Weltraumgard/Order of the Silver Star

Comprised of half a dozen ancient towers, this sprawling complex serves as a home and an academy to those wishing to pursue and harness the power of the stars and other celestial bodies. Astromancers and Sternritters alike often spend several years here, training with the Order of the Silver Star before given the option to venture out into the world to continue their academic journeys.

The towers of Weltraumgard are ancient, built of heavily hewn stone and slabs of obsidian. Each tower is outfitted with several observatory decks and are connected through a series of arcane bridges. Within the fortress's walls are several newer buildings for receiving guests, and for housing residents.

The Order of the Silver Star

The Order is a sect of arcane researchers devoted to the niche study of Astromancy, the art of drawing arcane power from the cosmos. Astromancy is an exceedingly difficult arcane tradition to master, taking several years to simply master the basics of stargazing. The Orders goals are largely unknown, but for the time being they are content to keep to themselves, squirreled away in Weltraumgard. The Order is incredibly reclusive and remain aloof of events in the Empire. Though House d'Honaire made several attempts to enlist their help during the War of Four Suits, they were turned down at every attempt.
Very rarely, the Order will entertain and accept requests from the Empire, but only so long as they stand to gain something from the arrangement, whether it be monetary backing or opportunities to further their research.

Hierarchy

The Order is managed by 31 Magnetars, masters of astromancy who function as professors and disciplinarians. The Magnetars are shrouded in secrecy, and only a handful of their identities are known. Although Astromancy as a whole is viewed with a mix of skepticism and suspicion, the power that the Magnetar's wield is respected nonetheless, and the Empire is careful to avoid making an enemy of them.

Astromancer 

Colloquially known as "Stargazers", these wizards study a branch of magic that is a combination of the divination and evocation schools, manipulating the weave with a combination of arcane prowess and keen astronomical observation. Astromancers harness the power of space to gain foresight into future events, heighten defenses, and decimate foes. The majority of those who reside within Weltraumgard are Astromancers.

Sternritter 

Less common than the Astromancer are the Sternritter, an order of knights who have succeeded in marrying astromancy with martial prowess, bringing the luminosity and radiance of the stars to bear against their enemies. Though they share Weltraumgard with the Astromancers, these knights have now split and evolved into their own unique organization.

Null Hexer

Even less is known about this secretive order of stargazers. At one point, they were an offshoot of the Sternritter that now functions completely autonomously. Their goals, motivations, and intentions are a complete and utter mystery. Unlike the Sternritter who draw on the luminosity of the heavenly bodies for their strength, the Null Hexer look to the vast expanse of space for theirs. They are even more secretive than the Sternritter and next to nothing is known about this small order of astronomers. They no longer reside within Weltraumgard and the location of their base of operations, if one even exists, is unknown.

Founding Date

Exact date unknown, the best estimate is sometime during the middle of the Age of Gods

Type

Fortress

Parent Location

Steorra Mountains