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[[Image:GlyphAnthelios.png|thumb|Anthelios]]
{{Game|VTM|WTA|MTAs}}
 
   
The '''Red Star''' is a mysterious heavenly body which appeared at the culmination of the [[Week of Nightmares]] on [[July 15]], [[1999 (oWOD)|1999]]. Known as ''Wormwood'' to [[vampire (oWOD)|vampires]], ''Anthelios'' (the anti-sun) to [[werewolf (oWOD)|werewolves]], and the Eye of Balor to [[Changeling (oWOD)|changelings]], the Red Star was seen by most supernaturals as being a sign of the [[End Times]].
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The '''Red Star''' is a mysterious heavenly body which appeared at the culmination of the [[Week of Nightmares]] on July 15, [[1999 (WOD)|1999]]. Known as '''Wormwood''' to [[vampire (WOD)|vampires]], '''Anthelios''' ("Anti-Sun") to [[werewolf (WOD)|werewolves]], '''Telos''' or '''Mirzaba''' to [[Mage (MTAs)|mages]], the '''Eye of the Demon Emperor''' to the [[Shen]], the '''Eye of Apophis''' among the [[Reborn]], and the '''Eye of Balor''' to [[Changeling (WOD)|changelings]], the Red Star was seen by most supernaturals as being a sign of the [[Time of Judgment|End Times]].
   
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== Overview ==
[[Image:GlyphAnthelios.png|thumb|right|Anthelios]]
 
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Dr. [[Bernhardt Mueller]] of the [[Sons of Ether]] predicted the coming of the Red Star, which he called Mirzaba, in the mid-[[1990d (WOD)|1990s]]. He described it as a "hyperdimensional comet" and noted that by late [[2012 (WOD)|2012]], it would be close enough to Earth to pose a collision risk. At the time, he was laughed out of the scientific establishment. After the Red Star became visible, a vindicated Mueller and [[Stanislaus Wojciehowicz]] noted that its previous passes coincided with the demise of scientifically advanced civilizations.
   
It was initially unable to be seen by mundane forms of perception. It could be seen only by [[supernatural]] creatures, but was readily apparent to oracles or people with [[Auspex (VTM)|Auspex]]. It could be seen in the [[Umbra]], the [[Dreaming]] and the [[Shadowlands (oWOD)|Shadowlands]].
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The Red Star was initially unable to be seen by mundane forms of perception. It could be seen only by [[supernatural]] creatures, but was readily apparent to oracles or people with [[Auspex (VTM)|Auspex]]. It could be seen in the [[Umbra]], the [[Dreaming]], and the [[Shadowlands (WOD)|Shadowlands]].
   
As the end times neared, it brightened enough to be viewed by everyone. NASA declared the Red Star stellar object '''2001KX76''', theorizing it was a reddish-coloured comet heading for Earth. By the rules of NASA's provisional designations, this would mean it was the 1,923rd object discovered in the second half of May, [[2001 (oWOD)|2001]], suggesting this is roughly when it became visible to mortals.
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As the end times neared, it brightened enough to be viewed by everyone. Using Hubble data, [[Marjorie Serway]] initially identified it as a comet, dubbing it "Serway's Comet." Dr. [[Xavier Filho]] disagreed with that interpretation.<ref name="daysoffire108">{{b|DTF|Days of Fire|page=108}}</ref> NASA declared the Red Star stellar object 2001KX76 (also Stellar Object #442899), theorizing it might be a reddish-coloured comet heading for Earth, although there was much disagreement on that point. By the rules of NASA's provisional designations, this would mean it was the 1,923rd object discovered in the second half of May, [[2001 (WOD)|2001]], suggesting this is roughly when it became visible to mortals.
   
  +
The Red Star became visible from most of the Northern Hemisphere, right in the bowl of the Big Dipper. Some theorize it may be a periodical visitor, perhaps the "bearded star" that presaged the destruction of [[Pompeii (WOD)|Pompeii]] in [[79 (WOD)|79 CE]].<ref name="daysoffire115">{{b|DTF|Days of Fire|page=115}}</ref> Astronomers subsequently identified the Red Star as the dwarf planet 28978 Ixion, made highly visible in a freak event. <ref name="bjd">{{b|VTM|Beckett's Jyhad Diary|page=240-242}}</ref>
== Background Information ==
 
   
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Shortly after its appearance to mortals, the Red Star seemingly vanished just as mysteriously as it had appeared. The [[Void Engineers]] launched a cover-up, but are still suppressing evidence of the phenomenon.
There was, at the time, an actual stellar object with the provisional designation of '''2001 KX<sub>76</sub>''', which is a trans-Neptunian Kuiper Belt object. It is, in fact, reddish in colour, although far too small and distant to be seen with the naked eye. Coincidentally, it has since been named [[Wikipedia:28978 Ixion|28978 Ixion]], after [[Ixion]], the Greek equivalent of [[Caine]]. Ixion (in the form of the [[Ixoi]] and the [[Knife of Ixion]]) is relevant to '''[[Ascension (book)|Ascension]]''''s main scenario.
 
