[WIP] Astrologaster's Complete Guide to the Stars

Hear Ye Hear Ye! Simon Forman spotted practicing medicine without a medical license! London in shock and body of the Royal College of Physicians enraged as quack cures the Plague of '92!

This guide aims to help you, good sir or madam, in practicing the reliable, cutting-edge and beautiful art of medical astrology! Have I piqued your interest? Well then, settle down and grab ink and parchment, for we shall henceforth go over how to treat every single one of Simon Foreman's querents of their maladies, as well as predicting their future through the stars.

Please note this guide shall not be held accountable in case of dismembering, bad humors or astrological lunacy.

Astrologaster is not for the uninformed quack. Therefore, this guide seeks to, primarily, equip and inform you so that you may attempt to solve the queries yourself.

Once that fails, this is also a straightforward solution to the hardest requests you will face. Please enjoy in moderation and drop any suggestions by sealed correspondence in the comments bellow.

Before we get started on how to meet your patient's needs, we must first get familiar with them! Well... not too familiar, I hope. Meeting their requests and keeping them happy is vital in order to acquire Letters of Recommendation which you, good sir or good madam, will surely need in order to procure yourself a prestigious medical license!

That said, it's important to remember your patient's previous visits, as well as paying attention to what they say as well as what they demonstrate -- pain, sweating, burping, chundering and so on.

Avis Allen
Oh how sweet her voice! How beautiful her complexion! Caham... I mean, married Mrs Avis Allen will surely seek your help for noble causes, such as prying neighbors and a delicate matter of offspring...

Thomas Blague
Praise be Thomas Blague, a man of God and sound investments, who will seek the stars in times of need... financial need, that is.

Emma Sharpe
Sweet sweet Emma will seek your council in the matters of the heart, for her husbands are dying like flies! Do be kind, her heart is as frail as her pearly-white hands.

Ricardo Ferraro
Ah, Signore Ricardo Ferraro! A noble Italian gentleman who has come-a to seek the impressive knowledge of Simon Foreman. Do treat him well, for his conditions are unique.

Emilia Lanier
Such inspiriting perception! Such well-writ words! Emilia Lanier is a prominent historical figure, who will seek your aid in the matters of a certain Mister S., as well as her own troublesome marriage and legacy.

Alice Blague
Alice Blague has a soft spot for good wine and good company in bed. Your council will be most valuable in the matters of... the heart.

Robert Devereux
Lord Devereux's prowess in combat cannot be questioned! But can he maintain the favors of the Queen? Let us consult the stars.

Mary Payne
Mary, God bless her, wants the stars to tell her what evil heretic tidings approach her pious town. Surely those foreigners can be dealt with? She mustn't miss Sunday's hanging!

Lancelot Moore
Who adorned such a shallow brain with such comely a head? Lancelot Moore is entangled in ladies, and seeks your council regarding marriage, war, and the church. Swiftly now, lest his maidens be kept waiting!

Nicholas Mugg
Poor and sickly Nicholas has every disease imaginable! Don't forget to keep your distance while you inspect his swollen eyes, purple tongue and... oh God! What is that?

Sybil Fortescue
Have you heard? Her husband is a friend of Walter Raleigh's! He sends her many gifts and sweets to be served at her delicious dinners. Have you not yet attended one? Well, perhaps 'tis for the best...

John Whitgift
The Archbishop of Canterbury blesses your consulting chambers with his piety. Seek to aid him, for as a man of God, he has two things aplenty: money, and influence. Amen!

Humphrey Bell
One almost loses their mind at such luscious behind! Humphrey Bell is part of Lord Chamberlain's Men, and oh how many headaches they give him. Quick, fetch him a wig and slim him down, the show must go on!

DISCLAIMER: Please consider playing the tutorial before consulting this guide!

It is important to note that Astrologaster autosaves. You can quit it at any time -- even during a consultation! -- and you'll resume where you left off. Picking an answer and then quitting to choose a different path WILL NOT WORK as the game remembers your choice right after you've made it.

