Magicians of the Zodiac (IotU)

[paramander]

According to the author, there are thirteen magic-users who are arranged in a circle following the ecliptic all order of the Zodiac. Let me try to detail each in turn, and maybe my thoughts will find use with others. A preconception, I am assuming that these mages are guardians of their locations, that they do not leave these places of power for long, if ever, and they have duties of a magical nature that prevent them from seeking out adventure and make them somewhat homebodies. In my developing campaign, they provide the energies of the constellations (That which is above is like that which is below and that which is below is like that which is above, to achieve the wonders of the one thing.") and direct them to their leader, who is has become a sort of genius loci on the triple peaks of Mount Kir-Aca-Nok, at the center of the Isle.

Additionally, I am using the rules from Seven Voyages of Zylarthen due to the fairy-tale emphasis, which seems a good fit. Magic-Users in those rules may reach as high as twelfth level, and fittingly, no Zodiac Mage reaches that high. Mercury is eleventh level, which leaves the top rank to the leader, Thoth-Hermes. It is also assumed that in anti-deluging days magic-users could will forth spells of the seventh, eighth, or even ninth quanta, but time has placed constraints, and modern magicians are thus limited. Our zodiac mages are uniformly higher level than just about every other Mage, except to Mirror Mage, who approaches them in power, but seems to have an entirely different approach to his studies.

This means that each magician has fewer hit dice, but as NPCs I would give them regular access to magic-user spells.

The magicians seem unrestricted in arms or armor, and it seems fair to apply the same standards to player magic-users under the caveat that all such articles must be magical.

I think I am ready for the first magician post, Ares.

[paramander]

Mres (Hex 1302)
6th-level magic-user (Armor: as chain, HD 3+1, Hp 13, move 90', 1d6/short sword) dressed in a fiery red tunic, with iron sword and armor. He has a herd of Golden Fleece.
If he is slain all the enchantment of his wood will vanish.

Disposition
1- Passionate
2- Violent
3- Feisty
4- Vengeful
5- Romantic
6- Hateful

The color and metal are certainly a match. The horned sheep are also right on the money.
Ares is bold, ready to take charge, fearless. Let's use an earlier root name for this one, and call him Mres. He seems like the sort of fellow who would want to lead the Zodiac, but was passed over because despite his take charge attitude and enthusiasm, he lacks wisdom. Maybe he has a grudge against Thoth- Hermes, or another member? He would certainly be receptive to someone who stirred his passions, or helped address his grievances. Mres would like to add Alu to his conquests, but senses her loathing, and so settles for the occasional wayward shepherd girl whom he impresses with his bulging muscles and confidence.

It is also interesting that the magic of his location comes from him. As we go through the magicians, maybe we can spot more enchantments of the land.

[paramander]

Alu (Hex 1803)
She is a 6th-level magic-user (Armor: none, HD 3+1, Hp 12, move 120') armed with bronze spear, long sword, and dagger. If accosted, seven milk- white bulls will protect her.

Disposition
1- Bored
2- Interested
3- Playful
4- Involved
5- Helpful
6- Angry

Let us use the antiquated Akkadian name for Taurus. She certainly looks the part. She toils endlessly to keep the Isle afloat, protect her sacred herd, and honor the gods, but is always looking for her reward. A sensual hedonist, she wants romance, not a fling, and is pretty much determined to get her way, even if it no longer matters. She cannot abide the fickle and foolish, which means that neighboring Mres has been spurned after breaking her heart. She had a fling with one (?) of the Polydeuces at one (many) times; she knows she shouldn't, but can't help herself, though she needs a few centuries to forget that it ever happened before letting herself get involved again.

[geoffrey]

Excellent thread. You are spot-on in your observations. Astrology is a fertile field for finding stuff to use in one's D&D campaign. I especially agree with this:

Oct 11, 2014 8:41:56 GMT -6 paramander said:

I am assuming that these mages are guardians of their locations, that they do not leave these places of power for long, if ever, and they have duties of a magical nature that prevent them from seeking out adventure and make them somewhat homebodies.

[paramander]

Thank you. As I go along thinking about the Zodaion, I may need to rethink some of these initial ideas, especially how they interact.

[paramander]

Divanno and Dinomo, the Polydeuces (Hex 2006)
Twins, each is an 11th- level magic-user (Armor: none, HD 7 Hp 25, move 120') with identical abilities.

Disposition (roll twice)
1- Whimsical
2- Sly
3- Cheerful
4- Questioning
5- Verbose
6- Flirtatious

We substitute some rather loosly connected Celtic names for twin warrior gods for the Geminii, noting that Castor and Pollux were Spartans as well. The twins will seize upon anyone as potential company, dazzling them with clever and witty conversation, relieving them of as much information as possible while revealing little of substance in return; unless they meet an intellectual equal, in which case they garrulously preen and demonstrate how fabulous their minds work. They are fickle, and easily bored, and delight in tormenting boorish guests in subtle ways. They have little long-term interest in their "stick in the mud" neighbor, Alu, and despise and enjoy annoying Mres. They enjoy listening to Kulira telling stories more than they actually enjoy Kulira.

