Constellations (known as Sky Tales to the Reachmen)[1] are collections of stars and other astronomical objects which appear in the night sky which form a perceived pattern.[UOL 1] The constellation that is in the night sky at the time of year of a person's birth is called their birthsign (also spelled birth sign) or star sign[2] and is believed to influence their characteristics and fate. Those born under certain constellations are said to be 'fortunate in their aspects'. Such people are often blessed or cursed with remarkable abilities or weaknesses as a result of the magical conjunctions of celestial influences.[3][4][5][6]
There are generally accepted to be thirteen constellations in the sky, sometimes called the Thirteen Patrons.[UOL 1][7] There are three guardian constellations, known to the Reachmen as the Reach Guardians[1] and the Guardians in the Sky[8]: the Warrior, the Mage, and the Thief, each associated with three other constellations, called their charges (known as the Lesser Stars to the Reachfolk).[1] Each of these twelve constellations corresponds to one of the twelve months of the year. The thirteenth sign, the Serpent, is neither guardian nor charge.[9]
CultureEdit
Some Reachfolk Witches can read the stars and see the future and hidden truths in their light.[1] According to them the Guardians in the Sky work together to protect the Lesser Stars from the malevolent Sky Tale known as the Snake in the Stars.[1] Around 2E 582 the Wayward Guardians led by Arana recognized the power of the Reach Guardians and invoked their names for the protection against the Gray Host.[8]
Similarly to Reachfolk, the Bosmer believe that skies are linked to tales and stories. According to them the sky bridges time and nature, and measures both, as "the sky mirrors the sea, and the sea also reflects its mirror".[10]
The Altmer Sapiarch's observe the skies in search of signs and portents - patterns and phenomena related to constellations are considered among them.[11]
Yokudans believed that the stars guide ones destiny, from birth to death and beyond.[12] Their songs and poetry often focused on the stars.[9][13]
The Druids of old praised the stars, the Ritual constellation above all.[14]
The Ayleids are commonly associated with the practice of Aetherial magic. They were known for their fascination with the constellations, but it was not connected to religious practices, but magical study.[6]
In 2E 582, three Guardian signs — the Warrior, the Mage, and the Thief — fell from the sky and took on a mortal form known as Celestials.[15]
The ApprenticeEdit
The Apprentice (known as the Automaton to the Dwemer) is a constellation of eleven stars which is in the night sky during Sun's Height. It is one of the Mage's charges. Those born under the sign of the Apprentice are thought to have an affinity for magic, but also a vulnerability to magic.
The AtronachEdit
The Atronach (sometimes the Golem, known as the Warmachine to the Dwemer) is a constellation of ten stars which is in the night sky during Sun's Dusk. It is one of the Mage's charges. Those born under the sign of the Atronach are thought to be natural sorcerers with deep reserves of magicka, but that cannot generate their own magicka.
The LadyEdit
The Lady is a constellation of four stars which is in the night sky during Hearthfire. It is one of the Warrior's charges. Those born under the sign of the Lady are thought to be kind and tolerant.
The LordEdit
The Lord is a constellation of nineteen stars which is visible in the night sky during First Seed. It is one of the Warrior's charges. Those born under the sign of the Lord are thought to be stronger and healthier, although they are sometimes referred to as Trollkin due to their innate weakness to fire.
The LoverEdit
The Lover is a constellation of twelve stars which is in the night sky during Sun's Dawn. It is one of the Thief's charges. Those born under the sign of the Lover are thought to be graceful and passionate.
The MageEdit
The Mage (also known as the Wizard, the Sage, the Mechanist to the Dwemer, and the Witch in the Stars or simply the Witch to the Reachmen) is a constellation of twenty-seven stars and the planet Julianos, which is in the night sky during the month of Rain's Hand. Along with the Warrior and the Thief, it is a Guardian constellation, and its charges are the Apprentice, the Atronach, and the Ritual. Those born under the sign of the Mage are thought to have more magicka and a talent for spellcasting. They are also thought to be arrogant and absent-minded.
The RitualEdit
The Ritual (known as the Laboratory to the Dwemer) is a constellation of seven stars which is in the night sky during Morning Star. It is one of the Mage's charges. Those born under the sign of the Ritual are thought to have various abilities depending on the aspects of the moons and planets. It is consistently depicted by most cultures as taking the shape of the Aurbic Eye.