This is what your screen will look like after a querent has placed their request.

Once you have a request in hand, you'll have up to three answers to pick from. In the case of Humphrey's request above, the answer can be given in the shape of one of three astral signs: Cancer, Virgo or Scorpio. Each has a different description -- a solution for losing weight -- and a different outcome.

In order to make the best choice for your querent, there are four things you must take into account:

1. Who is your querent and what kind of answer do they seek?
2. How did they describe their symptoms or desires during this consultation?
3. What details have you noticed in previous consultations or in their general behavior?
4. What are your options and what does current medicine or history books say about them?

The first item is of special importance when more than one answer seems plausible, for one of them might either upset your querent or be deemed counterproductive, depending on your querent's social status or desires.

The second item seems to be the most intuitive, but it shouldn't be the only thing taken into consideration, because your querent may even be lying about their condition or situation!

The third item is fundamental in later consultations. The way a querent fidgets or talks are important clues! Remember that your knowledge about one person may help you aid another or even help make clear when someone is being secretive.

Last but not least, the fourth item is the most taxing one. In order to be successful in some consultations, you must read a bit on either certain conditions -- like The Jaundice -- or chapters of history -- like James I's ascension to the English throne.

In the case of Humphrey Bell's request:

1. The querent is an actor, and must lose weight quickly for his upcoming audition.
2. Humphrey is willing to do anything for his acting career, as he's really passionate about his roles.
3. He isn't chubby... why is he being forced into becoming slimmer? Perhaps this will be useful later.
4. I could either tell him to throw up or defecate exceedingly or eat less...

Then, it's up to you! (Although I'll answer this and other queries further down the guide...)

This section is a WIP. The queries are in the order they appear, rather than grouped by character. What you might learn about one character maybe help you in consultations with another, therefore the order serves a purpose.

Simon's choices either add or detract points. I'll tally those in when I can! 100 pts = letter of rec.

Simon Forman - Consultation 1 / 13th of October, 1592
The first consultation is with Simon Forman himself. Just follow carefully through the tutorial and select Sagittarius, Ruler of the Liver to cure him of The Plague.

Avis Allen - Consultation 1 / 28th of November, 1592
Mrs. Avis Allen is complaining of "headache and involuntary purging" following dinner with her husband. You have two choices:

> Cancer, ruler of the stomach - Mistress Allen is suffering from Evil Digestion (this suggests a mild imbalance of black bile in the body).
> Scorpio, ruler of the reproductive system - Mistress Allen is With Child (this indicates a disturbance of the mind). 

What could she and her husband have possibly been celebrating? She's pregnant! The correct answer is "Scorpio."
Points total with Avis Allen: 55 points.

Thomas Blague - Consultation 1 / 17th of December, 1592
Thomas Blague wants to know in which of the two merchant ships he should invest. Pay close attention to their names. You have two choices:

> A - Mars domicile in Scorpio; House of Children, signifying The Conquering Cherub.
> B - Venus; House of Marriage, signifying The Bride of Yarmuth.

To which of the two ship's names do the stars point? Were you paying close attention? It's the PRIDE of Yarmuth, not Bride! This has nothing to do with a lady, so the correct answer is A - "The Conquering Cherub".
Points total with Thomas Blague: 20 points.

Emma Sharpe - Consultation 1 / 14th of September, 1593
Comely Emma Sharpe has found herself a husband, Mr. Middleton. Unfortunately, he's rather old. Is he at the risk of dying?

> Aries, ruler of the head - Mr. Middleton has been Bewitched (this suggests the possibility of death).
> Libra, ruler of the kidneys - Mr. Middleton suffers from Dropping Down of the P.iss (this suggests severe vertigo). 
> Leo, ruler of the heart - Mistress Allen suffers from a Cardiac Passion (Neptune indicates that the illness cannot be cured). 

