December 21st - Yesmetiel - Year's Ending: The events of the year are recounted by storytellers and bards. Each family has a Notiel Manthule (Counting of Honor), in which they weigh the events of the year and actions of family members in terms of honor. Beginning of Hrive (Winter).
December 31st-January 1st - Duminya Loa (First Night), Orminya Loa -New Year's Day: The Parma Yesquenta (the Year's History Book) of each person, family, town, Barony, Dutchy, and the country is closed and a new one begun. A toast is made at midnight of Duminya Loa called the Yulmaloa (Cup of Year). By drinking it, elves symbolically accept all they have done and all that has happened in the past year.
February 1st - Ringwain Anor - Cold New Sun: The days are noticeable longer, although it is the coldest part of the year. This is a reminder that you must not expect immediate results of your work, but must continually work to achieve what you desire. Wishes for the coming year are made. Known in Common as Patience Day. Beginning of Balering (Deep-Cold).
March 21st - Sulhintiel - Windcasting: The fields and herbs are planted, and the seeds of wildflowers are thrown into the winds outside of the fields to beautify the landscape when they bloom. This is a popular time for Lifemating ceremonies to be performed. Also known as Orbadokemen (Day of Earth-Working). Beginning of Coire (Stirring).
May 1st - Lindon Anor - Songs of the Sun: The blossoms which are on the trees and plants are collected. Their oils extraced, they are pressed for dyes and put in hair. The major bardic festivals/competitions are held on this day, outdoors (weather permitting). Elves will bring a picnic lunch to hear the bards, who debut their new songs. Beginning of Ethuil (Spring).
June 21st - Mereth Eldarlear - Feast of the Summer Elves: Elves who have grown to maturity are recognized as adults on this day. From this day on, they are responsible for a personal Parma Manthuliel (Book of Honor). The now-adult elves will chose a High Art (Martial, Celestial, Earth, Astrological, or Alchemical) to study.
August 1st - Minya Hostiel - First Harvest: Also known as Enlaer (mid-summer). The harvest of fruits, vegetables, and berries is begun. Herbs are gathered to fry in the sun for winter storage. It is also called Consequence Day in Common, for although the days grow shorter, it is the warmest time of the year. It is a reminder that consequences may linger long after any action and so one must think before acting. Beginning of Iavas (Fruitful).
September 21st - Dara Hostiel - Second Harvest: Fields that were planted in Ethuil are harvested for grains, corn, and the vegetables that were not harvested at Minya Hostiel. Wood is gathered and stored to last through the winter. Baking competitions are held. Beginning of Firith (Fading).
October 31st to November 1st - Qualinorim - Rememberance of the Dead: Those who have passed from the mortal plane during the year are remembered in reserved celebration. Their actions and lives are recounted in song and story, poem and prose. At midnight, a toast is made in their honor - the Yulma Endu - the Cup of Midnight. Beginning of Lasselanta (leaf-Fall).
There are five transition points in life for the Quentari. These are: Coire (birth), Laercoi (Life's summer)- adulthood, Yeniavas (autumn spans)- middle age, Yenigolodh (wise spans)- old age, and Gurth (death), or Autielmenenesso (Passing into paradise). Births are very important and joyous occasions. Many elves met their final deaths in the Adhin Degorim Gurthrauko (Second Death Elemental War), and this is not forgotten by those living today. Some feared that their ancient culture would vanish forever. With each baby's first breath is born renewed hope for the continued existence and prosperity of the Quentari. When a pregnancy is learned of, those around the Undiel Velike (growing, or expectant mother) rejoice, as well as see to her needs. Gifts of food, clothing, and furniture for both mother and baby are brought to the family. A healer from the local Marebalarda (Hall of the Power of Earth), the equivalent of an Earth guild will personally see to the expectant mother's well-being, becoming her Thalionar Coindir- midwife. The family and prospective father(s) gather for the birth, but the Thalionar Coindir is in charge. For a full week after giving birth, a new mother is allowed to rest, and all her needs are taken care of by her mate and/or family. There is then a celebration known as Mereth Vinya Coindir (Feast of the New Mother), where gifts and food are given to her to help her regain her strength, and rejoice the new life begun.
