The calendar used along the Fire Coast, from which most of Black Steel's founding personnel originate, is similar in principle (but not in detail) to those used by the peoples of Tolkien's Middle Earth, having 12 months of 30 days each, and five days that exist outside of any month, with an additional one for leap years. Within the Broken Sea region, this calendar (with slight variation) is the primary one used in Black Steel lands, Arasta, Ephinos, Espava, Korv, Rhedas, and the Sheradi provinces, and is recognized in Shalasia, Itheshia, Tornbring Vale, and Kolmarch. Havandia, the Sankel Badlands, the Teigarant Freelands, and the Grat'han Trade Network use lunar calendars primarily, whose details will not be described here; Korv and Kolmarch also use a Dwarven calendar the details of whose very basis is beyond the scope of this article.
Feast of the Sun's Return - The first day of the calendar year always follows the longest night of winter. It is traditionally a time of celebration in the north, where the seasons are more keenly felt. In the tropical lattitudes of Grat'ha, where the year is divided into the rainy season and dry season, this festival has little meaning; the sun never went anywhere.
Teimary - Roughly corresponding to January (but starting several days earlier), Teimary falls in the middle of the northern winter, and of the north-Grat'han dry season.
Karaban - Likewise corresponds approximately to February.
Tempest - Closest to our March, Tempest is famous for its high winds in the north, but its name is more than a little misleading in the Broken Sea region, as the Rat Pack is fond of pointing out.
Festival of Life Renewed - Generally corresponding to the Vernal Equinox, this day falls near the end of the north-Grat'han dry season, where it is celebrated by many as a last sure chance to enjoy good weather before the rains come.
Shelin - Analogous to April.
Leva - One of the most delightful months on the Fire Coast, May-like Leva marks the beginning of the north-Grat'han rainy season.
Su - Corresponds roughly to June.
Midsummer Day - The summer solstice, celebrated raucously in the north, a tradition which Telaeri has tried to bring to The Scabbard, where unfortunately it usually needs to be celebrated indoors. On leap years, (roughly one year in four) this festival is divided into the Day of Revels and the Leave-Taking (of the sun), surrounding Midsummer Night.
Zerian - July-like weather means oppressive heat, and in the case of northern Grat'ha, even more oppresive humidity and rain.
Argolan - Like August, Argolan carries weather every bit as bad as Zerian's, and often worse.
Nifoper - Similar to September.
Feast of the Harvest - Another festival whose name is more or less meaningless in the region of Grat'ha, this one falls on or near the Autumn Equinox.
Afor - The end of the north-Grat'han rainy season usually falls in the month that corresponds to our October.
Day of the Veil (between living and dead) - Corresponding more or less to America's Halloween, this is a day of remembrance and preparation for the coming winter in northern climes. At The Scabbard, it has become a massive all-day and all-night celebration, fueled in part by the fact that the rainy season comes to an end right around this time.
Noaver - Similar to November, this month is usually the first of the dry season.
Acar - The final month of the year corresponds roughly to December.