Starweavers

An ethnicity defined by their fated Path in life, Starweavers are linked by their close association with the power of the stars and Fate. Starweavers are always Cosmic Witches or Star Druids, some of the rarest Paths in the world, and are often viewed with both suspicion and awe. Their ability to predict the future to a high degree of accuracy, as well as read the stars, and omens therein, make them highly coveted by those seeking power. However, their tendency to accidentally view aspects of a person's history that they may not wish to be viewed make them greatly feared.

While many cultures do not openly discriminate against them in law, actual societal behaviours vary dramatically. Singled out solely for their Path in life, Starweavers often find themselves on the receiving end of increasingly weighty demands and impossible expectations. They are held to standards that would often be deemed unrealistic to other social groups, and typically find themselves bombarded with unwanted attention, both good and bad. These demands and expectations often result in the Starweaver or Starweavers being ostracised for their inability, or unwillingness, to meet these standards, thus leaving Starweavers with the unfair label that they are impossible to deal with and generally antisocial as an ethnic group. By extension, Starweavers are typically marginalised simply for the fact that they cannot meet the demands that the rest of society unfairly places on them, despite their millennia of attempting to balance or manage those excessive expectations.

As a result of these impossible societal expectations, many Starweavers turn to a solitary lifestyle, or mix solely with others of their own kind. Those that do live within broader cultures tend to keep their identity as a Starweaver a secret in order to avoid the desires and loathing that accompany that knowledge. The region of North Eirinn is particularly brutal to Starweavers, with their very existence being hated and massively regulated alongside magical artefacts and magic usage.

Culture

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Starweavers are typically followers of Deities aligned with the Stars and Fate. Such Deities include Boone, Sileas, Ylli-Gentian, Seren Pelydrarian, and Aelfrun.

Many Starweavers observe the tradition of Morning Readings, which involve invoking their magic to give themselves guidance for the day ahead. These Readings can occasionally impart special boons upon the Witch or Druid performing them, though not everybody does them in the same way, or at all.

Common Taboos

Many Starweavers avoid direct skin-to-skin contact without express permission, as such contact can set off their prophetic or reading abilities without meaning to.

Using Starweaver abilities solely for personal gain is considered unethical, though use for mutual benefit is not frowned upon.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The majority of Starweavers find beauty in the "openly natural"; as in they prefer to experience people as they are, rather than a dressed-up version of themselves. This is because Starweavers are typically more insightful than most, and are less swayed by false words and impressions. Many Starweavers therefore appreciate those who do not cover themselves with makeup or overly obnoxious clothing or jewellery, preferring simple adornments, hairstyles and clothing. While they typically shun the unnatural, they appreciate tattoos as markings of individuality and expression.

Gender Ideals

Starweavers are open to all genders and gender expressions, and do not judge based on these alignments, or lack thereof.

Courtship Ideals

When it comes to romantic relationships, Starweavers favour gentle, slow courtships that allow for deeper understanding of the Starweaver's unusual ties to Fate. It is considered exceptionally rude to ask a Starweaver if they can "see a relationship working", as it is seen as using their abilities for personal gain. Many Starweavers are cautious of becoming too close to others, as it opens them up for the pain of seeing their nearest and dearest at their lowest points many times over.

Relationship Ideals

Cautious and protective, Starweavers are typically monogamous, though there is no express law or requirement for it.

Major organizations

The former Circle of the Royal Stars was a major Druidic Circle that specialised in Star Druidry, known for its Druidic Royal Family of Changelings dedicated to Sileas the Pathfinder. The Circle was destroyed by the Silver Hand in mid-1282 of the 6th Age.

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