The passage into adulthood is eagerly awaited by young Quentari elves, and their families. Every year at Midsummer, the Eldarlaer (Stars of Summer) feast is held (this term is also used to describe the new adults). It marks the beginning of adult, independent life with responsibilities and the beginning of a personal record of honor for all elves who have come of age since the last Eldarlaer. The self-control of the Eldarlaer is tested at this feast. After a grand meal with exotic imported foods from around the continent, each of the Eldarlaer is given their first glass of Elderberry Wine, a mild hallucoid/intoxicant/aphrodisiac. It is a show of maturity and honor to select a lover carefully, or not at all while under the effects of the wine. The next day the Eldarlaer, now considered adults, are given white robes to wear for the next week as a symbol of their accomplishment, and purity of honor. A purple heart is added over the heart area of the chest for those who experienced Fearembriel (Soul-meshing)- known to humans as Life-bonding.
Middle age is called Yeniavas (Autumn Spans), and can begin anywhere from late in the second to late in the third century of life. This is a time for reflection of what has been done, what lessons have been learned, and what is still needed or wanted in life. Toward the end of this stage is when duithil metiel (moonflow's ending), or menopause in the Common tongue begins for women. Men experience something similar known as Saravi Metiel (Seed's Ending). Both sexes may experience a lessened desire for lovemaking, periodical irritability and increased fatigue.
When Yeniavas begins is not a fixed time, it is decided by each elf as it occurs. When they feel the time has come, close friends and family are gathered for Notiel Manthulen (Counting of Honors). For about one week they will examine and celebrate past accomplishments in the elf's life, as well as acts and debts of honor. plans are made for the coming spans to pay debts of honor and to do what is still to be done in life. Gifts are sometimes given that are symbolic of outstanding achievements.
The last phase of a Quentari's life is called Yenihriw (pronounced YEN-i-riw, the r is unvoiced). It means Winter Spans. This is marked by the end of Duithil Metiel for women and Saravi Metiel for men. Memory loss is not usual, and in fact it is at this time in life that the most knowledge is retained. The elf now becomes a Golodh (Wise One), who is a town elder. Golodhel (Wise Ones) have a voice in the decisions of the smaller towns, and council younger elves on matters such as honor, love, and life. When the Golodhel gain a new member, the town holds a Mereth Golodh (Feast of Wisdom). It is a celebration of a long life, and the entering of it's final stage.
The ending of physical life is called Autmennesiel (Passing Into Paradise). It is believed that a dying elf's spirit can choose to be born as another elf, or to pass into Mennesse (Paradise). Paradise has been described as a place that is filled with light, other spirits, and joy. It is believed that no living elf can truly imagine what Mennesse is truly like.
When a Quentari dies permanently, a close friend or family member wraps the nude body in a light shroud of opaque material, as a symbol that the person is no longer there, but elsewhere. To be named in an elf's will as the person to wrap the body is considered a reflection of love and trust and conveys honor on that person. During sunset of that day, or the next day if the death occurred close to sunset, the body is buried without a coffin in an unmarked grave. The absence of a coffin is to insure that the body's reunion with the earth is as quick as possible. There are times when the wrapped body is creamated on a pyre instead of being buried. The ashes are either buried in an unmarked grave, or scattered.
After the burial, close friends and family gather to remember the deceased in a bittersweet celebration involving food, stories, togetherness, and a final Notiel Manthulen. During the next week they will settle the affairs of the departed, while continuing to celebrate the last milestone in Tyrran life, and saying goodbye in their own ways. During this time, others who knew the deceased may come to lend a hand, or bring supplies. Those who grieve usually do so for about one month, and then it is time to say a last goodbye and focus on life to come. Without death, there could be no birth, and life would stagnate, but life always goes on.
Hauntings occur only rarely in Quentari. It is believed that ghosts feel they have unfinished business, or are lost on the road to Mennesse. At times of hauntings, communication with the ghost is sometimes attempted. The spirit is helped as best as possible to find its way, if benign, and banishings with Destroy Earth occur if it is harmful, or uncooperative. Created undead are seen as abominations, as they are not part of the natural life - death cycle. Lesser undead are somewhat pitied, as the soul is being held against its will, and is believed to be in pain. Upon seeing a lesser undead, Quentari will destroy the body, if possible, to free the soul. Greater undead are seen as completely dishonorable, vile monsters to be destroyed, especially if they are undead by choice. Quentari hunt them and wish to wipe them out entirely.