The moth for the star

Overview

The constellations have always existed in the night sky - or so most folk believe. Some claim that they are the tools employed by the creator, when they forged all of creation. Astronomancy is the highest form of magic they say, because it mimics the act of the creator themselves, drawing on the power of the stars to reshape reality. Critics of the theory say that would mean the constellations existed before creation, which they argue can't be right.

Nobody has ever found a way to prove if the constellations cause magical effects or are caused by them. As above, so below is the one law most astronomancers can agree on - for most practical magicians it is enough that it works.

As above, so below. When the stars come into alignment, so too does the Empire...

The Names in the Heavens

The names of the stars in the conjunctions continue to disseminate across the Empire not always by mundane means Astronomancers argue over what any of this means, many believe a more complex understanding of the nature of the stars may be revealed

Over the last year or so, there has been a steady flow of information through the astronomantic community. Specifically, awareness of the names and titles of the individual stars that make up each constellation have become common knowledge among practitioners of this particular magical tradition. In each case, the font of this knowledge appears to be a ritual performed using the Imperial regio that employs Day magic to specifically learn these names.

After the ritual is complete, the knowledge gleaned slowly filters through the Empire. For some it can be an unsettling experience; awakening one morning to discover one knows that one of the stars that make up the Stork is named Thuum, The Feather of the Mountain. For others the information is learned much more naturally, through reading one of the many pamphlets now circulating thanks initially to the efforts of the torchbearers and Spider's Vantage Spire in Redoubt. These first scholarly writings have spawned a series of copies in the League that present somewhat more sensationalist view of this creeping information.

Experiments show that it is possible to use the names of these stars in the practice of astronomancy, just as one does the names and shapes of the constellations themselves. Beyond that, however, these identities prompt many to question the nature of the constellations themselves and the cosmic laws they represent. What does it mean for example that the stars that make up the Three Sisters are apparently named Who Weeps, Who Sees, and Who Sighs. Are these titles meant as identities - one who sees - or as questions - "who sees?" And that's just one constellation!

For centuries astronomancers have assumed that the Law each constellation represents was clear and definitive, but the revelations accompanying these divination rituals hint that this may not be entirely the case - that there may be more nuance to the aspects of the constellations. There has been circumstantial evidence to support this theory in the past - some tulpas behave strangely when encountered in a way that while not at odds with the accepted "law" of the constellation still seem "out of character" in some way.

Not everyone accepts these new names. Tacita of the Twisted Chambers, an old spire in Zenith, argues that the names that have been "discovered" have absolutely nothing to do with the stars at all. She claims that the names are the result of the ritual used to look at the stars - and that if a different ritual had been employed, then different names would be revealed. Tacita, and indeed most of the Twisted Chambers, it must be pointed out are Night mages who hold a somewhat disdainful view of the value of Day magic. She and her spiremates were challenged to create a test that would prove the validity of her claims and thus far they have not managed to do so, which leads most people to discount their arguments, at least for now.

As the Autumn Equinox approaches, and the names of the stars that make up the Key, the Lock, and the Mountain spread across the Empire it becomes clear there are only two constellations left the name of whose stars is not clear. One is the Wanderer - which is after all a single star and perhaps that means its name is the same as that given to the "constellation" as a whole. The other is the Drowned Man whose "law" is things end so perhaps it is fitting that it looks like it is going to be the last constellation whose names are learned. Assuming Imperial magicians at Anvil plan to go ahead with it.

Climbing the Mountain

Astronomantic magic has become more difficult to practice

One reason they might not is that there seems to have been a subtle but noticeable consequence of the divinatory examination of the Lock, the Key, and the Mountain. Since the Summer Solstice, astronomancers have noted that it has become increasingly difficult to work ritual magic using the astronomantic tradition. The magnitude of the ritual has not changed, but those who have experienced the effect say that the power they use proves "resistant" or "difficult to move".

During the Autumn Equinox any coven or ritual magician who uses the practice of astronomancy to perform a ritual will find that it is more difficult. It requires a greater effort of will, and sometimes it becomes physically difficult to make gestures or speak words used to perform the ritual. Voices grow quiet or falter, moving or gesturing seems to encounter resistance as if the air had thickened or a great weight were pressing down.