Remember the singing at the start: be gentle with Emma, for she seems full afraid...
Two answers give you +40 points: Libra - Dropping Down of the P.iss and Leo - Cardiac Passion.
Points total with Emma Sharpe: 40 points.

Simon Forman - Consultation 2 / 14th of September, 1593
You need to decide what you consider to be the best course of action for Simon to acquire a medical license: 

> A - Wealth, Religion and Ambition. Simon must turn to the church for his license.
> B - Relationships, Service to others. He must please his querents for his license.

The choice is entirely up to you.

Signor Ricardo Ferraro - Consultation 1 / 27th of November, 1593
Signor Ferraro has been experiencing pain during urination, as well as pain in the lower back. What ails him?

> Pisces, ruler of the feet - Signor Ferraro has The Gout.
> Libra, ruler of the kidneys - He has been experiencing Stones in the Kidneys.
> Scorpio, ruler of the bowels - He suffers from Dysentery.

Make sure you understand your choices. Pay close attention to the fact that Signor Ferraro seems to be very stiff. More important than the likely stones in his kidneys are his joints!The correct answer is Pisces - The Gout.
Points total with Ricardo Ferraro: 35 points.

Avis Allen - Consultation 2 / 10th of January, 1594
Simon and Avis discuss the Act Against Recusants. She is a Catholic, and wants to know whether or not she should continue to attend Protestant services.

> A -  Wealth, Neighbours. Her problems is her jealous female neighbours..
> B -  Religion, Legal confrontations, Legacy, Duty. She must stay true to her Catholicism while also appeasing the protestants.

It might be useful to read a bit into Elizabeth I of England. The correct answer is B - She must stay true to her catholicism.
Points total with Avis Allen: 90 points.

ACHIEVEMENT: Coitus post consultatio.
Earn the achievement by correctly answering Avis' request on her second consultation above.

Emilia Lanier - Consultation 1 / Xth of January, 1594

> A - A
> B - A

The correct answer is .
Points total with Emilia Lanier: X points.

This table is a WIP!

Querent	Consultation	Best Answer	Worst Answer	Other Answer
Simon Forman	1	Sagittarius	-	-
Avis Allen	1	Scorpio (+55 pts)	Cancer (? pts)	-
Thomas Blague	1	A (+20 pts)	B (? pts)	-
Emma Sharpe	1	Libra (+40 pts)	Aries (-10 pts)	Leo (+40 pts)
Simon Forman	2	A or B	-	-
Signor Ricardo Ferraro	1	Pisces (+35 pts)	Scorpio (? pts)	Libra (+10 pts)
Avis Allen	2	B (+35 pts)	A (? pts)	-
Emilia Lanier	1	-	-	-
Querent	1	-	-	-

This section is a WIP!

To understand Astrologaster, one must dedicate themselves firstly to a fair bit of healthy reading and learning. Two subjects are of major interest: Medical Astrology and Humorism.

What is 'Medical Astrology'?

Originally posted by Wikipedia:

Medical astrology (traditionally known as iatromathematics) is an ancient medical system that associates various parts of the body, diseases, and drugs as under the influence of the sun, moon, and planets, along with the twelve astrological signs. Each of the astrological signs (along with the sun, moon, and planets) is associated with different parts of the human body.

• Medical astrology[en.wikipedia.org]
  
• Planets in astrology[en.wikipedia.org]
  
• The Zodiac as It Relates to the Body[www.liveabout.com]

What is 'Humorism'?

Originally posted by Wikipedia:

Humorism, or humoralism, was a system of medicine detailing the makeup and workings of the human body, adopted by Ancient Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers. (...) The four humors of Hippocratic medicine are black bile (Greek: μέλαινα χολή, melaina chole), yellow bile (Greek: ξανθη χολή, xanthe chole), phlegm (Greek: φλέγμα, phlegma), and blood (Greek: αἷμα, haima), and each corresponds to one of the traditional four temperaments.

