The Constellation

The stars have gone mad. Every night when they are revealed by the dark of dusk they don a new pattern. Hundreds of new constellations appear - each describing a new truth of the universe.

Effect

The language of stars is the oldest language. Its words are written as relations between celestial bodies. As constellations. To invoke any given constellation is to draw upon its power - limitless power, divine power. As an example, if you invoke the Constellation of fire you could summon more flames than any volcano or dragon. You could set the whole Cradle ablaze.

Of course, anybody could sloppily paint a constellation on a piece of paper. In fact, many constellations are known and used as omens or good luck charms in sailing culture. However, to truly invoke a constellation one must transcribe it with complete perfection. Such a precise rendition that the stars themselves can gaze from the heavens and believe to see their reflection on the material plane. This task is nearly impossible.

In fact it could take a mage a century of drinking Ichor and a century more of dreaming to even come close invoking a constellation. A thousand of the steadiest fey hands could spend decades sprawling false stars on pieces of paper and still fail. The King of Greywood could order 50 acres of forest to be chopped down - just so his scholars would have a canvas to work with, a canvas large enough to curry the favor of the stars and he would still avail nothing.

In the history of humanity, of life even, there is only one instance of a constellation being invoked and that was through sheer luck.

Writing System

The Constellation cannot be spoke, only written. To write it is vague though. It can be painted on paper, or on the ground. It could be a sculpture. A series of ornaments hanging from the ceiling, a crop circle, stone monoliths erected in a meadow. Create it however you want - as long as it perfectly mimics the relations of the stars it shall hold power.

Vocabulary

The only word to ever be invoked is Sanctuary. This constellation looks like a temple and can be found in the night sky on nights where sailing is safe.

There was once a man as old as the Maw itself. A sailor, a scholar, a mage, a fanatic. He was all these things and he led his crew of pirates to pillage distant shores. One night he found himself in a storm he knew he would not best. In desperation, with his final breath and shaken hand he sprawls invokes Sanctuary. Painted on the planks of the ship with his own blood.

The storm dispersed. In fact, for the coming weeks there were no storms at all in the Cradle. The ship sailed itself into a nearby cove. One filled with fruit and animals to hunt. Every crewman was healed of all their ailments. Wounds knitted over, diseases cured, bones snapped back into place. The eldest even regained some of their youth.

The man died. He was dead when the constellation was invoked and he remains dead to this day.

The crew woke up in the morning to find themselves perfectly safe in a beautiful cove. There was no sign of last nights storm. They all felt well rested.