Father's Illumination
Whilst Mother Creation graces the world with her light, the sun, the bringer of all energy and the giver of all life, illumination of creation, Father Destiny left us a gift as well. It is a gift that in the early times, the times of the Tanes and Faen, and even our earliest ancestors, might have gone underappreciated. The Moon, Father's Illumination. It brings light to a time where darkness should rule. It illuminates differently than Mother's gift, seeming to drive back the blackness of the Void, seeming to be a counter to its energy, taint and presence. Something about the moon's light and how it interacts with the Dreamweave itself is potent indeed.
A simple research note amongst the journals of an astrologer
Manifestation
The moon and its phases, sometimes known as 'Father's Lantern' just as the Sun has connatations to the phrase 'Mother's Luminescence' have notable and measurable effects on the Dreamweave upon Valerick. As a general rule, the forces of creation, that is the currents of Manna, though tainted irregardless of time of day, are less safe to wield at night. Something about the setting of the sun, the fading of Mother's Illumination, seems to empower the Void, and notably weaken the protective nature of the Dreamweave around Valerick. The phases of the moon impact this further, and as such it is a key part of the training of Magisters.
During the lunar cycle, the danger or safety of wielding the arcane at night, as well as the general safety of the wilds and whims of Valerick's landscapes and environments as a whole seem to vary based upon how much light the moon is providing. The full moon being the safest, and the new moon, the night where it is simply not visible or the least visible is the most dangerous time.
This however does go beyond magick and the arcane, as well as the Dreamweave. For the Dreamweave, the Aether around Valerick which protects it as any other plane is protected from the Void, weakens on the nights where Father's Lantern is less vibrant and bright. This manifests plentiful superstitions across Valerick in regards to traveling at night, and the sorts of things to avoid, actively flee from, or in some cases, simply refuse to travel through.
For the most part this is seen as superstition and old wives tales, and in this more modernizing era, are by and large, particularly in more urbanized areas, ignored.
However such folklore normally comes with nuggets of truth.
During the lunar cycle, the danger or safety of wielding the arcane at night, as well as the general safety of the wilds and whims of Valerick's landscapes and environments as a whole seem to vary based upon how much light the moon is providing. The full moon being the safest, and the new moon, the night where it is simply not visible or the least visible is the most dangerous time.
This however does go beyond magick and the arcane, as well as the Dreamweave. For the Dreamweave, the Aether around Valerick which protects it as any other plane is protected from the Void, weakens on the nights where Father's Lantern is less vibrant and bright. This manifests plentiful superstitions across Valerick in regards to traveling at night, and the sorts of things to avoid, actively flee from, or in some cases, simply refuse to travel through.
For the most part this is seen as superstition and old wives tales, and in this more modernizing era, are by and large, particularly in more urbanized areas, ignored.
However such folklore normally comes with nuggets of truth.
Localization
Show spoiler
The truth of the matter is that Father's Lantern as it is known is in fact a warding of sorts, though why none know. The moon, like the sun and stars, is a celestial body truly beyond reach. The effects of its presence or absence are most notable in or around Scars upon Reality/World-Wounds, however they are present across Valerick.
Lesser Known Knowledge
The truth of the matter is that Father's Lantern as it is known is in fact a warding of sorts, though why none know. The moon, like the sun and stars, is a celestial body truly beyond reach. The effects of its presence or absence are most notable in or around Scars upon Reality/World-Wounds, however they are present across Valerick.
- Nights of a Full Moon are the only time wielding Arcane Magick is as safe as during the day, where you will only build up 1 point of corrupting for each spell. Furthermore there is no heightened risk of sudden surges, incursions or the darkness itself seeming to come alive. These three nights are the apex of the cycle and the safest time.
- When Waxing or Waning, each step of the cycle sees the dangers increase or decrease as appropriate by one stage or step. When waning, for each stage from Full, you build up 1 extra point of corrupting for each spell you cast that night, accelerating you towards some sort of event or miscast. Similarly Waxing sees that number decrease back towards normal at each phase. Furthermore the likelihood of incursions or other phenomena if foolishly traveling in the region of a Scars upon Reality/World-Wounds increases when Waning and decreases again when Waxing
- The night of the New Moon, also simply known as the Harrowed, sees the risk the highest. Magick is heavily tainted, the Void's presence pressing hard against and finding cracks and small fissures and gaps within the Dreamweave, exerting its presence more. Sounds in the blackness of night are more common, confusing, disorienting noises that might lead less versed and prepared folk out into the wilderness, or into foolish and downright dangerous situations. Things seen out of the corner of the eye, as if shadows, sometimes are not just shadows. Yet paradoxically, to acknowledge them is to give them power to inflict harm upon you, for if they could, they would be already. Best to try and ignore them, and certainly not move off towards such movements.
Nightmares are more common amongst all on Valerick and those who may be cursed with the Arcanis-Touched condition whom have yet to be discovered, warded, and educated by the Magisterium might experience horrific nightmares whilst they sleep. On the rarest of occasions these might even manifest....things. Interestingly however, in more urban areas, as Valerick moves into a burgeoning industrialized age, where street lanterns are common and plentiful, such things are much less potent and noteworthy. Certainly it is likely nightmares rise, but nothing so insidious or catastrophic occurs or is storied to have ever occurred. Those tales are usually frontier folklore, village tall tales. Yet one would do well to remember that no folklore exists without grains of truth.
Lunar Cycle/Spell Corruption Table
| Stage | Corruption/Spell Cast at Night |
|---|---|
| Full Moon | 1 |
| Waning Gibbous | 2 |
| Last Quarter | 3 |
| Waning Crescent | 4 |
| New Moon | 5 |
| Waxing Crescent | 4 |
| First Quarter | 3 |
| Waxing Gibbous | 2 |
Type
Metaphysical, Supernatural
The moooon. I love the name of Father's Lantern for it, and the idea that the less there is of the moon, the more dangerous the night.
Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
Thank you :) yeah started to flesh out some of the like symbolic mythology of 'Mother Creation and Father Destiny' and how that is viewed and what sort of celestial bodies and such are kind of attached to that mythos.