At the completion of the ritual, contributors experience a roleplaying effect: they are tired and drained, exhausted by the effort needed to work their magic; this condition persists for at least an hour unless removed in some fashion. A briar character can use their boundless vitality to throw off this effect, causing them to instead a burst of renewal and exhilaration.

There is no obvious explanation for why this is happening. Some astronomancers believe it may be the influence of the Mountain, or the twin resonances of the mystical Lock and Key. Others mutter darkly that it may be the fact that astronomancers now know "too much" about the constellations and that knowledge is the weight that presses on them. Still others wonder if it might be the cumulative effect of so much of the Empire being under the influence of Drawing the Penumbral Veil. Regardless, the effect shows no signs of fading.

The Tulpas are Loose

Magicians performing astronomantic rituals are more likely to be "brushed" by a tulpa

While the actual performance becomes more difficult, it seems to have become much easier for magicians performing astronomantic rituals to be exposed to the influence of the constellation. Astronomancers have always been aware that tulpas who are not physically manifested are able to influence those who work magic using this tradition. Since the Summer Solstice it seems that "brushing by" or "aligning" with a tulpa has become much more common.

Obviously any magician performing an astronomantic ritual may choose to become influenced by the constellation. During the Autumn Equinox however this influence is likely to be much more pronounced. Anyone using an astronomantic ritual is encouraged to review the information about the constellations involved on the wiki; each one has a section on alignment with those stars. They should use these effects to influence their attitudes and roleplaying for an hour or so after the ritual is complete. For example, any character involved in a ritual that invokes the Spider to scry may be left with a sense of great clarity and detachment, but during the Equinox this effect is likely to be almost overwhelming leaving the magician distant, emotionally dispassionate, cold, and prone to observing events critically rather than taking action.

The ritualist does not lose control or consciousness; they remain in control of their own actions. There are also no signs that can be noticed with divination rituals, detect magic, or insight. This is not a full-fledged possession; the effects are purely internal.

What Counts as Astronomancy?

Astronomancy is a magical tradition, that you can choose to employ when performing rituals Players casting rituals should decide if their characters have used astronomancy and apply the roleplaying effects if so

Astronomancy is a magical tradition, a way of performing rituals, so rituals are never divided into those that are astronomantic and those that are not. It is always up to the ritualists, what technique they use to perform the ritual, so it is a choice doing the ritual whether their characters are using astronomancy or not. In general mentioning a name or two as part of a larger working alongside runes or dramaturgy is unlikely to be affected by these effects. A ritual that specifically invokes a constellation as a key part of the roleplaying, would encounter this difficulty and result in the roleplaying effect.

It is left to the players performing a ritual to determine if they employed the astronomantic tradition, based on the roleplaying they chose to use when casting it.

An Eye on the Heavens

Plans exist to install the Eye of the Heavens on Mount Polus Doing so would create a centre for the study of astronomancy in the Empire

In Apulian work has begun on the Barossa University of Dramaturgical Arts, thanks to an upwelling of upwelling of enthusiasm in the city and increasing collaboration between Urizen and League dramaturgists. The news the project has been commissioned has sparked a resurgence in interest in the Eye of the Heavens project.

Last season a new proposal was put forward, to construct a single observatory in the heights of Mount Polus. Rivalling the new school of dramaturgy, it would provide a location for astronomancers from across the Empire to meet, study the heavens, and record their lore. It's inevitable that once the work were completed, there would be a renaissance in the study of the stars in the wider Empire to match that underway at Anvil. The magicians of all nations working at the Eye of the Heavens would be able to make a study of the constellations, and perhaps cement Imperial understanding of this often enigmatic magical tradition.

The Claw Ascendant

The constellation of the Claw has become clearer and is exerting odd influence Magicians drawing on the Claw in their magic may experience a roleplaying effect Drawing on the Claw to empower the casting of rituals by shedding blood has been interdicted

The constellation of the Claw reaches its zenith in Spring; during Autumn and Winter it is close to the western horizon. However, it seems that as the influence of the constellation has grown, its presence in the night sky is focused in the north-western Empire. The stars have been increasing in brightness, and astronomancers agree that whatever peculiar effects it is causing will reach their height around the Autumn Equinox.

