Catha (KATH-uh)

Catha is the larger and closer of Exandria's two moons, considered the primary moon. The phrase "lunar cycle" commonly refers to Catha's cycles. It is associated with Sehanine the Moonweaver.

Though often depicted close to each other, Catha and its counterpart Ruidus Ruidus have different orbits and can appear in different points in the sky.

Appearance and Cycle

Catha appears as a large, crater-pocked pale orb that cycles through its phases once per month. Its brightness is constant, its phases predictable. It cycles through its phases once a month, unlike its ominous vermillion counterpart.

Mythology and Study

Symbolism

Catha functions as a symbol of the Sehanine the Moonweaver. Most believe Sehanine created Catha to bless the just with cunning and caution and to cloak those who need stealth and subtlety. Other followers of Sehanine identify Catha with the Moonweaver's cunning and grace, posing an alternative to the general association of the deity with trickery and illusions. They understand the light of Catha to favor the goodhearted.

While the light of Catha can hide, its connection with revelation is also prevalent. Folklore holds that Sehanine grants her worshippers who invoke Catha inspired dreams and knowledge of hidden paths. A small Syngornian sect of the cult of the Moonweaver derives a moral imperative from the predictability of the lunar cycle to safeguard balance and calm order in the world. Furthermore, Catha's association with balance and order leads this sect to juxtapose Catha with the ill-fated chaos of Ruidus.

Astronomy

Elven astronomers track the lunar cycles of Catha to predict the largest full moon of the decade, during which night the followers of Sehanine observe her holy day.

Magical Phenomena

Catha's lunar cycles affect entities with bestial curses, especially nocturnal creatures. Furthermore, the lunar cycle of Catha influences entities with lycanthropy, while Ruidus apparently has little to no effect on such curses. In addition to curses, Catha's light can interact with necromantic magic during the full moon phase. Reports exist of Catha's light coinciding with the raising of undead soldiers from the Battle of the Umbra Hills in Tal'Dorei.

Extrar Phenomena

The lunar cycles of Catha connect to other beings, which may include demons per the speculation of Cobalt Soul archivists and others. Some worry that rare double solar eclipses, in which both Catha and Ruidus eclipse the sun simultaneously, cause the Material Plane and other planes to intersect calamitously.



[credit to Critical Role]

Type: Planetoid / Moon