• Humorism[en.wikipedia.org]
  
• The World of Shakespeare's Humours[www.nlm.nih.gov]

Who was Simon Forman?

Originally posted by Wikipedia:

Simon Forman (31 December 1552 – 5 or 12 September 1611) was an Elizabethan astrologer, occultist and herbalist active in London during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and James I of England.

• Simon Forman[en.wikipedia.org]
  
• Simon Forman The Astrologer's Tables[worldhistoryblogspot.blogspot.com]
  
• The Casebooks[casebooks.lib.cam.ac.uk]

V. Glossary [WIP]

The definitions were either sourced from Dictionary, Merriam-Webster or my conclusions from the game.

Chundering
vomiting, throwing up.

Dropping Down of the P.iss
a term used in the game to describe someone who urinates a lot.

Purging
eliminating the supposedly noxious contents of the body by either throwing up ("upwards purging") or defecating ("downwards purging").

Quack
a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan.

Querent
one who seeks; inquirer; specifically: one who consults an astrologer.

Strumpy-Humpy
sex.

Guide Updates

2019/08/25: Astrologaster's Complete Guide to the Stars v1.0 published.
2019/08/25: Fixed typos and added first version of "Understanding the Game".
2019/08/26: Changed guide icon and added first consultations.
2019/08/26: Added Quick Table of Answers and "Glossary" section.
2019/09/15: Added 3 more consultations.
2019/09/15: Updated quick table of answers and querents order.

Astrologaster's Complete Guide to the Stars v.1.5.5

[ptor]

If you're referring to things like planets/sun/moon inside the house of X, where X happens to fall in sign Y during that consultation, it's "just" highlighting what they represent and how they are interpreted by Foreman (note: you'll be quizzed on what planets/sun/moon/signs stand for and what they govern)

[franciscovillanu]

Can someone please explain how constellations highlighting different solutions/emphasis work inside a single sign? Are they selectable changing foreman choice a bit or they are just a part of the whole sign answer?

[☽ Coraline Castell ☾]

This is a big help thanks so much ptor! When I'm back from vacations I'll look into it.

[ptor]

From my playthrough: Payne + there's a lover at the neighbour's, ++ god's sinking of Spanish ships, - knowing Henry'll become king, + blaming foreigners, ++ she saw explosives barrels offloading, + she got smoke poisoning from pogroms (yay?)
Emma + knowing how to kill her husbands and ++ happy ever after with Humphrey Bell.
Humphrey ignored the "eat less" in favour of "eat prunes": he'd rather have that? + (lead) poisoning from the cerumen, + unionising, + crushed beetles ("cruelty"), + cooling off the woman's passions, + happy marriage with Emma.
Blague dies in debts by cellulitis: tell him to write a letter; the drunkard wife will be + if you tell her. She'll get no inheritance nor monogamy from anyone; tell her to run abroad when she remarries.
Whitgift + knowing the truth about Blague's debts and the other guys scandals.
Not sure Lancelot (+ pass as puritan to get laid, then + flee to Venice) and Emma is a good match, skipped one of his events. + knowing not to get the cloth

[☽ Coraline Castell ☾]

Commenting to let everyone know I added 3 more consultations to the guide. I apologize for the slow pace!

[☽ Coraline Castell ☾]

Hey Cassandra! My pleasure. Will be working a lot more on it once I sort some RL stuff in the upcoming days. Thanks for commenting. (:

[Cassandra]

So excited to see a guide, can't wait to see it finished! Thanks so much for doing this!

[joridiculous]

Nice. But the sidebar links (section links) doesn't work (in Steam Client). it only open the pictures.
This isn't unique for your guide, its like that on all that uses graphics instead of the "normal" section links.

[⌬ Codified ⌬]

Someone is going to become a world class author, not saying who, I'll leave that to your imagination

[☽ Coraline Castell ☾]

It's my pleasure! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for the guide. I'll be slowly updating it with more and more cases on the upcoming days.