Dedarian Calendar

The Dedarian Calendar is the most commonly used calendar in the civilized world. It was named after Grummi Dedarian, a dwarf who studied astronomy and time keeping methods that are widely used today. The original calendar set standards for time through the observation of the movement of celestial bodies and their relation to the changes in climates throughout the year. It concludes there are exactly 384 days in a year, consisting of four seasons, two equitum (equinox), and two suns'tul (solstice). Each season is divided in to two months, each consisting of 6 weeks containing 8 days each for a total of 48 days.

This complimented Dedarian's Theory of Time, which measures time on a micro scale using units called duzmal (hours), zeksesh (minutes), zeksieshen (seconds). Dedarian used his theory to proof his calendar, taking deliberate notes for two years on the relation between his units of time and proposed calendar. He concluded there were 60 seconds in single minute, 60 minutes in a single hour, and 24 hours in a single day. He concluded his experiment with the statement that "A majority of the 768 days I have measured my Calendar and Theory of Time have proven my experiments on a grand and practical scale."

According to the Dedarian Calendar, it was created in the year 6,294. Dedarian reasoned that there were multiple calendars that dated back roughly 10,000 years, so it would be logical to include those calendars in the estimation of measuring time.

Calendar Structure
The Dedarian Calendar uses a yearly cycle that resets every 1,000 years. This cycle is distilled down to years, seasons, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds. In addition to four seasons, the Calendar uses four Solar/Lunar positions to mark midway points within the seasons.



Methodology
Dedarian was a dwarven tinkerer who specialized in measurement devices that helped in the constructing of forges and underground cities. It is said that he grew tired of the underground, and grew a fascination with the night sky. He began to study astronomy and the stars, and took notice of their largely consistent cycles. He then began to experiment with different ways of measuring time, compiling his notes in a personal journal he kept stowed in a thick beard.

Dedarian first noted that, on the surface world, there were eight distinct "climates" that occurred each year. In general, the cycle went from cold to hot to cold again, and when measured with the stars showed consistency. He was able to predict lunar cycles and star positions with reasonable accuracy, and began to count the days. For the first three years of study, he counted 380, 388, and 383 days. During this waiting period, he would go on to develop and work on his Theory of Time.

At first, Dedarian falsely concluded that there were 385 days in a year, and published a rudimentary calendar based on that fact. Years later he would realize his error when he published his Theory of Time, as he used the theory to measure the 385 days but ended up one day short. Dendarius measured another year, and confirmed the previous year's measurement of 384 days.

To finalize his Calendar, he took extensive measurements using all the knowledge at his disposal. He set his timekeeping machines in motion just as he had before, but also logged and recorded the lunar, solar, and celestial movements throughout the 384 day cycle. After publishing his work, he would challenge himself by predicting celestial events and weather patterns. This gained him much attention, as his predictions were often accurate enough for important individuals to take his work seriously. The Wizard's Guild, now the Collegiate of Mages, made the first purchase of his work, and helped publish Dedarian's Calendar and Theory of Time.

Historical Dating
The Dedarian Calendar has gained popularity and controversy in part by its declaration of a historical timeline. Grummi Dedarian also took interest in history and relics of the past. After his calendar was published by the Wizard's Guild, Dedarian met with masters of history and began developing a timeline. He used historical texts, relics, and mythical stories to estimate that the world was more than 10,000 years old, and that the current civilized peoples had only been present for a small fraction of it due to the fact the Elden had been evidently advanced and ancient, far more than any current race.

Dedarian Timeline
The Dedarian Timeline was Grummi Dedarian's attempt to give order to the history of the known world. It makes assumptions in the past, but the closer to the published date, the more accurate the timeline becomes. It is important to note that Dedarian’s timeline is influenced largely by Metridia and Westaranis.


 * Unknown Time
 * The world is created
 * Before 0 DC
 * The Elden are the dominant race in the world
 * 0 DC
 * The Elden suddenly and mysteriously disappear
 * Beginning of the First Cycle
 * 1,000 DC
 * The First Cycle Ends, beginning the Second Cycle
 * 1,500 DC
 * Other races begin developing in the absence of the Elden
 * 2,000 DC
 * The Second Cycle ends, the Third Cycle begins
 * 3,000 DC
 * The Third Cycle ends, the Fourth Cycle begins
 * 3,250 DC
 * Most races have started using more complex tools such as the wheel
 * 4,000 DC
 * The Fourth Cycle ends, the Fifth Cycle begins
 * 4,700 DC
 * The Draconian Age begins
 * 5,000 DC
 * The end of the Fifth Cycle, the Sixth Cycle begins
 * 5,477 DC
 * The Lifelong War begins
 * 6,000 DC
 * The Sixth Cycle ends, and the seventh Cycle begins
 * 6,182 DC
 * The Lifelong War ends
 * The Age of Men begins
 * 6,233 DC
 * Lyran is founded
 * 6,241 DC
 * Viraxen is founded
 * 6,242 DC
 * The Aranian Empire officially claims land in Midland, they call it this new kingdom Aranis
 * 6,246 DC
 * The nation of Dal is formed
 * Jutai is founded
 * 6,294 DC
 * The Dedarian Calendar is finalized and published
 * 6,312 DC
 * The War For Westaranis Begins

Controversy
The Dedarian Calendar was revolutionary for timekeeping, and caused plenty of controversy. Much came from established religions and faiths that set importance upon specific dates and holidays. Additionally, the view that the celestial bodies followed a strict and scheduled path went against many beliefs. In some cases the Calendar even challenged rulers' legitimacy to the throne.

Many simply did not publish the calendar, and some that did faced fervent and sometimes violent backlash. However, for the majority the calendar was welcome and put in to common practice.

Near the start of the War for Westaranis, Grummi Dedarian was arrested under orders of a priest of the Zethian Church. Dedarian was traveling at the time, and was unfamiliar with the customs of the peoples he stayed with. When they found out who he was, he was reported to the church, and clerics of the church came to make an arrest. At first he complied, but it was said that Grummi fought the clerics before finally succumbing to spear wounds, and was burned alive.