The Arcane Zodiac

[Dyl 2088]

THE ARCANE ZODIAC

 

 

The Arcane Zodiac was born from the henotheistic faith and stargazing traditions of the ancient Rudrans and Rhenyari. Each patron represents a constellation and lords over a domain of ~51° of celestial longitude. When a patron’s constellation over the Rudran sky, the world is said to be under the realm of said patron, and superstition dictates that actions and fortunes are influenced by their temperaments.

 

In reality, the zodiac was born as the henotheism of the Rudrans took root to describe the many natural elements around them as aspects of one God. While there are countless deities in the Rudran tradition, seven became the most well-known beyond the Rhen due to their association with the calendar. They rule over flame, wind, water, stone, storm, iron, and the arcane - the former four are regarded as classical elements, represented by natural creation, while the latter three are regarded as mythic elements, believed to be borne from sorcery, and are represented by creatures of mythology.

 

Through the efforts of Rhenyari sailors, this Rudran pantheon spread through magi circles in the mainland with such intensity that in most Oreni circles it is known as the Arcane Zodiac. The zodiac’s popularity rests in teaching acolytes the expanse of the Void through the use of celestial bodies and the great space between them. The lesson that both magi and stars are tiny points of light in an infinite Void also helped magi sway the dogmatic that their practice was not of the occult but that in reverence to the celestial heavens and Seven Skies. Furthermore, The Holy Rudras teachings of the power of nothingness and the nature of the Void made them popular texts in magi circles, and with it, came its calendar.

 

While the Arcane Zodiac is predominantly rooted in the culture of magi and used namely in its nomenclature and teachings, through the practice of augurs and fortune tellers, it has also found its way among the smallfolk. Many humans know their sign and understand the classical implications that sign may have, but only the most superstitious would claim them as truths. Pagan cults have formed in homage to the patrons, but they are few, far between, and looked at with utter irreverence. Instead, the Arcane Zodiac’s place in society is as a marker of the mystical and it serves as a cultural foil to both religious custom and the orthodoxy of Oren.

 

 

KITRAN, the Steed

11th Grand Harvest - 11th Sun’s Smile
Patron of Flame.
Associations: The Exalted Owyn, flame, liberty, celestial bodies, star gazing, adrenaline, comets, dunes, speed, recklessness, adventure, riding, hunting, dueling, battlemagic, the outdoors.

 

Kitran leads the Arcane Zodiac as the first of its pantheon. 

 

In old Rudran, he is known as കിരൺ, or Kiran.

 

 

ESA, the Lily
11th Sun’s Smile - 11th Amber Cold
Patron of Air.
Associations: The Exalted Godfrey, the wind, gales, pomp, etiquette, literacy, chivalry, fencing, vanity, romance, lust, 

 

In old Rudran, she is known as ഡോൾഡ്ര, or Doldra.

 

 

 

TEPHES, the Elephant
11th Amber Cold - 11th Deep Cold
Patron of Water
Associations: The Exalted Sigismund, waterfalls, wisdom, steam, ice, majesty, regality, apathy, lethargy, 

 

In old Rudran, she is known as ടെഫന്ന or Tephanna.

 

 

NAM, the Beetle
11th Deep Cold - 11th Snow’s Maiden
Patron of Stone
Associations: The Exalted Horen, stone, earth, piety, prickliness, pluckiness, obdurance, inquisitiveness, 

 

In old Rudran, he is known as ഇർജ, or Nam.

 

 

 

MAHARA, the Siren
11th Snow’s Maiden - 11th Malin’s Welcome
Patron of Storm
Associations: The Exalted Owyn, lightning, tempests, typhoons, serpents, missiles, sailing, brilliance, insanity, screamers, berserkers, rage, passion, childbirth, turmoil.

 

In old Rudran, she is known as മഹാര, or Mahara.

 

The powerful lightning bolt clings to the cloud to turn it to rain. It opens the womb and soon there will be the birth of new life.

 

 

BARRAMAN, the Golem
11th Malin’s Welcome - 11th First Seed
Patron of Iron
Associations: The Exalted Godfrey, iron, metalworking, alchemy, telekinesis, craftsmanship, composure, humor, humility, geniality, service, folksiness, klutz. 

 

In old Rudran, he is known as ബജമ്മ, or Bajamma.

 

 

 

ARSAN, the Wraith
11th First Seed - 11th Grand Harvest
Patron of the Arcane
Associations: The Exalted Sigismund, the arcane, knowledge, strategy, clairvoyance, entropy, arrogance, intrigue, mystery,

“I am the shadow between the eye and the mind.”

 

In old Rudran, he is known as അർജ, or Arja.
 

Spoiler

credit to @Cracker for writing it, more lore on this stuff will follow!

 

 

[Josif 544]

so cool