The Magisters of the Celestial Order study the Lore of the Heavens, which in its widest sense is “Astrometeorological Thaumaturgy,” the magic of the stars, the upper atmosphere, and the weather. The Magisters of the Celestial Order are most commonly referred to as Astromancers, and they are prognosticators, astrologers, and seers without Human peer. These potent wizards also have power over the weather and over various other meteorological phenomena.
It is certainly for these reasons that Azyr’s Magisters are known for their greatest preference for sky and star gazing, and for this reason the Magisters of the Celestial College are sometimes called “Celestial Wizards” by some of the less educated folk of the Empire.
Symbols & Appearances
The Comet of Power, the Crescent, the Eight Pointed Star.
The astromancers of the Celestial College bear the Comet of Power as their symbol. It is perhaps the most direct of all the Colleges of Magic's iconography, for the power of the Celestial Wizards floats, on the Wind of Azyr, among the stars. Every aspect of celestial lore is rooted in the movement of heavenly bodies and their influence upon the world, and it is therefore little wonder that Celestial Wizards so openly display the source of power to which they are bound.[2a]
Yet there are subtleties to the Comet of Power that are lost to the casual observer. The narrow tail and broadening head of the comet mirrors the ever-expanding knowledge of the Celestial College. Furthermore, the comet is usually depicted with its head reaching skyward, symbolising the transcendent ambition of the Celestial Wizards. Only on robes of mourning, worn in reverence to a departed senior fellow of the college, is the symbol inverted, in this case commemorating a great man or woman fallen, in death, to the level of common folk.[2a]
Attire
The Magisters of the Celestial College use midnight blue as their prime colour of decoration, and they will normally wear pendants, rings, earrings and brooches in the shape of stars and moons, etc. Due to their unusual wealth, Astromancers can afford to have the very best robes, and everything they wear is of the richest materials and best tailoring.
It is said that as an Astromancer advances in his field and comes ever closer to Azyr, his eyes turn wholly blue and glow with a soft light.
Overview
While the Magisters give the impression of knowing everything before people say anything, this is not, in fact, the case. They know when people are about to speak, but not always what they are about to say. It is, therefore, possible to surprise them. Astromancers tend to be dreamers and are very scholarly. The shifting possibilities of the future have more relevance and are more real to them to them than is the present.
They tend to look up to the heavens a lot with contemplative looks on their faces.
Duties & Contracts
The very wealthiest and most important people seek the Astromancers of the Celestial College in the Empire, in a kind of love/hate relationship. Few nobles would not wish to know how the future turns out for them, either in the short term or long (or both), but there is nothing in the Articles of Imperial Magic or in the Celestial College’s own Rule that forbids telling people their fortunes, if that is what they wish. However, the Astromancers are required to tell all of that which they see with absolute honesty.
This is a double-edged sword as the Astromancers cannot always direct what areas of the future they will see. So they may indeed be able to see the future in such a way as to win a noble some political influence, but they are just as likely to foresee the day, hour, and style of that noble’s death, and they would be obligated to tell all they had seen, in person.
As a result, though many noble houses seek to contract an Astromancer (for the sake of appearances if nothing else), few pressure him or her too closely to reveal future events. Resultantly, Astromancers tend to be quite wealthy.
Like all Magisters, Astromancers can be seconded to serve in the military throughout their life and as need dictates. As one might expect from an Order of prognosticators, few experienced Magisters are ever surprised or unprepared when the call comes.
Apprenticeship
There is a rigorous program of examinations for advancement within the Celestial College, beginning with an entrance examination to establish the new Apprentices’ academic capabilities. Very few applicants with any Aethyric talent are turned away no matter how they do on this exam (it is really just for the Magisters of the College to ascertain what level to start their new apprentices’ education at). Those few that are turned away might be sent on to the Order of Light with a letter of introduction—the Hierophants are always looking for more Apprentice chanters to fill their choirs.
Apprentices will be assigned to a master, whom they are expected to obey absolutely. Those based in Altdorf are then assigned quarters within the College building and are expected to live there at all times. They cannot leave the College without permission. As well as their studies, Apprentices are expected to help the masters in their observations, which will give them plenty of chances to learn how to adjust the great telescopes in the domes. All Apprentices are expected to be neat, hard working, and punctual. The towers’ domes are cleaned of bird droppings and other debris every evening by the College’s Apprentices. This unpleasant duty is handed out as a punishment to Apprentices who are disrespectful, or who perform poorly, or dress inappropriately, etc. The regular need for cleaning ensures that someone is always nominated for this task. The College’s masters maintain that these duties instil an appropriate sense of humility in the Apprentices and humility is important to all who wish to study the Winds of Magic and not fall prey to the whispered promises of Chaos.
Once Apprentices have advanced to become full Magisters, they may take on Apprentices of their own and pursue independent researches. They are presented with a small telescope, which they will carry at most times. Many Astromancers choose to live in their College for their entire life, leaving the building only when called to the battlefield. The main exception to this involve individuals who travel to observe unusual astronomical events.
Famous Astromancers
- Otto Kerchlik, a Magister claiming to have made progress on improving the Celestial Calendar
- Raphael Julevno, Magister Patriarch of the Celestial College
- Stern Glanzend, previous Magister Patriarch