Stargazers
| Stargazers | |
|---|---|
| Demonym: | Stargazers |
| Type: | Guardians of astrological prophecy |
| Headquarters: | Various chapterhouses |
The Stargazers is an organization of astrologers, the Flanaess who seek to influence the future for the good, through divinations of the stars and by prophecy.
Description
[edit | edit source]The Stargazers "observe the movements of the stars in the night sky and interpret those movements."[1]
History
[edit | edit source]Though only the Innder Circle of the Stargazers know the full history of the order, it was founded by a paladin, Loholt Jessant, questing for his mount who stumbled upon the writings of Ariosto the Mad. He showed to a friend and trusted confidant, Nimue (male elf wizard). The pair believed the ancient writings[2] and decided to work to further the greater good by "influenc[ing] future events so that good would triumph in the climactic battle. Together with an astrologer, they formed the kernel of what would become the Stargazers."[3]
Members
[edit | edit source]Stargazers may come from any walk of life, any status, any station, any background, trade, training, professions, nationality, or species.
Knights of the Middle Circle
[edit | edit source]This is a knightly order dedicated to protecting the other Stargazers in their chapterhouses, and on their quests and missions, while also "acting as the eyes and ears of the Stargazers."[4] While not strictly a religious order, paladins are amongst the most common knights of the Middle Circle, and in order to advace to the Inner Circle, these knights must have trained as a paladin to at least a minor degree (level 1).[5]
Religion
[edit | edit source]Some members of the Stargazers are clergy, and it is overwhelmingly likley some (or most) serve Celestian, though they're not specifically called out.
Notable individuals
[edit | edit source]- Jumdish Dour (LG male human Pal9)—chapter head, secretly a member of the inner circle[6]
- Mags Boartusk (NG female orc Rgr4)—commander of the small chapter guard[6]
- Marshall Boot (LN male half-elf Exp4)—administer's the chapter's library and scriptorium[6]
- Gilleabart Hargitay (N female elf Wiz3)—astrologer[6]
Headquarters
[edit | edit source]There are many chapterhouses around the Flanaess, though none are listed as a lead headquarters.
Mount Baden Chapterhouse
[edit | edit source]"A clear path leads down a peak in the Yatil Mountains to a pass and a trade road that connects the house to the Free Town of Highfolk."[3]
Structure
[edit | edit source]Alignment
[edit | edit source]Much like the cycles of the night sky, the Stargazers are a very structured and ordered organization, and the Knights of the Middle Circle many not be of chaotic alignment, and must be good.[1]
Ranks
[edit | edit source]- Outer Circle—most members of the Outer Circle do not realize they are part of the organization. Middle Circle members pass messages or quests to them, and they are simply "adventurers known to the Stargazers for fighting evil and amenable to the Stargazers' missions."[2]
- Middle Circle—those who have accepted an invitation to participate more closely in the Stargazers; in return for demanding allegiance and duties including important missions and delivering messages to the Outer Circle, they are given "training, assistance,... housing, and food" and sometimes even special gear like magic items.[2]
- Inner Circle—"Inner circle members pore over copies of a manuscript written by Ariosto the Mad, comparing the ancient writings with current observations of the stars. When they find an apparent match, they send middle or outer circle members to influence the corresponding event." They are the only ones who know the origins and true mission of the Stargazers.[2]
In Living Greyhawk
[edit | edit source] | This section contains content from the Living Greyhawk organized-play campaign. |
The Stargazers were used in the Highfolk region in the Living Greyhawk organized play campaign (2000-2008).[7]
The meta-org did not have any specific structure or AR, or a representative to coordinate and marshal them. Members did not self-select to join, and players interested in them had to contact their local Triad to discuss joining.[7]
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b Defenders of the Faith (2001), p.65.
- ↑ a b c d Defenders of the Faith (2001), p.45.
- ↑ a b Defenders of the Faith (2001), p.46.
- ↑ Defenders of the Faith (2001), p.66.
- ↑ Defenders of the Faith (2001), p.65, Sidebar.
- ↑ a b c d Defenders of the Faith (2001), p.46-47.
- ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Highfolk Meta Campaign Sourcebook v3.01 (2004), p.42
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stargazers | People Group | Organization/Society, | Defenders of the Faith, D&D 3.0e | 45 - 47 |
| Stargazers | People Group | Organization/Society, | Oerth Journal #22 | 39 |
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