The Trine Obscura: M'Brell's Grand Eclipse

Frequency of the Trine Obscura

  The Trine Obscura, a rare celestial alignment in Nehwon, occurs when the moon The Traveler (28-day cycle) perfectly eclipses The Dark Lady (88-day cycle), which in turn perfectly eclipses Sonne, Nehwon’s sun. The event's frequency is governed by the interactions of these celestial cycles:   The alignment must satisfy the lunar synodic period, which occurs when The Traveler and The Dark Lady align in their orbital conjunction relative to Sonne. To determine when all three bodies align: The synodic period between The Traveler and The Dark Lady (to realign in the same position relative to Sonne) is calculated as: Synodic Period= For this alignment to also coincide with Sonne’s solar return (365 days), their cycles must intersect in a repeating pattern. This convergence happens approximately every 3,120 days, or roughly 8.54 Nehwonian years. Thus, the Trine Obscura occurs just over once every 8.5 years.  

Astronomical Technicalities

The Trine Obscura is a rare celestial event caused by the precise alignment of Nehwon’s two moons—The Traveler and The Dark Lady—and Sonne, the sun. During this alignment, The Traveler eclipses The Dark Lady, which in turn eclipses Sonne, creating a total solar eclipse visible across large portions of Nehwon. Unlike typical solar eclipses that last only a few minutes, the Trine Obscura lasts several hours, a phenomenon attributed to unique orbital mechanics and an extraordinary interaction of magnetic fields between the celestial bodies involved.   Orbital Mechanics

Differing Orbital Velocities and Sizes:

The Traveler, Nehwon’s closer and smaller moon, orbits rapidly, while The Dark Lady, larger and more distant, moves more slowly. This disparity creates a “nested shadow zone,” where The Traveler’s shadow moves within the slower, broader shadow of The Dark Lady. The overlap of these two umbras extends the total eclipse's duration.  

Ecliptic Plane Alignment:

The orbits of both moons align perfectly with the ecliptic plane of Sonne during the Trine Obscura, ensuring that their paths across the sun are nearly identical. This alignment slows the apparent motion of the moons relative to Sonne, further increasing the time of the eclipse.  

Combined Shadow Cone:

The Traveler’s umbra, being closer and more concentrated, merges with The Dark Lady’s broader, diffuse shadow. Together, they form a single, elongated shadow cone that sweeps across Nehwon more gradually than either moon’s shadow would alone. The broader area of overlap creates prolonged totality for observers within the central path of the eclipse.  

Magnetic Field Phenomenon

Adding to the prolonged duration is a mysterious magnetic field interaction between the celestial bodies involved. M’Brell, the planet on which Nehwon resides, is known for its unusually strong geomagnetic field, which interacts with the magnetospheres of its moons and Sonne. During the Trine Obscura:  

Magnetic Locking Effect:

As The Traveler and The Dark Lady align with Sonne, their magnetic fields become temporarily synchronized with M’Brell’s geomagnetic field. This synchronization creates a “dragging effect,” subtly reducing the moons’ orbital velocities during the alignment. This deceleration prolongs the shadow’s motion across Nehwon’s surface, lengthening the total eclipse. Auroral Amplification:   The magnetic interaction also causes intense auroral activity at the poles of M’Brell during the eclipse. Faint, shimmering lights can sometimes be seen even in equatorial regions, adding an eerie glow to the otherwise pitch-black sky.  

Energy Dissipation in the Shadows:

Some scholars theorize that the combined magnetic interaction creates a temporary "density" in the shadow cone, where magnetic energy interferes with light refraction. This effect could account for the peculiar, lingering darkness and subtle distortions reported during the Trine Obscura.  

Cultural and Mystical Interpretations

The Trine Obscura is not just a celestial event but a phenomenon steeped in meaning and myth across Nehwon’s cultures:  

Lankhmarians

In Lankhmar, the Trine Obscura is known as “The Shadow’s Dominion.” To the city’s denizens, it is a time of ill omen and superstition. Many believe the event allows shadows to escape their owners, causing the spirits of the dead to rise and the living to lose parts of their souls.   Traditions: Lankhmarians lock their doors, extinguish all light, and mark their foreheads with soot to “hide” from their shadows. Thieves' Guilds often interpret the Trine Obscura as a signal for bold heists, believing the darkness aids their craft. Religious sects dedicated to the goddess Aarth hold silent processions, invoking protection against what they see as a "devouring void."  

Quarmallians

For the Quarmallians, the eclipse represents a cycle of power and rebirth. They call it “The Night of the Three Crowns,” viewing the alignment as a symbol of their ancient hierarchical philosophy: The Traveler as the servant, The Dark Lady as the ruler, and Sonne as the ultimate source of life.   Rituals: Quarmallian sorcerers conduct grand ceremonies during the eclipse, claiming it amplifies their spells tenfold, especially magic involving shadow, illusion, or necromancy. Some Quarmallian texts suggest the eclipse opens a gateway to other planes, allowing communion with shadow entities or lost ancestors.  

Elves

Among the Elves of Mÿthanos and other regions, the Trine Obscura is known as “The Veil of Eternity.” They view it as a moment when the boundaries between Nehwon and the Otherworld—a plane of timeless beauty and mystery—grow thin.   Beliefs: Elves claim to hear the whispers of ancient stars during the eclipse, and some embark on spiritual journeys to seek visions or wisdom. Elven scholars, fascinated by its rarity, have developed intricate calendars to track its occurrences.  

Dwarves

The pragmatic dwarves of Duhn Glorr and other strongholds call the event “The Forge’s Pause.” To them, the loss of Sonne’s light symbolizes the world itself taking a breath, as if the cosmic forge has temporarily gone dark.   Interpretations: Some dwarves believe the event is a reminder to balance ambition with patience. It is customary for dwarves to halt mining and forging during the eclipse, using the time for storytelling and reflection.