The SerpentEdit
The Serpent (known as the Snake in the Stars to the Reachmen, or simply the Snake to both Reachmen and Redguards) is a constellation of four unstars which is not relegated to being in the night sky during a particular time of the year. Unlike stars, the unstars that form the Serpent move about the sky and do not emit varliance. The Serpent's motions are considered to be unpredictable, though they can be predicted to a degree. Sometimes it is deemed impossible, however. Those born under the sign of the Serpent are thought to have no characteristics in common except being the most blessed and the most cursed.
The ShadowEdit
The Shadow is a constellation of five stars which is in the night sky during Second Seed. It is one of the Thief's charges. Those born under the sign of the Shadow are thought to have the ability to hide in shadows.
The SteedEdit
The Steed is a constellation of eight stars which is in the night sky during Midyear. It is one of the Warrior's charges. Those born under the sign of the Steed are thought to be impatient and always hurrying from one place to another. It is typically depicted as a horse. According to some the Steed is prominent in the southern sky during the summer solstice.
The ThiefEdit
The Thief (known as the Hunter to the Reachmen) is a constellation of eighteen or seventeen stars and the planet Arkay which is in the night sky during Evening Star. It is a Guardian constellation, and its charges are the Lover, the Shadow, and the Tower. Those born under the sign of the Thief are thought to take risks and evade harm. Their luck is thought to run out eventually, cutting their lives short.
The TowerEdit
The Tower is a constellation of twelve or eleven stars which is in the night sky during Frostfall. It is one of the Thief's charges. Those born under the sign of the Tower are thought to have a knack for finding gold and opening locks.
The WarriorEdit
The Warrior (known as the Headsman to the Reachmen) is a constellation of thirty or twenty-eight stars and the planet Akatosh which is in the night sky during Last Seed. It is one of the Guardian constellations, and its charges are the Lady, the Steed, and the Lord. Those born under the sign of the Warrior are thought to be short-tempered and skilled with weapons.
OtherEdit
Other constellations exist, although they are unnamed.
Several constellations resemble various skills and are associated with the three Guardian Constellations:
- The Mage: Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Enchanting, Illusion, Restoration[17]
- The Thief: Alchemy, Light Armor, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Sneak, Speech[17]
- The Warrior: Archery, Block, Heavy Armor, One-handed, Smithing, Two-handed[17]
Similar other constellations include the Vampirism constellation resembling a bat or Vampire Lord, and the Werewolf constellation associated with the Bloodmoon which resembles a werewolf.[18]
Circa 2E 582, several ancient Altars of Celestial Convergence were excavated in Craglorn by the Antiquarian Circle. These ancient Nedic relics depicted an unknown constellation, which was speculated by the antiquarians to have been an attempt to rewrite the stars by merging traditional archetypes into new wholes.[19] That same year, an Imperial mage named Cassipia attempted to copy the Nedes by becoming a Celestial. Calling herself the Exalted Viper, Cassipia planned to usurp the Serpent's place in the sky, but she was slain in her mortal form before she could ascend.[20]
-
Alteration
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Archery
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Block
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Conjuration
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Destruction
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Enchanting
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Heavy Armor
-
Illusion
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Light Armor
-
Lockpicking
-
One-handed
-
Pickpocket
-
Restoration
-
Smithing
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Sneak
-
Speech
-
Two-handed
-
Vampirism
-
Werewolf
-
Unknown Nedic constellation
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ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c d e Arana's dialogue during Blood of the Reach in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: Arena Supermundus: The Tapestry of Heaven by the Imperial Geographical Society
- ^ Nibani Maesa's dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Hanubina-ko's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Titus Valerius' dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b Mysteries of the Mundus Stones — Lady Cinnabar of Taneth
- ^ Clarentavious Valisious' dialogue in Battlespire
- ^ a b Crafting Motif 97: Wayward Guardian Style — Arana of the Ghostsong Clan (as recorded by Count Verandis Ravenwatch)
- ^ a b Coyle's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ Girnalin's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Ayrenn: The Unforeseen Queen — Headmaster Tanion of the College of Aldmeri Propriety
- ^ Avik's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ The Warrior's Charge
- ^ Wyrd and Druid — Archdruid Barnabe's Discourse with Mainlanders, 2E 553
- ^ Events of ESO
- ^ Crafting Motif 3: Wood Elf Style — Doctor Alfidia Lupus
- ^ a b c Skill trees in Skyrim
- ^ Vampire Lord and Lycanthropy skill lines in Skyrim: Dawnguard
- ^ Altar of Celestial Convergence Antiquities Codex in ESO
- ^ Dawn of the Exalted Viper quest in ESO
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.