Editing The Moon Court

{{Worldbuilders}}{{Infobox location|title = {{PAGENAME}}|image=Moon_Court_3-ai.JPG|imagecaption=Banner of the Moon Court}}A court of independent, Unseelie fey led by Archfey, satyr, and bard Lady Luanach.  

==The Tenets, Watch, and Concord==

=== The Six Tenets of the Moon Court as Dictated by Her Ladyship Celenica Luanach ===
I. All those who bear the title “of the Moon Court” will abide the Old Way of an ever honest tongue and speak no overt falsehood.

II. All who are “of the Moon Court” or within the Cressida Weald will revere the power of the heavens, paying special reverence to the Moon, for it seeth all folly.

III. Any who gain hospitality within the Cressida Weald will respect the authority of Archfey Lady Luanach and abide by her will. 

IV. The effort to better the soul shall be respected and assisted by all who bear the title “of the Moon Court”. This assistance may vary from experimentation to servitude. 

V. Celebrations of the lunar cycle and the Day of Reflection will be attended by all present within the Cressida Weald. Failure to attend will be met with punishment. 

VI. Violations of the former tenets or other conflicts shall be brought before Lady Luanach and the court’s Celestial Watch for trial.

===The Seats of the Celestial Watch===
[[File:Celestial Watch.jpeg|thumb|From top left to bottom right: Erma Goodgrove, Rosemaris Trueleaf, [[Amaris Luanach]], Newt, Lamura, Lady Celenica Luanach]]
I. The Enforcer: A native of the Moon Court who has demonstrated immense strength of judgment and physical or magical prowess. Tasked with ensuring the tenets are obeyed and apprehending those who would break them. 

''-Position held by the annis hag Aunt Erma Goodgrove.'' 

II. The Hunter: A native of the Moon Court who has shown excellence in their ability to navigate and an impeccable ability to track. Tasked with discovering and apprehending enemies of the court outside the Feywild.

''-Position held by the satyr Heiress Amaris Luanach.''

III. The High Priest: A native of the Moon Court with an intrinsic ability to decipher the passive will of the moon. Tasked with leading the other Lunar Faithful in prayer. 

''-Position held by the dryad Rosemaris Trueleaf.'' 

IV. The Empiric: A native of the Moon Court who has made strides in soul experimentation. Tasked with furthering the court’s understanding of and ability to manipulate the soul. 

''-Position held by the naga Lamura.'' 

V. The Minstrel: A native of the Moon Court with great and varied musical ability. Tasked with leading official festivities and all manner of revelry. 

''-Position held by the faerie dragon Newt.''

VI. The Leader: A native of the Moon Court who has proven themselves worthy to lead with the Moon’s Grace. 

''-Position held by the satyr Lady Celenica Luanach.''  

===The Moon-Wynteria Concord===
<blockquote>In accordance with Her Ladyship Celenica Luanach and Her Eminence Aurora Allurian, the courts of Moon and Wynteria do hereby decree an alliance. Henceforth, these courts shall ally with one another in conflicts concerning other fey houses and shall assist each other in affairs concerning mortals, should it be determined that such help is a necessity. These courts shall bear no ill will towards each other for past conflicts and shall move towards a more revelrous future in tandem. A member of the Moon Court shall not declare a geas over a member of the Wynteria Court and a member of the Wynteria Court shall not declare a geas over a member of the Moon Court. Fey pacts made between those who hail from either court shall be honored lest the violator invoke a greater curse than would be typical for violation of such a bargain. To see that the traditions of both courts are respected by the other, the Moon Court will henceforth celebrate the Day of Reflection and the Wynteria Court will henceforth celebrate the Day of the Dark Moon. Finally, Heiress Amaris Luanach and Successor Sayla Allurian shall wed. With these terms, the Moon-Wynteria alliance is sealed. 

''Lady Celenica Luanach''

''Eminence Aurora Allurian''</blockquote>

== The Compendium of Celestic Runes ==
=== I-XX ===
Celestic Rune I: The Celestic Runes art mine word and mine word true. These Runes shalt be bestowed only in the presence of mine purest light. 

Celestic Rune II: Not all of mine Celestic Runes may come as written word. Some shalt be items inscribed with symbols of mine power. These Runes shalt offer guidance as well.  

Celestic Rune III: Those who wouldst revere me art mine children, and I bestow upon mine children a name, for names doth possess great power. They shall be called the Lunar Faithful. 

