Cycle

Deep underground, time can not be tracked by the movement of the sun, moon and stars and the people were left in the dark. At first water clocks were attempted to recreate time from the surface, but were found to be unreliable at best. A discovery by the miners in the First Age (Age of Tears) finally created a solution. A special fungas was discovered that seemed to change colors over time on a regular basis. It was called the Rainbow Fungus. After some study it was discovered that it cycled on a regular enough basis that it could be used to track time. From that point the fungus is grown on the buildings of the Lake Stratum and on the ceilings of the other Strata in order to track time. Time is divided and measured by the color of the fungus.The entire day is called a Cycle.

The Cycle

Early Blue,Blue,Late Blue

Blue/Green Blend

Early Green,Green,Late Green

Green/Yellow Blend

Early Yellow,Yellow,Late Yellow

Yellow/Orange Blend

Early Orange,Orange,Late Orange

Orange/Red Blend

Early Red,Red,Late Red

Red/Purple Blend

Early Purple,Purple,Late Purple

Purple/Blue Blend

Each Color Period is close to 3 hours long, while the blends are only about a half hour long. The day is actually about 21 hrs long for the city. Most people sleep during the Red, Purple and Blue Periods. The Periods are broken up into three parts. The Blend periods are usually used for transit and easier to arrange meetings. The light created by the fungus is not very bright and does very little to help vision. Most people have it grown in their houses and several "clocks" have been created to help track it.

This will later be used in conjunction with the Vale Calendar to track time throughout Crevice.

Manifestation

This is generally the only light that is used. Bright lights are outlawed as dangerous to the city. These lights only create a soft glow that goes out a couple of feet. The fungus is placed around the city as well as on the "sky" so everyone can track it easily.

Localization

The Lake Stratum is unique in that is does not have a ceiling. Here, the fungus is places on the building walls as well as large pillars around the city. Paradise Stratum is also unique in that the ceiling is made of ice. Here the fungus is placed in special pillars which also help to support the ceiling. Cryo and Hydro Starta have to control the fungus more as it may effect some of the crops they are growing. The fungus is kept in special crystal jars designed to support their normal growth.

Special Note As the city has grown, it has been difficult to limit work in all the Strata to the Yellow and Orange Period, although that was early tradition. By the Fifth Age (Age of Brilliance), that practice started to wan. It is still tradition in most of the upper Strata, but most of the lower Strata don't follow it as strictly.

Traditions and Superstitions

Blue: Renewal. This is represents the new Cycle and purity. Many weddings and blessings occur in this Period.
Green: Strength: Generally considered rude to eat before or after this Period.
Yellow: Awareness: As the "brightest" part of the day, Demons may be stalking in the light.
Orange: Perseverance. Work hard and you will be guided to success.
Red: Love. Enjoy some time with those you love. Celebrations are considered blessed during this Period.
Purple: Safety. It is appropriate to rest in safety during this Period. Being out may mean you are doing something illegal or inappropriate.

Type

Natural

Daily Life

Blue: Wake up if there is a wedding or blessing to attend. Others tend to sleep in if they had a celebration in the Red Period.
Green: Gain your strength by preparing and eating a large meal. Usually the largest meal of the Cycle. Prepare for work and the rest of the Cycle.
Yellow: Usually working and is one of the busiest times in the city. Others will take this time to do errands around the city and enjoy personal time.
Orange: Also part of the work day, towards the Late Orange Period people will be preparing to leave work. Most work ends by the Orange/Red Blend.
Red: People will take this time to go enjoy life with friends and family. Birthdays and parties are usually set for this Period and will end towards Late Red. If there is no celebration, many will head home and have their second meal before going to bed.
Purple: Most people are asleep at this time. Sleep is usually at least two Periods for most people. Most will go to sleep during Red and wake at Blue if they have no events to attend.

Songs based on Time

Songs have been developed to help children learn to tell time and to reflect the cultural references around the colors. The first is a common one sung at schools. The other is a bedtime lullaby sung to help children sleep.

The Song of the Rainbow Cycle

(Verse 1: Blue — Renewal)
Open your eyes to the softest Blue,
As the damp stone refreshes and starts us anew.
The cycle begins where the cool waters flow,
Renewing our spirits in the azure glow.

(Verse 2: Green — Strength)
The plates light up in a mossy Green,
As we heat the stones for our Roach-cuisine.
With the Deep-Heart warm, and the meat so lean,
We eat the strongest meal the caves have seen!

(Verse 3: Yellow — Awareness)
In the brightest part of the Yellow,
We head to the mines with every fellow.
Be aware of the glare, stay sharp and mellow,
For the eyes of the wise see the path in the yellow.

(Verse 4: Orange — Perseverance)
In the shadows of the Orange,
We walk the path of the long-range.
We face every challenge and never change,
Until the work is done and the colors rearrange.

(Verse 5: Red — Love & Celebration)
In the glow of the Red, the joy is spread,
Around the Sizzling Stones, our souls are fed.
With the ones we love, and the lives we’ve led,
A celebration of love before we head to bed.

(Verse 6: Purple — Safety & Sleep)
In the darkness of the Purple,
The family gathers in a sacred circle.
The shadows are heavy, the safety is total,
In the dreams of the deep where the spirit is fertile.

The Deep-Sleep Lullaby
(To be sung slowly, like a steady heartbeat)

Verse 1: The Gathering
The work is done, the path is trod,
Rest your head on the earthen sod.
The Red has faded, the noise has ceased,
The spirits of the dark now released.

Verse 2: The Sacred Purple
Now we sink to the deepest Purple,
Resting here in our family circle.
In the heavy shadows, we are cradled,
By the ancient stone, our rest is fabled.

Verse 3: The Fertile Mind
Close your eyes, for the deep is fertile,
Let your spirit shed its mortal girdle.
In the garden of sleep, where the visions grow,
We harvest the truths that the ancestors know.

Verse 4: The Vision Quest
The glare is gone, the demons flee,
You are as safe as a stone can be.
Dream of the deep, where the spirits play,
Bringing us wisdom to start a new way.

Verse 5: The Full Circle
Sleep now child, for the cycle is full,
Feel the stone's gentle, heavy pull.
We come full circle, heart to heart,
Until the Blue tells the next breath to start.