Moon of Innistrad | |
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Information | |
Plane | Innistrad |
The Moon of Innistrad, also called the Moon of Silver[1] or Heron Moon[2], is a controversial entity in Innistrad: a source of hope and a harbinger of misfortune at the same time.
Nature of the Moon[ | ]
Many wise astronomers believe the moon is a vast desert made of pure silver, and all the silver in Innistrad comes from the moon. The magical substance is therefore known as Moonsilver.[3] The priests and Cathars know of the special power that blessed silver has, both on werewolves and also on other horrors. Thus, the moon has been associated with the divine power of the Archangel Avacyn.
Some even believe to see a heron form in the dark and bright areas of the moon, so with time, the heron has become the symbol of Avacyn as well.[4] But the full moon can also slow the protective magic, and generate effects as terrifying as the transformation of the werewolves. The "silver fickle" moon seems to serve humanity as well as carrying out the worst evils and nightmares in the face of the plane.
Aspects of the Moon[ | ]
Humans have given names to the different aspects of the moon because of their strange influence on the world, from the changing seasons to the strength or weakness of certain magical powers and species.[1] The planeswalker Tamiyo was particularly enamored with the mysteries of Innistrad and its silver moon. Observing them for many cycles she carefully charted the forces at work here, including the moon's influence on the lycanthropic curse and the ebb and flow of the vampire frenzies.[5]
The Harvest Moon[ | ]
The Harvest Moon represents autumn in Innistrad, a huge orange/red blood moon hanging in the night sky. The days are much shorter, the weather cools with the passing of days and the woods are full of vibrant colors. This station is where the vampires are believed to reach the fullness of their power. Bonfires are common during harvest time when farmers come to work late, even after sunset.
Some believe the bonfires keep away the vampires...
Hunter's Moon[ | ]
The Hunter's Moon represents the middle of the winter in Innistrad. The cold air never leaves and the apex of the sun remains always on the horizon. This is the longest season of the plane and is the time when food is scarce. Hunters must venture into the forests in search of their food, which determines the best time when various atrocities are encouraged to attack humans.
Some believe that this Moon is the one that empowers the werewolves, based on increased attacks of these abominations in towns and roads.
New Moon[ | ]
The New Moon is the closest to the spring in Innistrad but in turn the shortest of all. The days are longer and the sun is shining, though still pale in comparison to other planes. Forests grow and revitalize; perhaps due to this, all human beings consider this stage of the Moon as the "new life and birth" stage.
Babies born under the tutelage of the "New Moon" are considered sacred and are believed to have a better chance to reach the Blessed Sleep.
Emrakul in the Moon[ | ]
The Eldrazi titan Emrakul willingly let herself be sealed in Innistrad's moon, after telling Jace that she, "didn't want to play anymore," and, "It was not her time. Not yet."[6]
Eternal Night[ | ]
During the Eternal Night, the moon was kept in place by ancient magic.[7] With Sorin Markov's assistance, Arlinn and the Gatewatch managed to recover the Moonsilver Key from Olivia Voldaren. They hastened their return to the Celestus to complete the ritual to banish the Eternal Night. When the Moonsilver Key and the Sungold Lock were joined, a flash of light flooded the Celestus. It was warm as sunlight, and the Celestus roared to life, shaking off centuries of overgrowth. With each passing of the arms, the light increased in intensity. Eventually, only a single column remained, running from the Celestus to the moon itself. When the light faded, the moon had already begun its descent. The balance between night and day was restored.[8]
In-game references[ | ]
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Arlinn, the Moon's Fury
- Bound by Moonsilver
- Full Moon's Rise
- Howling Moon
- Imprisoned in the Moon
- Lunar Frenzy
- Lunar Mystic
- Lunar Rejection
- Moon Heron
- Moonlight Geist
- Moonlit Ambusher
- Moonmist
- Moonrage Brute
- Moonscarred Werewolf
- Moonveil Dragon
- Moonveil Regent
- Paraselene
- Unnatural Moonrise
- Waxing Moon
- Depicted in:
- Afflicted Deserter / Werewolf Ransacker
- Alpha Brawl
- Angel of Eternal Dawn
- Angelic Overseer
- Angelic Quartermaster
- Archdemon of Greed
- Archghoul of Thraben
- Arrogant Outlaw
- Ashmouth Hound
- Baithook Angler / Hook-Haunt Drifter
- Ballista Wielder
- Bane of Hanweir
- Baneclaw Marauder
- Bat Whisperer
- Bloodbat Summoner
- Bloodline Keeper / Lord of Lineage
- Bloodtithe Collector
- Bloodvial Purveyor
- Burn at the Stake
- Cemetery Prowler
- Chandra, Dressed to Kill
- Cleaver Skaab
- Convicted Killer / Branded Howler
- Corpse Traders
- Courageous Outrider
- Courier Bat
- Cryptolith Fragment
- Dauntless Avenger
- Deadeye Navigator
- Departed Soulkeeper
- Descend upon the Sinful
- Devils' Playground
- Dire-Strain Brawler
- Dire-Strain Demolisher
- Dire-Strain Rampage
- Diregraf Rebirth
- Dominating Vampire
- Doomed Traveler
- Dreamroot Cascade
- Drownyard Amalgam
- Duel for Dominance
- Emrakul, the World Anew
- Erupting Dreadwolf
- Falcon Abomination
- Falkenrath Pit Fighter
- Fearsome Werewolf
- Fibrous Entangler
- Fiend of the Shadows
- Firmament Sage
- Flameheart Werewolf
- Flame Channeler / Embodiment of Flame
- Gatstaf Howler
- Ghost Quarter (Innistrad)
- Ghouls' Night Out
- Grave Bramble
- Grizzled Outcasts
- Harvester of Souls
- Headless Rider
- Helvault
- Henrika, Infernal Seer
- Hinterland Hermit / Hinterland Scourge
- Homestead Courage
- Hollowhenge Huntmaster
- Howl of the Hunt
- Howlpack Avenger
- Howlpack of Estwald
- Howlpack Resurgence
- Humble the Brute
- Hunger of the Howlpack
- Hungry Ridgewolf
- Hysterical Blindness
- Imperious Mindbreaker
- Jacob Hauken, Inspector
- Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge
- Kessig Wolfrider
- Krallenhorde Howler
- Krallenhorde Killer
- Lambholt Harrier
- Lambholt Ravager
- Lanterns' Lift
- Leeching Lurker
- Liliana, the Last Hope
- Long Road Home
- Lone Wolf of the Natterknolls
- Lord of the Ulvenwald
- Lunar Rejection
- Makeshift Mauler
- Manaform Hellkite
- Markov Dreadknight (Shadows over Innistrad)
- Marrow Bats
- Merciless Predator
- Midnight Duelist
- Moorland Haunt
- Morkrut Banshee
- Mourning Patrol
- Mysterious Tome / Chilling Chronicle
- Necrosynthesis
- Nephalia Moondrakes
- Night token
- Oath of Liliana
- Ollenbock Escort
- Olivia's Bloodsworn
- Ominous Roost
- Parasitic Grasp
- Path of Peril
- Patriarch's Bidding (Modern Horizons 2)
- Predator's Hour
- Prophetic Ravings
- Rahilda, Wanted Cutthroat / Rahilda, Feral Outlaw
- Rally the Peasants
- Ravager of the Fells
- Reckless Stormseeker
- Rite of Oblivion
- Savage Packmate
- Screeching Bat / Stalking Vampire
- Shattered Sanctum
- Siege Zombie
- Silverclaw Griffin
- Silverfur Partisan
- Silverpelt Werewolf
- Silverstrike
- Slogurk, the Overslime
- Smite the Monstrous (Innistrad)
- Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
- Spellrune Painter
- Stalking Predator
- Tamiyo, Field Researcher (Eldritch Moon)
- Tamiyo, the Moon Sage (Mythic Edition)
- Tamiyo, the Moon Sage (Secret Lair, #396)
- Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset
- Terror of Kruin Pass
- Tibalt, Wicked Tormentor
- Tormented Pariah / Rampaging Werewolf
- Tovolar, the Midnight Scourge
- Toxrill, the Corrosive
- Traitorous Blood
- Treacherous Pit-Dweller
- Ulvenwald Behemoth
- Unnatural Growth
- Vadrik, Astral Archmage
- Vampire Slayer
- Veteran Ghoulcaller
- Vexing Scuttler
- Visions of Dread
- Volatile Arsonist / Dire-Strain Anarchist
- Voldaren Pariah / Abolisher of Bloodlines
- Wake to Slaughter
- Wickerwing Effigy
- Wildblood Pack
- Winged Portent
- Witness the Future
- Wolf Strike
- Zealous Strike
- Referred to:
References[ | ]
- ↑ a b Magic Creative Team (August 24, 2011). "A Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Introduction". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mel Li (April 6, 2016). "The Drownyard Temple". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Doug Beyer and Ari Zirulnik (September 9, 2021). "Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Midnight Hunt". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Monty Ashley (November 17, 2011). "The Heron in the Moon". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Tamiyo
- ↑ Ken Troop (July 27, 2016). "The Promised End". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ K. Arsenault Rivera (October 28, 2021). "Tithes and Invitations". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ K. Arsenault Rivera (November 24, 2021). "Episode 5: Till Death Do Us Part". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.