Grand Star Whisperer

Written by TheirGraceGrace

"You're heading to Lerdelore?" The old dwarf in the market square laughs at you as you make some small talk about your trip. "Bah, good luck! They'll hate you there."
You cock your scaled head a little bit. "Whatever for?"
He gestures at you all-encompassingly. "Some of the folks there have some old views on your kind. I don't agree obviously," he immediately reassures, "but many of the elves don't take well to...well..."
"Dragonborn." you reply a little bluntly. "Yeah I've heard about that. Why is that?"
"It's the new Whisperer of Stars or whatever they call him. He's a haughty elf, that one. He really wants to make the Starshine Academy important again. As if they were ever not important!" He chuckles in reply, but you can tell there's a small amount of worry in his voice.

Appointment

As part of the attainment of this rank, there is a ceremony among the Central Council of Eleven. The ceremony is a closely guarded secret, but it does occur in The Star Chamber and all eleven Star Councillors are in attendance.

Duties

As the leader of the Academy, the Grand Star Whisperer is expected to:

• Uphold the traditional values of the Starshine Academy;
• Be the personal representative of the Academy in Lerdelore and in the world at large; and
• Support the continued relevance of the caldilar in Orkanis

Responsibilities

The Grand Star Whisperer is constantly busy with the running of the Academy, focusing on:

• Choose the curriculum of the Academy's magical programs;
• Critique the treatises and papers of the Academy's Gilded Professors;
• Sign over the use of the Academy's Gilded Spellsingers or other warriors; and
• Adjudicate the final exams of those wishing to be Gilded Professors or Councillors.

Benefits

The Grand Star Whisperer, as leader of the Starshine Academy, has unparalleled power over the Kingdom of Loria. Much of the military and magical strength of the Kingdom is in the hands of the Academy, so the Grand Star Whisperer has powerful control over the wealth and politics of the nation.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Only the removal of the Star Mother's favour can remove someone from this rank. Even then, there have been instances in the past of leaders regaining that favour through penance and good deeds.

History

The founding of the position, broadly speaking, was one of the most important parts of the Starshine Academy's history. The power of the Starshine Academy is directly tied to their leaders and Councillors, so it has waxed and waned throughout time.

Cultural Significance

Among the caldilar, the Starshine Academy's leaders are considered cornerstones of the Star Elves' culture and history. Each one is heavily revered in Lorian society in general, and many are considered heroes of the Kingdom.
Many foreign cultures, especially those more heavily rooted in other races than ibelilar and tepilar, often dislike or may be openly hostile to the Starshine Academy due to the Academy's ideas of racial superiority. This has become more broadly questioned in recent memory.

Type

Religious, Special

Creation

Gilded Charter of the Starshine Academy

Source of Authority

The goddess Seshani'er, reportedly.

Related Locations

• The Starshine Academy

Related Organizations

• The Starshine Academy

Qualifications

The Grand Star Whisperer is chosen by Seshani'er, but those who are chosen tend to have the following abilities or qualifications:

• Already a priest/priestess of Seshani'er;
• Have been Consecrated in the Starshine Academy;
• Have spent at least fifteen years in service to the order; and
• Be a member of the caldilar race.

Trappings and Accoutrement

All holders of this rank carries the Star Orb, a sphere of perfect crystal, as well as the ornate black robes of the order.

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)