The four stars that make up the constellation of the Claw remain clear and pronounced despite any amount of obfuscation of the sky. Since the Winter Solstice, those who know where it is find their eyes are drawn to it whenever they see the night sky. The sensation of gazing on the Claw makes sensitive people (especially naga or merrow) uncomfortable.

When it is invoked in an astronomantic ritual, any contributors to that ritual feel its power particularly strong and immediate. Anyone participating in such a ritual will experience a roleplaying effect: For at least the next hour you feel an urge to assert your dominance over anyone who challenges you. it is satisfying to confront anyone you feel has wronged you, and violence seems easy and satisfying. Lengthy debate, complex arguments, and intensely cerebral conversation are frustrating and you feel the urge to bring them to an end quickly or move away from them.

The Power of the Claw

The constellation of the Claw exerts powerful influence over certain kinds of magic The ability to call on the Claw to cast certain rituals has expanded to make this magic even easier to practice Drawing on power in this way is illegal

First observed at the Spring Equinox, the Claw seems to be exerting powerful influence over certain kinds of magic. Ritual magicians can invoke the Claw to enhance the power of these rituals, but doing so has become increasingly risky. The Imperial Conclave has chosen to outlaw this practice. The Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration Lights Aliss brought a declaration of Interdiction that was upheld by the magicians of the Empire. It is now a crime for any magician to call on the power of the Claw and shed blood instead of mana. Anyone who is caught doing so will face the full force of the law.

Breaking the law could be difficult to get away with. Drawing on the power of the Claw requires the spilling of blood to call on these "boons of the Claw" making it hard to hide the fact it is being done and leaving painful wounds that cannot be healed until the ritual performance ends or is abandoned.

The rituals this peculiar blood magic will enhance seem to be a selection of those particularly associated with violence and conflict:

The personal enchantments Forest Remains, Call Down Lightning's Wrath, Might of the Myrmidon, Talon of the Gryphon, Swift Leaping Hare, Swan's Cruel Wing, Hammer of Thunder, and Hook of the Hoarfrost Guardian. The curse Unfettered Anarchy The resource enchantments Merciless Wrath of the Reaver and Blood and Salt. The army enchantment Loosen the Shackles. And these rituals which are not part of Imperial or Urizen lore Heaven's Spear Sunders the Mountain, and Ironwind's Pride

Once each day a contributor to one of these rituals can call on the Claw, and spill their own blood to empower that ritual. They can spend up to three hits by cutting themselves, or other willing contributors, and each hit lost counts as one mana toward the performance of the ritual. The hits lost during the performance of the ritual cannot be restored until the ritual is completed or abandoned.

In addition, any character who loses a body hit in this fashion receives a bonus rank to perform the ritual in question, subject to the normal rules for effective skill.

A contributor can reduce themselves to 0 hits at the finale of the ritual, but they will collapse and begin to bleed to death as the ritual is completed.

Any given magician can only use this ability once each day, and the roleplaying effect mentioned above that is created by invoking the Claw is be much more pronounced after doing so.

The People's Claw

Magicians can perform the Empower spell using their own blood rather than personal mana

In previous seasons the power of the Claw has been restricted to enhancing ritual magic but during the Autumn Equinox it can also be used for certain kinds of spellcasting. Once each day a magician who knows the empower spell can invoke the Claw as part of their casting and inflict a wound on themselves. This causes a hit of damage and lets them cast the empower spell without spending any personal mana. For at least an hour after they do so they experience the roleplaying effect mentioned above - which might prove quite problematic on the battlefield.

A Drowning Sailor

The grand conjunction of the Great Wyrm and the Mountain has ended The Great Wyrm has formed a grand conjunction with the Drowned Man It is currently impossible to create arcane projections that curse an individual Arcane projections that create a personal curse will no longer work after the Autumn Equinox 387YE

The Claw is not the only constellation acting in a peculiar fashion. Since the Winter Solstice last year, Imperial astronomancers had been aware of a rare grand conjunction of the Great Wyrm and the Mountain. The impact of this conjunction coincided with permanent alterations to the way armies, warbands, and ships are enchanted, and to how certain divinations work. This conjunction now seems to have come to an end - except for the ongoing unravelling of arcane projections.

