Star Signs II

Fantasy star signs deserve more in-depth information and attention than "you are an astrologer, you can get a +1d4 once per day." If you (the character) live in a world where astrology is real and the gods do, in fact, dwell among the stars, then that should be reflected in your character sheet.

So, that said, let's make some astrological signs, associated constellations, and the features & behaviors that go with them.

There are 13 signs; 12 bright and 1 hidden sign. This goes nicely with the 12 classes (with artificers or warlocks left out, because one sucks and the other is thematically good for exile). Each individual has three Signs to be aware of: your primary, your secondary, and your tertiary, or Earth, Sun, and Moon. Your Earth sign is the core, and may grant you a minor bonus or ability. Your Sun, or secondary sign, defines your interactions with the external world, and your Moon, or tertiary sign, has some effect on your spirituality or self-reflection. The Sun sign is where the sun was at the hour of your birth, more or less. The Moon sign is about the phase the moon was in. Voila, a working astrology set-up.

The 13th sign was hidden, deposed, or otherwise done away with because it was indivisible. The ancient astrologers preferred 12, as it can be halved, thirded, quartered, or sixth'd. The only better thing would have been 24 or 60. Thus, the 13th was slowly eliminated from star charts until there were 12 commonly accepted signs. The 13th sign is only 'assigned' to those who have died & been resurrected*, or otherwise were severed from their birth sign in some way.

*Characters that are dead more than a day can, at the time of their resurrection, take the new signs as though they were born again at their resurrection, or can take the Stranger's sign.

Certain combinations are immensely prized. A Zenith/Full Moon/Emperor combination would be viewed as a natural leader, no doubt destined for greatness. A Nadir/New Moon/Hermit might be (assumed to be) an outcast and suited for academic pursuits out of the public eye.

A lot of this is bunk. Anyone can be anything, but some have natural aptitude.