Tenteisei

Tenteisei is an enigmatic goddess who holds power over the stars. Her various association include fortune telling, path finding, and omens. Her physical representation is considered to be the North Star. Because of the nature of how the stars were brought into being Zokutou is often shown as a lover and companion of the younger goddess. It is said that Zokutou was so impressed by Tenteisei's display in creating the stars that she fell in love with the Star Bringer.

When depicted Tenteisei is shown as a hooded woman (whose hood is rarely pulled up) with a bandage over her eyes or having her eyes closed. Her colors are deep purple, midnight blue and silver. Tenteisei is often shown holding or examine something, even though she is never shown having her eyes open.

Mythology

Tenteisei's myths often seem to counteract one another; they are unusually varied. She is most commonly linked to Zokutou as her partner in fate, but some myths also suggest her having a close bond to Tsuki; the truth is, of course, murky.

The Myth of the Tenteisei's arrival

Tenteisei is forever linked with Tsuki and Engetsu in mythology. It was Engetsu's fall from the heavens which caused Tsuki to extinguish her light. In the absence of that light Tenteisei was revealed.

Legend states that Tenteisei has existed in the heavens for as long, or perhaps longer than the three Celestial deities Kikoutei, Engetsu and Tsuki. However, because there was always light within the heavens Tenteisei was never seen, or felt. So Tenteisei waited. She waited patiently knowing that one day she would be seen. Because it was so bright, she could not open her eyes for fear of being blinded. She had foreseen Engetsu's fall from heavens, and prepared herself for the eventual day when Tsuki would dim. As Tenteisei has seen, Engetsu fell from the heavens causing Tsuki to extinguish her light. It was within that moment that Tenteisei spread her black wings across the sky giving the night sky definition.

The Myth of the Stars

With night now real and true, Tsuki lay in the heavens forlorn, shining the light she reflected down upon the island. Tenteisei stood within the heavens with her cloak. With darkness so thick and light so brittle, Issui found that her followers could no longer see. Those who lived on water could only go out half the time now. Worried for those who loved her and lived within her realm she pleaded with Tsuki for her to shed even just a sliver of her once brilliant light. Tsuki refused telling Issui that if she wanted light she would have to convince Engetsu to return to her. Issui, knowing that Engetsu would not, and could not return to the heavens began to despair. Tenteisei saw Issui's sadness and spoke to her in calming tones.

Lovely Water Maiden, why are you weeping? She said, turning her closed eyes to Issui.

Issui wept bitterly I weep because Tsuki will not return light to the world during the night. Those who sail in my world are in great danger and may die needlessly.

Tenteisei contemplated the matter for a while and spoke again. If light is what is needed, then we must merely find a new way to deliver it. If I can do that will you cease to cry?

Issui agreed to cease weeping if she knew that those who loved her on the island would be safe if they must journey at night.

Tenteisei having seen Engetsu's fall had saved some light from her in the hopes of easing Tsuki's suffering. But upon seeing Tsuki's refusal to be reasonable she had kept the light for herself. Clad in her cloak she went to Kikoutei and borrowed from her some light as well. Trapping the light within her cloak she spread herself magnificently over the sky. As she spread she placed the paths she saw within the motes of light, arranging them. Finally she brought into being the brightest star, the North Star to always burn even on the darkest of nights. Issui taught her followers to use Tenteisei's lights as a guide. Because all the paths that Tenteisei knew were encoded in the sky, others turned their eyes to the heavens hoping to find the path that was theirs within. This is rumored to be the beginnings of Yuriban astrology.

The SkyWatchers

Worship related to Tenteisei is fairly secretive and private, the priestesses most often spending time in quiet contemplation of visions and dreams and consulting with those who seek dream interpretation and fortunes told. Those who follow the Star Bringer yet are not gifted with precognition frequently train to be 'SkyWatchers', dedicated to watching the stars for signs and messages from the Goddess. These women know the deeper meanings behind Tenteisei’s Servants, the rarely appearing constellations which bring omens and warnings, and the sighting of shooting stars and Tsuki's Tears. One of these SkyWatchers, typically a lower ranking or new priestess, has always been stationed outside of Underhill on the island proper, typically within an isolated location which still affords quick return to Underhill, keeping herself isolated from the populations which make their home upon the island. Her job is to watch the night sky for the appearance of one of the Servants or other notable activity with the stars, and to report to a senior priestess immediately. This position is typically a short term shift, rotating to a new acolyte every five to ten years, though record indicates a few SkyWatchers who took this position for an extended period of time.

Associations

There are few sacred places associated with Tenteisei. Most places considered to be sacred are places where one can view large expanses of stars. Liangnyanniichuan is associated closely with Tenteisei.