The Celestial Almanac

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[SIZE="6"]The Celestial Almanac[/SIZE]




[SIZE="5"]The Heavens, the Stars and the Constellations of the Night Sky

By Manannan Maiea, The Magnificent
Wyrm-Watcher
Hedge-Wizard
1382[/SIZE]

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Introduction

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[SIZE="4"]The practice of Astrology has a long and storied history, and can be traced all the way back to the lost empire of Raurin.  It is believed that the Imaskari first learned of the constellations and their import from the Elves of Old, and are similarly believed to have been the first to identify the planets of the night sky.

After the fall of the Imaskari, the practice of Astronomy was carried on by their descendants, the priests of the Mulhorond Empire.  In fact, most of the constellations recognized today, are those that were identified by the Mulhorondi but with names and meanings slightly changed to suit the needs of those cultures that so named them.

As the number of stars in the heavens is too great for counting, and there are too many countries, races, and tribes that have sought to catalogue them throughout history, this Almanac will deal purely with them from a humanocentric view, with occasional references to the Elven or Mulhorondi equivelent from which they were borrowed.[/SIZE][/tface]

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The Near-Sky

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[SIZE="4"]Anadia
A distant sphere of reddish color, also often associated with Garagos the Reaver or Kossuth. The elves call Anadia "Uluemyn", and associate it with the god Solonor Thelandira.

Chandos
An Orb oft associated with Grumbar, and of a brownish color. The elves call Chandos "Iaras", and associate it with Labelas Enoreth.

Coliar
A faraway globe of bluish-white color, often associated with Akadi. The elves call Coliar "Luridel", and associate it with Erevan Ilesere.

Karpri
Blue-green in color, and sacred to Ishtishia. The elves call Karpri "Ochael", and associate it with Rillifane Rallathil.

Selune
Selune is Toril's only natural satellite. Only one side of it is ever seen no matter where on Toril it is viewed.  It is named after Selune, the Moonmaiden. Trailing in the wake of the moon are the objects known as the Tears of Selune.

The Sun
The source of all light and warmth on Toril.  The Sun is associated with Lathander, and in days of the Netherese, with Amaunator.

Tears of Selune
A cluster of luminescent rocks following Selune in her passage across the night sky.  Educated wizards gazing upon them via magics have counted them and know them to number more than a hundred, with some being larger, some smaller.[/SIZE]
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The Far-Sky

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[SIZE="4"]The Brow Star
The Brightest Star in the Constellation of "Mystra's Star Circle", and commonly used as a marker of true north.  A Bedine legend suggests that it was once a proud sorceress that challenged the gods, and was imprisoned for her folly.

The Drifting Star
An oddity in the heavens.  It is an erratic star pulsing in brilliance and moving randomly across the skies.  Sometimes it will remain in a spot for years, then without reason it will move to another.  This star is reputed to shine brightest when great calamity is about to befall Faerun, and is sometimes called "Beshaba's Eye".

Ieriyn, The Sailor's Star
In all of the heavens, this is the brightest star.  It's position is fixed in the sky such that at any time of night it can be seen, very often even through light clouds.  Along with the Brow Star, it can offer a relatively accurate estimation of North to travellers.  It is sacred to Selunites and Shaundakuli, and praised by Sailors and travellers.  Among elves, it is known as Y'landrotheil.

The Kings Coin
A yellow star that shines brightly, it can be found in the pommel of the Sword of the Swordsman constellation.  It portends the futures of the rulers of Faerun, and was once known by the Imaskari as "Imadain" (Lucky Star of the King).  Was said to have once dissappeared from the sky upon the death of Faerlthann, first King of Cormyr.  Now considered a heavenly token of Siamorphe, it can often be seen upon the banners of her faithful.

The Red Star
Once called Mystra's Star.  Once shining a bright blue, it is now tinged Red with the return of Mystryl.  It was once known to have shined brightly upon the birth of great Arch-Magi.  Mystra's Star became what it now is on Mirtul 19th, 1382 DR, through the actions of Tezzeret the Prophet, also known as the Oracle Razul.

The Star of Osiris
Seen only south of the Sea of Shining Stars, this star is clearly viewed in the skies over Ymph, and is one of the brightest stars of the southern skies.  It is rumored that it is through this star that the souls of departed Mulhorondi reach the domain of the dead.[/SIZE][/tface]

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The Zodiac Constellations

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[SIZE="4"]The Archer, Labraen
This constellation is often seen as a companion to the Swordsman, whom he faces across the nighttime sky (a major exception is the people of Thay, whose myths hold that the Archer is Rivalyn, a warrior famed for his part in defeating the first Mulhorandi invasion of Thay. The Thayans believe that Rivalyn gives unending chase to the Swordsman).  The elves also call this constellation Labraen, and each elven enclave seems to have their own legends and stories about him.

