Look to the stars

A constellation guide

All races are scared of the unknown. To make life less scary, they find patterns in things, especially when civilizations are in their infancy. Looking back, things may seem silly, but those stories had power to the early people. Did sacrificing an animal over the fields in spring really help the crop yield? Probably not, but were you going to risk it if it was your life on the line? Would the sun refuse to rise without a human sacrifice?

Of all the fears, the dark was the greatest for many. For in the dark, predators hunt. Senses are dulled, and the origin of things isn’t always certain. Was that a branch cracking? What caused the floorboard to creak? Mother walking to use the bathroom, or something more, sinister? So it isn’t surprising that these early peoples looked for salvation stories in the light. Of course, the most consistent source of light at night is the stars, and so the peoples found patterns in them, and gave them stories.

The Demon’s Hand Nebula

Of all the races of Vitae, by far the most varied are the demons. From powerful berserkers to cunning mages, or even those that dull the senses through sexual appeal, there is an evolved branch that specializes in it. Through this diversity, some amazing variants have arisen. The oddest of these were those who obtained an absolutely massive mana pool, but were unable to cast magics beyond novice tier. For the longest time, these were thought to be cripples and were looked down upon. That all changed with the rise of Allan.

Though a cripple, Allan managed to carve out a tight knit group of friends at the magic academy. Zorian, core of the group and stalwart guardian. His shield had special boosters that allowed him to project magic fields, extending his ability to protect his comrades. Tris and Sirt, twin hexblades and mirrors of each other. One left handed and one right, they delivered devastating attacks to those slowed by Zorian. Corian, Dmitri, and Neal were the spellcasters of the group, safely casting curses and area attacks from behind the walls of their friends. Allan acted as the groups squire, happily carrying their equipment and providing a backline defense against any rogues that would threaten the casters.

During the first incursion of the shadow, all the races were caught offguard. To prevent a rout, and destruction of the army, one group was asked to remain behind and hold off the shadow for as long as possible. Zorian and their group proudly stepped forward, willing to hold the head of the ford for as long as possible. Without that ford, the shadow would be forced to move at least six miles before they could find another crossing.

And so the group assembled. Zorain and the hexblades vowing that none would pass while they lived, while the casters would ensure that the enemy arrived weakened. Though they tried to convince him, Allan refused to leave his friends to their fate. “We’ve been a team all our lives, and a team we’ll stay.” And so the group battled. And battled. The hours passed, with little respite. Despite their rationing, the mana potions soon ran out. As their energy ebbed, Neal was the first to resort to desperation. By draining mana stones, he could supplement his own mana reserves. The impurities would cost him, and could cripple his regeneration if used too much. What would the future matter when employing a final gambit?

We’ll never know if it was knowledge from Ariana, goddess of inspiration, or just a bout of madness, but Allan immediately dropped his daggers that had yet to see battle. Instead, he stepped forward, to the middle of his friends. Sitting in the lotus position, he connected to each one as if he was a mana stone for them to drain. Unable to question the sudden influx of energy, the front line nevertheless redoubled their assault. Once again able to use their spells, the caster group announced their return to the fray with a devastating barrage of spells, obliterating the unsuspecting masses that had crowded forward. So great were Allan’s reserves of mana, that the group battled for another six hours before Allan ran dry.

Demarius smiled from milies away, vowing to pass along the story of how the first Channeler came to be and meet his end. Should one find the group in the sky, each member is represented. At the center of the nebula lies the bright blue star of Allan. Behind him in an arc, each at the tip of a finger of the nebula, lie Corian, Dmitri, and Neal. In front, the bright white star of Zorian can be seen, with two red hexblades flanking him. A thick cord of mana connects all three back to Allan. In front of Zorian lies an area oddly devoid of stars, the remnants of the shadow army they battle.

Bonus for fighting under the Demon’s Hand Nebula: Mana regeneration is doubled

Drevor’s Spear

Drevor is the god of traveler’s, and often takes pity on those who are lost. In countless stories he has appeared before those who are beseeching his aid, merely pointing his spear in the direction they need to follow. Those who follow the stars and can locate his spear will never be lost, as it points directly at the Southern Star.

Bonus under Drevor’s Spear: Stamina consumption reduced by 20%

Emmerian’s Staff

Back when magic was young, and mages were still learning the basics, a few standouts emerged. Emmerian of the Azure Flame was the first of the pyromancers. He was the first to break through to the higher blue flames, and popularized the iconic spell of wizards everywhere, the fireball. The gnarled staff he carried was topped by a ruby, and can be seen in the constellation. Erupting from the tip is a fireball shaped nebula, with a cluster of four very bright stars at the core.

Bonus under Emmerian’s Staff: Fire magics cost 10% less, are 20% stronger.

Trion and Greystreak

Trion had high aspirations growing up. He was going to be the greatest thief to ever live! He apprenticed with a locksmith, while taking random classes at the mage academy when he could to learn the best ways to disable wards. All through this, people mocked him. Oh sure, he was good at what he did. It’s just that he had to work so hard just to pay for the occasional class, he obviously wasn’t stealing anything!

“So tell me Trion.” His teacher said one day. “Are you going to bind a cat as your familiar? Is that why you haven’t stolen anything? You aren’t ready to be a catburglar just yet?” As the class erupted in laughter, Trion sat there with his head to the side.

“You might be right.” Trion nodded. “I’ll have to find a familiar at some point, and what better way than with a cat? Thank you, professor!” Thoroughly excited, Trion set out to find his familiar. And that’s where his problems started.

