Question:

Do "celestial" objects (stars, Mundus, the moons, or the planets) move in predictable patterns as seen from an observer on Nirn? Would they be useful for celestial navigation?



Background: The existence of the Dwemer observatories and orreries indicates that they do but it also seems that the holes in space that are stars might move (The Serpent for instance). By "predictable", I do not mean "newtonian" or "physical". If a mage can predict their positions based on reading hamster entrails that works for me (rough on the hamsters though). MK has written a little bit on taking "fex"s but that appeared to be in reference to navigating magical journeys between planes. I'm just a homebody interested in figuring out how to get around Nirn by boat.

Where I've looked already: I've done literature searches at TIL (the Imperial Library), this forum, the Storyboard forum at TIL, and read previous naval submissions to the Tamriel Rebuilt (TR) mod. I've also read MK's Cosmology on TIL.

Why I care: I am researching a few short nautical literature bits to submit to the TR mod to provide more flavor for the nautical history of Nirn. I find what I've seen thus far ... a bit stale. I'm tempted to say "Boring and Therefore Wrong" but I recognize myself in the tiny minority of people passionately interested in ships and the sea.

R/
feld

The Serpent is actually made of "unstars", whatever those might be.

Geez. Yeah. Right there in the Cosmology. Thanks.

This argues that my only example of non-stationary "stars" (the Serpent) would not be made of stars at all. Perhaps then the other stars are stationary.

R/
feld

As they are supposed to be holes in Oblivion (that we perceive as the inner surface of a sphere), I imagine they would stay in the same locations relative to each other.

Yes. The Dwemer Orrery shows the planets are predictable and the months are tied to the constelations. Keep in mind though that we're talking about the 30 days a month system from Arena here.

The Serpent is just about the only exception, though there is something about the constellations them self turning to face the serpent.

Seriously? Where at? I never read anything like that.

On a similar but random note, why was the Serpent threatening the Lord during Redguard?

I'm not going to say that I know the real answer to this question (I've never looked into it), the first thing that popped to mind however: The Serpent is a rebel, the Lord is well, a lord/king - the same semblance can be moved to Cyrus/Richton(the Empire)...

Can't seem to find it. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

I reckon the serpent was attacking the Lord because it was his time.

http://www.imperial-library.info/astro/#A6

Coyle: Yes. The other twelve follow the circles of heaven, Guardians and Charges, but the Serpent respects no master. It moves across the heavens, threatening the other Constellations in its path.

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The Serpent wanders about in the sky and has no Season, though its motions are predictable to a degree. No characteristics are common to all who are born under the sign of the Serpent. Those born under this sign are the most blessed and the most cursed.

Ahhh, makes a great deal of sense; I hate being game ignorant like this. But I really dont like spoiling the games for my self either. Quite a dilemma

Me too. I'm just starting MW so I have to be very careful in the Lore forum or I'll spoil it for myself.

@ALL thanks for the info. The hamsters will never be safe again...

R/
feld