entirely understood, effect upon the lives of
the inhabitants of a DragonQuest world.
These Great Powers seem to impose
predestination upon all but the strong-willed,
and determine the aspect of each being. The
Sun, the Moon(s), and the Planets regularly
cause perturbations in the flow of mana; the
mighty Stars affect a world across the vast
reaches of space by their positions relative
to it. The study of the purpose and method of
the Powers is the science of astrology. An
astrologer's main talent is a limited ability to
predict and shape the future. An astrologer
will be able to make clear, general
assertions, but will only be able to give
obscure clues when asked for specific
details. An astrologer must be able to
read and write in one language at Rank
8 if he wishes to advance beyond Rank 1.
event. Once an astrologer has made a reading (i.e., a determination about the future), he may not seek to
change or influence the reading through his art. Other astrologers who attempt to read the same future will
receive the same information that the first astrologer did. A second astrologer may, however, receive some
clarification about the first's reading.
The results of a reading will affect the pertinent course of events. The GM is expected to modify the outcome
of an adventure or happening in his world to conform to a determination made by an astrologer player
characters or by an astrologer at the behest of the player characters. The determination does not preclude the
characters' actions from affecting the outcome of the adventure or event: to the contrary, the GM must interpret
the reading dice-rolls engendered by the characters' actions accordingly. A prophecy can not be avoided by
the affected character(s) changing his plans. The doom (which may be good) will follow him to the
undertaking he substitutes for that which was predicted. However, if a character asks a specific
question predicated upon a given action, the prophecy will not come to pass unless and until that
action is taken.
An astrologer's Rank determines how many beings he can directly affect with a single prediction. A being is
directly affected by an astrologer's art when the GM modifies the result of an action taken by the being due to a
prophecy. An astrologer can directly affect up to (5 + [10 x Rank]) beings with a single prophecy. If an
astrologer attempts a prediction which would directly affect more beings than his Rank allows, he receives no
answer.
An astrologer may make (and possibly modify) a general prediction during a reading. When an astrologer
wishes to make a general prediction about a particular venture or being, his player (or the GM, should the
astrologer be a non-player character) actually uses a divinatory technique at his disposal. Such a technique
could be reading the tarot, casting the I Ching, or any mutually agreed upon method. The result of the
divination becomes the astrologer's prediction. If the astrologer does not wish to make the prediction, he may
immediately attempt to change it.
The GM rolls percentile dice, and if the roll is less than or equal to ([5 x Willpower] + [4 x Rank] -
30), the astrologer makes a second divination (which may not be changed). If the roll is greater than
the success percentage, the astrologer is stuck with his first prediction.
An astrologer may seek an answer for up to a number of specific questions per month equal to his
Rank. When a being poses a specific question to an astrologer willing to attempt an answer, the GM rolls
percentile dice. If the roll is equal to or less than ([6 x Astrologer's Rank] + [4 x Astrologer's Perception]), the
astrologer is able to give a correct answer. If the roll is greater than the success percentage, he mutters
meaningless gibberish. All answers given to specific questions must be, at the very least, obscure. The GM may
respond with cryptic poetry, much like the Oracle at Delphi, or may choose to have the astrologer supply a
riddle (though the Player of the astrologer does not know the answer himself). An astrologer may not make a
general prediction or ask a specific question concerning only himself. One must consult another
astrologer in these weighty matters. An astrologer can determine the aspect of a being after observing him.
After an astrologer has spent (60 - [5 x Astrologer's Rank] ) consecutive minutes observing a being, the GM
informs the astrologer of the being's aspect
An astrologer expends Fatigue points when practicing his art.
Action taken by Astrologer Fatigue Points expended
Make a general prediction 10
Alter general prediction 10
Answer a specific question 15
Do a reading on an individual 8
An Astrologer must spend (250 + [200 x Rank] ) Silver Pennies per year for astrolabes, oculars, reference
works, and the like. An astrologer who does not meet his expenses operates as if he were two Ranks less
proficient. If his Rank is reduced to a negative number, he may not practice astrology.