Celestic Rune IV: Let it be said that I am neither god nor goddess. I am the light cast in the midst of deeds done by dark, the overseer of tides, the companion of stars, and the reflection of fire. I am one with nature, and as such I giveth and taketh away. 

Celestic Rune V: When thou dost taketh my power as thine own, thou shalt aid the replenishment of mine power through the practices of offerings, celebrations, and ceremonies. 

Celestic Rune VI: Offerings—The Lunar Faithful shalt offer to me the works of their wit, for mine power doth bestow cleverness upon them. 

Celestic Rune VII: Celebrations—The Lunar Faithful shalt dedicate days every year to the honoring of Die Tenebris Luna (The Day of the Dark Moon), Plena Luna Diebus (Full Moon Days), and Dies Caelestis Nexu (The Day of Heavenly Connection). 

Celestic Rune VIII: Ceremonies—The Lunar Faithful shalt endow their abode with mine blessing once every thirty days and shall dedicate to me their acts of wit. 

Celestic Rune IX: These are the paths that walk beneath mine name: Twilight Domain Cleric, Trickery Domain Cleric, Circle of the Moon Druid, Circle of the Stars Druid, and Lunar Sorcerer. 

Celestic Rune X: It shalt be understood that those who cease to revere me shall lose mine blessing in turn, but suffer no further penalty from me. 

Celestic Rune XI: I taketh no issue with the abidance of gods or other such higher beings. 

Celestic Rune XII: In the face of opposition to the ways my Celestic Runes hath endowed, the blessed place in the heart of my Weald shalt be revealed. 

Celestic Rune XIII: Those who wouldst seek to shun my light from the world art ones touched by both Shadow and Faerie Planes. Their name is Duskvale. My radiance shalt be their demise. 

Celestic Rune XIV: Darkness itself is no enemy of mine, for all things art in balance, just as darkness is with light. 

Celestic Rune XV: The Lunar Faithful shalt honor the sun, for it is my reflection, but I shalt take precedence in their hearts and minds. 

Celestic Rune XVI: The Lunar Faithful must offer courtesy to one another for they art all my children. 

Celestic Rune XVII: The Lunar Faithful may exist wherever they doth please, but should endeavor to seek my Weald in their lifetimes, for it is where I am closest. 

Celestic Rune XVIII: The Lunar Faithful may indulge in whatever sustenance they so wish, but foods with my blessing may bring them closer to communion with me. 

Celestic Rune XIX: The placement of a new priest or priestess of me shalt be celebrated with the imbibement of mine wine. 

Celestic Rune XX: I shalt bequeath markings directly unto the flesh of those I deem sound enough to handle such a thing.

== Lunar Faithful Beliefs ==

=== The Path of Ersa ===
[[File:Saint Ersa-ai.jpeg|thumb|Saint Ersa]]
'''Basic Beliefs'''

This path is considered heretical by the Lunar Faithful of the Cressida Weald, but it takes journeying to the Cressida Weald for beginning practitioners to venture past the initiate stage and become full-fledged Ersites. The premier belief of this path is that the moon giant Ersa Atlastja was the living, new moon aspect of the moon goddess Fengari and believers must follow in the steps she walked—making personal and impersonal sacrifices—to liberate Fengari from her lunar coma and ascend to a state of “spiritual starlight” or oneness with Fengari’s star children. The mandates Ersites must follow are harsh and it is dictated that they strike down those who would oppose them, including the Lunar Faithful should convincing them of their folly prove impractical.

'''Ethics of the Path'''

* Trace the path of Saint Ersa, ideally following in her physical footsteps as well as her spiritual ones. 
* By giving up aspects of oneself in Fengari’s name, one comes closer to achieving spiritual starlight. 
* By sacrificing aspects of others, one may draw upon greater strength and liberate oneself from the spiritual confines of the planes. 
* Destroy the enemies of Saint Ersa who yet live. 
* Attempt to liberate the Lunar Faithful from their false beliefs and kill those who will not convert. 
* Do everything within one’s power to decipher the hidden truth of Celestic Runes. 

