Reflection

For when the sun is low and the moon stretches her arms, our world hears a new note across distant seas.
— folk myth
  According to myth, the ancient act of Reflection is said to come when the moon hangs especially large in the sky during the last half of the year, when days stretch longer and night reigns, when storms swirl in darkened skies. It represents a set of strange magical phenomena and changes that sweep across various regions of the world, unbeknownst to their residents - for knowledge of Reflection was largely lost in the fall of Terra Arcana - and is largely folded into myth or legend.  
Supermoon by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
In reality, Reflection is a supernatural astral event that may occur at any time of the year. It is a phenomenon that begins due to the confluence of three events: the full moon must be at its perigee (also known as a supermoon or perigee syzygy), the sun must have increased its activity, and that increased solar activity must have triggered either a particularly strong geomagnetic storm or a leystorm.   In rare cases, it may be triggered by a naturally-occurring leystorm combined with a perigee syzygy, with no triggering solar event needed.   Reflection is so named for the effect that it causes across mirrored surfaces, such as lakes or seas. So long as they are exposed to the sky, any mirrored surface during Reflection will display a different sky to what they should. It has never been confirmed which sky is shown instead: various myths and legends have arisen to suggest that it may be the realm of the gods, or a mythical future, or visions of the past.
  Regardless, the sky seems different each time Reflection occurs. The constellations are rarely the same, the clouds different - the only constant is the presence of the moon itself.   The phenomenon does not end at the manipulation of reflections. It casts a strange spell through the world, resonating harshly through the natural leylines and tectonic plates. Those aware of Reflection's occurrence, even through folk myth, typically associate it with natural disasters and aggressive wildlife; this is only the surface of what Reflection may cause.  

Manifestations and Manipulations

Through the tremors in the earth and the glimmers in the sky, we hear it: a cry most grating, and a distress that feels ill at home in our chests.
— druid
  The roiling spread of Reflection's touch is not typically felt directly by most sapient beings. Instead, it is seen in the transformations it evokes in the natural world. When Reflection is underway, something of its chaotic embrace leaks through the strange reflections it causes to affect the natural world with. This is usually fairly minor in nature, but it should be noted that Reflection may cause utter devastation if the world is unlucky.  
Animals are the most visible representation of something being very wrong. Their behaviour twists into something erratic and often aggressive, even in prey animals that rarely display such behaviours. They attempt to scatter and hide, burrowing into the earth or hiding under trees to seemingly get out from underneath the stormy skies.   Considering the impacts leystorms (or even regular storms) cause, this is often assumed to be merely a response to distressing weather or magic patterns.   The unseen impact is that which strikes the world along its leylines or natural faults. Reflection seems to target areas of particular calm and invoke action in them; areas of low tectonic activity with long-dormant fault lines may find them becoming more active under Reflection's light, and areas where magic has seemed sluggish may suddenly spark with energy. If particularly unlucky, Reflection may trigger volcanic eruptions in areas where fault lines impact volcanic activity.
Moonflowers by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
  Some flora has evolved to react in particularly intriguing ways to Reflection. On the Chandrasma Archipelago, the small moonflowers that decorate the lush grounds of Nishamani open and emit odd pillars of white light during Reflection, understood by the locals to be linked to the odd religious practices of the Chandravamshi. Elsewhere, similar strange reactions can be seen in highly specific naturally-occurring crystals or in certain similar plants.    

Understandings & Mythos

It is, without doubt, a sign of our sins. We have displeased our gods!
— cleric
  Though Reflection has been a consistent occurrence on Istralar for millennia, there is surprisingly little understanding of it. It does not occur especially frequently, as the circumstances requiring its effect are rare and do not guarantee that it shall even take place. This has led it to be understood not as a singular event, but as a series of disconnected phenomena that have no connection.  
Reflection's Glow by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
Every culture, over time, has developed its own understanding of what Reflection's effects may be. The Chandravamshi are not unique in claiming its impact as a religious event; it is understood to be something divine in a number of cultures, especially in areas where flora or fauna are particularly stricken.   In the depths of Kylmävikk Desert, where Reflection may cause distortions in the sky as light refracts off the snow and where ice crystals may glow unusual colours under its effect, wanderers of the Vaeltajat and the various snow elven tribes have long attributed Reflection to their corrupted deity Seren - it is said that the strange occurrences and sudden crevasses in the ice are caused by Marvaeth's fell influence over her.   More scholarly communities, such as the universities in Shiar, are more of the opinion that the events of Reflection are largely just leyline distortions provoked by the ongoing leystorm - or if one has yet to begin, then they are likely the stirrings of a leystorm. Little further study has been taken due to this assumption.
  Interestingly, the strange occurrences caused by Reflection have developed into a symbol of love across numerous cultures despite no distinct link existing. In Galasthin's north, the glow of certain flowers under Reflection's influence is said to be a sign for lovers to take action; in Ordan, the myth is instead that a large moon shall lead to a longer-lasting marriage.
Distant Reflection by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
Type
Metaphysical, Supernatural

Lost Knowledge

  Those on Terra Arcana, who could experience Reflection from their planet's perspective and that of their former world, had a stronger understanding of the phenomenon in its entirety, but their knowledge was not brought forth to Istralar when their homeland was destroyed.   Glimpses of the haunting echoes of Invideria are more common during Reflection, leading those aware of the phenomenon to suspect that it may be linked to psychic fluctuations and distortions through the Ethereal Plane.   If any expedition is ever made to the City of Envies once again, it is possible that further information on the City of Envies will be found in its long-lost halls.
 
Wait, there's a weird magical phenomenon that makes volcanoes erupt and triggers earthquakes... and the scholars don't see it as worthy of further study? They just rely on their guesses?   Something isn't right here. Maybe it does play with our minds...?
— baffled mage
 

Hidden Secrets

  There is one continent on Istralar that holds knowledge and secrets long lost to the rest of the world: the lost continent of Kudara, trapped away from the world by an impenetrable barrier.   If anywhere on the Material Plane continues to maintain Terra Arcana's mysterious knowledge, the only remaining bastion of hope would be for it to be upon Kudara. It is not known how significantly the Lost Continent was affected by the Worldrend, nor which mages of the fallen planet wound up there.   Should the barrier ever fall, it is entirely possible that their knowledge will change the perception of Reflection - and perhaps many other things - for good, beyond what even Reflection's own potential manipulation could hide.
 
This day, I have waited for. I have longed for, even. Truly, the gods have sent us a sign.   I have walked with you through this life, and I would do so for a thousand more lifetimes. Let our love shine to the moon and back.   Please, do me the honour of being mine for all eternity. Let us be as strong as the storm, as endless as the stars, and as brilliant as only we can be - forever.
— lovers under the storm

Cover image: Reflection cover by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

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