Post by Kenneth New on Jun 12, 2011 3:41:21 GMT -5
The World of Rhiada has three moons in its sky. The system for tracking dates is based on these three moons and each has its own mystical significance.
Selene—The Silver Moon
Selene is a large silvery orb with the same apparent size as the sun. It takes 28 days to go through its cycles and to make one orbit around the world. In ancient days, this period was considered to be one month and there were 13 of them during the course of the year. This moon is associated with Selene, a powerful goddess with influence over water, healing and fate. Her priests teach that Selene’s palace is located on the silvery moon. Selene is considered to be one of the Lords of Light. Her worshippers are therefore divided between the Moon Cult and the Church of Light. The ilfaren call Selene Ismariel, the “Mother Moon”.
Omphale—The Rosy Moon
Omphale is a small featureless orb about a quarter the apparent size of Selene. It goes through cycles much like Selene, but requiring only 8 days to do so. Unlike Selene, it doesn’t change its face over the course of its cycle; it just changes from a bright rose illumination to a pinkish gray dimness and back. Its other oddity is its position directly over the Niemocrands and the city of Karthis. Scholars believe that Omphale is connected with the heart of the world, said to lie somewhere beneath the Niemocrands. When Omphale is “bright” connections to the Fey Realm are easier and connections to the Umbra are more difficult. When Omphale is dark, these factors are reversed. The ilfaren call Omphale Iscalinnon, the “Gateway Moon”.
Morpheus—The Dark Moon
Morpheus has been described as blue or purple, but its face is so dark that it’s difficult to know for sure. A large, but obscure body whose features are difficult to discern, Morpheus is an enigma. When you look directly at it, Morpheus seems almost invisible. It is more easy to discern with peripheral vision. Although it does go through phases, taking sixty days to do so, it’s never seen to rise or set, but always appears directly overhead when night falls and disappears with the sunrise. When the Dark Moon is full, dreamers experience more vivid dreams, replete with portent and symbols. When it is new, dreamers experience more nightmares. This moon is associated with Morpheus, the Lord Shaper, Master of Dreams. Some scholars maintain that the moon Morpheus is a physical manifestation of the dreamscape. The ilfaren call Morpheus Ulcathine, a phrase best translated as “What is it?”
Selene—The Silver Moon
Selene is a large silvery orb with the same apparent size as the sun. It takes 28 days to go through its cycles and to make one orbit around the world. In ancient days, this period was considered to be one month and there were 13 of them during the course of the year. This moon is associated with Selene, a powerful goddess with influence over water, healing and fate. Her priests teach that Selene’s palace is located on the silvery moon. Selene is considered to be one of the Lords of Light. Her worshippers are therefore divided between the Moon Cult and the Church of Light. The ilfaren call Selene Ismariel, the “Mother Moon”.
Omphale—The Rosy Moon
Omphale is a small featureless orb about a quarter the apparent size of Selene. It goes through cycles much like Selene, but requiring only 8 days to do so. Unlike Selene, it doesn’t change its face over the course of its cycle; it just changes from a bright rose illumination to a pinkish gray dimness and back. Its other oddity is its position directly over the Niemocrands and the city of Karthis. Scholars believe that Omphale is connected with the heart of the world, said to lie somewhere beneath the Niemocrands. When Omphale is “bright” connections to the Fey Realm are easier and connections to the Umbra are more difficult. When Omphale is dark, these factors are reversed. The ilfaren call Omphale Iscalinnon, the “Gateway Moon”.
Morpheus—The Dark Moon
Morpheus has been described as blue or purple, but its face is so dark that it’s difficult to know for sure. A large, but obscure body whose features are difficult to discern, Morpheus is an enigma. When you look directly at it, Morpheus seems almost invisible. It is more easy to discern with peripheral vision. Although it does go through phases, taking sixty days to do so, it’s never seen to rise or set, but always appears directly overhead when night falls and disappears with the sunrise. When the Dark Moon is full, dreamers experience more vivid dreams, replete with portent and symbols. When it is new, dreamers experience more nightmares. This moon is associated with Morpheus, the Lord Shaper, Master of Dreams. Some scholars maintain that the moon Morpheus is a physical manifestation of the dreamscape. The ilfaren call Morpheus Ulcathine, a phrase best translated as “What is it?”