{| class="wikitable"
|+Path of Ersa Hierarchy of Sins
!Rating
!Moral Guideline
!Rationale
|-
|10
|Killing a fellow Ersite
|Fengari will not be freed, and thus will not allow spiritual starlight, if she loses her own followers to infighting 
|-
|9
|Failing to follow in Saint Ersa’s steps
|Saint Ersa is a guide to a greater understanding of Fengari herself
|-
|8
|Hesitating to sacrifice parts of oneself 
|Hesitation shows a lack of dedication, and those who are not dedicated cannot achieve spiritual starlight
|-
|7
|Showing remorse at the sacrifice of others 
|This also demonstrates that an Ersite lacks conviction
|-
|6
|Failure to kill those who oppose Saint Ersa and the path
|Any who opposed Saint Ersa will surely oppose other Ersites
|-
|5
|Refusal to take an opportunity to convert a Lunar Faithful
|These poor fools are misguided and at least some of them can be saved
|-
|4
|Failure to pursue knowledge about the truth of Celestic Runes
|The slumbering words of Fengari must be heeded
|-
|3
|Failing to adhere to the mandates of lunar visions one receives or is made aware of through other Ersites
|These are Fengari’s attempts to directly guide her followers regardless of how vague the instruction may appear
|-
|2
|Failing to follow the path to assist others
|Those who have not converted should be disregarded
|-
|1
|Channeling power from the moon as though it is one’s own 
|Fengari will not suffer having her power stolen when she needs it to emerge from her lunar coma
|}
'''Classes Blessed by the Path of Ersa'''

* Bard (College of Glamour, College of Lore): College of Glamour Bards learn to weave the magic of the Feywild into their songs, and their closeness to the fey makes them better suited to convert the Lunar Faithful of the Cressida Weald. College of Lore Bards are adept at discovering lost lore and thus are a boon to others studying the Path of Ersa because they may better understand how to retrace Saint Ersa’s steps or decipher the truth hidden beneath the surface lies of Celestic Runes. 

* Druid (Circle of Stars, Circle of Dreams): Circle of Stars Druids who abide the Path of Ersa can see the will of Fengari’s star children in the heavens—they are welcome followers since gaining power from the stars rather than the moon is permissible. Circle of Dreams Druids are also in touch with the fey and can infiltrate the dreams of enemies to learn more of them before killing them. 

* Fighter (Arcane Archer, Champion, Rune Knight): Arcane Archers are skilled in discovering lore and channeling that acquired knowledge into their arrows—this allows them to be skilled at acquiring and deciphering Celestic Runes. To call oneself a Champion of Ersa or Fengari and find strength in that title is a good thing. Rune Knights study the ways of giants, allowing them to better understand the ways of Saint Ersa; they can also gain power from the study of Celestic Runes. 

* Rogue (Arcane Trickster, Assassin, Phantom): Arcane Tricksters are valued in much the same way as Arcane Archers. Assassins are trained in the art of killing and thus can put an end to those who oppose Saint Ersa as well as other Ersites. Phantom Rogues can gain power from those they kill on their path and turning sacrifice into power is a core tenet of following Saint Ersa. 

'''Classes Shunned by the Path of Ersa'''

* Cleric (All Domains): Drawing power from Fengari is forbidden; to draw power from other gods would be to forsake Fengari. 

* Druid (Circle of the Moon): Drawing energy from the moon is the same as sapping power from Fengari. 

* Sorcerer (Lunar Sorcery): Sorcerers blessed by the Moon are still unconsciously stealing Fengari’s power. 

* Warlock (All Patrons): Tying oneself to another entity prevents one from fully serving Fengari. 

==Court History==

=== The Amber Red Rebellion ===
Two-hundred years ago, the founders of the Moon Court lived in a Seelie section of the Feywild called the Amber Glade. Although all Seelie fey are ruled by the Summer Queen Titania, smaller, individual domains tended to be overseen by Archfey appointed to their positions by the Queen. The ruler of the Amber Glade was a summer eladrin who had released themselves from their humanoid constraints to embrace their fey heritage and become an Archfey. This eladrin’s name was Lord Gallias Brightdew. He ruled the Amber Glade with a vanity common amongst Archfey, but one day made the mistake of trying to take the satyr Celenica Luanach as his wife. Celenica had spent her days in the Amber Court performing as a bard, and though her singing and lyre-playing was phenomenal, her true passion was not with being on stage, but with experimenting to see how the magic of a bard’s song could impact the souls of those around her. So dedicated was Celenica to her arcane research that she hardly took any notice of Lord Brightdew, so when he proposed she turned him away for she hardly knew him. Lord Brightdew grew angry at her refusal and decided to take away the research she valued so highly by outlawing soul interference or experimentation in the Amber Court. Celenica’s response was to simply leave the Amber Glade.