[paramander]

Kulira (Hex 2110)
The mistress of these domains is a 10th-level magic-user (Armor: as chain, HD 6+1, Hp 24, move 120') garbed in a shimmering moon-white dress, a silver necklace set with white pearls adorning her neck.

Disposition
1- Sulky
2- Sympathetic
3- Cheerful
4- Calm
5- Lazy
6- Shy

Our Cancer takes the Hindu version of one of the Greek names for this sign. She is the member of the Zodaion who most strongly remembers and longs for lost Atlantis, and she will gladly dwell in the past, recounting every story and reliving each memory until tears well up in her eyes. The tears are quickly replaced by giggles if she is given a reason to smile. She never leaves her tarn; this is the only home she has, and her animal companions are named each and known as family. She likes to get her way with kindness, or playing upon another's emotions, and will be sulky if that fails to achieve her ends. She trusts her heart over any words and persuasions. Leo will visit her from time to time, grumbling about how he must always be the visitor, but they enjoy each other quite well, and Alu's rare visit is famously full of gossip, laughter, and long conversing about the world outside of the Isle. She is polite, but distant with the twins.

[foxroe]

Wow, great stuff!

I really like the idea of the Zodiac mages being immortal survivors of a lost civilization. It kind of gives them a slight Tolkien Numenorean/Istari feel. Consider this idea (and most of this thread) stolen!

I do have a question though. If the mages are home-bodies and linked to their own respective hexes, how could/would they visit each other? Some form of looking-glass/crystal-ball communication, or maybe astral projection of some sort?

[paramander]

I imagine that for short periods of time, depending on the heavens, a particular Mage will find that a short absence is tolerable, and go about some business, especially with those close by, nearest them. Regular communication is probably limited, sending animal messengers, or adventurers to carry communications, although I can see Kulira being powerful enough to use her tarn as as crying pool...

[paramander]

This weekend should see a few more magicians posted, at least Lei and Virgo.

[tkdco2]

This is really good stuff, paramander! Thanks for sharing.

[foxroe]

Sooooo...

What's your plan for "Scorpio" (0813)?

I've been digging and I can't find an "historical" astrological reference to something/someone other than a scorpion, a swan, or a tree. I assume that we need to ignore the "classical" in this case and imagine something different...

I suggest that because she seems to be related to the "Aries" mage (similar hex description), she is war-like and perhaps related to him (sister?). An easy stretch I think considering that some cultures considered their War Deity to be female, and not male.

[geoffrey]

Oct 16, 2014 16:46:48 GMT -6 foxroe said:

What's your plan for "Scorpio" (0813)?

I've been digging and I can't find an "historical" astrological reference to something/someone other than a scorpion, a swan, or a tree. I assume that we need to ignore the "classical" in this case and imagine something different...

It's a bit obscure, but here's what I read:

First, check-out this image of the circle of the Zodiac:



Now look at these four signs: Scorpio, Aquarius, Taurus, and Leo. You'll notice that together they form a cross. In other words, exactly two signs separate each from each. They also comprehend within themselves the two solstices and the two equinoxes.

Now consider the kherubim (a spelling I prefer over "cherubim", which makes me think of the singular "cherub", which word makes me think of fat, naked babies in Renaissance paintings--ugh) in Near Eastern mythology: an amalgamation of four creatures: eagle, man, bull, and lion. The eagle wings represented swiftness, and thus omnipresence. The head of a man represented wisdom, and thus omniscience. The hind quarters of a bull represented fecundity, and thus creation. The forequarters of a lion represented strength, and thus omnipotence. Put those together: omnipresence, omniscience, creation, and omnipotence, and you have an image of the Divine.

Thus an ancient conception of the constellation of Scorpio was that of an eagle ("Aquila").

I went with that rather than with the scorpion.

[foxroe]

Cool, I see it now.

Doing a little searching for "kherubim" I came across this reference (from a yoga website of all things):

The prophet Ezekiel described the four Kherubim as being the bearers of the Chariot of God - the Merkabah. In Hindu mythology the principle deities each have their own 'vahana' or vehicle. In the ranks of the Hindu vahanas we see the Four Kherubim appear: The Goddess Devi rides a lion(Leo), Vishnu the eagle Garuda(Scorpio), Shiva the bull Nandi (Taurus), and the Kundalini is the vehicle of mankind(Aquarius).

There are also some biblical references further down the page.