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Firstly I must apologize as in a rather stuporous state I accidentally deleted this ask. Fortunately however, I keep screenshot backups.
Secondly I would like to apologize for my prolonged absence. I am afraid I indulged a little too heavily in Dark Season revelry and needed a few days to sleep it off. I’ll get into detail on Dark Season customs that would lead to that in a moment.
The answer, obviously now, is yes, there are official celebrations and holidays on Derse, though given the length of the year, there are relatively few. For the duration of this article the words ‘year’ and ‘annual’ shall refer to the fifty-earth-year cycle it takes Derse to orbit Skaia, and before I can get into holidays, I have to first explain the Dersite Calendar.
The year is divided into approximate eighths, referred to as ‘quarters’. The first half of the year has four ‘waxing quarters’ and the second half has four ‘waning quarters. Each quarter is roughly six earth years long, and do to this, important celebrations which are not tied to Derse’ rotation around skaia are celebrated Quarterly (eight times a year) rather than annually.
Dark Season/Dersite New Year: Annual: This is definitely the largest holiday on Derse, and the longest. The Dark Season is a period of about 10 days when Derse is farthest from skaia and actually brushes the outer ring itself, going partially out of the medium. At this time the ‘horrorterrors’ are most clearly visible in the sky, and it is traditionally within the structure of the ‘game’ (S*rub) the time when the Dersite dreamers visions comparable (or more accurately contrasting) with the Prospitian visions of Skaia. However that is the subject of another article. It is more than worth noting however that Dersites themselves are not immune to this type of vision, and also tend to have them in their dreams.
What must be understood is the Dark Season has only occurred around 40 times so far in the history of the medium, and most Dersites on the moon have been present for all of them. This means that holiday traditions are neither particularly deeply ingrained, nor passed from generation to generation with veneration and mysticism. (recall of course that the Dersites do not have children or generations)
That said, there are traditional festivities that go on around the Dark Season, most of which stem from trying desperately not to notice, or be noticed by the Horrorterrors. Initially the holiday started when due to the first days of the first season, almost no one in the Dark Kingdom was able to function in large part due to terrifying dreams that the they experienced and the various methods to combat them. Thus, the entire kingdom was essentially given the whole ‘season’ off.
During the first Dark Seasons Dersites started going around in hooded cloaks or large hats (less popular) and cloaks whenever they had to be outside, with the dual purpose of lessening the chances of accidentally looking up, and simultaneously hoping they would make themselves less conspicuous to any horrorterrors watching. This custom developed into wearing masks additionally, and now costume contests have become popular.
During the first Dark Seasons Dersites started going around in hooded cloaks or large hats (less popular) and cloaks whenever they had to be outside, with the dual purpose of lessening the chances of accidentally looking up, and simultaneously hoping they would make themselves less conspicuous to any horrorterrors watching. This custom developed into wearing masks additionally, and now costume contests have become popular.
Traditionally the Dark Season is spent in large house parties, drinking heavily, and staying up until one passes out. Just about every passtime that can be engaged in to avoid sleeping is, and it becomes a general excuse for acting foolish and even a bit insane. There is of course a lot of sex which goes on during the drinking and partying. There are a lot of games engaged in, a lot of dancing, and very, very little sleep. In terms of human holidays, I’d say it resembles most a very long Halloween, given the focus on costumes and debauchery. I hope now you can see why I needed a few days to sleep it off, as I participated far more than I had initially anticipated.
Full Moon: Annual: Another annual celebration the ‘Full Moon’ is at the opposite end of the year from the Dark Season. This is the time that Derse is closest to Skaia and is a sort of ‘Summer’ celebration. Full Moon is three days long but generally concentrated on the third day. Visiting and going house to house with your friends is common, as is kite flying towards the mountains and fireworks displays over the palace. I have not yet witnessed Full Moon, and sadly won’t for quite a few more years.
New Quarter Celebration: Quarterly: The first day of each quarter is a holiday of the minor kind, with no particular associated traditions, other than a day off.
Queen’s Feast: Quarterly: Celebration honoring the Queen. Day is given off, gifts and tribute are sent to the Queen, and those she is disinterested in are redistributed to those who gave. Also used as a gift giving holiday between friends and lovers. Fireworks over the palace and an official dance is held. Many unofficial dances are held for those not invited or rich enough to buy their way in.
King’s Feast: Quarterly: A patriotic holiday celebrating Derse’s eventual victory over Prospit. There is an official military parade by the palace guard, and individuals are expected to fly a flag. This holiday has been struck/discouraged in the last Quarter.
Dreamer Days: varies/marked by Skaian calendar. Occur several times yearly: These are more celebrated on Prospit than Derse, but are viewed with reverence here. No time off is given but there is a day corresponding to each dreamer/player in the medium, rather like Catholic Saint days. If its the day of the Light player for instance, its considered a day of good or bad luck. A Heart player day, a day of love and a good day for confessing your desire for someone, etc etc.
Pie Day* (and others): Varies: Various ‘holidays’ put on or promoted by shops, the first and most prominent of which is Pie Day, a day where one is expected to buy and exchange extravagant and ornate pies. These are small, and not nationally celebrated, but do provide some amusements and traditions.
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