Plicator

Note: Times and distances are translated into Shem's system in order to make this understandable.

The asterians, made of starlight, yearn for the source of their aetherial being. They feel connections to the stars deeply. Movement through the cosmos is vital to their existence, their culture, their selves. And to traverse the vast distances safely, they had to learn to wield the qeernariji ("starlight") that they were made of. Over the Ages, they developed not only the power to sense the flow of qeernariji through the universe, but to ride it and, more importantly, to bend it. To fold it. To plicate it.

A plicator is one who folds space via qeernariji. They use a knowledge of the cosmos, a connection to the constelllations that guide them, and special compasses and ships that allow them to fold space itself in order to move through it faster than light.

Distance

Plication does not work over short distances. Or rather, it does, but the folding would destroy everything around it, knotting reality, if it were tried. The minimum distance for plication to work seems to be about a million miles (1.6 million km), or about five times the distance between Shem and her moons. The maximum recorded distance traveled via plication was about 100 lightyears (about 600 trillion miles or 966 trillion km). Therefore, one who wishes to plicate needs to be in the cosmos or moving toward it. They must also be very careful of when, where, and how they plicate, as they must avoid unfolding into an hostile environment. Plicators learn early to wield a form of farsight first.

Cosmos

The cosmos is more vast than can be observed fully even by a Divine or a logos. The powers of mortals have as yet not found a way to see from one end to another. It is known that within the universe are many realms, called planes, that exist beyond certain boundaries that cannot be crossed via plication. Even the asterians, who are the beings closest to Shem who have traveled the furthest, have only explored the local galaxy (known by many names - among the asterians it is called Zeeryaamo Malaa'iq, others call it the "Angel Mist" galaxy), which is about 250,000 lightyears wide.

Plications

To plicate, one must be attuned to a constellation of the asterian Zodiac and to a specific cluster of stars. Which cluster is determined by one's location in the cosmos and cosmic time (the amount of time since the creation of the universe, measured in gigayears - it is 13.8 gigayears at present). As both of these things are determined on such a vast scale, anyone located within the Angeldawn system is within the same cluster - the Kyel Cluster., which is described as "the Refugees". To attune to this cluster, one must either be exposed directly to its power (literally bathing in radioactive starlight) or "walk the light". All travel is instantaneous, so issues of relativity do not come up. Once space has been folded, one must step forward immediately or space will unfold without them. Failure to use the plication will result in a backlash on the plicator that causes serious trauma. Something must go through.

Walking the Light

To "walk the light" is to perform a space-walk at certain spots that are central to the flow of the Kyel Cluster's energies. There are 12 such spots within the Angeldawn system. Which is closest to Shem depends on where the world is in its orbit. The space-walk must be done either naked (which asterians can do) or in a special suit that does not interfere with the flow of aether (or better, captures it more ably - i.e., something attuned to qeernariji). Either way, the walker must guide themselves without aide through a metaphysical maze of starlight and cosmic power that will appear to them once enough qeernariji has flowed through them. If they come out the other end alive, they will sense the "pulse" of the Kyel Cluster.

Constellations

The Zodiac constellation a plicator must be attuned to is the one they were born under, which is determined by the time and place of their birth, but on a local scale. One will have up to three constellations. If born within the Angeldawn system, the twelve possible signs are

