Tähtimestari (ˈtæhtimestɑri)
The office of Tähtimestari is among the most esteemed within the Order of the Lightkeepers. It belongs to the chief of the Tähtitieteilijä Lighthouse on the island of Hiidenmaa, whose dominion extends beyond the tower itself to the town and university that have risen in its shadow. The title also carries a storied renown for foresight, and through the workings of The Egregoric Force this reputation lends real power to the one who bears it.
Qualifications
To be named Tähtimestari, a candidate must already belong to the priesthood attached to the Tähtitieteilijä Lighthouse. When the standing Tähtimestari dies or steps down, the priests choose a successor from within their ranks, judging each contender by past conduct, skill in reading the stars, and strength of leadership. If the former Tähtimestari voiced a preference, that endorsement carries great weight. Although the other chapters of the Order of the Lightkeepers hold no formal role in the selection, a candidate's standing with them is also considered, for the Tähtimestari is counted among the Order's most esteemed chapter heads, almost equivalent to the Oneirophylax.
History
The first Tähtimestari was Kõpu, one of the earliest keepers of the Tähtitieteilijä Lighthouse, renowned for his gift in reading the stars for both seafaring and the shaping of prophecy. His reputation drew students from across the Great Ring, and it was these followers who honored him with the title Tähtimestari, or "Master of the Stars". Upon his death, his Eidolon underwent Apotheosis, and he became the Numina bound to the lighthouse, with its keepers serving as his priesthood.
His successors have built upon the title's renown and its tradition of drawing the future from the stars. Today, the Tähtimestari is regarded as the seer of seers and prognosticator of prognosticators, to whom other visionaries turn when their own sight falters. Even the god Väinädin, gifted with divine foresight, seeks the Tähtimestari's counsel in matters of prophecy.
Power of Reputation
Belief in the Tähtimestari's gift for foretelling the future is so widespread and so deeply held that it lends real strength to those who ascend to the office. More than one Tähtimestari has spoken of feeling the weight of the mantle settle upon them at the moment of investiture, as they became the center of all the ideas gathered around the title. The effect is akin to Dissolutio Identitatis, though far less harmful to the individual, even if it does subtly shape the bearer to fit the role.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
What a huge responsibility. Is it a role a lot of the priests covet?
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They're mostly academics, and while some of them do want to be in charge, a lot of them think it would just steal time from their studies.
As a (former) academic, that's a mood.
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