Borea: The North Star

"If you're lost outside, on a cloudless night, there's no need to worry. Just look for the brightest star in the sky, and you'll find your way. Eventualy."

- A Gysian ship captain.

Borea is the brigthest star in the sky over the northern Hemisphere. While its position in the night sky has shifted over the past few millenia, it remains the closest start to the celestial North pole, being only a few degrees above it. Its brightness allows for easy identification while its position makes it a reliable marker for travelers and explorers in the northern hemisphere.

History

The star was known and observed thousands of years before the start of the first Age, as the recently discovered cave paintings in northern Samaria indicates. However, during that time, its usefulness would have been limited due to its position not being as close to the Celestial northern pole. It also wasn't as bright as it is today, being only slightly brighter than other star in the night sky. This would change around the year 4000 Bc, just as the First Age began as it continued to move closer to its current day, near-perfect position, while also steadily getting brighter. That's when it began being use for navigation as long-distance trade between civilisations increased a lot, especialy in the latter half of the First Age.

Cultural Impact

Some civilisations, like the Darnians and Syrkanians in Enaskia, and the Khartians in Samaria praised and worshiped the star as either a god, or a sort of guide or marker left by them. In Khartia especialy, the star was often grouped in with the moons as envoys of Janr, the Sky god of their worship.

Etymology

The common name of the star used in Enaskia, Samaria and Arros is Borea and comes from a Syrkanian myth originating from during the The Long Winter. Once the Esnian Empire invaded the region, the name was picked up and spread throughout the vast empire's lingua franca. Eventualy, the words Borealis and then Boreal were born from that name. Borealis simply means "towards Borea" while Boreal is a shortened version of the word, which means pretty much the same thing.
Examples of word Usages:

• Aurora Borealis = Northern Lights (Used especialy in Rumalia(Arros))
• Boreal winds = Northern/Cold Winds (Used Especialy in Western and Central Arros)
• Boreal Forest/Woods = Taiga (Used especialy in Enask)