• Ishaqalamqa: the Fountain of the Universe, the Source, a constellation of 16 stars aligned almost like a pair of circles around four stars forming a square (imagine an octopus's legs splayed out). Those born in the first year, sixth month, and/or 12th hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, the Source is a fountain that flows with qeernariji from the center of the universe, and the constellation is a guide to how to get there. None have ever been recording going there, of course.
• Xiqmad Nifzaso: the Sage, the Breathing Guru, a constellation of seven stars that form a sort of Y with a bar across it. Those born in the second year, seventh month, or first hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, the Guru is a wise asterian who advised the Manifest on how to reach the other end of the galaxy. He became a constellation rather than die.
• Huwadhaqowad: the Manifest, the War-Mother, the Warrior-Queen of the Galaxy, a constellation of seven stars in a long cross formation - essentially, a sword. Those born in the third year, eighth month, or second hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, she was the first ever asterian, and she led her people on a journey from one end of the galaxy to the next, fighting off dangers along the way. She was killed in her final fight at the end of the galaxy and became starlight so she might return to their homeland.
• Hisafiyyidnimo: the Starsinger, the Voice of the Stars, a constellation of 15 stars forming three rings in the sky. Those born in the fourth year, ninth month, or third hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, she was an elven starsinger who became one with starlight when her nation ascended.
• Saqsaddexmadexleh: the Tricow, the Astral Ploughwright, a constellation of nine stars forming a box with a tail and three dots as "heads". Those born in the fifth year, 10th month, or fourth hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, this was the first domesticated tricow, who served the Manifest and helped her feed her crew. For his sacrifice, he was made into a constellation.
• Masduulaaqii: the Dragon, the Galactic Beast, a constellation of 14 stars forming a tail, body, feet, and head of a dragon. Those born in the sixth year, 11th month, or fifth hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, this was the first dragon from Shem who arose into the stars and fed on starlight, becoming a friend to asterians. It eventually became starlight when it ascended.
• Dirxiweyn: the Cosmic Worm, the Coiled Nebula, a constellation of nine stars in a spiral, backed by a nebula that seems to give it a pale sarcoline tone. Those born in the seventh year, 12th month, or sixth hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation, In asterian cosmology, this is the lair of the massive Spacewurm, an annelid so vast it is measured in lightyears. There is some evidence they may be correct.
• Hanuuniyye: the Navigator, the Great Sailor, a constellation of six stars like a horizontal line with two legs. Those born in the eighth year, first month, or seventh hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, this is the War-Mother's lover and the first plicator. He became starlight when she did, as he could not leave her side. He is said to be guiding her home.
• Firqadabqa: the Fist of the Comet, a constellation of 18 stars that form a circle with two lines in it. Those born in the ninth year, second month, or eighth hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, this is a warrior who could break through any metal or stone with their fist. They were the one who developed the skills of the miqinchir and taught them to other asterians, and they died in battle at the side of the War-Mother and became starlight. Comets are often seen flying across this constellation, hence the association.
• Gubjuge: the Distant Observer, a constellation of six stars that form a ring. Those born in the 10th year, third month, or ninth hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, this is an unknown being who watches the asterians as they travel. It taught them astral projection.
• Qaade: the Bearer of the Deep Cosmos, the Star-Carrier, a constellation of 12 stars, four forming legs, four forming a platform, and four forming a box atop it. Those born in the 11th year, the fourth month, or the 10th hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, this is the massive bull who carries the cosmos, reflected in the dark sky.
• Geezijabay: the Fallen Star, the Broken Sword, the Shattered Meteorite, a constellation of nine stars splayed out in a jagged triskelion. Those born in the 12th year, the fifth month, or the 11th hour of the day will be attuned to this constellation. In asterian cosmology, this is a Champion of their people who died on Shem and was flung back into the stars.

One is born attuned to these, though they must check the stars for guidance on how to correlate to them when plicating. This is usually done by consulting a horoscope written by a qualified astrologer or by determining it oneself.

Projection

To check if it is safe to plicate somewhere, plicators use astral projection first. This is the sending of one's consciousness over vast distances, and it is done via meditation and acute awareness of one's self. Meditation must be done while moving through space - on a ship or some device - and it requires starlight be touching the meditator. It takes many years to master this art, with guidance.

Compass

Compasses must have needles made of bia. The casing should be made of green quartz mined from asteroids, a mundane radioactive metal, or from some kind of neutral plastic. A proper asterian compass is a sphere with markings for every direction: cosmic north, south, east, west, up, down, and all of the in-betweens. To align such a compass to qeernariji, it must be allowed to sit in starlight without interference from sunlight or moonlight for at least a 12 days.

To use one, a plicator must ascertain the cluster and constellation by consulting starcharts and horoscopes, then adjust the compass to align with the direction they wish to go. Then they must invoke the cluster and constellation through movements. This requires a triangulation of one's position based on the location of constellation and cluster.

All plicators are good at geometry.

Astrotraction

The movements done by a plicator are called astrotraction. There are twelve "forms" one stands in to reflect a constellation, and then perform a set of movements based on the cluster. The proper completion of astrotractive movements will engage the qeernariji and fold space.

Blood Sacrifice

If for some reason movement is not possible, a properly irradiated plicator may spill their own blood upon the compass to trigger it.

Refinement

Once space is folded, the plicator has less than a second to make any adjustments needed to the compass. They develop very quick reactions to do this.

Ships

Most asterian ships travel by plication. The compass is placed on the nose of the ship, with controls on the bridge, and a core of radioactive bia or a powerful radioactive stone. They have cosmic sails for shorter travel that catch solar winds.

Variations

Some variations include

• Helid: one who focuses on navigation through astral projection.
• Juxidin: a plicator who uses their powers to play an interstellar game known as juxid that is very popular amongst asterians.
• Mishadhloma: archivist and astrographer of the cosmos.
• Naitaqeeroth: a shipwright of the stars.
• Soosaar: a plicator whose role on a ship is to eject raiders, boarders, or anyone unwanted. Sometimes also executioners.

Societal Role

Plicators are an elite class among the asterians and any space-faring nation.

Skills

Common skills include

• Navigation
• Astrography
• Astronomy
• Astrology
• Astrophysics
• Mathematiccs
• Geometry
• Cosmology
• Astronautics

Stats

Modifiers from base of nation/species:

PRO -1
ATH +1
STR -1
AWA +6 Reaction +7
WIL +3
STH +1
PRS /