''(According to Lady Luanach, the likelihood of the Amber Court approving escalations in soul experimentation was low, and so a separation—regardless of the outcome of Lord Brightdew’s proposal—was likely inevitable).'' 

Surprisingly for Lord Brightdew, Celenica’s songs and soul research had inspired quite the following and there were many who left with her. Among Celenica’s followers was the faerie dragon Newt. In the Amber Court, Newt’s cleverness was often overlooked in favor of treating him, and other faerie dragons, like a common household pets. This was another one of Lord Brightdew’s blunders. Newt had accrued a great many secrets in his time being doted on as though he were senseless, and under Celenica’s tutelage he learned the ways of the bard, quickly becoming capable of weaving secrets into weaponized words. Celenica was not the only one who had grievances with Lord Brightdew’s decree against soul research. Another eladrin, a cleric named Cosmystia Lunari, had been deeply intrigued by the effects that minor soul tampering could have on healing. She was making great strides in finding more effective healing methods before her research was banned entirely. Naturally, she was among those who chose to leave, and she and Celenica became fast friends. Of course, their departure was not met with peace. Lord Brightdew gathered his own forces and prepared to force those who would abandon his court to remain. He tracked the Amber traitors, as Celenica’s group were dubbed, to the place where they had set up camp with plans to either drag them back or kill them. Unfortunately for Lord Brightdew, Celenica, Cosmystia, and Newt had predicted such a tactic and set up the camp as a decoy while they looped back around to the Amber Glade. The soldiers that had remained in the glade were slaughtered in an event that stained the grass with blood, earning the rebellion the title the Amber Red Rebellion. Lord Brightdew attempted to chase the rebels from his home, but was strategically outclassed, and an Archfey cannot rule a court wherein all those below them are dead, so he surrendered and agreed to let them leave peacefully. The Amber Red Rebellion was incredibly short, lasting for approximately one year. 

=== The Making of a Court ===
After leaving Lord Brightdew’s court, the rebels were faced with the complicated issue of trying to find a new home within the Feywild. This was a complicated matter as they would have been disadvantaged if they attempted to enter into another court: stragglers from other courts are rarely accepted, and when they are, the toll paid is often bearing the weight of a heavy geas. Led by Celenica and Cosmystia, the group wandered toward the even wilder parts of the plane—the areas inhabited by Unseelie fey. They eventually came across an overgrown cottage guarded by malformed displacer beasts and blink dogs. The displacer beasts had tentacles where their eyes were supposed to be, strange crystals growing out of their backs, and stitches holding their limbs in place. The blink dogs were also covered in crystals and they had snarling mouths in place of eyes along with heads a bit too big for their bodies. A coven of three annis hags soon emerged from the cottage, cowing the animals and inviting the rebels to come in. Something was strange about these hags—it was almost as though they had expected the group to arrive. Celenica said that she and she alone would venture into the hags’ abode in order to keep the others from harm. Cosmystia and Newt objected, but Celenica ignored them for their own sake. Once inside, Celenica quickly set about entertaining the three hags by playing an enchanting song on her lyre and singing, sewing words that subtly suggested that she and the hags abide by the Old Way and speak in full honesty. The hags, impressed by Celenica’s abilities, revealed that they had conducted a ritual to foresee the arrival of Celenica and the others because they were in search of those who might be powerful enough to assist them. Apparently, one of their covenmates, Erma Goodgrove, was being held by an enraged dryad. In exchange for the return of their covenmate, the hags would grant Celenica a favor of her choosing. Knowing that the wandering rebels needed allies, Celenica agreed to the deal. Thus, a pact between fey was made.  

Erma was being held inside the Selenic Oak of the Cressida Weald: a Feywild demiplane that had to be accessed by going through a portal. The hags gave Celenica directions to the portal, which was at the edge of the Unseelie wilds, in a spot known as the Empyreal Lowlands. Newt, utilizing his small size and faerie dragon invisibility, took a few rebels and scouted ahead, swiftly securing a path for the others to pass through. The way to the Empyreal Lowlands was relatively peaceful thanks to Newt’s work, but they did encounter a pesky group of fairies who were looking to hinder their progress as punishment for them passing through their territory. These fairies laid several traps and illusions for the group, only growing frustrated by Celenica and Cosmystia’s joint ability to direct their party through trouble with little issue. Eventually, this escalated into full-blown conflict, but not the fighting kind. Rather, the fairies proposed a series of games and declared that the victors would have the right to geas the losers. After some debate, the rebels agreed. It would be best two of three.  

