Argrossa

The hunter raised his head to the night sky. A glow of bright green spread across the horizon, setting the stars alight in ceremony, followed by blues, reds and yellows.
He leaned back with a soft crunch and lit a pipe, "Take it easy, kid," he laughed and pulled me down onto the frosty blanket, "Uncle's watching over us tonight."

Argrossa is an eagle constellation made up of a collection of ten visible stars. It is in the night sky from sometime in Budbeam (April) until it dips below the horizon at the end of Reaptide (September). Its migration across the cosmos is marked by the appearance of an aurora. These aurora trails are said to be the bird's vast and colourful wings, spreading across the land to give mortals its protection in the summer and revoking it when it slumbers the other half of the year.

History

Vandrere Tradition

To the Vandrere, those living in Noravägen or the Northern Beastwilds, Argrossa is known more commonly as Stärorn or colloquially as "Uncle Eagle". People in these regions are more adherent to local traditions and wholeheartedly believe that the Stärorn is a benevolent protector to those braving the wilderness.
Not exclusive to protecting people from beasts, the spirit has existed in local beliefs long before their appearance as a spirit of goodwill and safe travel. Its sacred vow is: "Love the traveller, welcome good tidings, bring wonder and hope to all life. Reward the curious, protect the wary. Ill omens find no nest under the Eagle's wings."
Heroes of old Vandrere folklore have ridden on Stärorn's back to reach the heavens or gained some favour from the spirit after following its guidance or advice.
Since the bird is portrayed as a size beyond reckoning and its roost lies up in the cosmos, not many material offerings are made on behalf of Stärorn. The wishes of the Eagle are passed on through generosity to travellers and not eating birds during the winter months. Wild birds are seen as messengers of Stärorn and said to bring people to safety from the prowling beasts. This led to the coining of the phrase: "as the bird flies" being used amongst Vandrere as a command to travel along a well-trodden path or to follow the flight of a flock of birds.
Amongst beast hunters, shooting down a bird is a dark omen for the trip ahead and can - if the hunt goes sour as predicted - exile a hunter from the profession depending on severity. If a child is born during the spring aurora display, it's said that Uncle Eagle has given the child his lifelong blessing and protection. Younger generations are reluctant to believe in the protection of Stärorn, especially with beast populations increasing in recent years.

Relevance in Southern Regions

In southern regions where the aurora cannot be seen, Argrossa's part in history and culture remains understated. Stories are told around campfires by foreigners from the north, pining for their homeland, whilst Camelan colleagues listen, captivated by the tales they weave.
The constellation's name is in reference to the pet eagle of a long-forgotten hero of legend, who declined to be made immortal in the stars after the bird saved his life. Only astronomers, scholars and wizards have any recollection or interest in this version of the story. Regular citizens are content with drawing an outline of Argrossa in the sky and sharing how, once in their lives, they met a friend of a friend who'd seen Argrossa's Wings spread over the peaks of Noravägen.

Tourism

Tourists are eager to travel to the northern reaches of Poraile to see the coming and going of winter, marked by the Wings of Argrossa crossing above the horizon. This sight only lasts a few minutes but can persist in a visitor's mind for a lifetime. It's said that the seasons ahead will be marked with bad luck if the Wings don't pass over for the summer solstice, but the latter half of the year is blessed if Argrossa chooses to not return to the stars over winter.
The trip is perilous, with tourists often escorted to high mountains or hills by experienced hunters. The journey is complicated further in the autumn by beasts like the Ismassk becoming more active. Therefore, the most colourful celebrations are reserved for when Argrossa's protection arrives along with the spring equinox.

Return of Stärorn Celebrations

These celebrations are common only where auroras are visible. From these locations, spectators usher in a season of protection with dancing, singing and varied refreshments. Markets set up on the hills and mountains display and sell charms with other merchandise, often depicting eagles or the constellation itself. The most popular form of dance is performed wearing long, translucent shawls called Aurora Veils, designed to imitate the bird's wings as they soar across the snow.
Mountain towns are eager for the profits of such tourism, only otherwise being famous for thin air suitable for training the mind and body. These towns and villages thrive off the profits of spiritual doctrine, with the lore of Stärorn just as profitable as any other.

Location Type
Constellation

Alternative Name(s)

Stärorn, Uncle Eagle

Stars in Argrossa
1 - Gra
2 - Thad
3 - Jeun
4 - Deri
5 - Hesos
6 - Sitri
7 - Ikrun
8 - Hult
9 - Nenet
10 - Ilana