Malkeran Constellations

The primary constellations of Malkeran culture are inspired mainly by its maritime economy and way of life. These have a high importance for a sea-going people that use the stars for navigation. In addition, the Malkerans have named their months of the year after several of these constellations.

There are additional minor constellations, not listed here, which differ in description from town to town within Malkere, based on local tradition.

Nautarkhos, The Oar-Bearer

A long, paddle-shaped constellation.

Meaning: Patron of sailors and rowers.

Use: Its rising marks the start of safe sailing season.

Delyphoi, The Dolphins

Two close bright stars.

Meaning: Spirits of helpful sea-guides.

Use: Sailors interpret their spacing for incoming weather.

Alaterios, The Weighing Scales

Looks like a rough balance scale.

Meaning: Sacred to guild fairness and trade oaths.

Use: Its zenith indicates the ideal time for settling inter-guild accounts.

Amphibleston, The Net

A wide mesh-like pattern.

Meaning: Spirit of bounty and good catches.

Use: Fishermen say seeing it “full” (clear sky) means abundant fish.

Taramos, The Wave-Rider

Crescent-shaped arc of stars.

Meaning: Protective ocean spirit riding atop the waves.

Use: Sailors pray to it before storms.

Sasara Menmetot, The Moon-Binding Serpent

Undulating line of seven stars.

Meaning: Spirit who “binds” the moon’s years together—origin of the Menmetot cycle myth on which the solar/lunar calendar is based.

Use: Priests track lunar calibrations with its seasonal shifts.

Plotagos, The Merchantman

Lopsided man-like figure.

Meaning: A legendary merchant who crossed the whole known sea.

Use: Trade expeditions consider it good fortune to set out when Plotagos rises at dawn.

Triporthoi, The Three Harbors

Triangle of three major stars, nearly stationary in the north.

Meaning: Represents the three mythical first ports of the world.

Use: Navigation triangle used to estimate latitude at night.

Skholos, The Broken Mast

Two vertical stars crossed by a third.

Meaning: Warning sign, inhabited by a wrathful storm-spirit.

Use: Its early appearance in spring predicts heavy storms.

Chelona, The Turtle-Mother

Rounded shape with four “limbs.”

Meaning: Earth and sea fertility spirit.

Use: Farmers and coastal foragers plant or harvest when it rises.

Pyramis, The Firepot

Small cluster resembling a brazier.

Meaning: Guardian of hearths and shipboard fires.

Use: Ceremonies for launching new ships are timed by its setting.

Nesides, The Spears

Long string of faint stars.

Meaning: Said to be the first islands birthed by sea-spirits.

Use: Used by navigators sailing east–west.

Tepanos, The Coral Crown

Ring-like cluster.

Meaning: Symbol of the sea-queen spirit who governs tides.

Use: Tide-callers use its alignment with the moon to predict unusually high tides.

Kêtostoma, The Whale's Throat

Dark patch surrounded by bright stars.

Meaning: Mythic entrance to the deep realm.

Use: Mariners tell novices never to point at it—bad luck.

Lychonops, The Lantern-Bird

Wing-like spread.

Meaning: Messenger spirit who guides lost ships home.

Use: Pilots say its rising in fog means a clear night ahead.

Schoinion, The Rope-Maker’s Coil

Spiral-like curve.

Meaning: Patron of craft guilds and skilled labor.

Use: Guild festivals are timed to its annual disappearance.

Diochroi, The Sentinels/The Twins

Two bright stars framing a dim field.

Meaning: Guardians of straits and dangerous passes.

Use: Navigators align them to maintain a straight course in open seas.

Aulos, The Reed-Flute

Linear cluster with a bulge.

Meaning: Spirit of wind and song.

Use: Used by wind-readers to forecast direction changes.

Kanon, The Shipwright’s Square

Four-star square.

Meaning: Sacred to builders—symbol of cosmic order.

Use: Shipwright guilds date contracts by its first annual evening rising.

Aigepolos, The Storm-Goat

Angular “leaping” figure.

Meaning: Capricious mountain weather spirit that leaps into the sea.

Use: Its appearance close to the moon is an omen of sudden storms.