The Moon Marrow is a divine artifact left behind in the aftermath of a Moon Goddess's death.[1] It is a core of energy formed from the congealed remains of the dead Goddess that also carries an imprint of her divine presence.[2]
There are currently two known Moon Marrows in existence: one that coalesced from the remains of Aria, the Goddess of the Eternal Moon,[3][4] and another that formed from the Abyss-corrupted remains of the Goddess of the Iridescent Moon.[5]
Overview[]
As the remains of the Moon Goddesses, the Moon Marrows are a source of tremendous kuuvahki: a primordial elemental energy source predating the Heavenly Principles' creation of Gnosis and Visions.
Each Marrow is unique to the Goddess it is derived from; it is not possible for a Moon Goddess to use another's power using a marrow,[6] nor can a single Moon Goddess carry two marrows simultaneously within her body.[7] It is possible, however, for a Moon Goddess to restore some of her own kuuvahki by drawing on the reserves within a Moon Marrow, as Columbina demonstrates at multiple occasions.[8]
Columbina has implied that the Moon Marrow is similar to an Archon's Gnosis, functioning as a symbol of godhood.[9] In the same way that the Gnosis were formed from the body of the Third Descender, the Moon Marrow can only form after the death of a Moon Goddess and acts as a core of power.[1]
It is implied that the previous Goddess of the Frost Moon, Huurrekuutar, did not leave behind a marrow when she died, given that her moon remains intact and the circumstances of her death were different from those of her sisters, along with Columbina being the new Goddess of the Frost Moon.[10]
Eternal Moon's Marrow[]
This marrow was coalesced from the remains of Aria and was kept as a sacred relic of the Frostmoon Scions. It takes the appearance of a miniature moon ringed with debris.[11] Only a "single ray" of its moonlight was able to significantly restore the health and power of Columbina, the Moon Maiden, also known as the New Moon goddess Kuutar.[12] Its power can also be used to view past events, an effect which is enhanced when a Moon Goddess is the one wielding it[13]
To keep it safe, the Frostmoon Scions sealed the Moon Marrow within a secret chamber. Lauma told the Traveler that the chamber can only be opened once a year, when the moon is closest to Teyvat and kuuvahki in Nod-Krai reaches its peak. However, Rerir was able to open it before that time using Abyssal power. Since he was still a phantom and could not take the Marrow himself, he fooled the Traveler into helping him reach it by disguising himself as their sibling. However, before the Traveler could take it, Vilemina stole it and brought it to Sandrone, who hid it within Pulonia. After an encounter with The Wild Hunt, she reluctantly gave it back to the Scions.[11][14]
Since the secret chamber was no longer safe, a new place to hide the Moon Marrow from The Wild Hunt was needed. Lauma explained that in extreme circumstances, it could be concealed within the body of an individual, though typically at great peril. Even the Moonchanters of the Frostmoon Scions could only do so for several days before perishing. However, the Traveler, due to their unique constitution, could store the Moon Marrow within themselves without any apparent drawbacks. After absorbing the Moon Marrow, the Traveler became much more attuned to kuuvahki than they were previously.[14]
Iridescent Moon's Marrow[]
This marrow was formed from the remains of the Goddess of the Iridescent Moon but was sequestered away inside an Abyssal domain in Khaenri'ah along with all other remnants, which resulted in them never being found by overworld Teyvat. In its uncorrupted form, it takes the form of a red crescent wreathed in undying crimson flames.
When the Iridescent Moon was shattered, its Goddess was overcome by fear as her body began to disintegrate and fused herself with the Abyss in a desperate attempt to prolong her lifespan. This transformed her into the Crimson Moon and corrupted her marrow with Abyssal flames, keeping her barely alive at the cost of perpetual torment. The Iridescent Moon's power mixed with the Abyssal corruption to produce a kind of bloodborne flame known as Balemoon Bloodfire, which was known for its ability to leave behind ghostly images of anybody it scorched.
