By
Lemandria DVerethin
The
artiste and lover of all things astronomical
The
constellation descriptions found in this document are drawn from Elanthian
Constellations of the Northern Sky (© Simutronics Corp) as
it appeared on the play.net web site, and are used with permission.
The author wishes to note the illustrations are her own artist's renditions,
and neither the illustrations nor this document should be accepted as "official."
The goal behind this project is simply to provide the constellations some visuals, and the lore
should not
be lost merely because it is off the web site now! Special thanks to Lady
Agenais and Lady Mindra, without whose help this document wouldn't
be possible, and the original author (unfortunately not attributed) of
the Constellations document!
A wise sister soon learns that her destiny may be discovered in the moons and stars present in our night sky. These elemental forces need reverent study and understanding, for they hold power over our lives and fortunes. As a seeker of knowledge into all things astronomical, I recommend delving deep into the available lore, and examining the sky carefully for signs and portents of things that have been and things that shall be.
This primer is intended as a general overview for the beginning student of how to spot the constellations in our sky. I urge you to seek out the wonderful telescope in the Sorcerer's Guild (or other telescopes that are available) and examine the stars whenever you have the opportunity!
The following are
the commonly accepted constellations in elven and human societies, presented
by season. Other societies have constellations of their own, of course,
for each pair of eyes that peers into the sky will discover different shapes.
But regardless of race, with a good telescope and this guide it should
be simple to look up into the sky and discover the constellations presented
herein.
Spring
Constellations:
The
Handmaidens
6 Stars |
||
"The
Handmaidens are Zelias ladies-in-waiting. They sit, clustered tightly
about each other in the night, looking down at the world and giggling insanely."
Charlatos 21 - Olaesta
3
|
The
Hammer
5 Stars |
||
"Depicted
by five stars in the shape of a T, the Hammer is said to be Eonaks. Some
say that, on clear nights, you can hear each ringing strike as the Master
of the Forge works gleaming veil iron into the stars themselves."
Olaesta 4 - Olaesta
18
|
The
Cat's Paw
11 Stars |
||
"Andelas
has made his mark on the night sky with the Cat's Paw. Eleven stars form
the paw and claws of a giant feline."
Olaesta 19 - Ivastaen
2
|
The
Mistress of Adoration
9 Stars |
||
"Nine
stars form the leaf, stalk, and petals of Oleanis flower in the brilliant
spring sky. The Mistress of Adoration watches over the spring courtships
and lovers laying together to watch the scintillating stars in each other's
arms."
Ivastaen 3 - Ivastaen
17
|
The
Rat
7 Stars |
||
"Three
stars form the tail of this celestial rodent as he hunts lunar cheese through
the night."
Ivastaen 18 - Lumnea
1
|
The
Dragonfly
7 Stars, 2 very bright nebula ("The Wings of the Dragonfly") |
||
"Twin
nebulae ripple through the wings of the Dragonfly, adding an iridescent
quality to the nocturnal insect."
Lumnea 2 - Lumnea
15
|
Summer
Constellations:
The
First
21 Stars, dim purplish nebula ("The Drake's Head") |
||
"The
First represents the First Drake, Kalethas. His body was covered in silver
scales that shone like the stars, and a mane of deep indigo framed his
face, represented by a faintly visible purple nebula in the head of the
constellation. The First winds his serpentine way through the middle of
the summer sky."
Lumnea 16 - Lumnea
30
|
Jastev's
Crystal
8 Stars |
||
"This
constellation resembles the scrying ball in which legend says Jastev foresees
the fate of the world. There are four stars in the ball itself, and four
stars in the base."
Koaratos 1 - Koaratos
14
|
The
Huntress
1 Star, "Krrska" |
||
"The
Huntress constellation is made up of a single star, called Krrska. Ancient
stories hold that, as the Huntress died after exacting revenge upon her
Queen and Arachne, the gods raised her to become the star Krrska. This
star is held as remarkable by all astronomers, as it constantly shines
with a brightness that surpasses all other heavenly bodies, and it always
has exactly eight points."
Koaratos 15 - Koaratos
29
|
The
Guardian
10 Stars |
||
"The
Guardian is always just behind the constellation of The Huntress, guarding
her back as she travels across the sky as he guarded her in life. The "head"
star is Apparea, with the other nine falling loosely into the shape of
a man."
