The Great Wyrm
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Things Change and Transform | Things Change and Transform | ||
===The Constellation=== | ===The Constellation=== | ||
The Great Wyrm is the largest recognised constellation comprising of | The Great Wyrm is the largest recognised constellation comprising of 18 stars. It begins just to the south-west of the brightest star of [[The Drowned Man]], curves below and behind the tail of [[The Phoenix]] to pass between it and [[The Chain]] and concludes just to the west of [[The Spider and The Web|The Web]]. | ||
Following the Winter Solstice 385YE. Astronomancers across the Empire became aware of the names and titles of the individual stars that make up the Great Wyrm. It seems likely that a coven performed a divinatory ritual during the Solstice to commune with the constellation, and that one of the side effects was the wider revelation of these names. Where these names come from, and what they mean for a wider understanding of astronomancy, is unclear but a matter of some discussion. | |||
{{CaptionedImage|file=GreatWyrmnowingsIllustrationInk.JPG|title=The Great Wyrm (Illus.)|align=right|width=250}} | |||
===Symbolism=== | ===Symbolism=== | ||
The Great Wyrm is the emblem of transformation and transfiguration - not just that change is possible but that it is inevitable. It is often used as an emblem or representation of magic itself; it is especially held as influential in alchemical workings where the process by which substances combine to create something greater is called "passing through the flames of the Great Wyrm". | The Great Wyrm is the emblem of transformation and transfiguration - not just that change is possible but that it is inevitable. It is often used as an emblem or representation of magic itself; it is especially held as influential in alchemical workings where the process by which substances combine to create something greater is called "passing through the flames of the Great Wyrm". | ||
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The touch of the Great Wyrm changes everything, for good or ill; in much the same way that introducing magic to a situation can transform it well beyond the original intent of the magician. The Law of the Wyrm is a nickname for unintended consequences spilling from well-intentioned actions. | The touch of the Great Wyrm changes everything, for good or ill; in much the same way that introducing magic to a situation can transform it well beyond the original intent of the magician. The Law of the Wyrm is a nickname for unintended consequences spilling from well-intentioned actions. | ||
===Invoking the Great Wyrm in Ritual=== | ===Invoking the Great Wyrm in Ritual=== | ||
The Great Wyrm is a very large constellation and is only invoked by confident or large ritual teams - it is especially common to invoke it in magical rites and processes that deal with magic itself. It also can be used to represent the | The Great Wyrm is a very large constellation and is only invoked by confident or large ritual teams - it is especially common to invoke it in magical rites and processes that deal with magic itself. It also can be used to represent the transformative touch of magic - rites which change one thing into another or in which alchemy plays a large part are commonly those in which the Wyrm is invoked. | ||
===Tulpas of The Great Wyrm=== | ===Tulpas of The Great Wyrm=== | ||
The Great Wyrm manifests thoughforms either as streamer-like, ephemeral snake-like beings that flutter through the air, or as humanoids, scaled in shimmering rainbows. The Feather-Snake of Brass Coast legend and the Mirrorman of the League are all known tulpas of the Great Wyrm. The Suaq believe the shimmering curtains of light that sometimes light the northern night are an aspect of the Wyrm too. | The Great Wyrm manifests thoughforms either as streamer-like, ephemeral snake-like beings that flutter through the air, or as humanoids, scaled in shimmering rainbows. The Feather-Snake of Brass Coast legend and the Mirrorman of the League are all known tulpas of the Great Wyrm. The Suaq believe the shimmering curtains of light that sometimes light the northern night are an aspect of the Wyrm too. | ||
{{CaptionedImage|file= | <div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;"> | ||
{{CaptionedImage|file=Stars of the Great Wyrm.jpg|align=left|width=400}} | |||
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">#<td style="background-color: LightBlue;"> '''Name'''</tr> | |||
<tr><td>1 </td><td>'''Makil''', Who Separates</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>2 </td><td>'''Refal''', Who Bends</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>3 </td><td>'''Uril''', Who Twists</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>4 </td><td>'''Gabahl''', Who Weighs</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>5 </td><td>'''Araduun''', The Transfiguring Flame</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>6 </td><td>'''Meridon''', Who Rouses With Will</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>7 </td><td>'''Aramun''', Of the Voice Irresistable</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>8 </td><td>'''Anadalv''', Who Straightend the Crooked</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>9 </td><td>'''Angarad''', That Which Turns Upon Itself</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>10 </td><td>'''Aappaa''', Whose Song Shifts Feathers and Scale</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>11 </td><td>'''Tukos''', The Flame of Ashes</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>12 </td><td>'''Malekiorn''', Which Rises in the Image of Itself</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>13 </td><td>'''Irolinus''', Which Beats Like The Irresistable Wheel</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>14 </td><td>'''Cavara''', Who Moves Across the Waters</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>15 </td><td>'''Gead''', Who Speaks the Wind</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>16 </td><td>'''Elionwi''', The Ripple of Echoes</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>17 </td><td>'''Omadan''', Who Breaks All Names</td></tr> | |||
<tr><td>18 </td><td>'''Tethar''', Which Brings the Prism Into Being</td></tr> | |||
</table></div> | |||
===Stars of the Great Wyrm=== | |||
Eighteen stars make up the Great Wyrm. As of Winter 385YE, these names and titles are known to Imperial astronomancers. They might be evoked specifically during rituals that draw on the power of the constellation. | |||
===Alignment=== | ===Alignment=== | ||
The Great Wyrm transforms everything it touches and that includes ritualists. Mostly these transformations are mental; opinions shift, attitudes alter. There are rumours, however, of a | The Great Wyrm transforms everything it touches and that includes ritualists. Mostly these transformations are mental; opinions shift, attitudes alter. There are rumours, however, of a Highborn ritualist who, after invoking the Great Wyrm in a large ritual, found himself abruptly manifesting [[lineage]]. | ||
{{Category:Constellation}} | |||
[[Category:Astronomancy]] | [[Category:Astronomancy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:18, 14 November 2024
The Law
Things Change and Transform
The Constellation
The Great Wyrm is the largest recognised constellation comprising of 18 stars. It begins just to the south-west of the brightest star of The Drowned Man, curves below and behind the tail of The Phoenix to pass between it and The Chain and concludes just to the west of The Web.