The Chalice
This cup-shaped grouping is often referred to in ancient texts as Chebelos or The Odalin. Although the meaning of these words, believed to be Raumatharian in origin, is lost, the texts indicate that the Chalice once played a much more important role in the heavens, at least to the peoples of that empire.

The Gorgon
Among the cities of the North, the constellation known as the Gorgon is generally agreed to come from the myth of the hero Uthgar, who once wrestled and killed a great gorgon with his bare hands, making the lands of the Savage Frontier safe for his peoples to settle.  Further south, the constellation shifts slightly, and is known to the nomads of the Shaar (and through them, the rest of the South) as the Chameleon, the shifty trickster of the gods who eternally pesters Uerdyl the Lion (the Swordsman constellation) as it follows him through the heavens.

The Horn
A grouping of several stars in a V-formation. To ancient, primitive cultures, the symbol of a horn represented good fortune, wealth, and fertility. Thus, it is believed that the Horn figured prominently in early Waukeen-worship, especially among the societies of Amn, Tethyr, and the Western Heartlands. For the elves, the Horn is known more poetically as Shansibal, the mythic Cornucopia, and is sacred to the priesthood of Aerdrie Faenya.

The Jester
This constellation shines brightest in Eleint, especially around Higharvestide. It is known as The Jester to humans and halflings; to elves, this constellation is called The Dancer.

The Lion
This animal-shaped constellation is known by a different name to almost every culture on Faerun. In the Gulthmere, it is known as Nobanion, the Great Lion; in the Shaar, it is the Leopard; in the North, it is commonly referred to as Asglyn the Wolf, the loyal companion of Gwaeron Windstrom. To the Rashemi and  Aglarondans, it is the vigilant Narnos the Dog; further south in the Old Empires, it turns into Ghastis, the savage Jackal.  Among the elves, part of the Lion is used for Elael, the Songsmith (a constellation based on an ancient elven fable about a bard who crafts a song so pure and sweet that even the gods are humbled).

The Phoenix, Cassima
Also known as the Bird of Paradise.  Although elvish in origin, humans have also adopted the story of Cassima, a young maiden who was held to be an evil witch and burned at the stake. Before she dies, a god (Hanali Celanil to the elves, most often Selune or Lliira to humans) reaches out and transforms her into a Phoenix, a bird of flame, whereupon she rises up and joins the goddess in the heavens.

The Serpent, Maerilzoun
The name of this serpent-shaped constellation is ancient, so ancient that only a few sages and astronomers know its' origins or meaning, and most simply call it The Serpent. The constellation was named by the inhabitants of ancient Raurin, before even the mighty empires of Unther and Mulhorand were born. In their legends, Maerilzoun was a huge, evil serpent that would one day descend from the skies at the end of the world to devour the sun.

The Swordsman
Also known as The Warrior or The Sentinel, this constellation shares the same traits in cultures across Faerun; loyalty, guardianship, battle, freedom. Many legends and myths have been attributed to the Swordsman through the ages, although most recent human ones tend to center around the exploits of Torm or Tempus. In the Moonshaes, the Swordsman is called Cymrych Hugh, and is believed to be the soul of the legendary hero, placed in the heavens by the Earthmother.  Among the Elves, the Swordsman was Auranamn, the first elf, who fought at Corellon's side during the great battle with Gruumsh. Although Auranamn died in that battle, Corellon lifted his soul up and placed it among the heavens, to spend eternity watching over the elven race.

The Thone, Jansreene
This grouping of stars is known as The Throne to humans, named after the legendary Queen Jansreene of Asram.  The holiest of Constellations among the Dwarves.

The Triton
To humans, this reclining figure is known as the Triton, mainly due to the trident he holds in his upraised hand (this holds true in most cultures, although the name varies; in Calimshan, Bhalaene the Sea King; to the people of Sossal, it is Ulutiu).  The elves have named this constellation Deep Sashelas, after the god of sea elves. Two stars to the left of the constellation have the names of Tilvadar and Tambaun, named after Deep Sashelas' two loyal dolphin companions.

