>John Hughes, as the person who seems to use the phrase most - are
>you out there?
Sometimes I wonder. :) But this morning, yes.
>I've heard the phrase "star watch" apparently used to describe being
>on guard overnight, when the stars are out. Given the oddities of
>Orlanthi time-keeping compared to ours: when is this? Surely not
>from dawn till dusk? That's a very long time to stay on watch! From
>midnight till dawn, say? Or what?
>
Remember, Rigsdali are good at staying awake. :) In my use, its the Rigsdali who usually mount the star watch, along with whichever Elmali, Vingans and solitary stead oddballs they can rope in.
For most Orlanthi, the star watch is simply the time to be asleep, major rituals and feasts aside.
For Rigsdali its a sacred duty, and the reason for their lonely existence, and it is indeed, IMG, from dusk till dawn.
For others involved, as you suggest, its a very long night. Perhaps they split it in two: the lonely watch (to midnight) and the cold watch (till dawn). Or the western and eastern watch, rising and falling watch... heck, they've got long hours of chill darkness to make up all sorts of terms. :)
Cheers
John
Powered by hypermail