A model of Eberron and its moons.
There are 12 moons orbiting the planet of Eberron, beyond the Ring of Siberys.[1][2] The moons brighten the skies of Eberron at night, are the source of the planet's tides, and their movements are studied by a number of cultures, most notably the dragons of Argonnessen.[1][3] Scholars associate the moons both with the 12 planes and the 12 dragonmarks.[4]
In the Galifar Calendar, each of the 12 months is named after the individual moons, based on what moon is at the closest point to Eberron in its orbit that month.[5][6]
Characteristics[]
The moons vary widely in size, brightness, hue, and distance to Eberron. The largest moon is Dravago at 2,000 miles in diameter, while the smallest is Rhaan at 800 miles in diameter. Eberron's closest moon is Zarantyr, which orbits only about 14,300 miles on average from the planet, while the farthest moon Vult's orbit is over 250,000 miles from the planet on average.[3] Because of this variation in size, brightness, and distance, some moons appear large in the night sky, while others are barely visible to the naked eye, resembling stars.[1][2]
List[]
| Moons of Eberron |
|---|
| Zarantyr | Olarune | Therendor | Eyre | Dravago | Nymm | Lharvion | Barrakas | Rhaan | Sypheros | Aryth | Vult |
| Destroyed: Crya |
Influence on Eberron[]
All 12 moons influence the tides of Eberron, although Zarantyr has the greatest impact. When multiple moons are in confluence they can dramatically change the tides, possibly revealing hidden secrets beneath the oceans.[3]
Galeoin, a sage of the Seren, theorized that the moons also had influence on magic in Eberron, but this theory is unsubstantiated.[3]
Certain strange or haunted locations on Eberron undergo eerie changes depending on which moon is full in the sky. These locations include as the Crying Fields of Aundair, the Dragon's Crown in Breland, or the lost ruins of Taer Sadaen in Valenar.[7][8][9][10]
Lycanthropes[]
The moons have strange power over lycanthropes, creatures that are cursed to turn into a bestial animal during the light of a full moon. With 12 different moons in the sky, on average one or more moons are full 19 out of 28 days in any given month.[11] Despite many efforts to uncover the origins of these creatures, the sages of Khorvaire remain uncertain as to why these creatures are so tied to the moons.[12]
History[]
There are legends of a 13th moon, Crya, but it was destroyed by the giants of the Sul’at League in their war against the quori.[13][14][15]
In Culture[]
Some scholars believe that the dragonmarks that appear on people and natural formations are tied to the moons in some way.[4][6]
The dragons of Argonnessen study the movements of the moons in observatories such as the Observatory of Tyrass in order to gain insight into the Draconic Prophecy.[16] Conjunctions of the moons, particularly when occurring alongside planar phenomenon can show new clues to the Prophecy to those dragons with the skill and experience to interpret them.[6][17][18]
Other cultures also have built observatories in order to interpret omens and outcomes of future events by studying the moons.[1] The most well-known of these sites is the Starpeaks Observatory operated by the Arcane Congress in Aundair.[7] The Akiak dwarves of Sarlona built meditation halls to capture the light of the moons.[19] The Lords of Dust also study the moons and the Draconic Prophecy, as only with certain lunar alignments will they have the chance to free their bound Overlords.[20]
Religion[]
The moons also have significance in a number of religions across Khorvaire, usually by marking holy days or festivals. For followers of the Path of Inspiration in Riedra, the month's full moon is a time to give celebrations of thanks.[21] For the Seren, the rising of the moons are tied to festivals for their dragon patrons.[22] Some Seekers of the Blood of Vol celebrate the holy day of Tanarath on a lunar eclipse of Aryth and Sypheros.[23]
Other religions see the moons as portents to tell the future. Worshippers of the Sovereign Host in Karrnath try to predict the future by watching the Dome of Twelve Moons on the ceiling of the Cathedral of the Sovereign Host in Korth.[24]
Moons are most prominent however among the shifter Moonspeaker druids of the Eldeen Reaches. These druids believe the moons in the night sky are powerful spirits that watch over Eberron and have a special connection to shifters. They read the moons for signs, celebrate their lunar connections in festivals, and see magical abilities as the blessings of the moons.[12][25]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 129. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Keith Baker & Chris Perkins (2005/03/07). The Moons of Eberron. Dragonshards. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016/11/01. Retrieved on 2021/07/06.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Keith Baker, Ari Marmell, Michelle Lyons and C.A. Suleiman (2006). Dragonmarked. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-3933-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 141. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 150. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 77. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 165. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Keith Baker (2005/04/04). Lycanthropes and the Purge. Dragonshards. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016/11/01. Retrieved on 2021/07/06.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). City of Stormreach. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 158. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.
- ↑ Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ David Noonan, Rich Burlew, & Frank Brunner (2005). Explorer's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 116. ISBN 0-7869-3691-6.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 12, 16–17. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 15–16. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 111. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 137. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ Keith Baker & James Wyatt (2004). Sharn: City of Towers. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93. ISBN 0-7869-3434-4.
- ↑ Bill Slavicsek, David Noonan, and Christopher Perkins (2005). Five Nations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 111. ISBN 0-7869-3690-8.
- ↑ Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 143–148. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.