The Campaign Builder's Guild

I have officially killed the ring satellite idea in favor of meteorites bearing minerals with magic enhancing properties.  Just so you know.

In that case I would go with limetom's idea and make it a comet.

Quote from: NomadicIn that case I would go with limetom's idea and make it a comet.

Yes, there are comets.  I haven't delved into that aspect of the cosmology, yet.  If the comet could account for the meteroites I don't mind attributing them to it.  The comets would have great religious and perhaps magical significance (other than the meteroites).

would make for interesting mythology I think, a blood red comet that showers the world with destruction at each passing. Perhaps the meteorites from it, when they strike the ground set off a blast of demonic energy that weakens the bonds nearby that hold such creatures in check. Just a thought anyhow.

Quote from: Nomadicwould make for interesting mythology I think, a blood red comet that showers the world with destruction at each passing. Perhaps the meteorites from it, when they strike the ground set off a blast of demonic energy that weakens the bonds nearby that hold such creatures in check. Just a thought anyhow.

I think I am going to keep both and change the twin moons into twin stars.  I am working on it now, and I'll post it a little later.

Quotewould make for interesting mythology I think, a blood red comet that showers the world with destruction at each passing.

... Reminds me of Anne McCaffery's Pern series.

Quote from: PorkletNOTE:  Not Hooter's girls or Playmates...

I was thinking more about Uma Thermon and Milla Jovovich....

Quote from: Porklet1.  Memnona & Myrgla, the Twin Moons:  These moons tumble over each other in the sky on a fixed orbit.  When one is full the other is also, etc.  They are high in the sky and far from the surface.  They appear as symbols in religions the world over.  I am wondering how they might affect the tides and currents?  I don't know how binary satellites work, but if anyone has some insight that might help flesh it out more, that would be appreciated.  I want some subtle effects, if any.

This sounds like you have two have a pair of binary moons orbiting a point that itself orbits the planet.  If they're that far from the planet and typical for what we see around rocky planets (Earth's moon is abnormally large), they'll probably act as a single gravity well with the mass of the two moons combined acting from the point the spin around.  You can figure the tides form there; I know there are websites online that have data and formulae for calculating tides.

Quote from: Porklet2.  Lushar, the Crimson Moon:  This moon is a striking red with some white, seemingly glowing, features.  It is commonly associated with Argulite (demonic) magic and does affect its cycles.  It was used as a symbol for a world-spanning empire, the Lusharite Empire, that used demonic powers to seduce and conquer its "holdings".  It does not follow a "fixed" orbit, and its distance from the surface varies.  It follows a pattern, but in terms of human life it is random (the pattern is over the course of millions of years).  It can hover in the sky for years and then disappear for centuries.  These are two extreme examples.  It has an extreme effect on tides, weather patterns, currents, and magic cycles (as mentioned above).  I am looking for ideas on what type of effects might take place.  It was in the sky for several decades several years ago so it might not return anytime soon, but when it does I wanted to implement some particularly destructive and inventive effects.  Any ideas?

This sounds much like a very eccentric orbit, as was mentioned, like that of a comet.  If it's completely random, let's just spitball effects of when it's around.

Extreme Tides imply that it is either very close to the planet's surface, which would result in it appearing very large.  By some law or limit I can't remember the name of, it'd probably top out at being about two to four times the viewable size of our moon before it'd crash into the planet or be torn apart by tidal forces.  If it's a certain color, it could cast a really weird light on teh planet when it's in the sky.  Alternatively, it is just very dense and massive.  This would lead to a smaller moon that is the size of our moon (in terms of viewing) or smaller.

In terms of magical effect, from what you've said, it could be extremely arbitrary and just do whatever is needed to benefit her cultists at that time.  It'd probalby be best to make it specific to each appearance but offer oblique assistance, so as to confuse the PCs a little unless they're clever.

Quote from: Porklet3.  Hemra, the World's Belt:  This is a ring satellite.  I am going back and forth on whether to include this one at all.  Are rings visible from the surface?  If so, what do they look like?  These are actual questions and not just musings.  I had envisioned the ring being associated with the Elder God Orum.  He is magic incarnate.  The materials from the ring give bonuses to casting in the form of increased duration, range, and power.  It can also reduce FP costs.  It is also necessary for certain high powered spells and rituals.  Would debris from a ring fall to the earth?  If Lushar were to move thru the ring what effect would that have?

This one got covered pretty well already, so I'll elave it be.

My fantasy world has three moons and an extensive ring system. It was created by gods, it doesn't have to follow the laws of physics. That's what gods are all about - they are the ultimate supernatural power. It's cosmetics anyway. It's my personal belief that as long as your world is internally consistent, you don't have to follow the laws of physics too closely.

The limit Raven is referring to is the Roche limit. If a moon orbits too closely, tidal forces will rip it apart.

Thanks, nils.  Was drawing a total blank last night.  Then again I wrote that after I got home from St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Some other things that are intersting, even though would likely not occur in nature:  A super-light black hole for a moon--perahps make it a naked singularity; then you can make up anything you want for real and no one can contest you.  A rogue planetoid on an essentric orbit around the sun that crosses the planets path and occassionally--probably seemingly at random--pulls a slingshot maneuver around the planet, changing both orbits (lots of catastrophic effects would ensue).  A moon could magically have rings.  The polar light shows could be quite spectactular if your planet has rings, considering the aurora would be punctuated with falling stars, which brings up the point that falling stars would be very mundane (unlike the omen they were in our history).

Just some more thoughts.  Hope they spark something.

