THE ALUDRAN ZODIAC
Aludra runs on a calendar of twelve months each with between twenty-nine and thirty-one days, essentially paralleling that of Earth. The Aludran months were determined by a group of human monks who tracked the progress of certain patterns of stars in the sky; each month begins as its associated set of stars appeared on the horizon, and it ended as those stars moved across the sky and dipped into the land in the west.
One monk in particular took the calendar with him when he left his monastery to study. The monk came to realize that all over Aludra, other peoples had taken notice of the same star patterns – they had given them names and stories. When the monk returned home, he brought with him the great tales associated with each set of stars. The other monks were so impressed by this that they adopted from all the world’s myths and legends to create a zodiac system.
When the secluded sect of monks dispersed some years later, their dating system was revealed to Aludra. Somehow, it gained quite a bit of popularity, and, much in need of a standard calendar, the three great human cities adopted it as their own. Soon after that, most of Aludra had taken it, as well. This was several hundred years ago.
None of the stories associated with the Aludran zodiac hold any sort of religious significance for any of the races or peoples of Aludra; their original religions long extinct, the stories are nothing more than folklore and children’s stories, although admittedly, most human Aludrans are familiar with them. In recent years, even the Duszek have at least partially accepted the standard Aludran calendar, although they are still hesitant to completely doff their own.
Today, the zodiac is seen much as it is on earth: in some cultures, it is still believed that the month you are born in determines your personality. People often look to their zodiac signs for help in love, and “What’s your sign?” is as popular and corny a pick up line in a pirate-filled tavern on Aludra as it is in a college bar on Earth.
- MONTH 01 (January)
element: Earth
zodiac: Aoboshi, the Wolf
description: Aoboshi is a magnificent creature whose fur seems to have been made of jagged stone. Crystals not only sprout from her, but float around her like a wreath that glimmers when hit by light. It is said that her howl caused the quaking earth and, when the world was young, it was her galloping paws that pushed the mountains and hills up into Muliphen and Furud as she chased her prey. The lore associated with Aoboshi describes her as having the ability to become dust at will, allowing her to disappear and let the wind carry her.
In the first month, the world appears barren – most plant-life has died and the animals sleep. Aoboshi’s appearance is said to call up the stark beauty of this time of year. Aoboshi corresponds to the Earth sign of Capricorn.
MONTH 02 (February)
element: Air
zodiac: Iyah, the Jinn Mother.
description: The mischievous Jinn Mother is said to have been born of the smoke from a god’s pipe. So startled was the god that he tossed his pipe into the mountains of Aludra where she now makes her home. Rumor says that when Iyah’s constellation makes its presence in the night sky, she immerges from her home deep in the mountains and whips up a massive windstorm of cold air that she blows out into Aludra, causing the chilling gales of the second month.
Iyah is pictured as a beautiful young woman with icy blue skin. The lower half of her body is nothing but smoke that curls up from the bowl of a large pipe. Iyah’s hair is white and blue, and toward the end, takes the shape of the tail feathers of a male peacock. Iyah, the Jinn Mother, corresponds to the Earth sign of Aquarius.
MONTH 03 (March)
element: Water
zodiac: Migoi, the Man-Bear
description: Although the Jinn Mother may command the winds, it is the creature that follows her whose domain is that of snow. Migoi, the Man-Bear, is a massive bipedal ape-like being who is said to live on the highest peak in Aludra. He is believed to suffer constantly from colds and flus, and his sneezes cause avalanches in the snowy mountains. When he is well, Migoi leaves his home and climbs to the top of the mountain where he releases snow out into Aludra by tossing the seeds of winter precipitation from the satchel he carries out onto the land. Migoi hopes to one day reach the deserts of Furud, but has, thus far, failed.
The Man-Bear is described as being at least seven or eight feet tall, covered in white fur except on his face, hands and feet. He is often pictured as either looking ill or having his face wrapped by a scarf made of animal skins, and is always drawn with his magical bag of “snow seeds”. Migoi corresponds to the Earth sign Pisces.
MONTH 04 (April)
element: Metal
zodiac: Antikythera, the Clockwork.
description: The legend of the clockwork boy, humankind's greatest creation, is a strange and anachronistic one: a golem of brass cogs and ticking machinery given life by an unknown source. Although it was a good child, the villagers in the town where it was made were terrified that it may be evil and so they tried to destroy it. The clockwork boy's father's love for him was so great, that Antikythera's soul was granted new life amongst the stars.
Antikythera is often associated with the beginnings of the spring season - the start of a new life, which is why he was given dominion over the fourth month. Antikythera corresponds to the Earth sign of Aries.
MONTH 05 (May)
element: Wood
zodiac: Mimameid, the Dryad.
description: Mimameid the Ever Blossoming is said to be the dryad of the Tree of Life. She is personified as a slender woman whose body is made of dark bark. Her legs tapering into large roots and her arms long and branch-like, with green leaves and flowers blossoming from her fingertips. From Mimameid's head, branches sprout and thick green foliage, dotted with colorful flowers, make up her hair. Birds and other small arboreal animals are said to make their homes on her body and in her hair.
