Nymphlopedia

Entry 70: Moonray Nymphs

Beginning AN:

Ah... I think I might have hinted that "light blue" would finally be the Glowing Mushroom Biome, and it almost was, but... well, I assigned Light Yellow to be Sunray and... I like my blue/yellow duality. Even though I don't really like Sun/Moon duality normally. But this... isn't quite that...

...Again, put this on the "rename pile." One Nymph type that will definitely not be though is the Glacier Nymphs, I like the concept of that and finding out another "cold" biome. Oh and speaking of other biomes that fall under a more general temperature range rather than being defined by "things" (like special stones, certain objects, etc), here's another "dry" biome even though I think I've had a few more of those...

Vince kept scratching himself in the darkness that loomed over an empty blue stretch that was overdue for some new rain. And the night was so quiet that it was really easy to hear that scratching.

"I told you to bring that repellant." Sonata told him through what was barely a whisper. "Moonquitoes are awful."

"I downplayed it." Vince was better at whispering than she was. "I thought it would be some mild itching, not... this..."

Sonata chuckled. "Man oh man will I hold you for this. Normally I'm the one suffering from this kind of stuff, so when it's you, I'll milk it."

"I already know."

"I felt you needed a reminder since it happened so long ago-"

"Shh!" Tania shushed, the quietest voice of the three. "This is a stealth mission! When midnight hits-"

"Yeah yeah they're at their weakest when the Moon is highest, I know." Sonata rolled her eyes. "Irony. I've been here a lot."

Vince pretty much ignored Tania right there. Or, he found the following more important: "Can't you use some magic powers to get rid of these bites?!" He whispered. Tania made several 'hand cutting neck' gestures. And not because he was talking after she told him not to.

"We can but it would seriously fuck up your skin." She said. "That's another thing you should talk to Madeline about."

"I think it would be worth it." Vince whispered.

"No, it wouldn't, trust me."

She felt something being pressed against the back of her head.

Sonata spunned around, followed by Vince and Tania. A blue Nymph had a kind of staff with a crescent symbol of the head in each hand, pointed at the latter two party members. Aimed at Sonata - and the thing she felt on her head - was a third such staff, held in her mouth.

"Hi." She said. Oh, she used magic to make the third stff float while she talked. But put it back in her mouth when she was finished. "Lunessa of the Northern Subbranch of the Southwest Branch of the Hole of Heroes Moonray Desert Nymph Squad."

"Jeez I'm glad Oreads don't use that kind of naming scheme." Said Sonata, having foregone whispering.

"We're just sneaking past for a moment." Said Tania. "We ran out of Recall Potions and-"

"Whatever the reason, you're in our zone, and we don't take too kindly for that. But... say your reason, and we might let you go."

"We're kind of stranded and trying to get back home." Said Sonata.

"Okay... okay..." Lunessa said. "Hm... Dryad Tania, what are you doing with these two?!"

"We're the Naked Empire, you haven't heard?" Asked Sonata.

"Oh really?! Those flyers were real? You do have the Last Dryad with you?" She put all three of her weapons down. "I just thought you were some arrogant nobodies pretending to have the Dryad with you. Even using her image without her permission."

"And that I wouldn't sue an idiot who did that?" Asked Tania, also finally raising her voice.

Lunessa shrugged. "That was easier to believe than two randos starting an army and recruiting you."

"She has a point." Said Sonata.

"So, are you looking for recruits?" She asked.

"Absolutely and always!"

"And you don't mind that I threatened to zap you with highly damaging and itch-inducing light beams?"

"Nope!"

Moonray Nymphs.

The night of the Moonray Deserts may hold two full moons - the moon shining above, and the mooning of these Nature Spirits, ready to flash their rears before blasting you rear. Okay even I admit that was cringe-y.

Preferred Environment: Moonray "Deserts." (More accurately, Moonray Flatlands.)

Environment Threat Level: Dangerous.

Environment Stats: Slightly moist, frequent rainfall (in spite of the name). Cool. Moderate-Fantastic. Rare. Flat, rocky blue-tinted wastelands that can perfectly reflect the Moon's light. Has little connection to the actual Moon, especially not the eldritch horror that was once contained within. Has very little plantlife.

Other Names: Moonshine Nymphs (not to be confused with alcohol), Full Moon Nymphs, Satellite Nymphs. Also "Asteroid Nymphs" or "Meteor(ite) Nymphs?" These are much rarer names.

Affinity: Earth.

Color: Light Blue.

Traditional Costume Weapon: Bracelets around each wrist, typically made up of exactly nine stone each of the biome's native rock. Helps them fire beams of what they call "lunar energy," as well as command the stone.

Vince's Comment: I have no idea why, but they're nastier to fight in the day. Yes, you can see them better, but no, they're not "weakened by the day." I'm sure Tania has the answer- ah I'll just glance at her comment. But after I've written mine, I'm a little exhausted right now, we just went back there and that trip was rough.

Sonata's Comment: I approve of all the ass-moon jokes they make. You'd think they'd be sick and tired of the jokes but no.

Tania's Comment: Moonray Nymphs.
Nymphae Satellite.
The resemblance and "theming" of Terraria's moon can be seen as a red herring from Gaia. (Or Pan.) This biome and its Nymphs actually draw power from any of Terraria's satelites or any other bodies out in space, including the force of each individual meteor and even other planets. In essense, one could say that this biome also doubles as a major Meteorite magic location, and indeed there is a "splinter" of Moonray Nymphs that actually focus more on meteorite. In a similar case with Sunray Nymphs, the Moon's "extra-bright" presense in the night sky somehow makes it take the majority of the "focus" from the Nymphs while it does not even in the day in the same position, leading to sloppier magic drawing, so in spite of what their name might imply, they are more powerful in the day, more easily able to draw power from the other planets.
(Note from Vince: Ah, thank you.)
Your gratitude is appreciated.
(Note from Vince: Oh! I didn't think you would see that before we published! Uh, thank you!)
:)
(Note from Sonata: I always love seeing you two get along. :) )
(Note from Lunessa: ...Is all this back and forth really necessary? You're cluttering our entry.)

Closing AN:

I was debating with myself over whether their "Costume Weapon"/"Accessory" should be similar to the Sunray's or if I should just leave it as-is when I jotted it without much thought. since having all the pairs be kind of "similar" would be lame. I'm... going for the latter now.

Another another Nymph Variant character got named!