[quote=Gowi]
Making it optional allows for inconsistencies though don't you think? Also, starting a fresh year in the middle of it is awkward imo.
[/quote]

Well, I'll see how strongly everyone else feels about it. I'd likely have gone down the route of making it compulsory for people wishing to interact, but no, I think your right.

Starting the year at that point only made sense for me in that the earlier half of the year is pretty much devoid of holidays/events. I've never seen a year of a roleplay last long enough to see the effect of a Christmas or Halloween on posts and stories. Reaction to external sources sounded fun on paper. If that's too gimmicky for the rest I can roll the calendar back to New Year's Eve of Year One.