Need to a Quick and Easy Way to Keep Track of the Date?
No problem! Here's Your Solution!
The Concept
The idea is simple. It's based on a 28 day calendar, so all 12 months are exactly 28 days. Draw one card from the Months of the Year Deck and one from the Days of the Week Deck. That's your current, in game date. The Months of the Year cards have an information blurb that explains the story behind the month's name and any traditions and holidays. The Days of the Week cards also contain an information blurb that explains the story behind the name of the day and what normally happens on that day. It also shows the current moon phase.
So with just two cards you'll have: the current month and day; what normally occurs during that month and particular day and trivia; and what phase the moon is in!
I wanted to create a calendar system where the players didn't have to memorize unique names of the months and days and convert them in their hands. So, I created names that are phonetically suggestive of our real world months and days and provided a story behind each name.
The Decks
There are two decks.
Months of the Year Deck
This deck indicates the current month.
Days of the Week Deck
This deck indicates the current day.
Start
All 12 months are exactly 28 days in length. This keeps everything--including tracking the phases of the moon--simple and easy.
Using the Decks
Mouse over the Months of the Year Deck. On the pop out box on the left, click on Choose. Choose the appropriate month card by either dragging onto the table top or into your hand. Repeat with every change of the month, returning the previous card to the Months of the Year Deck.
Do the same with the Days of the Week Deck. Repeat with every change of day, returning the previous card to the Days of the Week Deck.
Okay, let's do an example:
In my game, the current date is Oarsday, Ahpril 5th. So, I mouse over the Months of the Year Deck. I click on Choose and then drag the Ahpril Card into my hand--I prefer to hold the Calendar Cards in my DM's hand so I can easily consult them. The card's information blurb reads, "Named after a fertility spirit called the Lady of Flowers. Mating Season begins. A Time of planting."
Okay, so I now know what's going on during this month.
Next, I mouse over the Days of the Week Deck. and click on Choose. Then I drag the Oarsday 5 card into my hand. The card's information blurb reads, "Start of the Fish Market. Runs until Adderday, Fisherfolk bring their catches to Market." And it also tells me what the current moon phase is: 1/4 Waxing Moon. Great! I know what's going on that day and what phase the moon is in!
Now, I have in my hand the Ahpril and Oarsday 5 cards. Together the two indicate that the current date is Oarsday, Ahpril 5th. Next , the party rests for a day. I mouse over the Days of the Week Deck. and click on Choose. Then I drag the Eyeday 6 card into my hand. I return the Oarsday 5 card to the deck. The new date is Eyeday, Ahpril 6th. Let's look at the Eyeday information blurb: "When the Eyes of the Gods open and take stock. People try their best to behave." Okay, a day of superstition.
Repeat as needed.
That's it! Simple, right?
Get the Instant Time Tracker cards (https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/gameaddon/9206/instant-time-tracker-cards) and then you'll always know the date, the time and the phase of the moon!
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