#* worldbuilding.

[historysgaze-a]

In the 'Western' cultures of Remnant (such as Atlas, Vale and parts of Menagerie), the traditional zodiac is grouped by months and elements. Unknown to the world, the 'elements' behind each zodiac is actually inspired by the seasonal maidens, but is covered up by being inspired by the four seasons of the world.

Nuckelavee hosts the winter months (January, February, and December). Those born under this zodiac are water / ice signs.

Cenitaur and the start of Sabyr host the spring months (March, April and May). Those born under this zodiac are earth signs.

The tail-end of Sabyr and Wyvern host the summer months (June, July and August). Those born under this zodiac are fire signs.

Sea Feilong and the start of Monstra host the autumn months (September, October and November). Those born under this zodiac are air and electricity signs.

Zodiacs

Nuckelavee : January - February

Cenitaur : March - April

Sabyr : May - June

Wyvern : July - August

Sea Feilong : September - October

Monstra : November - December

Měi Qí (美琪), an astrologist from Xashiuque, founded the Xashiuquen Zodiac. Each astrological sign is represented by a grimm, similar to the Western Zodiac. However, unlike the Western Zodiac, the Xashiuquen Zodiac is based on years rather than months, and is divided into twelve placements. The 'Xashiuquen New Year' begins on March 23, the spring equinox for Mistral, and is represented by a grimm for that year. Each zodiac sign carries an element, also similar to the western zodiac, but follows a different methodology in what's assigned to them.

Zodiacs

Vermin - 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

Ursa - 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Sphinx - 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Deathstalker - 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

Ignis Aeternus - 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

King Taijitu - 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

Parvaneh - 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

Beowolf - 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

Beringel - 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

Nevermore - 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

Hound - 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

Boarbatusk - 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

[historysgaze-a]

The major constellations that can be seen from Remnant are named after the Creatures of Grimm for their shape and likeness. Most cultures follow the Western Zodiac, but Mistral's kingdom observe the Xashiuquen Zodiac. Both are also often followed together, or neither in some people's cases (those that do not believe in astrology or don't care for it.)

[lazyboned]

few more notes on skeletons as a separate monster species & there being more of them !  because worldbuilding,  omegalul:

●  skeletons of fallen human soldiers were artificially brought back during the war by magic devised by gaster & used as cannon fodder in the war,  but not even the increased number of soldiers could help the monsters win a losing battle ;

●  after the war was lost,  the skeletons were given this magic to continue existing as without it,  they would all simply die off .  their large numbers in the underground allowed king asgore a giant workforce to help build & dig out the underground for the habitation of all other monsters ;

●  because of this,  mining ( primarily digging graves ) is a huge part of skeleton culture & most of them work their entire lives to become miners & dig in search of new skeletons ;

●  skeletons aren’t born naturally,  which is quite obvious,  they simply find human skeletons which are old decomposed bodies buried long ago & bring the skeleton to life using magic .  how skeletons are made is a well-kept secret & no one really questions where the skeletons originally come from,  not even the skeletons themselves .  no one really thinks about it ;

●  skeletons which are found buried next to each other are considered siblings,  sans was found first & later when he was around five years of age was initiated as a digger he found papyrus buried next his grave ;

●  most of them live in the skeleton district of NEW HOME,  & few venture out into the rest of the underground,  some still live in the ruins of HOME & that’s where toriel buys her groceries from .

[lazyboned]

i really like the idea that skeletons are a special or different type of monster than the rest of the underground,  & also that there are more of them other than sans & papyrus !  there’s dialog in the game to support this idea,  even :  

●  an NPC you talk to in snowdin that “ two skeletons “ moved into the town out of nowhere,  which to me reads as the NPC denoting skeletons as,  in a sense,  a different kind of monster ;

●  some of papyrus’ dialog alludes to more skeletons living somewhere in the underground,  especially his line about humans being descendant from skeletons,  which implies that there’s more than him & sans,  & that they’ve existed for a very long time ;

●  terms like baby-bones & lazy-bones suggest they have their own dialect & culture .