Dark Night: Difference between revisions
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In the graphic novel ''[[Vecna: Hand of the Revenant]]'', Dark Night (spelled Darknight in that book) is described as a period in which [[Pholtus]]'s power is at its lowest, causing the people of [[Fleeth]] to lose faith in the god.{{csb|VHotR|15}} The priests of Pholtus compensate by completing a rite called the ''Ritual of Light'' in which the temple of Pholtus is transformed into a great beacon that destroys all "creatures of darkness" (including [[:category:undead|undead]]) within a mile of the city, often blinding normal [[human]]s.{{csb|VHotR|15}} The rite is performed every twelve years. | In the graphic novel ''[[Vecna: Hand of the Revenant]]'', Dark Night (spelled Darknight in that book) is described as a period in which [[Pholtus]]'s power is at its lowest, causing the people of [[Fleeth]] to lose faith in the god.{{csb|VHotR|15}} The priests of Pholtus compensate by completing a rite called the ''Ritual of Light'' in which the temple of Pholtus is transformed into a great beacon that destroys all "creatures of darkness" (including [[:category:undead|undead]]) within a mile of the city, often blinding normal [[human]]s.{{csb|VHotR|15}} The rite is performed every twelve years. | ||
In this source, Dark Night takes place once every twelve years,{{csb|VHotR|15}} though all other sources say it happens every year. It is possible there is an undescribed special circumstance every twelfth year which makes Dark Night more significant on those occasions, but it is also possibly simply an error made by the author.<ref name=vhotr group=note>It is unlikely the difference between twelve months and twelve years is a simple typographical or editorial error. If the event took place every twelve months, there would be no need for Vecna's mother Mazzel to explain the Ritual of Light to him, since (while still very young) he is clearly old enough to have known, otherwise.</ref> | |||
[[Vecna]]'s assault on Fleeth took place on Dark Night, because that is when Fleeth's defenses were at its lowest. However, the Ritual of Light was a temporary setback for [[Vecna]], nearly destroying him. In the aftermath of the rite, Vecna's left hand and eye were burned away by the light. | [[Vecna]]'s assault on Fleeth took place on Dark Night, because that is when Fleeth's defenses were at its lowest. However, the Ritual of Light was a temporary setback for [[Vecna]], nearly destroying him. In the aftermath of the rite, Vecna's left hand and eye were burned away by the light. | ||
Latest revision as of 11:25, 22 July 2025
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Dark Night, also called Black Night, Star Night, and the 'Night of Hopeful Dawn,[1] is observed on Goodmonth 11, when both moons (Celene and Luna) are in their new or darkest phase. It is a holy night for the church of Celestian because the stars are so easy to observe without the light of either of the moons getting in the way.
Not to be confused with Dark Time.
It is also a holy night for the church of Rao, who refer to it as the Night of Hopeful Judgment.[2] They believe that Rao chooses this time to separate the sinful from the righteous in the afterworld. There is also a prophecy in the Raoan holy text, the Book of Incarum, that claims that Rao will cleanse the world of evil on this night, sometime in the future.
The priesthood of Kurell consider it holy, too, calling it Kurell's Night, requiring the faithful to undertake special missions on this night to prove their cleverness and skill. Kurell smiles particularly on acts of theft or vengeance performed on his holy night, blessing those who do so successfully. Donations to Kurell's church are encouraged afterwards, for Kurell may take vengeance against those who do not properly thank him for his aid.
Most other people regard Dark Night as a time of ill omen, fearing it as much as the night of the Blood Moon Festival. Bonfires are burned from dusk till dawn, particularly in small villages and in Elmshire and Narwell. Orc and goblin religions view it as an excellent night for raiding settlements. Certain evil cults perform kidnappings, murders, and vile rites during this period. On the other hand, lycanthropic activity is at its lowest.
Iggwilv and Tuerny attempted to summon a demonic army to Luna on this night in 585 CY.
In other media
In the graphic novel Vecna: Hand of the Revenant, Dark Night (spelled Darknight in that book) is described as a period in which Pholtus's power is at its lowest, causing the people of Fleeth to lose faith in the god.[3] The priests of Pholtus compensate by completing a rite called the Ritual of Light in which the temple of Pholtus is transformed into a great beacon that destroys all "creatures of darkness" (including undead) within a mile of the city, often blinding normal humans.[3] The rite is performed every twelve years.
In this source, Dark Night takes place once every twelve years,[3] though all other sources say it happens every year. It is possible there is an undescribed special circumstance every twelfth year which makes Dark Night more significant on those occasions, but it is also possibly simply an error made by the author.[note 1]
Vecna's assault on Fleeth took place on Dark Night, because that is when Fleeth's defenses were at its lowest. However, the Ritual of Light was a temporary setback for Vecna, nearly destroying him. In the aftermath of the rite, Vecna's left hand and eye were burned away by the light.
See also
- See also: Dark Time.
Calendar
| Starday | Sunday | Moonday | Godsday | Waterday | Earthday | Freeday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11  Dark Night |
12 | 13 | 14 |
| Greyhawk calendar | |
|---|---|
| Days | Starday • Sunday • Moonday • Godsday • Waterday • Earthday • Freeday |
| Months | Fireseek • Readying • Coldeven • Planting • Flocktime • Wealsun • Reaping • Goodmonth • Harvester • Patchwall • Ready'reat • Sunsebb |
| Festivals | Needfest • Growfest • Richfest • Brewfest |
| Seasons | Winter • Spring • Low summer • High summer • (Summer) • Autumn |
| Solar events | Spring equinox, Summer solstice, Autumnal equinox, Winter solstice |
| Holidays | Agelong • Blood Moon Festival • Breadgiving Day • Council Day • Council of Mayors and Manorial Lords • Crowning Day • Dark Night • Day of the Legion Will • Day of Treachery • Declaration Day • Election Day • Faerieluck • Fallrite • Feast of Edoira • Feast of Fools • Feast of Wenta • Freedom Day • Frost Days • Great Moon's Glory • Guild Days • Holy Day of Serenity • Midsummer's Day • Midwinter Night • Remembrance Day • Rollo's Day • Saint Cuthbert's Day • Spring Feast • Springrite • Thrommel's Day • Yeartide • |
References
Notes
- ↑ It is unlikely the difference between twelve months and twelve years is a simple typographical or editorial error. If the event took place every twelve months, there would be no need for Vecna's mother Mazzel to explain the Ritual of Light to him, since (while still very young) he is clearly old enough to have known, otherwise.
Citations
Bibliography
- Lai, Gary. "Hopeful Dawn." Dungeon #41. Renton, WA: TSR, 1993.
- Miller, Andy. "Campaign Holidays." Dragon Annual #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999 (pp. 18-19).
- ———. "The Oeridian Lesser Gods." Dragon #263. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- ———. Return of the Eight. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Thorsson, Modi, and Kevin McCann. Vecna: Hand of the Revenant. Lakewood, CO: Iron Hammer Graphics, 2002.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Night {Black Night, Star Night} | Calendar | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 20 | |
| Dark Night {Black Night, Star Night} | Calendar | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 17 | |
| Dark Night {Black Night, Star Night} | Calendar | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 15 | |
| Dark Night {Black Night, Star Night} | Calendar | Return of the Eight | 3, 12, 20, 54 | |
| Dark Night {Black Night, Star Night} | Calendar | The Adventure Begins | 46 | |
| Dark Night {Black Night, Star Night} | Calendar | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 20 |