By the fifth month, the snows have melted and flowers are in bloom. Animals have emerged from their slumber and life is once again in full swing. The Dryad represents the vigor and beauty of spring and the fifth month. Mimameid corresponds to the Earth sign of Taurus.
MONTH 06 (June)
element: Fire
zodiac: The Lightbringer
description: The Lightbringer's crime is unknown, but his punishment is a story familiar to all: a stunningly handsome young man cursed with a face that causes blindness; he is forced to wander Aludra at night, carrying the ever-burning lantern that lights the path to the underworld. The Lightbringer's name has been lost - it is said that uttering it brings great misfortune. In art, he is represented as a glowing but faceless young man with a handsome physique carrying a hanging lantern illuminated by a bright blue flame.
The sixth month is hot and in many places and the short nights seem brighter than in earlier months. The Lightbringer is said to be the cause of this, and his associated constellation contains the brightest star in the night sky year-round. The Lightbringer corresponds to the Earth sign Gemini.
MONTH 07 (July)
element: Earth
zodiac: Nahualli, the Formless.
description: When the spirits of Aludra saw fit to create life, they made Nahualli, the first. Nahualli was born of the dust, and so he held no true form, but could assume the shape of whatever he wished. It was Nahualli’s modeling that helped the spirits create all flora and fauna on Aludra, and it was his mind that imagined all the races of Aludra. When the world was filled with life, it was not Nahualli who received the credit, but the spirits and gods of Aludra who had existed before him. Angered by his lack of recognition, Nahualli vowed to take revenge on the gods and “their” creations.
Young children are often told that if they make too much of a fuss, they may draw the attention of Nahualli and be taken away by him in the night. Nahualli is depicted in a variety of different forms – usually animals – but its skin and fur is always the orange-brown color of earthy clay. Nahualli corresponds to the Earth sign of cancer.
MONTH 08 (August)
element: Air
zodiac: Apis, the Bee.
description: The familiar buzzing sounds of late summer are said to be produced by the wings of Apis, the great honeybee. The honey he produces radiates magical energy, and eating just a tablespoon is enough to imbue a human with phenomenal magical powers. Interestingly, although he is a honey bee, Apis is depicted as a large bumblebee - that is, kind of fuzzy with clearly defined black and yellow stripes. Also, despite being a worker, he is identified as a male, rather than a female. Apis corresponds to the Earth sign Leo.
MONTH 09 (September)
element: Water
zodiac: Bakonawa, the Dragon.
description: Bakonawa is the largest constellation in the night sky, fitting of the great sea dragon, Bakonawa. Most of this reptile's torso is hidden within a great and unbreakable shell. From the top of the shell rise spires and structures that resemble the skyline of a city. Bakonawa has a long, slender neck and a long tail with a spiked ball at the end. It is said that his form is so massive and frightening that he chases the sun away when he appears in the sky, and that is why the nights become shorter in the ninth month.
Legend has it that the city upon Bakonawa's back is actually the city from which all human life originates. Bakonawa corresponds to the Earth sign of Virgo.
MONTH 10 (October)
element: Metal
zodiac: Arkls, the Plough / Vol, the White Ox
description: Arkls is the golden plough pulled by Vol, the white ox. Legend says that Vol's power was so great that she could easily work acres and acres of fields on her own in one day. Her abilities so impressed the gods that she was awarded a golden plough and given a place amongst the stars. Typically, there is some contention as to whether Arkls or Vol is the dominant constellation of the tenth month, because both are clearly visible in the sky. Both are, obviously, associated with the working of the fields, an activity typical of the tenth month. Arkls and Vol correspond to the Earth sign Libra.
MONTH 11 (November)
element: Wood
zodiac: Mokos, the Tiger.
description: The Green Goddess, Mokos, is thought to be not only an immortal whose reign is over the natural world, but also sole queen of forests and jungles. With each step, flowers and plants grow at her feet, and as she lifts her paws, those same plants wither and die. As she stretches up to scrape her great claws against the bark of a tree, its leaves turn from green to gold and red – signaling the end of the hottest season.
Mokos is pictured as a great white tiger with dark brown stripes that resemble the grain of cut wood. Her eyes twinkle and shine like bright stars, and from the top of her head spring a pair of great antlers. Mokos is said to be covered in flowering vines that are constantly growing new blossoms, which bloom and subsequently wilt away. At the height of her power, during the eleventh month, Mokos is thought to glow with an aura of red and orange flame. Mokos corresponds to the Earth sign of Scorpio.
MONTH 12 (December)
element: Fire
zodiac: Simurgh, the Phoenix.
description: A great shining bird with red, orange and black feathers that seem to glow like charred embers. Simurgh is often pictured as having a long, slender neck and long, thin legs. It's beak is also long and slightly hooked - gold with a black tip. It is said that when Simurgh flaps its wings, the air around it distorts as though blasted by extreme heat.
Although much of Aludra sees snow during the twelfth month, it is still associated with the element of fire. Simurgh, the firebird which destroys itself and rises from its own ashes, is seen as representative of the transition into the new year. Simurgh corrosponds to the Earth sign Sagittarius.
