The Vulture in the Heavens

The world of Issolum is a copy of Earth, and thus, the star system and planets are entirely identical. However, that does not mean they share the same meanings assigned to the stars in their skies.
One constellation, the Vulture, is noted for its long history among the people of Issolum who recognize it. As a symbol, it is said that the Vulture watches over the healthcare workers, both doctors and healers. In some cultures, vultures carry the souls of the dead to Elysium, and so they are considered benevolent birds, both guiding the dead and cleaning up their remains. In others, the vultures are merely watchbirds for the souls, casting a long gaze over the souls as they make their way onwards.
In either respect, the Vulture constellation is most often seen as a watcher and onlooker, overseeing the world below. It is one of the constellations within Tarik's realm.
Several different myths and tales have been told throughout history regarding its existence and purpose. Most often, the story tells of the supposed first man ever to stumble across a vulture. Before most civilizations rose across the continent of Qey, the world was much more wild and unexplored. As humans started to filter in from Earth along with magical creatures, they began to explore the vast terrain. Eventually, a man was walking along a forest path when he saw a strange looking bird rooting through the corpse of an animal. He was horrified at first, especially as the bird took notice of him and flew over to him. The bird did not attack him, however, only stayed with him quietly perched atop his shoulder. The man soon made his way back to his shelter deeper in the woods, and the vulture became something of a companion for him.
Later, the man was attacked by a gang of thugs. The vulture tried to help defend him, but there was no stopping the thugs as they killed the man and dragged his body outside to rot in the woods. As the man's soul parted his body, he watched as the vulture swept in on his body and, to his shock, began pecking at his chest. Betrayed that his loyal bird companion would eat him, his spirit tried to shout the bird off. The vulture ignored him or couldn't hear him, it seemed. But a few seconds later, the bird picked up something out of the man's chest - a blue orb that had tethered the spirit to the mortal body. The vulture gently held the orb in its beak, glanced at the spirit, and took off to the heavens. The bird guided his soul to Elysium, and they shared in a last moment of companionship before the vulture took back to the earth, leaving the man safely in his new home of peace and solace.
The bird continued to guide other souls for many years, and, when the bird himself finally passed away, as a reward for his service, the gods raised up a marker in the skies of the vulture's likeness.

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Star System Sector