| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Gelcur
Senior Scribe
523 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Oct 2024 : 03:49:46
|
I've been giving a lot of thought to lighting in my games lately and it occurred to me I had no clue how moonrise and moonset work in the real world let alone the Realms. Some research brought me to the conclusion it's very complicated and just look it up. It isn't a nice pattern like phases.
So that brings me to the Realms what do people use for determining if Selune is risen? I use a Realms web calculator for sunrise/set and weather to help keep things consistent in case I run multiple quests that overlap timewise.
Suggestions? Or do people just hand wave it.
|
The party come to a town befallen by hysteria
Rogue: So what's in the general store?
DM: What are you looking for?
Rogue: Whatevers in the store.
DM: Like what?
Rogue: Everything.
DM: There is a lot of stuff.
Rogue: Is there a cart outside?
DM: (rolls) Yes.
Rogue: We'll take it all, we may need it for the greater good. |
|
|
ElfBane
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2024 : 09:29:14
|
| As you know, in RL sometimes the Moon is visible in daytime. Do you want that? Would you prefer the Moon only rise at dusk and set around dawn? Then make it so, Number One! (This post is light-hearted and just a wild suggestion... I have NO idea if Moon behavior in the Realms has already been Canonized!!) |
 |
|
|
Gelcur
Senior Scribe
523 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2024 : 13:07:56
|
In my head the Selune's rise and set would function similarly to Earth's moon. So yes the moon is often out during the day. I was wondering if others used some simplified yearly cycle. Or maybe it's even simpler than that, Selune is larger maybe it's orbit is different too, yielding more consistent rising and setting.
I doubt it's ever been set down in canon. Though some of the authors may have thoughts on this topic, telling a story over the course of a night or describing a scene when Selune may or may not be out.
I could go bother Ed but he's a busy guy. |
The party come to a town befallen by hysteria
Rogue: So what's in the general store?
DM: What are you looking for?
Rogue: Whatevers in the store.
DM: Like what?
Rogue: Everything.
DM: There is a lot of stuff.
Rogue: Is there a cart outside?
DM: (rolls) Yes.
Rogue: We'll take it all, we may need it for the greater good. |
|
|
|
Gelcur
Senior Scribe
523 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2024 : 13:32:39
|
So looking for more information I realized that Selune's spin and orbit are equal. Much like Earth's moon, why we only ever see one side of it. But what I found interesting is that the cycle is every 30 days, 10 hours, and 30 minutes. That is the same as the full moon cycle.
For reference Earth's moon is different, spin is ~27.5 days. Full moon cycle is ~29.5 days. I got to think on this a bit, I'm not an astronomer by any stretch. |
The party come to a town befallen by hysteria
Rogue: So what's in the general store?
DM: What are you looking for?
Rogue: Whatevers in the store.
DM: Like what?
Rogue: Everything.
DM: There is a lot of stuff.
Rogue: Is there a cart outside?
DM: (rolls) Yes.
Rogue: We'll take it all, we may need it for the greater good. |
|
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2024 : 22:27:22
|
| Quick go read every novel looking for a reference of the date and whether it was a full moon or some other date. Then map these into a progression assuming that all authors followed a master plan to track the moon's phases. Then every time that the moon's phases don't match your calculations, assume that something magical happened to change and/or reset the phases, such as gods being cast out of the heavens. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2024 : 22:45:05
|
| Interestingly, I seem to recall a brief discussion about the cycle of moonrise and moonset included in one of the novels of “The Priests” series — ‘Mistress of the Night’ maybe? I’ll need to check my notes for the novel. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Moonrise & Moonset
