The “Zodiac”
Aklos, the Archer
This constellation can be seen everywhere in the northern hemisphere and half the latitudes in the southern. The point of his arrow is the North Star, and has been guiding sailors, couriers, and adventurers for eons. Those born under Aklos seem to have an uncanny sense of direction, and the most renowned cartographers and navigators have claimed to have been born under the Archer’s influence.
Aklos is a mythological figure in many human and elvish traditions. Believed to be the greatest mortal marksman in all of history, his talent was so well-renowned that he was challenged by the Goddess Etratta, the master ranger of the divine, to an archery contest. Though Aklos lost this contest, the Queen of the Skies granted the mortal champion a bow that could pierce any substance he hit. This gift proved useful in the fabled Netherwar, where Aklos and his bow were the only mortal tool capable of striking down the archdemons invading the plane.
After the war, Aklos retired from the battlefield and began to explore the world that he had saved. He took command of a shipping crew of a vessel called Etratta’s Horizon and sailed for 30 years mapping the world and its oceans. Very little is known of his life after he returned from the sea, but upon his death Etratta immortalized him amongst the stars with his arrow point showing the way for the explorers and sailors that followed.
Month: Soleth
Aklos is believed to have influence over those born during the month of Soleth, the first month of the year. As a result, they always know what direction is North and have advantage on all Survival checks in areas they have a map of.
Influence:
A constellation of a legendary archer appears on you. When you activate this form, and as a bonus action on your subsequent turns while it lasts, you can make a ranged spell attack, hurling a luminous arrow that targets one creature within 60 feet of you. On a hit, the attack deals radiant damage equal to 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
Vesii, the Rose
Month: Deodeth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
A constellation of in the shape of a rose flower appears on you. This constellation is only visible to yourself and creatures of your choice (if any). For the duration, you gain +3 to all Charisma skill checks and an additional +3 to Persuasion. You have advantage on Insight checks and Charisma Saving Throws.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
The stars of the Vesii are believed to grant luck in both loving and lustful endeavors. Those attracted to rose-born tend to be a bit more open with information and secrets, especially if the conversation happens in… private.
Kuloka, the Tempest
Month: Trineth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
Kuloka blesses those under its influence by granting them the ability to read the clouds. Never taken by surprise by storms or squalls, the storm-bloods can sense a natural storm coming hours before it arrives and are resistant to the effects of strong rains and winds.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of a tornado appears on you, and a wind squall forms around you granting two of the following effects for the duration: 1. You gain a hover speed equal to your walking speed and are unaffected by difficult terrain; 2. Creatures of your choice within 30 feet of you have their speed halved while moving towards you (rounded up to the nearest 5); You gain +2 AC against ranged weapon attacks.
Raien, the Chalice
Month: Tetreth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
Believed to be the origin of the phrase “thank your lucky stars,” the constellation of the Chalice often gifts its children with a little extra. They have an eye for when a wager could fall in their favor, and in most places where there is coin to be found they often find a few extra pieces lying around.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of a life-giving goblet appears on you. Whenever you cast a spell using a spell slot that restores hit points to a creature, you or another creature within 30 feet of you can regain hit points equal to 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier.
Ebb, the Archive
Month: Penteth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
Kuloka blesses those under its influence by granting them the ability to read the clouds. Never taken by surprise by storms or squalls, the storm-bloods can sense a natural storm coming hours before it arrives and are resistant to the effects of strong rains and winds.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of a tornado appears on you, and a wind squall forms around you granting two of the following effects for the duration: 1. You gain a hover speed equal to your walking speed and are unaffected by difficult terrain; 2. Creatures of your choice within 30 feet of you have their speed halved while moving towards you (rounded up to the nearest 5); You gain +2 AC against ranged weapon attacks.
Ul’narok, the Kraken
Month: Hexeth
Krakens, leviathans, and other sea monsters are a terrible sight to behold, and most that do not sail the seas only know of the devastation they cause. Tales from sea captains and pirate tell of beasts the size of ships wreaking havoc upon war boats and cargo vessel alike, sundering wood and flesh without a second thought. However, the same folks who tell these grand stories recognize that these monsters aren’t simply a omen of death and destruction but as a symbol of the power and unpredictability of the sea. You can plan a safe voyage all you want, once you are on the waves you’re at the mercy of the ocean and her ever-changing mood.
Ul’narok is a legend even amongst legendary creatures, as he was by many accounts a child of the sea god Neridia and the first of his kind. Ul’narok was said to have been large enough to block the sun and responsible for the sinking of the ancient Hana’ii people and their island kingdom. The majority of sea elf cultures see this monster as the mythological enemy of their people as well as believe his tyranny of the Free Seas is what caused the sea elves to rally together under one banner. They banded together to trap the beast, and the then-general and future queen of the sea elves Anuya Blackheart slew Ul’narok in the waters of her home island. Anuya would come to be known as the kraken slayer, or “Krakukani” in her native tongue. For centuries onward, the leader of the Free Seas sea elves would be titled Krakukani in reverence to Anuya’s legacy.
Though Ul’narok was her child, the goddess of the seas did not punish the sea elves for their actions. Neridia knows her domain is one of unpredictability, and that extends to herself and her progeny just as much as anyone else. In both a memorial to her child and to the triumph of Anuya and her people, the Queen of the Waves entombed the Kraken in the sky so that all might know of the might of the seas and those who reside amongst its waters.
