quote:

---

Originally posted by Arik

I don't see any particular feyishness to the Moonsea region; most of it was just barely outside the borders of ancient Cormanthyr. Honestly, I think Netherese influences might be more pronounced; the entire region seems riddled with portals and pathways to other worlds and planes, it's always been the focus of attention for all sorts of (evil) planar entities. If anything, I'd say the djinns and fiends and giants and orcs have had far more influence than the fey, outside of one little elven empire which lasted some centuries before retreating behind the diminishing forest line.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Arik

Ye're probably right, Dalor. My Moonsea region is a decidedly hostile place dominated by foul creatures like orcs, ogres, giants, and humans. But the fey are there if one foolishly decides to look more closely.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Arik

My reading of the Moonshae novels suggested that Earthmother/Chauntea was strongly manifest in the Moonshaes. Virtually unopposed, actually, powerful enough to seemingly deny entry to other deities (except Kazgoroth/Malar/Bane, of course). In short, the Moonshaes were somehow part of her "domain" and other deities (such as Selûne) generally could not manifest any real power without Earthmother's approval.

Yes, the TSR-UK origins confuse the issue a lot. Darkwalker on Moonshae was published in May 1987; the Pool of Radiance CRPG and FRC1: Ruins of Adventure module (on which it was carefully based) were first released more than a year later (June 1988), followed by the novel (which was only loosely based on FRC1) in 1989 ... the timing is tight, PoR/RoA apparently took "over a year" to develop, so I really don't know whether SSI knew about moonwells when they created the pools. The coincidence suggests to me that both projects might have had access (or directives) relating to some sort of existing Ed lore about magic puddles. Thus I suspect Ed (or TSR's traffic cop) would hold the answer to this question.

I note that Tyranthraxus is described as having an "extra-dimensional nature" which gives him a flat 20% Magic Resistance and may (or may not) account for his flaming aura, ESP, and possession/transferance abilities. This suggests to me that he does not fully exist on the Prime and some part of his essence is still contained in the pool or another (fiery) plane; or perhaps the pool is a conduit through which he cannot fully pass (possibly because of Bane's influence).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Markustay

Interesting - that sounds like it was based on Ed's notes, for sure.

It also makes the pools more like 'wounds', which I really wasn't seeing before. I suppose there could be different types of pools (which there are) corresponding to various 'bodily orifices' (if we take The Weave to be a living thing, which it is - a living construct named Mystra).

So, if The Weave is designed to curtail 'raw energy' (as Ed has said it does), filter it, and deliver it in a 'safe form' to mortals, then we could also make the assumption that there may be more then one source of energy that the Weave is filtering (which makes sense in-light of how The Weave was created, no pun intended).

A pool of radiance is like a 'zit'; in fact, all the pools are. Whats bubbling to the surface would depend on what is causing it (which energy has built-up too much in one spot).

So Moonwells and Pools may be related, but of different origins. The Moonwells may have been created in some before-time, as I postulated, for whatever purpose, but the pools occur spontaneously. Both are conduits to various energy-sources (planes, in particular).

Still... I can't help but think that the Moonwells are somehow tears of Selune (not the meteoric kind, but rather, actual tears of a goddess that fell to earth). The name implies a connection, and it probably has something to do with the Earthmother as well.

Thank you for pointing that information out, Bakra.

---