The Kuddian Zodiac

The Kuddian Zodiac are thirteen signs associated with constellation and used as a form of divination to decide on the future or personality of those born in specific months of the year. They originate from western Kudd, heavily influenced by both the ancient denizens of Arimania and the Ihjargans.

The Wolf
''15 Kaltan - 11 Dagotep. ''Those born under the sign of the Wolf are known to be studious, efficient, and introverted. In contrast they are often compulsive, hesitant, and tense. The Wolf is associated with the archetype of the hermit. Its constellation is Varnenos which is visible in the winter months in the northern hemisphere and in the summer months in the south.

A Wolf is someone who is fine being alone, in fact they prefer it, often shunning company to continue their thoughts. Wolves make great scholars and magicians, studious too a fault, causing hesitation in more worldly endeavors. It is hard for many people to get along with Wolves, often viewing them as judgemental when they are not, more often they are simply lost in thought than angry. A Wolf has the tendency towards compulsivity when it comes to decisions that will benefit them or their work, even at the expense of others. A Wold works best when they are allowed to move at their own pace, excelling in most every task they are put to.

The Whale
''12 Dagotep - 11 Shados. ''Those born under the sign of the Whale are known for being intelligent, amusing, and witty. They are also known to be narcissistic, erratic, and aimless. The Whale is associated with the archetype of the jester or fool and its constellation is Dagosh which is visible spontaneously in both hemispheres throughout the year.

A Whale is happy anywhere there are people to be found. Whales take great pleasure and pride in their abilities to entertain with ease lending to their easy going lifestyles. Most Whales will find life a breeze, able to make money from just about everything, and other often will curse their seemingly divine luck. However, their narcissism often leads to trouble and their aimless drifting through life sometimes leads to a tragic end. Whales make excellent entertainers, jesters, or bards.

The Weaver
''12 Shados - 8 Holeaum. ''Those born under the sign of the Weaver are known to be considerate, frank, and creative but also callous, withdrawn, and stubborn. The Weaver is associated with the archetype of the artisan. In some of the northern kingdoms, such as Fleur, it is called the Harpist. Its constellation is Allemnestra visible constantly in the night sky.

A Weaver is someone anyone can talk to. Always attached to their craft, a Weaver will dispense expert advise to anyone who stops by her window. Often, she is able to weigh the good and the bad, to see all sides of a situation, and view the greater picture with ease, interpreting many solutions. Her skills at both her craft and communication make her beloved by those she assists. However, her bluntness often upsets her callers; sometimes people don't want to hear the truth. Weavers also tend to be withdrawn emotionally, bound at the hip to their work. Weavers make excellent oracles, diviners, advisors, and craftsmen.

The Priest
''9 Holeaum - 6 Attep. ''Those born under the sign of the Priest are known to be logical, forgiving, and stoic but also zealous, pompous, and uncaring. Their archetype is the crusader and the associated constellation is Justinian which is visible only in the spring and fall.

A Priest is someone who follows a cause to the ends of the earth. He seeks out dissidents with a sword and an open palm, leaving the choice to those around him. Priests desire nothing more than to devote their lives to a greater purpose, whether spiritual or earthly. Their ability to display justice and mercy is unmatched, making them excellent judges. Priests get along well with others who share their values, respect their authority, and appreciate order. However, Priests tend towards the extreme, often becoming so invested in their ideals that they lose sight of reality. Priests make excellent judges, religious leaders, monks, and governors.

The Cornucopia
''7 Attep - 34 Attep. ''Those born under the sign of the Cornucopia are said to be compassionate, easy-going, and personable but prone to ignorance, sensitivity, and nosiness. Their associated archetype is the reveler and their constellation is Lilia who is seen all year round at the feet of ''Allemnestra. ''

A Cornucopia isn't the life of the party but she is the soul of it. Without Cornucopias, their would be no one to laugh at the jokes, finish the feasts, or dance to the music. A Cornucopia may not be the center of attention but the don't mind. They desire nothing more than to have a good time while they can, enjoying the little things. A Cornucopia stops to smell the roses and considers a perfectly baked loaf of bread to be a sign of good things to come. Their emotions sometimes get the best of them, often criticized by others as being dominated by them. Cornucopias don't seem to notice though; trudging along through their day without a care in the world. A Cornucopia is best suited for simple work, such as farming, mercenary or military duty, or fishing.