It wasn’t that cats weren’t plentiful, oh no. They were everywhere in the city. The problem was an attitude one. Most of the cats were bred to be mousers, and weren’t interested in any other life. Of the remainder, the vast majority simply couldn’t be bothered. Why should they go creeping through the night with a human when they could lay about in sunbeams all day? And while Trion could have easily dominated a feral cat and made it his familiar, it would be lacking in too many areas to be useful.

He was lamenting this one day at the bar, venting to a smiling bartender. Not that said bartender particularly cared, but telling life stories was thirsty work. And thirsty patrons paid the bills. Luckily for Trion, there was a beast tamer nearby who heard his stories, and thought to make a deal.

“My new friend, your next drink is on me.” The man laughed, slapping the unsuspecting Trion on the back. Having dealt with merchants before, Trion was on guard. But a free drink is a free drink, and he had the time. And so the man regaled Trion with his tales of fantastic beasts that he had come across in his travels, though more than a few were embellished. “Now, you’ve listened to my tales, and I would be remiss if I didn’t offer you a solution to your own. Have you ever heard of a ferret my good man?”

“I’ve not.” Trion shook his head.

“Greystreak, come on out friend.” The tamer said, and a weasely type face popped up out of the tamer’s hood. The creature was small and thin, covered in splotches of grey and black fur. The only white was a diamond right on the forehead. “Greystreak is a ferret. Incredibly inquisitive creatures, they love nothing more than to hoard interesting objects.” He said as he fed the creature bits of meat. Making a kissing noise, the ferret turned and had some sort of mental conversation. “Greystreak is very interested in becoming a familiar. Especially if you want him to steal things for you. So what do you say? Ten gold?”

“One moment.” Trion said, and reached out mentally to the ferret. For the longest time they stared at each other, before the ferret started dancing happily around the shoulders of his tamer. “Deal.” Trion said, slapping down the money and starting one of the greatest thief partnerships of all time.

Greystreak took to magic like a fish to water. Already a stealthy animal, he was now nearly invisible when he needed to be. With Trion guiding him? There was no place he couldn’t get into. He even had a special set of lock picks that the ferret could use, along with the magic of his master. Their partnership truly made a name for themselves, and often they would simply steal for fun. Often people would find their valuables sitting in a sack by the front door with a note pointing out how to improve their security. Each note was signed by an inked paw print from Greystreak.

Today the pair is immortalized in the stars. Trion is crouching in the shadows, and is often hard to find. Greystreak is a very faint nebula perched upon his shoulders, though some say he goes hunting for new challenges on occasion.

Bonus under Trion and Greystreak: Stealth skills are 25% more effective.

Death’s Embrace

All creatures fear death. Even supposed immortals may die. In the far northern skies, where death is always around the corner, a reminder is written in the heavens. And no wonder, for a portion of the world that sees darkness for half the year. Six stars form a rough coffin shape, while five inside form the wheel of rebirth for the northern tribes. This reminder of the natural order of things is a major part of their religion. You will never find a northern Barbarian even thinking of dabbling in necromancy, and anyone caught despoiling tombs is punished incredibly harshly.

Bonus under Death’s Embrace: Undead take 50% more damage

Bruin’s Heart

Bruin is the dwarf god, and god of medicines. Though he will battle if forced to it, he prefers to save lives rather than take them. As such, he aids all those who grow medicinal herbs regardless of race. From healing bones to sealing wounds, there is little that can’t be cured with the proper application of potions. The biggest issue is getting them to where they are needed in time, and giving the recipient enough time for the potion to be effective.

Plants grown in areas dedicated to or blessed by Bruin thrive, and their potency is greatly increased. In the sky, all healers know the location of Bruin’s Heart. This array of stars resembles the one organ that is nearly identical in all races, the heart. It is a constant reminder that though there are differences, all races share an important commonality.

Bonus under Bruin’s Heart: Recovery potions are 20% more effective

Gramash’s Aegis

Every warrior knows the value of good protection. That’s why knights invest so much in proper armor and shields, and why mages strive to perfect their own mage shields. As each piece of defense evolves, so too do the ways to bypass the new defense. It would take a truly divine artifact to be able to repel any and all attacks. And so was born Gramash’s Aegis. In reality, the goddess of battle’s shield is made of an unknown alloy. The outer layers are nigh indestructible to physical attacks, but the true power behind this shield is the variable enchantment. Sandwiched inside is a pool of enchanted mercury that is able to reshape itself to its bearer’s knowledge, forming different magical shields to adapt to any occasion.

In the sky it is represented by a wheel within a wheel, the inner comprising of five red stars while the outer is made of twelve bluish white stars. Every year in the fall, the power of the shield is tested again and again. The result is a reflected attack that lights up the sky with burning streaks of light for five days, peaking on the third. While the ancient people feared this was a reflected magic attack sent back to destroy its caster, we now know that it is simply a recurring meteor shower that appears to originate while the stars are in a certain portion of the sky.

Bonus under Gramash’s Aegis: Defense increased by 20%. Magic attacks have a 5% chance to be reflected back onto the caster.

Skill upgraded!

Journeyman inspiring constellation (10/50) -> (50/50) mastered!

Master inspiring constellation (15/200)

Master inspiring constellation

Each new constellation adds 5 experience to the skill of the caster. Further progress can be achieved by casting multiple constellations that complement each other. Constellations must be at least 50% compatible, and each combination will grant experience once.

Constellations that share a star may not be cast simultaneously! The only exception being if both constellation’s stories are linked through a shared action.