Following the Winter Solstice 385YE. Astronomancers across the Empire became aware of the names and titles of the individual stars that make up the Great Wyrm. It seems likely that a coven performed a divinatory ritual during the Solstice to commune with the constellation, and that one of the side effects was the wider revelation of these names. Where these names come from, and what they mean for a wider understanding of astronomancy, is unclear but a matter of some discussion.
Symbolism
The Great Wyrm is the emblem of transformation and transfiguration - not just that change is possible but that it is inevitable. It is often used as an emblem or representation of magic itself; it is especially held as influential in alchemical workings where the process by which substances combine to create something greater is called "passing through the flames of the Great Wyrm".
The touch of the Great Wyrm changes everything, for good or ill; in much the same way that introducing magic to a situation can transform it well beyond the original intent of the magician. The Law of the Wyrm is a nickname for unintended consequences spilling from well-intentioned actions.
Invoking the Great Wyrm in Ritual
The Great Wyrm is a very large constellation and is only invoked by confident or large ritual teams - it is especially common to invoke it in magical rites and processes that deal with magic itself. It also can be used to represent the transformative touch of magic - rites which change one thing into another or in which alchemy plays a large part are commonly those in which the Wyrm is invoked.
Tulpas of The Great Wyrm
The Great Wyrm manifests thoughforms either as streamer-like, ephemeral snake-like beings that flutter through the air, or as humanoids, scaled in shimmering rainbows. The Feather-Snake of Brass Coast legend and the Mirrorman of the League are all known tulpas of the Great Wyrm. The Suaq believe the shimmering curtains of light that sometimes light the northern night are an aspect of the Wyrm too.
| # | Name |
| 1 | Makil, Who Separates |
| 2 | Refal, Who Bends |
| 3 | Uril, Who Twists |
| 4 | Gabahl, Who Weighs |
| 5 | Araduun, The Transfiguring Flame |
| 6 | Meridon, Who Rouses With Will |
| 7 | Aramun, Of the Voice Irresistable |
| 8 | Anadalv, Who Straightend the Crooked |
| 9 | Angarad, That Which Turns Upon Itself |
| 10 | Aappaa, Whose Song Shifts Feathers and Scale |
| 11 | Tukos, The Flame of Ashes |
| 12 | Malekiorn, Which Rises in the Image of Itself |
| 13 | Irolinus, Which Beats Like The Irresistable Wheel |
| 14 | Cavara, Who Moves Across the Waters |
| 15 | Gead, Who Speaks the Wind |
| 16 | Elionwi, The Ripple of Echoes |
| 17 | Omadan, Who Breaks All Names |
| 18 | Tethar, Which Brings the Prism Into Being |
Stars of the Great Wyrm
Eighteen stars make up the Great Wyrm. As of Winter 385YE, these names and titles are known to Imperial astronomancers. They might be evoked specifically during rituals that draw on the power of the constellation.
Alignment
The Great Wyrm transforms everything it touches and that includes ritualists. Mostly these transformations are mental; opinions shift, attitudes alter. There are rumours, however, of a Highborn ritualist who, after invoking the Great Wyrm in a large ritual, found himself abruptly manifesting lineage.
| The Chain (Things hold together) | The Chalice (Things heal; things apart come together) | The Claw (Things bleed) |
| The Door (Things move and change) | The Drowned Man (Things end) | The Fountain (Things live) |
| The Great Wyrm (Things change and transform) | The Key (Things are revealed) | The Lock (Things can be hidden) |
| The Mountain (Things are not easy) | The Oak (Things endure) | The Phoenix (Things learn) |
| The Spider (Things are watched by a hidden eye) | The Stallion (Things procreate) | The Stork (Things matter) |
| The Web (Things are connected) | The Three Sisters (Things are connected by blood) | The Wanderer (Things are not what you think or Things go awry) |