Summer Constellations

[Original Publication by Herald Airen Denetheros]

                               ____/\___
                          ____/         \____
                    _____/                   \_____
                   /                               \
                  /                                 \
             ____/                                   \____
            /                                             \
     ______/           *                      *   *        \_______
    /                                     *                        \
   |                *                  *                            |
   |              *                  *                              |
   |            *   *  * *         *                                |
   |                 * *                                            |
   |                  * * *      *                                  |
   |                 *                      * *                     |
   |              * *           *             *                     |
   |            *    *                   * * * *                    |
   |                 *         *              * *                   |
   |                *                     * *   *                   |
   |          The Warrior      *               *                    |
   |                                          * *  * *              |
   |                            *                                   |
   |                             *           The Vagabond           |
   |              *                                                 |
   |                                *                               |
   |                                   *                            |
   |          *       *                  *                          |
   |                                         *                      |
   |                                               *                |
   |              *                    The Greater Crescent         |
   |         The Gateway                                            |
    \_____                                                    _____/
          \                                                  /
           \____                                        ____/
                \                                      /
                 \                                    /
                  \_____                        _____/
                        \____              ____/
                             \_____  _____/
                                   \/

Notes: Scholars agree, the two constellations to the east and west of the Greater Crescent are representatives of the main characters in the fable "The Warrior and the Vagabond".

In ages past, a boisterous young warrior walked down the fair streets of Rheydin, having just come to the city in search of his fortune. While crossing the Western Commons, the Warrior came across a Vagabond kneeling in his path. "Move, beggar," the Warrior said. "Lest I behead you with my sword." "Be wary, good stranger," the Vagabond replied. "For malice shall be the fall of all men." At hearing this, the Warrior kicked the Vagabond deftly in the stomach and strode past. Several days later, the Warrior was beset by a gang of Syndicate and left with barely anything of worth. Swiftly, the Warrior sought out the Patriarch of Rheydin and begged that he aid him in having his things returned to him.

"Ah," the Patriarch smiled. "I see that you are he that kicked me those days ago when I went amongst the people in the guise of a vagabond. Perhaps now you understand the meaning of my words." And the Patriarch strode away.

The Gateway is the formation of four stars: Xemna, Peytri, Lorala, and Seirabi. It is at this time of year when the stars are closest to Thera, and thus emanate a great aura that seemingly looks like a he Gate shaped gateway. Central Theran folklore claims it is t from which Avariel descended to Thera, while those further East claim it is a portal that leads to the plane of the Nameless.