15.4 The Guild of Astrologers.

As you gaze across the seas of the east, a light flickering from the crystal halls of the Parrian Observatory catches your eye. You are compelled to climb its steps, discovering a pulsating crystal seeing stone resting in the tower's pinnacle.

Peering into the stone, you are able to see through your mind's eye, a large and dark room, illuminated by the shape of a pentacle layed out in silver stars. The renowned Astrologer, Oloreon, stands by the south wall, gazing out an oversized window. A gust of wind ruffles his long flowing white robes, and he turns as if to acknowledge that you're watching him.

Suddenly, the seeing stone turns a light blue colour as Oloreon begins to speak, "The most ancient and mysterious of Avalon's three mystical guilds, the Astrologers remain a small, secretive circle of elite knowledge seekers. They peer both outwardly at the great powers which mould universes, and inwardly, using omniscient seeing stones, to trace to the soft starlight that comprises the human souls of other Avalonians. Whether the knowledge they glean be employed for grim destruction, or for healing in
justice, or for pure eccentric joy and pleasure is irrelevant. Rather, it is the mindful cultivation of the power itself, and the free development of the intelligent individual, that is the guild's axis; around this axis cycles each Astrologer's life."

The stone flickers a reddish hue, and the focus shifts to a new location, Room of the Stars. It is a small chamber, contained by a domed ceiling spangled with stars. The room is silent for only a moment, until Oloreon takes a step out of cover from the shadows and continues to speak. "The life of an Astrologer is suited to only a very select few. Joining the circle is an arduous journey, though the rewards bear the promise of power beyond the reach of any other path in Avalon. The widely misunderstood
and feared power of Farsight, through which the Astrologer manipulates events through a seeing stone, is only one of three soul-stirring skills at the Astrologer's disposal."

Oloreon pauses for a moment, fiddling with a piece of wax. He gives a quick smirk, and as if by some dark magic, you feel yourself twirling around the room at the will of another. After a moment of chuckling, Oloreon composes himself and continues, "As you can see, the Astrologer also deals in Mysticism, a brand of voodoo culminating in puppet mastery. Astrologers also have Fatalism, the power of curses and blessings. One should think twice before attacking a master of fatalism, as the curses are so di
verse in effect and leave many difficult to cure afflictions. Many of these curses require specific blessings to redress, thus ensuring that befriending a wielder of such power should be high on every Avalonian's list. Supported by his abilities to mimic spellcasting and to move in stealth, the Astrologer's limits are defined only by the bounds of his own intelligence."

Again the focus of the stone shifts, this time to a breathtaking view, unseen by the eyes of most mortal kind. A whirling vortex swirls outwards from the centre of the seeing stone, and it envelopes and whisks you away. You come to after a moment, realizing that you have passed through the seeing stone to the striking location of it's focus. As if in a dream, you rest upon a cloud, relaxing amongst the stars. Looking around, you see millions of stars for vast distances. Below you sit the sun and the mo
on, sparking life into the skies, and even farther below them is Avalon in it's entirety, from the city of miracles, to the city of light, and back to the sparkling jewel of the east.

You jump back in surprise as the grey-bearded Astrologer touches your arm, reminding you of your existence. He makes a gesture with his hand, beckoning you to follow him back to your home city. Oloreon says, "The Astrologers remain insular and secretive, and apprenticeships are rare. But if patience, intelligence, and independence are among your hallmarks, seek them out. There lies the grandest of illuminations." And with that, he chants an unheard litany and vanishes into the air.