The Keeper clans and covens of Moonshadow Lake

We remember the Path to the Creed of Stars

Long before your cities, your calamities, we carved out our own Sanctum among the Shroud's sentinels. In the name of the Goddess and her Divine Lover.Do not come here uninvited Stranger, or you will never leave again.

Naoh Zasta, the Waning Moon

First among the Seers of the Stargazers are their Moons; favorites of the Goddess herself and without equal in magical talent and personal power.While the Full Moon serves as the High Priestess, only the unwise dismiss the Waning Moon as no longer relevant. She answers to none but the Goddess, and has the experience and contacts to see her will through.Naoh does not leave the Stargazers often, but an unexpected bond formed with a Stranger is bringing back some of the wanderlust of her youth.

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Tayahni Nistaya, First of the Waxing Moons

To be the Full Moon of the Stargazers is a dream for many Seers, for not even the Matriarchs hold the same amount of awe and influence as the favored of the Goddess.Many make it to the rank of Waxing Moon, but only one will rise to Full. Strong-willed and ambitious, Tayahni has little doubt that she will be the one to claim the lofty title. She was once enemy to Naoh, but has since maneuvered the older woman into agreeing to take her on as an apprentice. That it took more than a little cruelty to see her will done doesn't bother her in the slightest.But Tayahni is neither patient nor easily satisfied. She wants more. More power, more magic, more influence. While the elder generations are reluctant to reach out to the Strangers beyond their borders, Tayahni sees opportunity and has the will to grasp it.

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Moya'to Inyanga, Wanderer of the Farplaces

Wanderers of the Stargazers follow their own Path in service to the Divine Lover of the Goddess, the Wanderer of the Skies.They do not play an obvious part in the power struggles of the women, but look to gently mediate and nudge for the good of all the clan. Their influence is subtle but important. A soft balm after the heated arguments of clan politics.Though he was born to an ostracized woman, Moya'to would have been happy to remain in the valley of Moonshadow Lake to fulfill his role as Wanderer. It is the aftermath of the Calamity that forces men like him away, reluctantly looking for opportunities beyond their borders.

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As'kari Tia, Naoh’as Zasta, Dusk Stalker of the Zasta

Initially an outsider with no blood ties to the Stargazer clans, a Tia of a two-letter Seeker tribe who was cast out in his youth for breaking tradition, As’kari found his way to them, and his place amongst them as bonded Dusk Stalker to the Waning Moon.Though his mixed heritage marked him as an outcast among Seeker tribes, circumstances brought him to the Black Shroud, where the friendship of a Stargazer Wanderer and a great battle brought him into the sights of the clans’ great Seers.

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Naoh Zasta, the Waning Moon

First among the Seers of the Stargazers are their Moons; favorites of the Goddess herself and without equal in magical talent and personal power.While the Full Moon serves as the High Priestess, only the unwise dismiss the Waning Moon as no longer relevant. She answers to none but the Goddess, and has the experience and contacts to see her will through.Naoh does not leave the Stargazers often, but an unexpected bond formed with a Stranger is bringing back some of the wanderlust of her youth.

Basic information

NAME: Naoh Zasta
AFFILIATION: Like all Seers of the the Circle of the 11 Stargazer Covens, also known as the Clans of the Moonshadow Lake and the Stargazer's Creed, her loyalty is to her own kin first, Clan Zasta.Given that she was Full Moon until a freak accident killed the previous Waning Moon and their most promising Waxing Moon (who was also her only surviving daughter), she has personal affiliations with everyone who is even remotely important among the Stargazers, though grief had her turn inwards until very recently.Has a special bond with the former Stranger who calls himself As'kari, who she has adopted into her clan without consulting with its Matriarch. He is of the Dusk, part Seeker and part Keeper, and has agreed to be her Dusk Stalker after a long ritual in which she was challenged for him by several prominent members of the Clan. Menphina has since Blessed her, and the cubs he sired with her are expected to be born within a moon or so.OCCUPATION: Seer of the Waning Moon. Caretaker of the Fungi. First among the Coven of the Autumn StarOTHER DETAILS
AGE: In her forties RACE: Miqo’te (Keeper of the Moon) GENDER: Female SERVER: Balmung/Crystal PLAYER: Q