P.S.  Just what the rings would look like would depend on where the rings circle the planet (likely the equator), and the latitude from which you are viewing them.  If they circle the equator and you are at the equator, they'd be a thin line.  If you're standing in Canada, they'd be potentially spectactular.  Also remember that Saturn's rings do have a few moons in them.  It all depends on the scale of the ring system and the size of the moons.  Lastly, yes the Roche limit will keep things realistic, but don't forget you're working with a fantasy world.  "The gods made it that way" is a reasonable explination.

Quote from: Raven BloodmoonLastly, yes the Roche limit will keep things realistic, but don't forget you're working with a fantasy world.  "The gods made it that way" is a reasonable explanation.

Which means fun things like a moon that hovers 100 meters above the face of the world as it travels along.

If that's what Porklet would like, then yes, it does.  Of course, he'll have soem whopping big tides and rather wide U-shaped valleys where the moon bashed its way through the local elevation.

Quote from: Raven BloodmoonIf that's what Porklet would like, then yes, it does.  Of course, he'll have soem whopping big tides and rather wide U-shaped valleys where the moon bashed its way through the local elevation.

I don't think I want to take it that far.  I have, however, finally finished the major highpoints of celestial bodies for my setting:

1)  Kalil:  The sun, it permeates human religious symbolism throughout the known world, and it is the principal symbol and harbinger of the Elder God Etheb.  Some cultures that have been tainted by Argul or even warped and fallen Ethebian sources fear and revile the sun.  Most notably the peoples of Ba', Seph Oora, Nimbraal, Thuvenhome, and the Muatha of Kyth.

2)  Caraptos, Herma, & Eidren Ern:  These comets travel past the planet in independent extended orbits.  Caraptos appears small in the sky, and its prevalent hue is red with a purplish trail.  Herma and Eidren Ern are both white in appearance with light blue trails.  Herma appears slightly larger than Caraptos, but Eidren Ern is massive; seemingly five times the size of both of the other comets.  Caraptos passes close every 1,543 days (123 past the 4 year mark), and it rides the skies for 9 days.  Herma travels past every 5,804 days (44 days past the 16 year mark), and is visible for 18 days.  Eidren Ern arrives back at Arsk every 20,236 days (76 days past the 56 year mark), and can be seen with the naked eye for only 3 days.  All three comets herald windows of magical aptitude according to the Orumite Way, and the accompanying meteorite storms bring with it Xetic crystal and stone; which is a magical enhancer and can replace many components used for spell casting and rituals.      

3)  Memnona & Myrgla:  The Twin Moons are a binary satellite and tumble over each other in the sky.  Their orbits are always an equal distance and the two never pass between each other and the earth below.  Although the moons do appear in religious symbolism around the world they do not have any affect on magic casting or ceremonies.  Some orders do utilize the phases of these moons to coordinate rituals spread out throughout the land; thereby effectively creating a mana flow.

4)  Lushar:  This crimson moon follows a wildly varying orbit and is prominent in the night sky.  Although it always travels west to east (opposite of both Kalil and the Twin Moons) the orbit varies in velocity and distance from the surface.  Lushar can seemingly hover overhead for a decade and then disappear over the horizon for a century.  During the periods where Lushar is visible, day or night, the tides are more violent and strong along with wild and powerful weather patterns.  There is also a growing number of supernatural occurrences during this time; this can be attributed to the effect the satellite has on demonic rituals and observances.  The moon always appears full due to an inherent crimson luminescence, and when it is in a lower orbit the night takes on a reddish tint.  This effect is lessened the higher in the sky Lushar chooses to appear.  Its phases form the Lusharite religious calendar; which is also wildly varying, and only the greatest of Lusharite priests could predict its course.  It was also used as the primary symbol for the Nedarian controlled Lusharite Empire.  In human culture the moon symbolizes dark and unwanted powers and entities.   It, in fact, has direct effects on demonic magic based on its phase, the presence of any of the three comets, and during a lunar or solar eclipse.

5)  Garion & His Sisters  This collection of  bright and constant stars in the north are also the subject of religious devotion and are utilized by navigators the world over.  Garion is the brightest along with Giira, Hathea, and Aiduna, the Sisters.  The four form a rudimentary pyramid with Garion, the brightest, in the center of the base.  Although the names sometimes vary from civilization to civilization the names above are elven names and are known throughout the lands.  They are sometimes used as a focus for ritual magic, but they do not have any real effect on the casting.  Some sages speculate that the proliferation of pyramids and triangular shapes in architecture and religion can be attributed to this celestial phenomena.

6)  Arkailian Record, the:  Many civilizations have found images in the stars, but the most widely accepted map of  constellations was created by the Kythians.  They are the premier merchants and sailors of the world.  From their home in the arctic northwest you can find representatives of Kythian Trading Houses in nearly every port.  Although their interpretation of the night sky has been used as a basis for a minor religion and navigation it has no extraordinary effect on the normal order of things.

I appreciate all of the ideas and suggestions to date, and I am always happy to receive feedback, good or bad.  So feel free to make any comments or kick around any ideas you wish.  This is a subject I never tire of.

What happens if a comet is eclipsed?  What happens if Memnona and Myrgla are ecplised?  Has one ever been eclipsed without the other (like a partial that never reaches the other moon)?  What happenned then?  What happens when Kalil is eclipsed?  It is an omen?  What sort?  Is Lushar ever eclipsed and if so, what does that mean?  Do the stars hold any powers (i.e. Lovecraft or perhaps less evil)?  Is there a zodiac?  What does it mean?  How is the day divided up?  Do certain times of day/night have special significance or effect on magic?  What magical holidays are there, if any?  Are they fixed or do they follow some complicated pattern?  What sort of calendar is used?  Do lunar calendars and solar ones match up or is there a difference (like in the real world)?

If you really want 101 questions, I dare you to mention the Spanish Inqusition.  ;)

Quote from: Nomadic

Quite!  I'll be right back.