The Crimson Moon was worshipped by the Crimson Moon Dynasty of Khaenri'ah, who hid its marrow within a domain that could only be accessed for transitory periods of time using a special ritual requiring the use of Bloodfire. Successive dynasties of Khaenri'ah would continue to perform research on the Crimson Moon, with the Universitas Magistrorum even having a Moon Marrow laboratory devoted to studying its powers and abilities.
Much later, the Traveler and Columbina would enter the Crimson Moon's burial grounds with Arlecchino's help with the intent of retrieving the marrow to help combat a revived Rerir. The Traveler manages to release the marrow from its Abyssal fetters and purify the corruption within it, which allows the Goddess of the Iridescent Moon a moment of lucidity to say a few parting words to Columbina before finally passing away. Once the marrow was taken, the space became unstable as the Abyss tried to take it back, but the Traveler and Columbina eventually managed to escape successfully.
Currently, the Iridescent Moon's Marrow is stored within the body of Arlecchino, which caused her powers to become greatly enhanced considering she was already a descendant of the Crimson Moon bloodline.
Other Languages[]
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Moon Marrow | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 月髓 | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 月髓 | |
| Japanese | 月髄 Getsuzui | Moon Marrow |
| Korean | 달의 정수 Dar-ui Jeongsu | |
| Spanish | Médula lunar | |
| French | Essence lunaire | Lunar Essence |
| Russian | Лунный Светоч Lunnyy Svetoch | |
| Vietnamese | Tủy Mặt Trăng | |
| German | Mondmark | |
| Indonesian | Sumsum Bulan | |
| Portuguese | Medula Lunar | |
| Turkish | Ay İliği | |
| Italian | Midollo lunare |
Change History[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 2: The Dark Side of Memory
The Damselette: No. It can only form after the moon goddess is dead. Consider it a form of energy core. - ↑ Archon Quest - Song of the Welkin Moon Act I: A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves, Part 1: Where the Moon Rises Lauma: Successive generations of Moonchanters have all detected a divine presence within it. We call this unique remnant... the "Moon Marrow."
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 2: The Dark Side of Memory
The Damselette: It is the remains of Aria, Goddess of the Eternal Moon. - ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 2: The Dark Side of Memory
The Damselette: After Aria's death, her power coalesced into this Moon Marrow... - ↑ Archon Quest - Song of the Welkin Moon, Act III: A Nation That Doesn't Exist, Part 3: Everlasting as the Moon
- ↑ Song of the Welkin Moon - Act III: A Nation That Doesnt Exist, Part 1: Hidden in the Shadows The Damselette: The three moons are not one and the same. As the Goddess of the Frost Moon, I cannot wield the powers of the other two.
- ↑ Song of the Welkin Moon - Act III: A Nation That Doesn't Exist, Part 1: Special Operation The Damselette: Pass along a message for me too, if you would: "My body cannot contain the marrow of two moons, so I'll be leaving one of them in her care."
- ↑ Song of the Welkin Moon, Act III, Part 1: Hidden in the Shadows The Damselette: Yet moonlight has a way of blending together. Each can reflect the others' glow. So when our fingers touched, I was able to restore my strength by drawing kuuvahki from the Eternal Moon's marrow.
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 2: The Dark Side of Memory
The Damselette: Yes. Now, a god with a Gnosis is named an Archon... Since you bear the Moon Marrow, does that make you a "Moon Goddess"? - ↑ Song of the Welkin Moon: Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight Paimon: W—Wait, l—let Paimon count this up... We have the Eternal Moon's Marrow with us, no one can find the Iridescent Moon's... Does that mean you have the Frost Moon's Marrow inside you, then? The Damselette: No. It can only form after the moon goddess is dead. Consider it a form of energy core.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act I - A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves, Part 2: Reunion Beneath the Moonlight
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 2: The Dark Side of Memory
The Damselette: As I said — this, to me, is but a single ray of moonlight. Nothing to it. - ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 2: The Dark Side of Memory
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act I - A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves, Part 3: In the Shadows of Night
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