However, the chaos in the stars is not over. Astronomancers have noted that the Drowned Man has been shifting into alignment with the Great Wyrm for several months and now another grand conjunction has begin. The Drowned Man is quite a dangerous constellation, often invoked in magic that creates curses or destruction.

As the Grand Conjunction begins to unfold, it remains impossible to create an arcane projection that creates a personal curse - a curse that targets an individual. Furthermore, as magicians of the Unfettered Mind have been warning for a while, it is becoming increasingly difficult to perform arcane projections that create a personal curse, similar to the effect that struck those arcane projections that dealt with warfare during the earlier Grand Conjunction.

By the end of the Autumn Equinox, it will be impossible to perform any arcane projection that creates a personal curse. These arcane projections are also showing signs of the unravelling that has been effecting protections related to military magic.

An Unravelling

Arcane projections created before the start of 2025 that enchant armies, navies, military units, or fleets no longer work The inability to cast these arcane projections is permanent Arcane projections created before the start of 2025 that enchant armies, navies, military units, or fleets or cause personal curses can be exchanged for crystal mana

The Unfettered Mind were the first people to spot the peculiar phenomenon that coincided with this sequence of grand conjunctions -the Unravelling. It initially meant that any arcane projection issued before Winter 386YE (the start of 2025) that attempts to enchant an army or navy could no longer be cast, nor could arcane projections that involve enchanting a military unit or fleet. The grand conjunction appears to have scrambled the magic bound into the projections themselves. This effect is permanent.

Any of these arcane projections that no longer function can be brought to GOD and exchanged for 10 crystal mana. This either represents someone intentionally speeding the unravelling process along to reclaim the mana invested in the projection, or might mean that in-character a valued projection (that the player no longer wants OOC) has fallen apart despite their best efforts. The ability to exchange defunct arcane projections that deal with warfare in this way will persist until the end of this event.

As the Autumn Equinox dawns, this same effect is being noted on arcane projections that create personal curses. The projections may still be performed, but only until the end of the Equinox after which they become permanently defunct. As with the ability to exchange arcane projections that dealt with warfare, any arcane projection that creates a personal curse - a curse on an individual - may be brought to GOD and exchanged for 10 crystal mana.

OOC Note: You'll need to hand the arcane projection phys-rep over so we can mark it as inactive on our systems. We don't plan to reprint lost arcane projections for the event; if you have lost an arcane projection in downtime you can e-mail plot@profounddecisions.co.uk after the event with the details of the missing projection and we'll do our best to replace it in time for the Autumn Equinox.

A Map of Unknown Skies

There have been odd 'constellations' spotted in the night sky where the Penumbral Veil has been drawn It's not clear what these constellations are but anyone who peers at them for long gains an inkling of their name and meaning Characters who live in Karov, Hahnmark, Holberg, Spiral, or Semmerholm may choose to be affected

For the last year or so, much of the Empire has had the penumbral veil drawn over it. Most citizens have come to treat the occasional strangely shifting shapes and lights in the night sky as unremarkable oddities.

Last season, star watchers began to spot patterns in the odd lights that sometimes appear in a veiled night sky. Members of the Spire of Shadowed Glass have been travelling across the Empire, cataloguing what they see each night, and referring to them as "pseudo constellations". Less academic individuals have dubbed them "night stars" a term which irritates those Urizen scholars who believe all stars come out at night.

These pseudo-constellations are only visible in areas enchanted with night magic that hides the stars, and people living within these areas have been having odd dreams associated with them. Even more unusual, people who see these stars seem inclined to draw the same shapes between them and call them by the same names - even if they have never talked about them with anyone else. The Penumbral Veil that hung over the Empire has slowly faded as the Autumn Equinox approaches, and the stars are not seen anywhere the enchantment has faded. It remains to be seen if they will return should the ritual be cast on an Imperial territory again.

Several of the constellations were recorded last season - the Trident in Skarsind, The Serpent Sheds its Skin in Mournwold, the Golden Ferret in Tassato, and the Woven Banner in Necropolis. These constellations were having peculiar effects on those in the territories, but now it seems that the pseudo-constellations are being seen in other places as well, and their influence over those sleeping beneath them have faded. At the same time, however, a new batch of "night stars" has been spotted in parts of the Empire under the Penumbral Veil.

