Divination Through the Stars

Divination Through the Stars is a book written by Eddard Farway of the Pollington Academy of the Arcane. Follows-the-Stars is known to own a copy.

The skies of this plane are unique, as are the stars that appear within. In addition to those we can always see in the skies and use for navigation and the like, there are stars that appear to exist on four "discs" throughout the sky in the four cardinal directions. These discs rotate and reveal different patterns of stars, or asterisms. In some cultures throughout the world, such as the Ghostwise Bedouins of the Great Vulture Desert or the Lizardfolk tribes of the Assembly Isles, these asterisms are used for fortune telling, and meanings are ascribed to each, signifying fate. Generally the asterisms observed as being highest in the sky are the ones read. It should be noted that while studying these discs and why they rotate the way they do may have some scientific merit, the following is a list of interpretations of the asterisms on them, and is solely a cultural study.

When the stars are observed, there are four asterisms, one on each of the four discs. The rates at which the discs rotate are all different, and the set of asterisms in the sky changes every hour or so.

To the North there is the Throne, the Void, the Ruin, and The Fates.
Throne. An ornate king's throne.
   The Throne represents authority, law, order. To some order means familiarity and structure, while to others this means inflexibility when flexibility is needed.
The Void. No visible stars, just inky blackness.
   The Void spells disaster. This may be the only asterism that is wholly, unequivocally bad. Those for whom The Void appears are said to have something awful coming there way, something unavoidable.
Ruin. A tower, broken at the top.
   Where the Throne means law, the Ruin means chaos. Be it for the better or the worse, sudden change is coming. This can be personal or within the world, it can be good or bad, it can be anything except predictable, as is the nature of chaos.
The Fates. An abstract pattern, that doesn't appear the same any two nights.
   The Fates is unique in its meaning in that it doesn't quite have one. The Fates means the the future is unclear. Those for whom The Fates appears are said to have more control over their destiny.

To the East there is the Key, the Flames, the Euryale, and the Vizier.
Key. A key (simple enough).
   The Key signifies lies and illusions, as well as fear and anxiety. Those for whom the Key appears may be being lied to, but must be wary of not being too paranoid. Whatever it is will continue for some time more, as the Key can also signify a delay.
Flames. A roaring bonfire.
   The Flames signify passion. It could be powerful love or powerful hate, but those for whom the Flames appear are said to be feeling some strong emotion that will soon come to a powerful climax.
Euryale. A monstrous eye.
   Those for whom the Eurayle appears are said to be cursed. Whatever issue has been plaguing their mind is fated to come to light soon, whether they are ready to deal with it or not.
Vizier. A scroll.
   The Vizier means truth will be revealed, or knowledge discovered. If one is hiding secrets or having a secret hid from them this can be dangerous, but it is the opinion of this scholar that the truth being shared is good in the long run.

To the South there is the Knight, the Skull, the Rogue, and the Donjon.
Knight. A helmet with a feather plume.
   The Knight is a reward for your good deeds, and punishment for your bad. It signifies that you will get what you deserve, that the universe will repay your karma, be it good or bad.
Skull. A jawless skull.
   The Skull signifies the fulfilment of plans and long-term thinking. If the one for whom the Skull appears has a long-set plan, then it is said to prove successful. If they don't then someone else's long-set plan against them may instead play out.
Rogue. Three daggers.
   The Rogue is said to appear to those who are, or feel, alone. This can mean isolation and loneliness, or it can mean introspection and self-focus. Those who see the Rogue should look at themselves first.
Donjon. A locked door.
   The Donjon signifies danger ahead. Often this risk will come with great reward if powered through, or great pain if not.

To the West there is the Gem, the Idiot, Balance, and the Talons.
Gem. A brilliant cut jewel.
   The Gem is widely known as a symbol of good luck. Where The Void is universally bad, the Gem is universally good. Some good luck is said to come to those for whom the Gem appears.
Idiot. A conical hat.
   The Idiot is symbolic of spontaneity and recklessness. Don't let the name fool you, those for whom the Idiot appears are not said to be fools, but to be uncontrolable free spirits. Those who see the Idiot are claimed to take more risks in the coming times.
Balance. A merchant's scale.
   Many cultures believe the universe has a natural state that it returns to, a state of status quo to some, fairness to others. This is an asterism whose meaning differes by culture as the belief as to what "natural state" of the universe is differs by culture, but Balance signifies a return to that state.
Talons. A creature's foot with four claws.
   The Talons are the opposite of Balance. Something unfair or upsetting to the status quo fated to happen, the universe is going to be set awry from its natural state.