the world. and doyoon thought it was one of the best things – next to drawing stick figures and his two new sisters.

at school, he listens to what he and others know – american rappers and hip-hop artists. while at church, he was introduced to korean hip-hop. doyoon has always been fond of music – that’s why he deliberately stays late after church: to get piano lessons and participate in the church band – and he’s found something that he could love ( even more than pony. boy, he still missed her. )

xii.

call him a silly child all you want, but nothing is stopping him from becoming who he wants to be.

unfortunately for his parents, america is not a place where his dream will come true.

he’s figured out a few years ago that this place isn’t as great as people claim it to be – there are countless iron walls blocking his way, and no matter how high he jumps, he can never go over it like a simple hurdle.

so he decides to be a little selfish.

he goes back to korea with his grandparents, leaving his family and friends behind.

despite his nationality and his blood all originating from korea, the country feels foreign to him – and so does the language, unfortunately. but he’s still growing and he regains the vocabulary as he reincorporates himself into his birthplace.

xv.

there’s an unexplainable distance between his classmates and doyoon – possibly because he spends most of his time at a music academy than at socializing with his peers. he needs to build his skills, because what was the point of coming back to korea if he wasn’t going to work hard?

apparently he’s pretty good at singing ( all those years in the church choir must have paid off ), and he’s come so far in his rapping and dancing skills. the teachers at his academy suggest agencies he should audition in because he might have the potential to become famous.

“just mention us when you hit big, kiddo.”

there is only one agency that takes him in, though ( though he didn’t show it on his face, he was shocked that he passed only one out of six auditions. )

xix.

he manages to finish high school, but he doesn’t get that sweet taste of freedom like the other students do: he practices all day and works all night, partaking in late night shifts at convenience stores.

he will admit that initially, he was ignorant about idols. he didn’t know they had to endure years of training, years of criticism and years of rivalry to debut.

they say his singing is decent, lyrics original and well-crafted, and that he has the right tone and look to be a rapper, but his overall dancing ability is utter garbage. they tell him to either: get better or leave.

no matter how much he practices, they want more – more improvement, more soul, and more blood.

it is a savage world, but it is the world that he chose to belong in.

…

does he belong in it?

xxiii.

doyoon works hard – anyone can see that, and he’s present.

he tries to make POIZN become better and stronger; make it rise to the top like their opponents. so he sits in on the meetings, engages with the producers, and offers his two-cents on certain affairs.

maybe it isn’t his place to say such things, and maybe he’s being too selfish but POIZN and his members are like family to him.

xv.

he is clean – cleaner than bleach, and maybe that’s why 99 is so taken with him.

a solo opportunity is given to him. though it wasn’t handed to him on a silver platter like he had hoped, he takes it without a second thought. even though he wants to dedicate his all to POIZN, POIZN is…well…poison. and doyoon wants to separate himself from that image as soon as possible.

99 offers him some creative control over his content, because they know he won’t screw up.

because doyoon never screws up.

xxvi.

doyoon spends his nights in the studio – a yellow legal notepad on his right and a bottle of whisky. art isn’t something that is created overnight. it is a struggle that takes months – even years to complete.

but doyoon is tired, so tired.

from other work to this, he doesn’t know if he can keep up the burning desire anymore.

is this fine? does this sound good? no. none of this sound good.

not even acceptable.

he doesn’t want to be selfish but he wants something better, something more.

xvii.

99 is ruthless, but he’s sure other companies are just as ruthless.

a picture – not a harmless before an after of a false accusation of cosmetic surgery—

[ +400, -31 ] ㅋㅋㅋ what are they saying? it’s totally him. bye bye loser~ > [ +25, -299 ] how are you so sure it’s him? > [ +450, -19 ] his tattoos, you delulu ㅋㅋㅋ

—but a scandalous picture.

he can’t remember the night well, only fragments of it – all hazy. but he does know that he needed comfort and a night to release his inhibitions.

that night, he remembers two choices:

1) a long night with a bottle with a flavor that he recognizes all too well, or

2) spending time with the person sitting across from him.

xxix.

the big opportunity is stripped from him as soon as the pictures leak, and he’s back to square one – a trainee, trying to prove his worth to the ones high in the clouds. but they still feed on him – feed on his words, his work, his mind, his melodies, his art. that’s the real poison here, but doyoon still craves that attention that small acknowledgement that says, ‘at least you’re doing this right.’

and that is better than nothing.

#id.bio #id.99 #id.poizn #id.bang yongguk #id.legacy

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