Appearance

GENERAL: Naoh stands tall and proud, with a dignified poise and the type of confidence that only comes with decades of experience. She is a dangerous woman, but feels no need to mince words or prove herself to anyone at this point.As Waning Moon, she is expected to step down from the spotlight and take up a mentoring role, something that doesn't come as naturally to her as her decades of Full Moon did. The grief over her daughter and own mentor did not make the transition any easier for her, and it is yet unclear if she will take up the mantle of Waning with the same dignity and wisdom that the previous woman who held the title did.ZASTA GREY: She may be getting on in years, yet like most Miqo'te she remains hale and healthy. Her grey hair is something most of Clan Zasta are born with, not a sign of age. She often keeps it bound in braids to keep it from getting in the way, having little use for the vanity that some younger Stargazers are prone to.

TEMPEST: Is the wearer of Tempest, a mask made of magical wood that looks akin to stone with silver veins. Stargazer masks hide them from what they call the Spirits of the Woods - mischievous beings that aren't necessarily malignant, but are best avoided by mortals none the less. To them, the ones the Gridanians call the Elementals and the Spirits are one and the same.What other powers the magic of this mask may give her is unknown to anyone but her and her Dusk Stalker who is the wearer of its twin, Instinct.CLAN MARKINGS: Like most Seers of her clan, she wears the tear-drop marking on her brow to indicate she is a Shroud Seer - those among the clans with magical talent and the will to use it.She is never seen without the silver bracelet she was given when she became a woman, but otherwise only bothers with her finery for the purpose of ritual or when she feels the need to throw her status around, which is almost never.

RP Hooks

SHE WHO WANES: Naoh is written as a background character, someone that serves as a prime example of the Stargazers and to add flavour to their lore.It is very unlikely for her to be away from their lands, and will only do so if the circumstances are dire now that she is with child.Meeting her in RP would most likely only work through a plotline with As'kari, her Dusk Stalker, or if someone has a reason to be in Stargazer territory.

Tayahni Nistaya, First of the Waxing Moons

To be the Full Moon of the Stargazers is a dream for many Seers, for not even the Matriarchs hold the same amount of awe and influence as the favored of the Goddess.Many make it to the rank of Waxing Moon, but only one will rise to Full. Strong-willed and ambitious, Tayahni has little doubt that she will be the one to rise further than the others. She was once enemy to Naoh, but has since maneuvered the older woman into agreeing to take her on as an apprentice. That it took more than a little cruelty on her part doesn't bother her in the slightest.But Tayahni is neither patient nor easily satisfied. She wants more. More power, more magic, more influence. While the elder generations are reluctant to reach out to the Strangers beyond their borders, Tayahni sees opportunity and has the will to grasp it.

Basic information

NAME: Tayahni Nistaya
AFFILIATION: Like all Seers of the the Circle of the 11 Stargazer Covens, also known as the Clans of the Moonshadow Lake and the Stargazer's Creed, her loyalty is to her own kin first, Clan Nistaya.Personal affiliations include other Waxing Moons (though she is often considered to be condescending and intimidating to them), several well-placed Seers and Wanderers, The Morning Star Coven, and an unlikely companion in the lowly Wanderer who is the second son of Moya.Outside of the Stargazers she appears to have taken an interest in the Emissary of the Verdant Vow, Zhri’a Ihnana.OCCUPATION: Seer of the Waxing Moon, aiming to become the next Full Moon. Apprentice to the Waning Moon. Caretaker of the Gastropods. First among the Coven of the Morning Star, which was traditionally one of the least influential of the Stargazer Covens.OTHER DETAILS
AGE: Late twenties RACE: Miqo’te (Keeper of the Moon) GENDER: Female SERVER: Diabolos/Crystal PLAYER: Q

Appearance

GENERAL: Tayahni is a hauntingly beautiful woman, with a heart-shaped face framed by wavy raven hair, light grey skin, full lips and a shapely figure. Within her clan, her beauty and status make her one of the most desirable women to be Favoured by for both Wanderers and other Seers, but her ambition has a cruelty to it that only fools dare ignore.Her love is for power above all things, and she will do whatever it takes to get it.SHE WITH NO MASK: She often spreads silver powder in her dark locks when visiting people outside her clan. This is without a doubt a blatant show of wealth and power, in particular to those that believe the metal to be sacred to the Goddess as the Stargazers do.It does have a practical use as well, as it offers her the same protection from the Elementals that a mask would, and she often goes without one for this reason.