The Snake
''35 Attep - 24 Netep. ''Those born under the sign of the Snake are believed to be pioneering, principled, and determined. However, they are often self-centered and unreliable, with a tendency to be overlooked by most people. Their archetype is the alchemist. The Snake's associated constellation is Glycos which is difficult to be seen with the naked idea, but can be identified in the night sky on winter and summer months.

A Snake is quick to anger when one assumes their disposition based on their sign. Often considered conniving by the ignorant, Snakes simply want to live their lives according to their own wishes. Whether they desire to own an apple orchard or be king of Sikkud, a Snake will try his best to reach that dream. Snakes are one of the smartest of the signs, best geared towards contract jobs or feats of great engineering. Most might dismiss a Snake for the loftiness of their dream or its perceived simplicity, but a Snake does not mind. Their determination is not always good; many an ambitious Snake was dashed against the rocks of his own hubris.

The Griffin
''25 Netep - 22 Muntep. ''Those born under the sign of the Griffin are said to be heroic, noble, and intuitive but idealistic, dependent, and passive. Their archetype is the knight and their constellation is Korenvir who is seen for most the year in the northern hemisphere, except for the winter months, when he returns to Nordures.

Griffins are the knights of the world, the hero who rides into town with his band of warriors to liberate it from tyranny under orders of his lord. Many look towards Griffins in their times of need, knowing them to be figures of great skill in problem solving. However, a Griffin views himself less as an individual and more as an extension of what he serves, whether that be a lord, king, or country. Griffins love nothing more than being told what to do, lacking initiative. They strive towards an ideal but in their journey become dependent of it. A Griffin needs the guiding hand of others to keep them from becoming lost in their beliefs. Griffins make excellent knights, confidantes, and laborers.

The Calf
''23 Muntep - 19 Hathoria. ''Those born under the sign of the Calf are known to be caring, tolerant, and capable. However, they are also said to be melodramatic, vindictive, and cunning. Their archetype is the mother superior. The Calf's constellation is Hathor who is seen continuously in the southern hemisphere for most months, except for Attep.

Calves are often misunderstood, believed to be simple motherly figures, though knowing any Calf for more than a day will easily crush that assumption. Calves are leaders dressed as sheep, ready to spread their influence through subtleties rather than from a throne. Caring and open, a Calf makes an excellent friend to all who come to her for comfort. Many Calves find great success in life through the uplifting of others, never wanting for gifts on holidays from grateful friends. Calves are able to take on any challenge that approaches them with a smile on their face. However, Calves are somewhat two faced, capable of great acts of cruelty one would not expect from their pleasant demeanor. With a Calf, nothing is ever just an accident. They make for good inn keeps, heads of houses, merchants, and gamblers.

The Dragon
''20 Hathoria - 16 Nordren. ''Those born under the sign of the Dragon are believed to be spontaneous, charismatic, and courageous while also being erratic, patronizing, and unrealistic. Their archetype is the rebel and their constellation is Ob who is greatest of the constellations and who is visible by all and who's eye guides travelers northwards.

Dragons are the lords of the other signs, at least in their minds. A Dragon is the smartest person in the room and they know it. They're the life of the party, talking big talk of their exploits to anyone who will listen. Their ability to wow is not exclusive to words; Dragons actions speak much louder than they ever will, often shocking those around them with their commitment to their boasts. Of course, the Dragon is ruled by his nature, a slave to his whims. His lack of willpower tends to get him into trouble, his self-centered attitude driving away those closest to him. A Dragon is always moving from group to group, growing bored by routine or drying up the good will of his peers. Dragons know they're the cream of the crop, so why appeal to the bottom of the barrel? Of course, perception is not always true of reality. Dragons make excellent adventurers, authors, and are exceptional at finding their way into royal bed chambers.

The Whore/The Lady
''17 Nordren - 14 Korvos. ''Those born under the sign of the Whore are said to be funny, sincere, and captivating. They are also believed to be jealous, ambitious, and cruel. The associated archetype is the temple attendant in the south or the paramour in the north. The Whore's constellation is Muneera which is seen in the sky in the summers of the north and south. In the north, this sign is called the Lady due to the negative connotations to prostitution there which are not held in the south.

