Epherith, the Emerald Eye

Epherith is one of Aliria's natural astronomical satellites orbiting the planet, tidally locked, much like its sister moon, Kilara. Epherith is significantly closer to its parent planet than its sister moon making it appear larger than it is. Sitting so much closer, the moon is responsible for the planet's tidal patterns. Epherith is the solar system's ninth-largest astronomical satellite.


Giving off a slight green hue from its highly reflective surface, the moon is often referred to as the Emerald Eye. Its phase cycle lasts thirty days, with its position making its phases slightly off from Kilara's, and once every thirty days the illusion of two full moons can be seen. This is subsequently the day where Epherith shines the brightest green.


Once a millennia, rings form around the moon. A yellow-icy ring around the equator horizontally as well as a reddened-orange ring vertically around the poles. With no explanation, many people throughout history have created myths surrounding the phenomena. Some say it's the coming of an important holy figure, while some say the ring is a chain binding the moon together as if it's being torn apart from within. No mage or scholar has figured out a way to explore the surface of the moon, but efforts are being made to solve the puzzle of the various rings around the moon.


The moon has even inspired a small religion based on an individual of the same name. There are no texts explaining the origin of the name, but for as long as people have worshipped anything, they have worshipped the moons and the Goddess Epherith. This worship has been the main driving point for scientific research not just relative to the moon itself, but also the sky around and beyond.

Alternative Name(s)

The Emerald Eye

Type

Planetoid / Moon