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* Nikolais Constellation-Quaternus of the Quartz Lyceum. An alternate universe double of Nikolai, though in the same universe. Which makes him usually a mask. |
The Constellation raises no new members of its own, nor does it actively recruit; it expands very, very slowly, and generally new Scholars find them rather than vice versa. It is a remarkably insular group, but maintains a steady population because its members are all by necessity immortals. (The Constellation rejects applicants who are natural-lifespanist single-lifers, and looks critically upon ageless single-lifers, on the principle that there is too much in the world to study to do it in one lifetime.) Furthermore, while there is no penalty for leaving the Constellation (they are in no way coercionist or militant), initiation is meant to be permanent, and there is a strong cultural inculcation to remain.
Non-members are welcome to visit, and Scholars are generally more than happy to answer questions they might have. But they have no concept of a concise answer, and will insist upon giving the entire backstory and exploring every facet of the inquiry. This can take Wheels.
There is no one 'look' for Constellation members, who come in all forms and types, but all those who wear clothing wear simply-designed garments in white silk, and all of them have a datacrystal embedded in their bodies, usually in the cheek. The datacrystal grants them psychic access to the entirety of the Constellation's data-archive, complete with uploading abilities.
Most Scholars live lives of focused simplicity; the Constellation aesthetic is discreet and streamlined, inspired both by Greek forums and the thoughtful simplicity of much traditional Japanese design.
The Glorious Constellation is in Topwarp, but there is no direct way to get to it -- you can't walk to it, or stumble upon it accidentally. It is symbolized by a helix-like constellation of thirteen silver stars, which can be found here and there all over Top. (In locations that have a natural-esque sky, for instance, the constellation hangs among the other stars at night; it has also been found worked in crystal beads into a dreamcatcher, embossed on the back of a silver mirror in an artisan's shop, and reflected in a bowl of water, among other places.) One need only concentrate on the insignia with a conscious desire to visit the Constellation to be transported (silently and discreetly) to its entrance hall.
Originally there were three areas of study -- the three Lycea that give the Constellation its nickname 'The Tricolor Halls.' They split into thirteen: the thirteen stars of the insignia. And they split, and split again, and new areas of study arose and others sundered into sub-areas and specialities... and now there are countless lycea, and only the members of the Coral Lyceum pay much attention to how they arose, or even how many there really are.
All members are expected to stay reasonably well-rounded, and to have at least passing grasp of all of the disciplines, but one's Lyceum is one's area of particular obsession. Each lyceum is lead by a Scholar Constellation-Secundus. Some work together (the Jade and Quartz Lycea have a particularly close relationship); others squabble (notoriously, the Polymer and Serpentine Lycea have an ongoing rivalry); but they all close ranks against outsiders.
An extraordinarily incomplete list:
Hierarchy is considered extremely important among Scholars of the Glorious Constellation: the full name of any Scholar consists of his or her given name followed by a rank designation. For instance, all initiated Scholars start out at the eighth rank, as Constellation-Octoni; a new initiate named Glassflower would be called Glassflower Constellation-Octonus. The Constellation considers itself a meritocracy. Members work and study and ultimately complete exemplars, often monographs or meditations (though other exemplars, such as sacred mania, have successfully been presented), which they present to the members of the next rank in their Lyceum. (These are not unlike medieval 'master-pieces' or Ph.D. dissertations.) The members of the next rank up confer and decide whether the exemplar merits the ascension to the next rank.
Most members plateau around the rank of Constellation-Quinus. There is only ever one Constellation-Primus at a time, and in fact there have only ever been two to hold the name. As the current Constellation-Primus is an unaging immortal multi-lifer, it seems unlikely that another Constellation-Primus will need choosing in the foreseeable future. The Constellation-Primus is not associated with any Lyceum.
The complete list of ranks, from highest to lowest, is Primus, Secundus, Tertius, Quaternus, Quinus, Senus, Septenus, and Octonus.