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Seasonal Cycle
13.1 Overview
| Season | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Spring | A time of new growth in the kelp forests and the hatching of many sea creatures. The Coral Planting Ceremony honors Nereus and renews the reefs. New coral polyps are planted, debris is cleared, and songs of growth and rejuvenation are sung. Apprentice artists present their first works to their masters. |
| Summer | The season of warm currents, vibrant coral blooms, and the Grand Tide Festival. The Song of the Spheres is performed during the summer solstice in honor of Delphina a grand, underwater musical celebration where Nereids create hauntingly beautiful melodies with voices, shell instruments, and the sounds of sea creatures themselves. Peak season for surface-world visitors. |
| Autumn | When the currents grow colder and the Nereids prepare for winter storms. Harvesting of kelp and deep-sea resources intensifies. The great whale migrations begin, and Nereids gather at the migration routes to sing farewell songs and commune with the passing pods. Libraries and food stores are reinforced. |
| Winter | A time of powerful undersea storms and the great migration of the Tidal Whales. On the darkest night of the year, the Deep Dive Vigil is held: brave Nereid volunteers descend into the abyssal depths to meditate in the realm of Abyssus, seeking visions and insights from the primordial darkness. Communities turn inward, focusing on intimate performances, teaching, and contemplation. |
13.2 Seasonal Festivals & Observances
In addition to the major seasonal events, each coral city maintains its own local observances:
- The Bloom Watch (early spring)
Residents of Luminara gather on the city's outer terraces to witness the first coral blooms of the season, a spectacle of color that signals the reef's renewal. - The Current-Turning (mid-autumn)
When the great ocean currents shift direction for winter, navigators and traders hold a feast to honor the Guild of the Current and pray for safe passages during the stormy months ahead. - The Lantern Procession (late autumn)
Children in all Nereid cities carry cultivated bioluminescent organisms through the streets in a glowing procession, symbolizing the carrying of light into the dark season.