VANITY: The Seer of the Waxing Moon takes great pride in her appearance, to the point of vanity, and is never seen in public in anything but her finest garments - often a form-fitting moon-white dress that accentuates the curvy figure underneath.Her make-up is subtle but flattering, oft opting for dark colours on her full lips and around her glittering lavender eyes to draw attention to them.Some whisper that she uses illusions and charms to enhance her allure, and given that such magic is a staple of Stargazer culture it is definitely not out of the question.CLAN MARKINGS: Like most Seers of her clan, she wears the tear-drop marking on her brow to indicate she is a Shroud Seer - those among the clans with magical talent and the will to use it.As the favoured daughter of her clan, she adorns herself in silver jewelry to indicate her status and power.

RP Hooks

BRING ME POWER: Tayahni has but one reason to go beyond her people's lands, and that is to look for anything that could give her an edge over her peers.She cares little for alliances that benefit the clan as a whole, leaving such trifling matters to Wanderers and lesser Seers. Her interest is purely in secrets, magic, and personal associations that benefit her in some way.In return she has much to offer. Not only is she likely to be the next to don the mantle of Full Moon within the Stargazers, she is a talented Seer with a strong connection to natural magic, including the kind that can mend wounds. Tayahni can be charming and engaging when she wants to be, and is as devious as she is clever.The Seer is also not entirely one-note in her focus. She does genuinely have a love for magic for its own sake, enjoys the company of attractive and interesting people, and has a perhaps surprising interest in gastropods of all kind.

Moya'to Inyanga, Wanderer of the farplaces

Wanderers of the Stargazers follow their own Path in service to the Divine Lover of the Goddess, the Wanderer of the Skies.They do not play an obvious part in the power struggles of the women, but look to gently mediate and nudge for the good of all the clan. Their influence is subtle but important. A soft balm after the heated arguments of clan politics.Though he was born to an ostracized woman, Moya'to would have been happy to remain in the valley of Moonshadow Lake to fulfill his role as Wanderer. It is the aftermath of the Calamity that forces men like him away, reluctantly looking for opportunities beyond their borders.

Basic information

NAME: The second son of Moya Inyanga, Moya'to Inyanga
AFFILIATION: The Circle of the 11 Stargazer Covens, also known as the Clans of the Moonshadow Lake and the Stargazer's Creed.Loyal to the Hollows of the Stargazer Wanderers.OCCUPATION: Traditional Wanderer (public) - Wanderer of Oschon in training (secret)OTHER DETAILS
AGE: Twenties RACE: Miqo’te (Keeper of the Moon) GENDER: Male SERVER: Balmung/Crystal** PLAYER:** Q

Appearance

GENERAL: Moya'to is a striking figure with his coal-black skin and moon-bright hair. He is burly and tall, but despite that, he has a gift for disappearing into shadows, and can move surprisingly silent and swiftly.EYES: Moya'to has very light-sensitive, ruby eyes. When caught during the day, or in brightly lit conditions, he seems to have trouble seeing. At night however, he can move with ease through the darkest of moonless eves.CLAN MARKINGS: Moya'to has his face painted into an even darker mask than his skin is. It isn't hard to deduce that these markings have some sort of significance with his people, but what that may be is anyone's guess.MASK: The second son of Moya almost always wears a wooden mask that hides his features. When asked, he says it's so the Spirits of the Forest can't see him. He often wears the mask on the back of the head during social interactions, claiming it still confuses the Spirits. From a distance, this makes it hard to see which way he is facing in the dark shadows of the Shroud.He also often wears the mask when not in the Twelveswood, but tends to wear it on a cord on his hip instead of the back of his head when interacting with others.