   
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The Red Star is still visible to certain Kindred in the current nights, who sometimes stare at it to gain blessings.<ref name="vtm5e395">{{b|VTM|Vampire: The Masquerade Fifth Edition|page=395}}</ref>
==Sources==
 
*[[War Across the Heavens]]
 
*[[Apocalypse]]
 
*[[Time of Thin Blood]] p.127
 
*[[Denizens of the Dreaming]]
 
   
 
==Background Information==
{{stub}}
 
 
There was, at the time, an actual stellar object with the provisional designation of 2001 KX<sub>76</sub>, which is a trans-Neptunian Kuiper Belt object. It is, in fact, reddish in color, although far too small and distant to be seen with the naked eye. On 28 March 2002, it was named {{w|28978 Ixion}}, after {{w|Ixion}}, the Greek equivalent of [[Caine]]. Ixion was subsequently mentioned in the main scenario in ''[[Ascension (book)|Ascension]]'' (in the form of the [[Ixoi]] and the [[Knife of Ixion]]), in V20, and in Vampire 5th Edition.
[[Category:World of Darkness (old)]]
 
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[[Category:Glossary]]
 
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==Gallery==
[[Category:oWOD glossary]]
 
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<gallery>
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Anthelios VTES.jpg|''Anthelios, the Red Star'' [[VTES]] card. Art by [[Becky Jollensten]]
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The Fourth Cycle.jpg|''The Fourth Cycle'' VTES card. Art by [[Jeremy McHugh]]
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</gallery>
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  +
==References==
  +
{{Reflist}}
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* {{b|WTA|Rage Across the Heavens}}
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* {{b|WTA|Apocalypse (book)|alt=Apocalypse}}
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* {{b|VTM|Time of Thin Blood (book)|alt=Time of Thin Blood|page=127}}
 
* {{b|CTD|Denizens of the Dreaming|pdf=111}}
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* {{b|MTAs|Convention Book: Void Engineers}}
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* {{b|MTAs|Ascension (book)|alt=Ascension}}
 
[[Category:World of Darkness glossary]]
 
[[Category:World of Darkness events]]

Revision as of 09:45, 15 July 2020

GlyphAnthelios

Anthelios

The Red Star is a mysterious heavenly body which appeared at the culmination of the Week of Nightmares on July 15, 1999. Known as Wormwood to vampires, Anthelios ("Anti-Sun") to werewolves, Telos or Mirzaba to mages, the Eye of the Demon Emperor to the Shen, the Eye of Apophis among the Reborn, and the Eye of Balor to changelings, the Red Star was seen by most supernaturals as being a sign of the End Times.

Overview

Dr. Bernhardt Mueller of the Sons of Ether predicted the coming of the Red Star, which he called Mirzaba, in the mid-1990s. He described it as a "hyperdimensional comet" and noted that by late 2012, it would be close enough to Earth to pose a collision risk. At the time, he was laughed out of the scientific establishment. After the Red Star became visible, a vindicated Mueller and Stanislaus Wojciehowicz noted that its previous passes coincided with the demise of scientifically advanced civilizations.

The Red Star was initially unable to be seen by mundane forms of perception. It could be seen only by supernatural creatures, but was readily apparent to oracles or people with Auspex. It could be seen in the Umbra, the Dreaming, and the Shadowlands.

As the end times neared, it brightened enough to be viewed by everyone. Using Hubble data, Marjorie Serway initially identified it as a comet, dubbing it "Serway's Comet." Dr. Xavier Filho disagreed with that interpretation.[1] NASA declared the Red Star stellar object 2001KX76 (also Stellar Object #442899), theorizing it might be a reddish-coloured comet heading for Earth, although there was much disagreement on that point. By the rules of NASA's provisional designations, this would mean it was the 1,923rd object discovered in the second half of May, 2001, suggesting this is roughly when it became visible to mortals.

The Red Star became visible from most of the Northern Hemisphere, right in the bowl of the Big Dipper. Some theorize it may be a periodical visitor, perhaps the "bearded star" that presaged the destruction of Pompeii in 79 CE.[2] Astronomers subsequently identified the Red Star as the dwarf planet 28978 Ixion, made highly visible in a freak event. [3]

Shortly after its appearance to mortals, the Red Star seemingly vanished just as mysteriously as it had appeared. The Void Engineers launched a cover-up, but are still suppressing evidence of the phenomenon.

The Red Star is still visible to certain Kindred in the current nights, who sometimes stare at it to gain blessings.[4]

Background Information

There was, at the time, an actual stellar object with the provisional designation of 2001 KX76, which is a trans-Neptunian Kuiper Belt object. It is, in fact, reddish in color, although far too small and distant to be seen with the naked eye. On 28 March 2002, it was named 28978 Ixion, after Ixion, the Greek equivalent of Caine. Ixion was subsequently mentioned in the main scenario in Ascension (in the form of the Ixoi and the Knife of Ixion), in V20, and in Vampire 5th Edition.

Gallery

References