The Whore is misunderstood and she has had enough of it. So many times she has been dismissed as just a pretty face, a gold digger, or an ambitious usurper. She is different than that however, preferring to be called a Lady, graceful and ever generous. Ladies are social butterflies, able to read a room in an instant. With her ambition, she enjoys making sure that those around her are having the best of times; happy friends means a happy host after all! A Lady recognizes the importance of the quiet moments too, able to make intimate connections with anyone she meets. Of course, their is some truth in the assumptions and it is not long before any Lady shows her true face. Her tendency towards cruelty is off putting to most and even though she does her best to hide it, her true colors will always show eventually. Ladies make excellent merchants, guild masters, and low level bureaucrats.

The Stag
''15 Korvos - 11 Cernon. ''Those born under the sign of the Stag are known to be agreeable, kind, and romantic but also forgetful, neurotic, and indulgent. Their archetype is the merchant and their constellation is Cernos who is always seen in the fall.

By nature of his birth, the Stag has secured himself a life of ease. His devotion to the realms of fantasy seems a bit silly to his peers but a Stag cares not. His head is always in the clouds and when he comes down it is to produce something of great importance, whether it be sculpture, prose, or painting. Stags are the lovers of the world, renowned for their love songs and sonnets. A Stag loves to be recognized for his work; if his love is unrequited his despair will be unending. Stags have a tendency to get lost in their own day dreams, unable to complete honest work. Because of this, Stags are often seen as immature or aimless. Stags make exquisite artists and princes.

The Beggar
''12 Cernon - 17 Priyat. ''Those born under the sign of the Beggar are said to be humble, honest, and simple. They are also envious, petty, and cowardly. Their associated archetype is the peasant and their constellation is Petro who is beside Muneera in the sky. The Beggar is the most common sign.

Beggars are the most common of the signs. A Beggar is content anywhere, whether that be a castle or a nice patch of sun alongside the road. He is happy to work the land or to not work at all. His adaptability is admired by those more finicky signs, able to find value in anything. Of course, to impede on his life would be a personal insult to the Beggar. He sees not accident, but deliberate action. No amount of apologies will sate him and if allowed to consort with his fellow Beggars, expect a mob at your door. On their own, Beggars tend towards cowardice, though the appreciate the principle of strength in numbers. Beggars excel at most any position, though tend to failure in leadership roles.

The Boar
''18 Priyat - 14 Kaltan. ''Those born under the sign of the Boar are said to be brave, versatile, and dependable but also aggressive, perverse, and moody. The Boar's associated archetype is the wild man. Their constellation is Bail who is seen continuously in the night sky.

A Boar lives for himself, not out of disdain for others, but out of love for independence. No one can hold him down, not god nor king, and he prides himself in his skills. Boars travel roads just to meet new people. They are the last of the untamed men of old, preferring to live off their own produce rather than the works of others. Their simpler archaic lifestyles often go against the sensibilities of others. Boars are easily distracted by the physical pleasures, quick to be distracted by promises of sex and wine. Their moods are easily effected by things beyond the understanding of the other signs; when a Boar is upset its best to just leave them be. If something doesn't go their way, a Boar's first instinct is to fight. Ever dependable, they make excellent adventurers, hunters, and smiths.

History
The Kuddian Zodiac is the result of a long history of star gazing from the western Kuddian cultures going back to the times before the Asinum-Bailet. The city state Ur on which Uruk was founded had a rich history of star gazing, charting some of the brightest constellations before they had ever been recorded. Their work led to the association between the stars and divination, as the Urians began to link the visibility of certain signs to events and births of heroes. The original four signs were the Dragon, Boar, Weaver, and Cornucopia. As the constellations became more associated with certain happenings, the archetypes of these signs were made more clear.

Contact with the Ihjargans increased the knowledge of constellations in Ur, knowledge further expanded upon by the conquest of the Asinum-Bail of the city. By the mid-14th century A.E. the complete star map was known and had become associated with thirteen signs for the thirteen months of the year. Assigning a star sign at birth became increasingly popular with a population that could rarely have access to a calendar and divination based upon one's sign became commonplace.