Time in Dwarden

Months of the Year

Galdrenayne

24th: Golden Victory - The day the Black Crown was permanently destroyed.

Karantine

7th: Feast of St. Karant

Strakeris

January

Days of the Week

Delm

Market day. Most castles and villages hold Delm as their market day. It also often a travel day for those who live in the hinterlands, making their way to the commandery.

Delm is the ancient pagan word for the shrines and sacred places of the old gods, whereat it was unlawful to attack and shed blood. The word also indicates the last day of the pagan week, and in ancient times the day was respected as the day of pact, in which it was unlawful to fight and war.

Octavion

By decree of the Order, Octavion is the day set aside for works for the Order. The morning is typically dedicated to manual labor, such as wall improvements/repairs and field work. The afternoon is dedicated to training, drill and weapons maintenance. In the evening, it is tradition for the commandery to provide a quality meal for the militia, as well as edifying education or entertainment. Before the meal, commanders usually hold court to see to disagreements, crimes and complaints. Aspiring bards often sing in the evening around collective fires, unless a high bard is present to entertain the commander and his companions. Such entertainment often goes long into the night.

Trintine

For lay Mandadorians in Dwarden, Trintine comes with an early initial service at dawn, and is held outdoors in salute of the rising sun. Kneeling in thanks for the coming of the dawn to cast away the undead and monsters of the night, deacons or those with minor orders. Encircling themselves with the three halos, worshipers have cleaned themselves before their thanks to Mandador, and recite the vigil prayer, or the iron prayer if they are of that Order of knights.

After this, a solemn and hearty breakfast is prepared, usually called "halmd porridge." Although having regional varieties, halmd is classically made of milk enriched oats, mixed with ground goat meat, some salt, some nuts and some raisins. Honeyed milk as is also drunk with the meal. The meal is enjoyed in silence, save for prayers of thanksgiving. The people go to considerable lengths to ensure all receive this meal, although in meager times it is often of very small portions.

After the meal, the people spend the time at rest and quiet discussion. All major decisions and activities are forbidden at this time, save for in the case of emergency. Elsewise the people prepare for the Dwarden liturgical rite, High Sextine Prayers.

High Sextine

The most important religious ceremony and prayer of the Dwarden week, High Sextine is generally an elaborate and very grave ceremonial ritual of religious prayer and devotion.

After ceremonial washing of the face and hands, the members of the Order who bear the mantle, gather in a line and enter the church, officiated by the clergy in their full regalia. This is done as all chant the prayers most appropriate for that time of year in the Dwarden liturgical language. Behind them come all others, passing the ostiaries as they enter into sacred ground, while the readers lead the congregation in chant.

Once all have gathered in ranks of precedence, organized by locale and families, the church's sacred trefoil is brought forth in great ceremony to great song as all kneel as the trefoil passes.

Once all the congregation has knelt, including all the clergy, the presiding cleric presents the trefoil upon the altar and to the people, speaking grave words of power. He then kneels himself, kissing the trefoil.

Three chants of a body of acceptable prayers are then sung by all the formation. They are often extremely emotional, and to those outside the Dwarden rite are often considered to have such emotional gravity so as to unbearable. Controlled weeping and ecstasy are encouraged. Upon conclusion of the three prayer-chants, the presiding cleric or his designate then address the congregation in grave voice. What he says may vary considerably in substance, but the intent is brevity to some nine minutes, in a style and tone which is honed by the practice of many centuries. Upon conclusion of the cleric's address, the entire congregation slowly passes before the altar and holy pool of water, each kneeling and receiving the Mandadorian halos and a drink of holy water from a chalice. As it is tradition to bring clean armor and weapons to the congregation, these are often presented in salute upon the altar, and the clergy traditionally bless all weapons. While passing the altar, all the congregation sings in chant. Those having passed the altar return to their spots, kneeling, but they are then silent. Last to pass are the clergy themselves, and as each pass the congregation grows silent. Lastly, the presiding cleric blesses himself.

Once all have received the three halos, the presiding cleric presents the trefoil for the last time, and with a great booming voice addresses the congregation for some three minutes, usually with a commandment, challenge, warning, etc. When he completes his address, the sacred trefoil is brought back to the reliquary with great pomp and with an uplifting chant, and the congregation rises as it passes, and then very slowly follows the clerics. Once at the door to the church, the presiding cleric passes off the trefoil to the senior acolyte. The senior clerics remain at the door, and pass words of comfort, praise and counsel to all those who pass as the congregation sings.

Upon leaving the church, the people return to their homes. The especially religious often continue their prayers and chants. Once home, even if hours away, families and homes hold a sober meal, traditionally of bread, cheese, thin slices of mutton or fish, and stone water, meant to fortify themselves for the tasks ahead.