Astral Star

The **Astral Star** is a god and the overarching deity of all creation. Before time, the Astral Star existed in the Void and went supernova, which led to the creation of everything and Evarencia. In creating everything, the Astral Star created the rules of creation and imbued in the heart of stars the very dust that can be forged into souls. Even to folk who do not worship the Astral Star, they still have to pay their respect to the fact that the Astral Star created everything.

## Astral Star

### Type

* Deity
* Creator

### Titles & names

* The Star
* The Creator
* The First and the Last

### Symbols

* Six-pointed star
* 13 aspects

## Worship

### Major temples

* Brightstar Abbey
* Arnika Cathedral

### Associated domains

* Creation
* Time
* Space
* Light
* Life
* Sacrifice
* Selflessness

### Relics

* Lance of Stars

To most, the Astral Star sacrificed itself, making it a dead deity, but to those who follow the religion built around the deity, they believe that It still echoes in creation to this very day.

## Description

**Appearance**

Whenever artistically depicted, the Astral Star is made to appear like a great star, often with six exaggerated rays of light. If depicted near other celestial bodies, the Astral Star is massive in comparison.

## Worship

Nearly every folk pays some level of fealty to the Astral Star by paying a respect to It for being the great creator. In some cultures, such as the Higardi people, the Astral Star is the deity they pray to. These followers are often referred to as 'Stargazers,' though some members of the faith do not appreciate the term, preferring to be simply called 'Astral Star Faithful.' For group worship, a priest leads a prayer made at night time, and their rituals only take place as long as the stars are visible in the night sky. Many monks of the faith believe that they can better understand their god by learning more about the stars in the night sky, and this has led to the realm's vast understanding of the cosmos.

### Symbols

The primary symbol of the Astral Star is a white, six-pointed star. The cardinal paints are longer than the diagonal points. The symbol may also be done in yellow, gold, or blue as well depending on the church. The Astral Star is said to have 13 astrological 'aspects' that are witnessed in the constellations of Evarencia's night sky.

#### Aspects of the Astral Star

*Main article:* Astrology in Evarencia

1. The Songbird: The loving aspect of the Astral Star. This aspect focuses on love, and weddings amongst practitioners tend to fall while the Songbird is showing in the zodiac of the night sky. It also is a symbol of the Astral Star being the first and last thing in the universe.
2. The Twins: A sign of kinship and bonds, the twins showing in the zodiac is another popular wedding time for followers of the Astral Star. This also represents the belief that one day an individual will join the Astral Star in the great empire of the night sky as all are kin and bonded to the Astral Star, as the twins are equals.
3. The Cat: A sign that represents the Astral Star as a companion as well as the curiosity and will to discover and experience creation.
4. The Hunter: This sign represents the cycle of nature that the Astral Star created, and it also shows how folk are to take dominion over nature, granted by the Astral Star.
5. The Horned One: This sign represents the wisdom that can be found through devotion to the Astral Star. In old stories, sages were people born with horns and the Mordyre of Maywikt is the only known Horned One. Seen as a child of the stars, the Horned One is often adopted as a symbol for pulsar liches.
6. The Bear: This sign represents the strength and valor found through the Astral Star. This sign also represents the Astral Star's will to defend its creation.
7. The Great Tree: Represents the that the Astral Star gave birth to the world, with the world exploding forth like a tree from the seed that was the Astral Star.
8. The Spider: Represents the Astral Star as a creator and as the one who weaves fate for everyone.
9. The Phoenix: Represents the Astral Star's command over the elements as well as rebirth of the soul through the Star.
10. The Lone Tower: Represents that despite everyone being a part of the Astral Star and eventually joining It in the empire of the night sky, they are still individuals to make their own choices, in contradiction of the Astral Star forging a fate for all.
11. The Eye: Represents the Astral Star’s omniscience and how It can see all that goes on in the universe
12. The Wolf: Represents the Astral Star's unbending will, and it is mortals that follow It not the other way around. The Astral Star is the alpha wolf while mortals are members of Its pack.
13. The Dragon: A rare sign to show in the zodiac, and only shows every so often, but this one serves to remind people of the Astral Star’s true glory and radiance. It is said that when it shows, a great event is going to take place in the world.

### Temples

The temples constructed for the worship of the Star are constructed with either an open ceiling or a great sky-light so that the night sky is visible during prayers.

#### Notable Temples

* Brocktree Temple
* Brightstar Abbey
* Arnika Grand Temple

### Notable Cultures

* Higardi
* Selusian
* Halfling
* Old Anticosti
* Aedellion

## History

### Background

"In the time before time, before the cosmos ever formed, there was the Astral Star, lonely, in the Void. The Star, imbued with our very will to create and for friendship, committed the most selfless act in the Great Nova to create all there is." -*Astro-Dominae*

Every soul is forged from the dust of dead stars, thus making all souls born of the Astral Star. From the mightiest god to the meekest creature. When creating the universe, the Astral Star imbued the stars of the cosmos with the Magic of Creation. This Magic governs the laws of physics within the material plane.

When the Astral Star went supernova, the Realm of Shattered Light was created in the Black Hole of Shattered Light when the Astral Star originally went supernova. The light the event horizon of the Astral Star's stellar remnant became the people known as the Shek.

## Known worshippers

* Ezara Solaris
* Benjamin Solaris
* Abbess Talia Song
* Duke Nettle Swiftfoot
* Sir Gregor Voland
* St. Azgabel Tempus
* Damien Yormoth
* Oprix Ar'Tel'Hyperia (by conversion)
* Arthur Yormoth I

## Trivia

* The Astral Star and its faith is intended to be interpretted and practiced differently across the setting, much akin to real world religions.
* The concept of the Astral Star's aspects was inspired by the *Elder Scrolls* video game series with the signs being a major part of character creation. Other influences include the zodiac and astrology.
* The Astral Star is likely the oldest piece of lore in Evarencia created by MrPuddins.