RP Hooks

KEEPER CONTACTS: The Clans of the Moonshadow Lake are reclusive and usually stick to their own, but any Wanderer is expected to treat other Shroud Mistresses with respect. Through them, news can travel back to the Clans, and possible contacts and alliances can be forged. Moya'to will always initially be respectful of other traditional Keepers, and open to help them if possible.THE SHROUD: While they have no love for Gridania and its customs, Moya'to and his people protect and honour the forest in their own way. Anything that might threaten the forest can be considered a call to arms, and Moya'to has learned the value of teaming up with adventurers from time to time. Even if he doesn't fully trust them.

Duties of a Wanderer

TRADITION: Moya'to is a traditional Keeper Wanderer, meaning that he spends most of his time alone or with a small band of other Wanderers, traveling from clan to clan. As far as he knows, this has always been their way. Because of this, he enjoys spending a lot of time alone, and is more used to the company of other Wanderers than anyone else.DUTIES: The duties of a Wanderer from the Moonshadow Lake clans vary greatly, and depend on the needs of the clans at any given time.
While out in the wilds, the males protect the borders from beasts and neighbouring rival clans alike, and are known to react swiftly and brutally to any trespassers from the city.
When visiting the clans, they offer companionship, news, goods from the forest from beyond their lands, gifts, and more. They don't often stay more than a few nights in a row, as it is considered bad form to put pressure on the clans by making too much use of their hospitality.

As'kari Tia, Naoh’as Zasta, Dusk Stalker of the Zasta

Initially an outsider with no blood ties to the Stargazer clans, a Tia of a two-letter Seeker tribe who was cast out in his youth for breaking tradition, As’kari found his way to them, and his place amongst them as bonded Dusk Stalker to the Waning Moon.Though his mixed heritage marked him as an outcast amongst Seeker tribes, circumstances brought him to the Black Shroud, where the friendship of a Stargazer Wanderer and a great battle brought him into the sights of the clans’ great Seers.

Basic information

NAME: As'kari Tia is known among the clans as Naoh'as Zasta
AFFILIATION: He is bonded to Naoh Zasta, Waning Moon of the Stargazers, as her Dusk Stalker.Through her, he has been taken into the clan of Zasta, which makes him a part of the Circle of the Stargazers.His introduction into the Clan was done through Wanderer Moya'to, and the two shared a bond even before the Seeker was accepted into their ranks.OCCUPATION: Within the clans: Dusk Stalker of the Waning Moon. Outside the clans As'kari works as a levemete for the Adventurer's Guild at Buscarron's Druthers.OTHER DETAILS
AGE: Early thirties RACE: Miqo’te (Keeper & Seeker mix) GENDER: Male SERVER: Mateus/Crystal** PLAYER:** Fern

Appearance

GENERAL: Standing a little above average height for his kind, with the muscle bulk of the average Hyur under the tattered leather coat he’s known for seldom parting with, As’kari cuts a sturdy stature. He’s athletic and carries himself like he’s martially-trained.ACCOUTREMENTS: Five rings are divided between his tattered ears. They’re not well-made or expensive looking, and appear to have symbolic meaning to the man. On the other hand, the gilded necklace he wears, and matching cuffs on his wrists, might look out of place on his otherwise unkempt appearance. He tends to dress like a city vagrant.MASK: When he travels through the forest, As’kari often wears a mask of pale bark, so smooth that it’s almost like stone, over his features with silvery veins criss-crossing through the grain of the wood. A tiger’s eye gemstone is set into the forehead. It’s hard to say what kind of wood it was carved from.The mask tends to be kept with him at all times, though he doesn’t always wear it over his face. At other times, it’s kept tucked and strung up inside his coat, or in a satchel over his shoulder.

RP Hooks

A Two-letter Vagrant: As'kari is written by Fern. Check out their Carrd for more information on their RP hooks and OOC information.

• As'kari Carrd