Moon-Eater Eclipse
A few short years ago, eclipses on our world were just like they are on other worlds. The moon occluded the sun or the world cast a shadow on the moon. In the past few years two moons have risen into the sky and the Celestial Gluttons of myth have awoken with them! Eclipses are now a world wide emergency. The Moon Eater Protocols must be taken very seriously!
The Az-damned Gluttons have woken up and we all have a responsibility to turn them away. It wasn't enough that we had Shatter every week to deal with, but now we have to go outside and bang on pots and pans every time the sun or moon goes out! What's next??
Before the rise of the Hidden Moon and Silversong Moon, eclipses were a simple natural event that occured every few years. Scholars studied them scientifically and mages used them to boost certain magical effects. But the rise of the new moons proved that the ancient myths around the Seven Moons and the Celestial Gluttons were true.
Now eclipses of the the sun or moon summon the ancient kaiju from their mythic sleep. They emerge from their hiding places beneath the waves, in volcanos, or from some unknown dimension. They rise into the sky, their immensity blotting out all vision as they follow their apocalyptic impulse to feast on the light.
I suspected that a new moon would summon the Gluttons, but when a third moon rose, I knew it was inevitable. I'm just glad that my warnings were heeded.
The first eclipse of the sun took us by surprise. The Hidden Moon just leaped in front of the sun. The sky tore open and the Minokawa screamed out of it. Our eyes saw a giant eagle, but I could feel the wrongness of it in my chest. That is no eagle.
Thankfully, the old ways worked. We distracted it with gongs and bells, bright lights and fireworks. We confused it long enough for the eclipse to end and for it to be pulled back into the tear in the sky.
Eclipses in a Time of Three Moons
The first Shattered Moon still follows her old schedule around the world. Shattered Moon eclipses are predictable and mapped out for millenia. The wizards are still puzzling out the patterns of the Silversong Moon. The Hidden Moon's orbit It follows a pattern for a few months, but then shifts unexpectedly. They suspect that it is controlled by the will of the god Malfador.
The first eclipse of the New Lunar Age occurred shortly after the Hidden Moon's Apotheosis. The clockwork moon appeared to leap in the sky to block out the sun. In response a tear in reality opened up and the aberrant eagle known as the Minokawa emerged for the first time in living memory.
Luckily the wise woman Lola Carly had been warning of this eventuality since the new moons appeared. She had been advising everyone to prepare fireworks, loud noises, and their flashiest spells. While the Gluttons were a danger to all of reality, they were also stupid and easily distractable.
When the Minokawa appeared the people of the world were ready. They set off fireworks and sent fireballs up into the air. The bird-brained "eagle" snapped at sparks and was distracted by the loud gongs and bells. Before it could turn it's attention to the true sun, the eclipse ended and the Minokawa was pulled back out of reality.
The Moon-Eater Protocols
With the advent of the new moons and the return of the Gluttons, the people of Erathia, and the Zone in particular, have enacted what are known as the "Moon-Eater Protocols". Whenever an eclipse happens an alarm goes off on everyone's ident-a-hedrons. The entire population goes outside to drive the Glutton away.
With a tremendous roar, a huge feline shape as large as a mountain, the Arimaonga leaped from the Pit. The playful kaiju spirit cat blacked out the sun as it hunted the moon. All ident-a-hedrons flared to life and blared out a warning: “MOON EATER IDENTIFIED! ALL PERSONS INITIATE MOON EATER PROTOCOL!”
The Kirinalos burst into action. They came outside and spelllcasters sent their loudest spells into the sky. The bells on every temple began to ring. Crowds stood in the streets clanking swords, slamming shields, banging pots and pans with any utensils at hand.
Luckily, the lion's intelligence was the inverse of its size. It turned towards the sounds and snapped at illusory lights in the air. In a few minutes, as the eclipse ended and the Arimoanga faded back into the heaven it had come from.
Eclipse Aftercare
After an eclipse and the manifestation of a moon-eater, the terrified citizens of the world usually need to calm down. In the Zone, it is traditional for every drinking establishment to give out a free round of drinks. Everyone flocks to the nearest tavern and pub to reap their reward. Of course, you can't have just one drink! The barkeeps and waitstaff of the Zone look forward to the after-eclipse traffic when they usually make the most money from relieved Kirinalos eating, drinking, and leaving generous tips.
I love the idea of distracting the gluttons with loud noises and bright lights. :)
Explore Etrea | WorldEmber
My parents would literally do this when they were kids in the Philippines! I'm just bringing it over into my worldbuilding!
Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!
I love that you do that <3
Explore Etrea | WorldEmber