The Paired Dancers - Karov

This pseudo-constellation is seen in the skies over Karov, and seems to have inspired a rash of ill-considered romance that has already resulted in several weddings and one very memorable fight.

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in the territory may find they are experiencing the following roleplaying effect: you find it easy to see the best in others, and find yourself drawn to those who under normal circumstances would annoy you or with whom you would not consider spending time.

The Crab - Hahnmark

Seen in the veiled skies over Hahnmark, this arrangement of night stars seems to have brought with it a burst of ingenuity and creativity that encourages sensitive people to question established beliefs. It has coincidentally coincided with increased criticism of the Imperial Synod thanks to the recent mandate.

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in the territory may find they experience a roleplaying effect: it is easy for you to dwell on decisions you have made and wonder what might have happened had you chosen differently. At the same time, when confronted with a problem, you are inspired to propose solutions that might on first consideration appear entirely unworkable.

The Looking Glass - Holberg

This strange large pseudo constellation has risen in the veiled skies over Holberg. Those who have paid particular attention to it find themselves pondering who, exactly, they are and why they became the person they have become. A few people have thrown aside established lives and careers to pursue radically different paths - the best known example is a certain previously sober merchant-prince gave all their wealth to the Church of the Little Mother and moved to the Sumaah Republic to become an artist.

Anyone who has spent a lot of time in Holberg considering the stars may find they experience a roleplaying effect: you find it easy to slip into introspection, pondering your own identity and how well you know yourself. If you realise you are not happy, it is easy and exhilarating to simply discard your old life or way of thinking and embrace something new that suits the person you are now better.

The Mask - Spiral

This set of night stars has appeared in the sky over Spiral, and to be honest has pretty much faded into the background compared to everything else going on in that territory.

Regardless, anyone who has spent a lot of time in Spiral paying attention to the stars may experience a roleplaying effect: you feel an urge to create and present a false persona or identity to those around you, concealing your real feelings and opinions and even your history and name. Misdirecting and deceiving others is profoundly satisfying.

The Bondring - Semmerholm

In the skies over Semmerholm, at night, the constellation of the Bondring has appeared. It seems to have had only a limited impact on the people of the territory, and the Urizen visiting couldn't find anything obviously different to what they expected to find.

If you spent time in Semmerholm however, you may choose to experience a roleplaying effect: it is easy to dwell on and think about love, both romantic and platonic, and how it shapes you and those around you. While you may feel encouraged to pursue a love you have abandoned or concealed, it is much more satisfying to help other people who you feel have a connection to uncover and strengthen that connection.

Participation

Any character who lives or has spent time travelling in any of the affected territories, Karov, Hahnmark, Holberg, Spiral or Semmerholm may choose to experience the associated roleplaying effect during the event. The effect may ebb and flow at player discretion, and is entirely opt-in. If you choose not to have been effected by it, you cannot start being effected by it during the event.

A Pilgrim Flame

The Pilgrim Flame is returning to Anvil this season

Last season there was an incident at Anvil with some unfamiliar spirits that appeared connected to a tulpa of the Wanderer called the Pilgrim Flame. These creatures appeared in both the Freeborn and Highborn camps and appeared to draw on aspects of the Key and the Lock. Specifically, they seemed to manifest negative aspects of these constellations that were experienced by those who tried to interact with them as curses.

Regardless, the Pilgrim Flame has not apparently departed the mortal world; it is expected to return to Anvil again during the coming summit, likely bringing more of its peculiar spirits with it. The tulpa itself is capable of communication, although the spirits that accompany it appear more simplistic in attitude. It's likely to appear at night, but where and when is apparently not clear.

Some astronomancers have debated whether they are an example of "ripples" erupting from the act of divining these constellations more closely. Yet these things were also influenced in some way by the Wanderer - and there is some discussion about whether these were actually Wanderer spirits. The baleful red eye is hard to predict after all, and one of the laws associated with it is the concept that "things go awry". What has been noted is that the Wanderer itself has recently passed through both the Claw and the Chalice over the course of the last few weeks, and there is some speculation that might turn out to be relevant.

Further Reading

Astronomancy Astral Arcanist Arcane projection

Sound and vision - 387YE Summer wind of fortune discussing the first "pseudo constellations"