'''The First Game: A Contest of Riddles (The Fairy Ingeni vs the Bard Celenica).''' 

Ingeni went first, claiming it was their right since Celenica was in their turf. They asked, “What is the cousin of death?” 

Celenica replied, “Sleep, of course.” She was correct and it was now her turn to ask. “What stands while you sit?” 

“A chair.” Ingeni smirked, thinking that they could easily out-riddle Celenica if this was all she was capable of coming up with. “What is the mother of shadows, though some say they chase them away?” 

“Light.” Celenica merely smiled as she answered. “What has a bottom at the top?” 

“Your legs.” Ingeni had needed to think about that one for a moment, but they remained confident. “The poor have it. The rich need it. You die if you eat it. What is it?” 

“Nothing.” Celenica remained calm as ever, even as she took her time to think of another question. “What needs the help of another just to be seen?” 

Ingeni lit up as an answer came to them. “Your eyes. What can you hold in your right hand but never in your left hand?” 

Celenica thought, then placed her left hand in her right. “Your left hand.” Her mouth quirked a bit, forming into a sly grin. “What watches over all, but is no god? What shines, except for when it doesn’t and is seen except for when it isn’t?” 

Ingeni furrowed their brow. “…” Ingeni thought and thought, but they ran out of time just as they realized what it was. “Wait, it’s the-,”

“The moon, yes.” Celenica bowed to her opponent. “Unfortunately for you, it looks like I win.” 

Ingeni cursed and stomped off.  

'''The Second Game: A Contest of Song (The Fairy Mystie vs. The Bard Newt)'''  

Mystie emerged to meet Newt with several handrums surrounding her, and they glimmered with magic as she began her song. She sang the old favorite “To Love a Fey” which was first sung by a changeling minstrel who a feylost human fell into a superficial love with. 

''“Oh, to love a fey true''

''How foolish, what these mortals do.''

''For they make their bargains'' 

''And bear our tokens''

''Yet love each other, too.''

''To love a fey''

''To take the name,''

''But trust beloved, do:  '' 

''To never trust,''

''To stay the same,'' 

''Lest I take yours too soon.'' 

''With lover’s kiss'' 

''We share our tricks,''

''And rend our hearts wide.''

''‘Tis all for kicks''

''Our huddled bliss''

''Just like the satyr’s stride.''

''To love a bloody, bloody heart''

''One must be all true.''

''So speak with part'' 

''Old Way and New'' 

''And let love’s blossoms stew.''

''But fey or not,'' 

''My little love,''

''I will not be fooled.”''

Mystie embodied the essence of fleeting, romantic fervor with every drum beat and every clear, quick note. Newt responded to the display by taking but a single lyre and beginning to strum a melody. He sang a lesser known song: “Dying’s a Funny Thing”, first sung by a hobgoblin who returned from an adventure of self-reflection to find their entire legion slaughtered and was subsequently hysterical. 

''“Death, one, two''

''Count the calling''

''When it comes to you.''

''Death, three, four''

''Count the calling.''

''Such a chore.''

''Can’t you see it?''

''The far light divine?''

''If you don’t see it, well,'' 

''That’s a funny find.'' 

''Death, five, six,'' 

''Count the calling''

''Know you’re next.'' 

''Death, seven, eight''

''When’s that calling?'' 

''Don’t be late.'' 

''Can’t you see it?''

''That far flung void?''

''If you don’t see it, well,'' 

''I’m hardly joyed.''

''Oh,''

''Count the corpses''

''One by two by three.''

''Oh,''

''Don the vigil''

''Hope can’t set them free.''

''Ah,''

''Don the vigil'' 

''So I can see them off.''

''Ah,''

''Count the corpses'' 

''It’s true enough—don’t scoff.''

''Soon you’ll be as I am,''

''All waterlogged up there.''

''Soon you’ll hear them perish''

''And stop breathing air.”''

Newt filled his voice with a mix of hysteria and hopeless delusion, creating an eerie atmosphere with every strum and haunting tone. Due to the excellence of both performances, the contest was declared a draw. 
[[Category:Location]]
[[Category:Fey]]
[[Category:Wicked Wilds]]
[[Category:Into the Greedy Green]]