Lore Dump: Zvezda Society & Timekeeping
Zvezda Society
All Zvezda gain sustenance through light and minerals. When exposed to natural light, the unique colored markings that every Zvezda sports will faintly glow as they absorb the light particles for nutrients. It is very similar to how plants obtain nutrients. This close resemblance has created a direct connection with Zvezda to plant life. Their antennas are not only used to communicate with each other, but also plants.
The city of Ketzumati is filled with lush gardens and greenery. Their towering buildings are often covered in vining plants and moss that the Zvezda upkeep daily.
Zvezda Time
The Zvezda do not keep track of time like the humans do. Instead of hours, it is the star light phases which they track in their calendar, similar to phases of the moon.
They document a cluster of stars that are within a light year of Ketzumati. Each star's light cycle represents a single day for the Zvezda and each phase represents the time of day. Sometimes this can be an entire week when compared to time on earth, or it can be a few hours. When in space, it is translated to the same exact time every cycle for the Zvezda due to the fact that they don’t reside in an atmosphere which is always changing. Space is constant, so time is constant there. On a planet, nothing is constant, like the weather and even the placement of the sun and moon in the sky. It is always moving and changing.
Star Cycle
Burning Phase - This is when a star is at its most active and is often the time when it twinkles or changes in brightness. This is morning for Zvezda.
Still Phase - This phase is when the star is emitting light but it is a constant light and brightness. This is midday for Zvezda.
Dark Phase - This phase can also be called the sleep phase. It is when the spirit of a star rests. This is the time in which Zevzda sleep. The star no longer emits light and moves locations after its cycle has ended.
There are 400 stars in each cluster, representing a year for the Zvezda.
Zvezda New Year
This is the darkest time of the year for the Zvezda and is similar to a period of fasting in which they do not consume any light or minerals. They remain awake during the final Dark Phase and celebrate and honor the Zvezda spirits which have ascended into stars. During the first Burning Phase of the New Year, the Zvezda continue their celebrations with light shows and even ceremonies that bring blessings upon the younglings. They believe this allows their younglings to prosper in the new year.