Many land-dwellers see the Kraken as a sign of disaster, but those who live a life at sea recognize the Kraken as a symbol of the unpredictable nature of an adventurous life on the waves. Mortals under the Kraken can swim at the same speed they can walk and hold their breath twice as long.
Influence:
A constellation of a powerful kraken appears on you. When you make a successful melee weapon attack, the target must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to your Spell Save DC. On a failed save, that creature is knocked back a number of feet equal to the damage dealt, rounded to the nearest 5 feet (always rounded down, with a minimum of 5 feet).
Druid of the Stars Effect:
The Wheel in the Sky
Month: Seneth
Background lore incoming. - This name is a joke.
Influence:
Those under the influence of the Wheel are often referred to as two-legged pack mules. Often able to carry two times the weight of someone their size should be able to, heavy burdens don’t even seem to slow them down. Additionally, some gnomes, halflings, and other smaller mortals born under the Wheel can use heavier weapons like greatswords and mauls without the weight and length affecting them.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of a wheel appears on you. For the duration, your base movement speed increases by 5, and your movement cannot be reduced (unless you are held still, paralyzed, or otherwise rendered immobile). Additionally, you may dash up to twice your movement speed as a bonus action.
Vel Telara, the Dragon
Month: Octeth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
Vel Telara is known throughout myth and history as the wisest child of Vas Drogal, and she shares that wisdom with those born in the month of Octeth. Mortals under the influence of the Dragon never forget a face and are often able to recognize facial expression quicker than those around them. Many a fight or argument has been avoided as a result of this ability to read faces.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of a wise dragon appears on you. When you make an Intelligence or a Wisdom check or a Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration on a spell, you can treat a roll of 9 or lower on the d20 as a 10.
Sygg, the Warrior
Month: Noneth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
Some of the greatest mortal champions and heroes were know to have been born under the stars of the Warrior. These mortals are believed to be blessed by the great fighter Sygg, and she is said to grant those in her influence the ability to wield any weapon with the skill and precision of a master-at-arms.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of a great warrior appears on you. For the duration, you are proficient with all melee weapons and shields and may use your Wisdom modifier instead of Strength when you make attack or damage rolls. If your weapon is one handed, you may summon a shield made of solid starlight that grants +2 to your AC. If you do not have a weapon in hand, you may summon a longsword made of solid starlight. You may have your weapons deal radiant damage instead of bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing.
Kima, the Great Elk
Month: Deseth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
As one of the patrons of the wilderness, Kima gifts those in her influence with a stronger connection to nature and wild places. Many of those born under the Great Elk have a natural affinity for nature magic even if they have no innate magical bloodline and are often able to track both mortal and fauna with almost supernatural skill.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of an elk appears on you. For the duration, you may communicate with animals as if you were under the effects of the Speak with Animals spell and you are unaffected by difficult terrain. Additionally, your Dexterity score increases by two and you may may jump twice as far.
Phylla, the Bastion
Month: Heneth
Background lore incoming.
Influence:
Those born under the Bastion tend to be heartier than most and have been known to work and fight through extreme temperatures without slowing down. The negative effects of both high and low temperatures take twice as long to begin to effect you.
Druid of the Stars Effect:
A constellation of a time-worn tower appears on you. On activation, you gain temporary hit points equal to your Druid level that last until the effect ends. For the duration, your AC is increased by 2 and you have advantage on Constitution Saving Throws. You cannot be moved against your will by non-magical means and have advantage against effects that would move you against your will by magical means.
Balam, the Jaguar
Month: Poleth
Across most nations of Trest, the last month of Poleth is spent both memorializing and celebrating the lives of those who have passed on throughout the year. Translated from most languages as “The Passing Festival” or just “Passing,” work often either slows or simply stops as friends, rivals, and families gather to remember those who they have lost and enjoy the company of those still here. Drinks are shared, stories are told, and often in larger cities carnivals, parades, and other large social events are held for anyone to attend. Some nations even allow minor criminals a reprieve for the week in order to properly send off any loved one who have moved on.
The patron of these festivities is the jaguar Balam, the divine companion to the Lord of the Dead. Balam is seen as the right hand of Lord Creethos, and many cultures view the great cat as the shepherd and guide of the recently deceased as they move on into the afterlife. As a result, clerics and other holy people will wear spotted cloaks and black cat masks while delivering funeral and burial rites. It is even believed that the elderly tend to have housecats as companions because felines are so closely associated with death and the afterlife.
After a millennia of shepherding the dead into the afterlife, Balam eventually passed on himself. Lord Creethos lead his friend and faithful companion into the afterlife, and as he did threw his physical body into the stars for all to see. The spirit of Balam still guides the dead to their final rest and remains by his master’s side. His body now shines bright in the heavens to guide the living into what comes next, whether that be a new life, a new year, or even just a new day.
Those born during the last month of the year are said to be under the influence of the Jaguar. These people can occasionally catch glimpses of spirts and other apparitions of the recently departed. In addition, The Jaguar’s patronage of the Passing Festival grants those born in the month of Poleth a natural resistance to hangovers and other negative effects of alcohol and weak poisons.
Influence:
A constellation of a jaguar appears on you. For the duration, you may speak with the souls of those recently deceased. Those souls sound the way they did in life and take on a ghostly appearance of themselves before they died. They speak and understand any languages they knew in life plus any languages you know. If a soul is unwilling to speak with you, you may attempt to force them to. They must make a Charisma Saving throw against your Spell Save DC. On a failed save, they will be compelled to answer your questions honestly but are not compelled to elaborate.