[ Customs ]

Kindred are more active during the winter than during the summer by virtue of the day and night cycle. This impacts kindred society, which largely shuts down during the short nights of summer, allowing kindred to tend to their own affairs more easily in what few hours they have, without a multitude of social obligations.

The winter half of the year, when the nights are longest, is known as the Season, and it is when the majority of social events take place. The season lasts from September 8 to Easter and is further subdivided into the autumn, advent, winter and lent. It is generally considered that no-one should organize more than one event during each period, and that certain important events such as weddings should not take place in the same period of the season within a Clan, for example.

The Season in London officially starts on September 8, the birthday of the Virgin Mary. The prince will hold a meeting with the Primogen Council on this day, and no other social activities will take place. On September 9, there will be a Levee, where male fledgelings and new arrivals are introduced to the Prince. Finally, on September 10th, female fledgelings and new arrivals will be introduced to the Prince and the Débutante Ball will be held. Note that these days may be moved forward one day if one of them happens to fall on a Sunday.

After the debutante ball, Kindred organize their own events and harpies in particular are generally quite busy during this period re-establishing more distant relations after the summer, and running social events that they had planned out during the summer.

The autumn period ends on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the liturgical year. Since advent is a time of penitence, no balls are held during this period, but many other social events do take place, so long as they are not too exuberant.

Kindred celebrate Christmas in their own way. On the day after Christmas there is a large ball, the Winter Ball, to open the Winter period.

After Christmas, the Winter period begins which is when the most lavish balls and events are held.

The winter period is concluded with a large Masquerade ball.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Easter - the exact dates for this vary. It is a period of fourty days intended for religious contemplation, abstinence and charity.

No balls are held during this period, but as with advent, social events do take place so long as they are not too exuberant. In particular, any events intended for charity are considered especially appropriate.

On the night to Easter Monday, one final event is held to close off the season. After it concludes, the Season has ended.

During the summer period, social events are limited and spread out more, allowing Kindred to spend the few hours they have each night keeping their affairs in order more easily. It is not uncommon for some to head to the countryside.