Koaratos 30 - Phoenatos
13
|
The
Sun God
4 Stars |
||
"The
Sun God is Phoens constellation, the nighttime reminder of his sovereign
reign over summer. It is shaped like a wide sunburst."
Phoenatos 14 - Phoenatos
27
|
The
Wagon
5 Stars |
||
"With
four stars as the wagons body and one as its yoke, the Wagon celebrates
the traders and merchants that travel the land in the summer, pulling their
cards of wares to sell."
Phoenatos 28 - Imaerasta
11
|
Fall
Constellations:
The
Queen of Enlightenment
5 Stars |
||
"With
five stars patterned like a W to represent each ring in her symbol, the
Queen of Enlightenment is said to watch over Elanthia, gathering knowledge
with its five shimmering eyes to pass on to Lumnis."
Imaerasta 12 - Imaerasta
25
|
The
Trident
6 Stars |
||
"Charls
symbol presides over the autumn sky, and over the stormy seas of the fall.
There is one star for each of the tines, one for the base, and two for
the handle. Many a shipwrecked sailor has glanced up from the remains of
his ship and cursed the Trident, blaming Charls influence for his predicament."
Imaerasta 26 - Jastatos
10
|
The
Jackal
7 Stars |
||
"The
Bringer of Terror holds his place in the night, inspiring nightmares with
his jackal head constellation. Some say that each star represents a different
kind of nightmare, leading to the ultimate insanity of the stargazer."
Jastatos 11 - Jastatos
25
|
The
Gryphon
7 Stars |
||
"One
of Elanthias treasured intelligent, magical, and seldom seen creatures,
a rampant gryphon holds a special place in the night sky. The seven stars
represent each leg, the tail, the beak, and one glimmering eye."
Jastatos 26 - Eoanatos
8
|
The
Lady of the Green
6 Stars |
||
"Represented
by six stars of a curiously golden color, Imaera, Goddess of the Autumn,
watches over the night with her stellar stalk of wheat. Two stars form
the main stalk, while two stars on each side make up the kernels of grain."
Eoanatos 9 - Eoanatos
23
|
The
Bat
8 Stars |
||
"With
four stars per scalloped wing, the evening flyer also glides through the
autumn welkin."
Eoanatos 24 - Eorgaen
7
|
Winter
Constellations:
The
Paladin
4 Stars |
||
"Guarding
the cold winter nights from the colder touch of Undeath, Volns four star
shield protects the heavens from Luukos corrupting fingers."
Eorgaen 8 - Eorgaen
22
|
The
Gates
11 Stars |
||
"Glimmering
in the ebon sky, eleven stars form the outline of Lorminstras gates. Beyond
them is darkness, and perhaps more."
Eorgaen 23 - Lormesta
6
|
Grandfather's
Eye
7 Stars |
||
"As
Lumnis has a constellation, Fashlonae can hardly be outdone, seeking
to know and enlighten. His slit-pupilled eye watches from high above the
planet, formed by seven twinkling stars."
Lormesta 7 - Lormesta
20
|
The
Ur-Daemon
12 Stars |
||
"Twelve
stars make up the distinctive six fingered talon commonly attributed to
the Ur-Daemons. Oral tradition holds that the final Ur-Daemon to walk Elanthia
was not driven back through the tear in the Veil, but was destroyed in
a brilliant explosion, sending his hand into the heavens to remind god
and mortal alike of the dangers beyond."
Lormesta 21 - Fashanos
4
|
Arachne
5 Stars |
||
"Five
oddly red stars shine in the winter sky, forming the pattern of an hourglass.
This is the constellation Arachne, giving us the view of the spiders belly
marking as if she hovered over the world, ready to eat us all."
Fashanos 5 - Fashanos
18
|
The
Unicorn
4 Stars |
||
"One
of the most brilliant stars in the sky sits at the tip of the Unicorns
horn, guiding Ronans steed through the darkened sky. The other three
stars represent key points along the body, leaving the Unicorn a subtle
but powerful symbol."
Fashanos 19 - Charlatos
5
|
The
Spire
5 Stars |
||
"Rising
through the night sky, some legends say that the Spire is where Lumnis
goes to think and Fashlonae goes to study."
Charlatos 6 - Charlatos
20
|