Astromythologists
Homeworld is Where the Heart is
Why would we waste our time with the stars when we have not yet learned of everything beneath our oceans?Astromythologists, also sometimes known as homeworlders, are famous for their belief that the people of Nideon once lived on a now long-forgotten planet. Though many stories exist to this effect around the world, to most, they are fiction and folklore. After all, if people came from another planet, where is the evidence?
Origin of the Belief
Several old folktales tell the story of people coming from another world, and the idea has persisted enough that it is commonly used in fiction, such as the popular young adult novel, The King of Smoke and Stars. While this has been accepted as a fiction and superstition by the majority of Nideon, there have been people throughout history who latched onto the belief. The term astromythology was coined in the 9th century by Nicholas Neils, known for his disagreements with fellow scienties Ulrich Siskin.Astromythological Studies
Astromythology is a combination of astronomy and history. Though astromythologists do search the skies for the homeworld, and are responsible for the majority of technological development in the world of telescopes, they also spend a lot of time digging through historical records and studying ancient societies. To date, no one has uncovered evidence of space-craft or similarly advanced technology, but astromythologists look for anomalies which indicate an original ancestor culture. Some of their evidence includes the commonality of Thisaazhou and Pelan culture, language, and folklore, despite the two groups having developed on different continents, and the existence of The Death Witch (and Other Stories) in multiple locations and in multiple languages. They also search for stories that might direct them to the location of the homeworld or provide a reason for why people once left.Reception
Most people remain incredibly skeptical about the concept of the people of Nideon coming from another planet. Though evidence such as The Death Witch cannot readily be explained, it also does not directly point to the presence of a different homeworld. As for the Pelan and Thisaazhou cultures, some historians believe a land bridge may have once connected the two continents, though this explanation has also been brought under critique as other facets of the two cultures, such as clothing items, are drastically different. Most people blame these anomalies on strong wizards of the past, such as people who may have been able to transport to locations they have never been. Though little is known of specific people who had extra-strong magical abilities, it is likely they existed.Modern Astromythologists
If we have any intention of being accepted by mainstream society, we must be open to the public and develop a mundane interestToday, astromythologists enjoy more respect than they have ever experienced, in part due to the popularization of astronomy as a general hobby by Wolfram Portelli. Many astromythologists actively pursue their studies at universities. Though most do not official departments or courses dedicated to the idea in particular, students enjoy the benefits of library and observatory access. In fact, a couple of universities, such as Zenxon University in Seredipity, have professors who are open about their beliefs in astromythology. Despite their beliefs in what most people consider a conspiracy theory, they have obtained positions of respect for their diligence to scientific and historical study in their specific fields. In the last decade, amateur astromythologists have started organizing conferences to meet each other, share their findings and techniques. It it this younger generation that coined the term "homeworlder," as a nod to believing in a far-away homeworld. This new wave has also seen the introduction of merchandise such as zippered hoodies with catchy slogans like, "from the homeworld with love."
Astronomy on Nideon
With the exception of some groups, such as Healers of Awe, who believe that the movement of the constellations has bearing on the magical atmosphere, most people on Nideon have little to no interest in astronomy. Some people even promote the belief that the space outside the planet is a void, and if anyone left Nideon, they would get sucked into it. Historically, scientists have focused on what is is on Nideon itself, and while some people have been known to stargaze, there are few established constellations. Even among ancient societies, there is a distinct lack of writings about celestial bodies, which may explain why the Pelan calendar is centered around seasons more so than the movement of the sun or the moon. Astromythologists have been the primary driving force behind any astronomical studies, and the development of telescopes and other space technology. At the turn of the century, Wolfram Portelli popularized astronomy as a general study through his development of the Virginia Blake Estate (pictured below) into a public observatory. In the last fifty years, astronomy has become a subject of greater interest to the general public, with universities even offering courses in astronomy and opening observatories such as that at Zenxon University in Serendipity (pictured below). Though these studies focus on astronomy in general, they mostly attract astromythologists, and the "legitimizing" of the belief has become controversial in many areas.
by Boris YUE
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