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Description
"A thousand years to Alnitak
A thousand years to Sol
A thousand years to Alnitak
And nothing in between."
-The Perpetuity of Void Sutra, closing remarks

Groups seeking spiritual illumination through the observation and contemplation of celestial phenomena have presumably existed since the ancient beginnings of astronomy on Terra, long lost to time. One such more recent group are the skywatchers, presumed to have originated on Martenclaw in the mid-Twelve Planets era and emerged as a distinct monastic tradition after the unification crisis.

The core belief of the skywatcher faith is that supreme wisdom can only be found in observing the greatest observable thing there is: The cosmos itself. Meditative skywatching and ritualized memorization and repetition of stellar data are core practices, as is the maintenance and operation of telescopes when available.

With the focus on cosmic concepts, skywatchers tend to cultivate a sense of detached, asocial wonder (or perhaps attract those who already possess such traits). Monks and nuns are generally separated out of disinterest in the absence of formal gender segregation, and neither celibacy nor abstinence are demanded. Neither are there formal prohibitions against substance use or interference in worldly affairs. Compared to the cosmos as a whole beastly failings are insignificant, and acolytes coming and going as they fall short is considered a natural part of the quest for enlightenment.

As of 5300 CE, skywatcher traditions are widespread across the central and Southern Great Compass. In unaligned and Communion regions skywatchers generally subsist by performing administrative clerical services or precision instrument maintenance, but within the Aggregate skywatchers are practically entirely integrated in local planetary defense, forming a final layer of intrusion detection from fortress-like observatory monasteries princes are more than eager to furnish them with. Most Aggregate skywatchers practice a syncretic version of the faith, recognizing the Star Queen as conceptually valid, if not as an actual person.

Vestments vary but always include two items: A two-layered garment and a piece of red-tinted eyewear. The garment should ideally be either a robe or coverall, dark orange, and - for reasons not fully known historically - made from fireproof material. The eyewear is functional, serving to preserve night vision during daylight hours, but also ceremonial since this is not an issue for all species.

From the sketchbook. Ink, acrylics, mixed coloured pencils and Pilot gold liner.

May or may not retain this concept since the aesthetics are not particularly original, being too apparently inspired by buddhist monastic tradition. We shall see.

Description
"A thousand years to Alnitak
A thousand years to Sol
A thousand years to Alnitak
And nothing in between."
-The Perpetuity of Void Sutra, closing remarks

Groups seeking spiritual illumination through the observation and contemplation of celestial phenomena have presumably existed since the ancient beginnings of astronomy on Terra, long lost to time. One such more recent group are the skywatchers, presumed to have originated on Martenclaw in the mid-Twelve Planets era and emerged as a distinct monastic tradition after the unification crisis.

The core belief of the skywatcher faith is that supreme wisdom can only be found in observing the greatest observable thing there is: The cosmos itself. Meditative skywatching and ritualized memorization and repetition of stellar data are core practices, as is the maintenance and operation of telescopes when available.

With the focus on cosmic concepts, skywatchers tend to cultivate a sense of detached, asocial wonder (or perhaps attract those who already possess such traits). Monks and nuns are generally separated out of disinterest in the absence of formal gender segregation, and neither celibacy nor abstinence are demanded. Neither are there formal prohibitions against substance use or interference in worldly affairs. Compared to the cosmos as a whole beastly failings are insignificant, and acolytes coming and going as they fall short is considered a natural part of the quest for enlightenment.

As of 5300 CE, skywatcher traditions are widespread across the central and Southern Great Compass. In unaligned and Communion regions skywatchers generally subsist by performing administrative clerical services or precision instrument maintenance, but within the Aggregate skywatchers are practically entirely integrated in local planetary defense, forming a final layer of intrusion detection from fortress-like observatory monasteries princes are more than eager to furnish them with. Most Aggregate skywatchers practice a syncretic version of the faith, recognizing the Star Queen as conceptually valid, if not as an actual person.

Vestments vary but always include two items: A two-layered garment and a piece of red-tinted eyewear. The garment should ideally be either a robe or coverall, dark orange, and - for reasons not fully known historically - made from fireproof material. The eyewear is functional, serving to preserve night vision during daylight hours, but also ceremonial since this is not an issue for all species.

From the sketchbook. Ink, acrylics, mixed coloured pencils and Pilot gold liner.

May or may not retain this concept since the aesthetics are not particularly original, being too apparently inspired by buddhist monastic tradition. We shall see.