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By Aquiantus & Nigedo
The Dwemeri observatory on the island of Stros M'Kai, off the coast of Hammerfell, was built by the exiled Rourken clan sometime after 1E420 and unlike the many similar observatories that can be found in Morrowind, the Stros M'Kai Observatory is still in excellent condition. |
The interior walls are lined with tall metal hangings, each one depicting one of the twelve fixed constellations (see 'The Firmament'). Of course, the Dwemer interpreted the constellations in ways that reflected their own culture and many of their depictions are alien to the modern Tamrielic styles.
A closely related set of insets can be found on the walls of Hearthfire Hall in Bamz-Amschend, the recently excavated settlement beneath Mournhold in Morrowind. Gaining access to this ruin to make a comparision may prove especially dangerous, though, so do exercise caution. |
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Beneath each of the portraits is a floor button displaying the Dwemeris glyph that signifies that constellation. A chart on the observatory ceiling maps the relative positions of the twelve constellations, representing them using these glyphs. |
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The picture to the left (which can be enlarged) reproduces the ceiling chart. The glyphs are shown in blue and yellow as they are on the original chart; blue glyphs indicate the Guardian Constellations and yellow indicate their charges.
We have added reference numbers to explain which constellation and season are represented by each glyph. The red numbers indicate their bands of latitude, while the green indicate their sectors. |
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The positions shown on the chart indicate where the observatory telescope should be directed in order to actually view each constellation. The floor buttons beneath the portraits rotate the observatory to target the correct sector for each constellation, while a wheel elevates the telescope to view the required latitude. Each of the Guardian Constellations appears in the same band of latitude as its three charges, with the lowest elevation being The Thief's latitude (numbered 1).
As each constellation is observed through the telescope, its Dwemeri depiction is somehow masked across the view, so that the stars shine through the points allowed for them. This is helpful, since it confirms the constellation being observed and isolates the key points in the Dwemeri depiction, making it easier to compare them with the known key points in the modern depiction. The glyph that signifies each constellation also appears in a display in the upper left corner of the viewing window.
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