The Companions – Twin constellations on the opposite edges of the hemisphere, so for most of the year only one or the other is visible. The exception is on the equinox, when the angle of Vault’s axis is just right, and The Companions are temporarily reunited in the night sky. This is considered to be a tragic story, with both figures continually looking for the other, only to be torn away again.
The Well-Trod Path – A section of sky densely populated with stars. Some cultures on Vault believe that when a person dies, they leave a footprint on the universe in the form of a star. As most people live ordinary lives, when they die their stars appear alongside the footprints of generations that have come before them, creating The Well-Trod Path. Conversely, when those who have led particularly distinctive lives pass on, a new star appears in the sky in a previously unpopulated section.
The Helmsmen –This constellation can be difficult for amateur astronomers to identify because it spans nearly the entire sky, yet contains only three stars. The three stars form an isosceles triangle, the tip of which points due north. Because the constellation is so large, measuring the relative position of the other two stars can triangulate the observer’s position with a high degree of accuracy, making it especially helpful to ships’ navigators. The name is a bit tongue in cheek, suggesting that although the navigator sets a ship’s course, they rely so heavily on this constellation that the stars may as well steer the ship themselves.
The Beast – One of the earliest recognized constellations, this constellation is widely understood today to be a dragon. Interestingly, the first depictions of this constellation in ancient star maps do not refer to it by any specific name, and different maps disagree on which of the surrounding stars are actually included in the constellation, and some early depictions include additional limbs or extended tusks. Regardless of its exact species, all accounts agree that this is an unlucky star sign, and its prominence in the sky foretells misfortune.
The Hero - Placed opposite in the sky to The Beast, the hero is a fortunate star sign representing resiliency and strength. The identity of this mythical hero is lost to time. Because The Beast is further west, it sets below the horizon line before The Hero does, leaving only The Hero visible in the night sky for certain parts of the year. This is mythically interpreted as proof that good will always ultimately triumph over evil.
The Font – A fortunate star sign, symbolizing wealth and abundance flowing freely. This star sign is considered to be good luck, and some people try to schedule important dates and activities to fall on days when this constellation is prominent in the sky.
The River of Tears – A line of twinkling stars said to represent the tears Calypso shed as she watched the world she had worked so hard to create being destroyed in the Constellation War.
The Mask - The Mask is an ambiguous star sign. Some people insist that it is an ominous sign indicating deception and uncertainty. Other people interpret it as a symbol of protection and transformation. Consequently, the saying “as the Mask wills it” is used to justify both positive and negative events that are otherwise inexplicable. The Mask is also associated with Windhook, God of Masks, and the constellation tends to be prominent during the Autumnal Mask Festival.
The Eye – The Eye is a circumpolar constellation, so it is visible in the southern hemisphere year round. The Eye is treated with great reverence by the superstitious, who believe that it can see everything that happens on Vault. The identity of The Eye’s owner has changed many times over the course of history according to written and oral traditions.
The Lighthouse – the exceptionally bright star at the top of this constellation is invaluable to ships navigators, as it is visible even on cloudy nights. The Lighthouse’s apparent motion over the course of the year is well-documented in massive coordinate codexes, so navigators need to simply measure the distance between the constellation and the horizon and look up the value on the page corresponding to the current day of the year to determine their approximate location.