Moons and Magic

In the skies above Olisphis hang four moons; the Twins, Ahia and Mindea; Kutneas; and Irtix. Ahia's cycle is around eleven days from full to full, while Mindea's is roughly a fourteen day cycle. Kutneas has a seventeen day cycle, and Irtix has a cycle of approximately twenty-one day cycle from full to full. When all four moons are full at the same time, it is called a Night of Magic, and a night with four new moons is a Night of Emptiness.

Magic in Olisphis comes from the moons; with each moon lending its power to a specific type of magic. Ahian Magic is day to day magic over the oceans; most sailor's magic is Ahian. Mindean Magic is similar to Ahian magic, but with power over the land instead of the seas. Most occupational magic on land is Mindean Magic. Kutnean Magic is healing and protective magic, often used by doctors. Finally, Irtixian Magic is combat and battle magic, mostly only used by hunters and warriors.

As each moon waxes, the magic it grants grows stronger, while waning causes the magic to weaken. Hence, Nights of Magic are nights when all magics are at their strongest, and some claim that miraculous things happen on these nights. Meanwhile, Nights of Emptiness make every type of magic weaker. All magic is always slightly stronger at night. Mages often keep detailed calenders tracking the moon cycles, so they always know the best day for any sort of magic.

Different religions have different beliefs about the four moons. Followers of the Arvini religion, for example, believe that the moons are the daughters of Ednera, goddess of night and magic. On the other hand, Eytrozoryans consider each of the moons a god or goddess of their own. There are even rumors of a belief system somewhere in the Northern Ocean that worships the moons themselves.