The Moon

The plant life on the moon is unlike any on Earth. Impossibly tall trees, silver vegetation, windflowers that should not grow in the low light all flourish on the lunar landscape. While these alien plants add beauty to an otherwise bare landscape, sadly, few of them are edible and the Moon must trade with the Earth for much of its staples. Fortunately for the Lunans, large deposits of a wonderful metal, aluminum (sometimes called Moon Metal), finds a ready market on Earth. Attempts have been made to grow more edible species but outside of magically lit green houses or the royal garden, they have met with failure.

The reason they have is because of the Lunar cycle of night and day. Though we only see one side of the Moon (the near side) all of the surface is subject to this period of illumination. The Lunar day, from one sunrise to the next lasts twenty-seven and one third Earth days. During that time, any one location on the Moon experiences changes in temperature akin to the change of seasons on Earth. With a cycle of roughly fourteen days of light followed by fourteen days of darkness (save for Earthlight on the near side) few plants can survive, let alone produce with such a short span.

The Lunar day, or year depending on your perspective, begins with the rising of the Sun over the horizon. This is known as Acalarica or "light-rising." This marks a warming period which peaks at noon, (in slightly less than seven Earth days). Cularica or "light-falling" is a time when preparations for the long night are made. When the sun falls below the horizon, this is know as Hialiyera or "dark-cooling" and the temperature drops. Lakes rivers and shallow seas freeze solid. When the constellation of the Three Heroes is at a certain point in the northern sky (marking the time the Sun is on the opposite side of the Moon), only the deep seas such as the Sea of Serenity or the Sea of Storms remain fluid during this time of bitter cold. Ataliyera or "dark-warming" is greatly anticipated as the Heroes sink and the time of Acalarica approaches.

This time of night and day have made Lunans very patient, but conscious of when the proper time to act is. Like the Lunar trees, the people are tall and willowy. Made pale by the strange light, they seem ethereal and elf-like. They are not as strong as Terrans but they make up for it with an astounding quickness. Perhaps it is because of their low strength or their need for food that the people of the Moon have become master traders and diplomats. Many larger merchant houses are based on the Moon and use ships purchased from Earth to ply the spaceways. While it can be said that these trading companies are Earth's rivals, I must point out that they are composed of a mixture of people from both the Earth and the Moon. Both are represented in the company and all our interests are served in their transactions.

As the Moon is responsible for the ebb and flow of the oceans of Earth; so too do the kingdoms of the planets respond to her gentle will. As the wellspring of magic in the solar system, pronouncements from the Moon have great weight. Usually, such orders are couched as "suggestions"; but never have these suggestions been crass or rude. Fortunately, most problems are resolved diplomatically before such suggestions need to be made. The Moon is the heart of the solar system and she keeps the peace. (Though the close proximity of the powerful Royal Navy of Earth doesn't hurt.)

Wonder: The God Chamber / Silver Crystal

As explained in the history of the fall of the Golden Imperium and rise of the Silver Millennium, the original artifact of the Ancients on the Moon was the God Chamber. Within its confines, the wielder could create his own reality. It was reforged on the Fire of Mars into the Silver Crystal that we know today. Scholars more knowledgeable than I have written about that artifact. For more on the subject, I recommend Euchants, "Ginzuishou and Greater Reality."

Appropriate adjective and collective noun: Lunar, Lunans, Loonies (Derogatory)

How was the planet affected during the Fall:

The miracle environment disrupted by Metallia's intrusion into this universe. Atmosphere started to bleed away within minutes after her appearance. When the crystal was shattered, the Moon became a dead world again.

Fate of the people at the time of the Fall:

Killed in the fight or when the life support ended. Some were on Earth transacting business but not many.

Name of the Younger Senshi at the time of the Fall: Serena.

The Moon had a unique situation in regards to the Silver Crystal. It was not magically tied to the royal house the way the other wonders were, mainly because there was no need to. It has no other function than to alter reality, hence no "powers" spring from it the way power over fire does from the Fire of Mars. It is, however, linked to its owner and can be considered under their control even if they are separated from it.

Should the owner die without passing it on, however, the crystal becomes free. If it were not returned to the moon by the nobles of the kingdom of Mu, the Silver Millennium would have been stillborn.

Fate of the Younger Senshi: Killed by Beryl

Name of the Moon Cat: Luna Fate of the Moon Cat: Put into suspended animation by Queen Serenity.