The Nine Icons and the Calendar

Mankind’s existence on scattered oases in the endless darkness is an almost unfathomable mystery. The Icons are what fill the void and provide comfort in the absurdity of life in the dark.

The Icons

The nine Icons worshipped in the Third Horizon are described briefly below, with their symbols in parentheses. Read more about the Icons in Chapter 10.

• THE LADY OF TEARS (A TEAR): On their way towards the justice of the Judge, the dead are accompanied by the Lady of Tears. She also consoles the living. The Lady of Tears is a woman dressed in white, the color of mourning, with traces of tears still on her cheeks.

• THE DANCER (A SWEEPING SHAWL): The Dancer is the Icon of inspiration and perseverance. Sometimes a woman, sometimes a man, mostly androgynous. The Dancer represents the bond formed in the union between two lovers, but also unbridled lust when appearing as the Musician, playing a lyre or cirra.

• THE GAMBLER (DICE): For the adventurous, the Gambler is a perfect fit. This Icon is often pictured as a little girl stretching her hand towards the beholder, her eyes urging you to take a risk, to roll the dice.

• THE MERCHANT (A CHALICE): The portly Merchant, an older man dressed in embroidered silk robes, is the Icon of growth, prosperity and success.

• THE DECKHAND (A KEY): This Icon is usually portrayed as a tired boy holding a broom. The Deckhand can bless homes and ships, if they’re well-kept and the right offerings have been made.

• THE TRAVELER (A SHIP): For free traders, explorers and colonists, the Traveler offers protection. The Traveler is often portrayed as a man with his eyes on the horizon, holding a walking stick, a compass or an astrograph.

• THE MESSENGER (A SCROLL): The fleet-footed Messenger brings news, prayers and omens to wherever the faithful might be. The Messenger is portrayed as a pale boy with a stern face and flaming eyes.

• THE JUDGE (A SWORD): An old matriarch with a grave face and a sword at her side is the common way to picture the Judge. The Judge’s realm is that of justice and due punishment.

• THE FACELESS (NO SYMBOL): The seeker among the Icons is never pictured. In temples and on Icon walls there is instead an empty place or alcove, or an asymmetry in the placement of the other Icons.

CALENDAR

In the Third Horizon and on Coriolis, time is usually measured in cycles – or Coriolis’ Cycles, CCs – instead of years, as the length of a year differs from system to system. One CC is the length of a Kuan year and is divided into three triads of three segments each. Each segment is dedicated to one Icon. There is one odd day between each of the triads. These odd days are special holidays and are celebrated in a fashion reflecting the coming triad’s Icons.