The Witch, Velessea
Known also as Velessea, a powerful witch long famed in the North for her untiring battle against the hordes of goblin-kin, and her timely aid of travelers and the needy.  Among Elves, it is called Angharradh, the tripartite goddess of Sehanine, Aerdrie Faenya, and Hanali Celanil.[/SIZE][/tface]

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Other Constellations

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[SIZE="4"]Belnimbra's Belt
A string of five stars.  It is one of the oldest named constellations on Faerun. Named for the legend of the first human female to have been turned into a swanmay, and how the god Lathander chased after her.  It is known as Ishtar's Belt in Unther and Mulhorand.  To the elves, the five stars are known as Corellon's Tears, and they have a more somber tale; the elves believe that the Tears are actual tears of grief Corellon cried when Lolth corrupted the drow, and elf first fought elf.  Elven legends also state that the Tears glowed blood-red during the Fall of legendary Myth Drannor.

The Caltrop
This constellation is formed by three converging lines of stars, each with a cluster of stars at its outward end, or "point." Where the three lines come together is due east.  To humans, these stars are also known as the Arrows of the Gods, or the Sun's Signpost.  The elves call this constellation Adarivael, and hold it sacred to Solonor Thelandira.

Color Spray Nebula
This nebula looks very much like the effects of a color spray spell. It is a fan-shaped object that is seen primarily during the spring and early summer.  The worshipers of Mystra believe this to be a sign from their goddess, that their use of the magic that she awards them pleases her.  The cults of Bane and Cyric believes that the nebula is the wrath of their deity, spreading its way across the heavens.  They believe that everything within its destructive path is utterly annihilated.

Correlian
Thirteen stars make up the autumn constellation of Correlian.  To the moon elves, the appearance of this star formation marks the final demise of summer, and has great religious significance.

The Double Daggers
Located in the western sky, this constellation is two fuzzy clusters of blue-white stars, which appear as two side-by-side crescents or arcs in the sky, points downward.  True west can be found exactly halfway between the two arcs - heading "straight between the eyes."  In the Sword Coast North, the Daggers are known as The Eyes of the Watching Woman, and in the western Heartlands men speak of "where Selune looks back."  The elves know this constellation as The Eyes of Uelaereene, though the origins of the name are lost to history.

Galleon Nebula
This nebula looks very much like a large, multi-colored galleon ship.  Its sails appear to blow in a celestial wind.  With mariner spyglasses, the oars on the sides of the ship can be seen rowing in their never-ending task. The nebula is visible primarily during the autumn and early winter.

Mystra's Star Circle
High in the north sky is an awesome circle of large, bright stars with utter darkness between them (Mystra's floating Castle of Night, in children’s' fairytales, is said to float in the center of the darkness).  Due north is marked by the brightest Brow Star.  Other folk in the Realms call this constellation the Crown of the North, or just the Cold Crown.  Some believe it to be the Eye of Evil, the Hole That Leads To Darkness, or the Circle of Coins (thrown on high by the gods, to taunt poor men).

Tassabryl
Legends speak of a beautiful princess that lived in some long-ago kingdom.  Deemed the most beautiful woman in Faerun, this vain and rash creature dared to boast herself even more beautiful than Sune, goddess of love and beauty.  To punish the foolish woman, Sune cursed her; the woman would still be deemed beautiful by everyone who saw her, except for the woman's true love, who would find her hideous and repulsive.  In the end, after being spurned by the one man her heart desired, the princess threw herself into the sea, never to be seen again.

The Wizard's March
A grouping of three stars (Ulazimir, Iziaslau and Rahnieda).  Although the name of the constellation (and, to a lesser extent, the names of the individual stars), have passed into common lore among the peoples of Faerun, it is believed that their origins lie to the east, in the lands of Rashemen and ancient Raumathar.  The myths of these lands feature several stories about the three, said to have been powerful mages who wandered the lands, defending people from monsters, brigands, and other enemies, while dispensing wisdom and advice to local rulers.

Uruath
Most folk in Faerun do not see this line of stars so clearly, it not being on their horizon most of the time.  It is enmeshed in a tangle of smaller constellations, and is not thought of as a unit.  In Tunland, Cormyr, Iriaebor, and Westgate, however, it is recognized as a star configuration marking the direction "south," and is known respectively as Faeraula, the Sword of the South, the Southfires, and the Lightning Bolt.[/SIZE][/tface]

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Copies of this volume are kept prominant and dust-free

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Copies of this tome are periodically dusted, and re-catalogued.