House of the Moon

The House of the Moon was a temple of Selûne in the Sea Ward district of Waterdeep in the mid–14 century DR.

History
The House of the Moon was turned into the center of Selûne's worship in 1188 DR after their former center the High House of Stars was burnt down by arsonist infiltrators in 1182 DR. It became the target of an arson attempt in 1345 DR but managed to prevent any harm to it.

The House of the Moon was well established in Waterdeep by the 1350s DR.

Through the 1360s DR, it was a local legend of the faithful that, during the Time of Troubles of 1358 DR, Selûne battled Shar in Waterdeep. Victorious, Selûne threw a defeated Shar down amongst the spires of Waterdeep.

Inhabitants
The Church of Selûne in Waterdeep in the mid–14 century DR was led by Priestess of the High Moonlight Naneatha Suaril. She was head of the temple by 1358 DR and maintained this position through 1369 DR and 1372 DR.

Description
The four-story temple complex bore a great dome gilded entirely with gold. This was where the high priestess held court.

After the events of the Time of Troubles, it had new gates of ornate design. These depicted a triumphant Selûne throwing a defeated Shar down amongst the spires of Waterdeep.

Relics
The temple housed a holy replica of the Wand of Four Moons, the weapon of Selûne by 1369 DR. This was created and blessed by Selûne to commemorate her battle with Shar in the city during the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR. Identical in appearance, it levitated within a glass case guarded by a silverstar priest and radiated a soft, silvery-blue light. It had no other powers, but some lucky pilgrims saw it drip Selûne's essence or heard the goddess whisper inspiring or helpful words. When Selûne manifested in the temple, she emerged from this replica. It was said to contain some of her power. It was claimed by some that Naneatha could, with a plea to the goddess, summon the real Wand of Four Moons in place of the replica and wield it with its full power. Selûnite pilgrims came to the temple to see this holy relic.

Dress
The House of the Moon was known to have the most grandiose ceremonial vestments of Selûne's church. Naneatha Suaril presided over ceremonies in a majestic dress with a wide-bottomed hooped skirt and a great fan-like collar ascending from the back of her neck, both stiffened with whalebone, all set with clusters of pearls and precious stones. Even lesser priestesses wore robes of silver.

Activities
Here at the temple, priestesses played odes to the moon upon their harps. Others sold healing draughts and potions that bestowed various benefits, such as granting infravision from dusk to dawn or keeping the imbiber alert throughout the night while receiving the benefits of a good sleep. The temple also provided cures and healing.

The annual temple holiday of Selûne's Hallowing celebrated the moon, stars, and navigation. The main ceremony was a parade of the faithful, which left the House of the Moon at moonrise and journeyed through the streets down to the harbor. High Priestess Naneatha Suaril bore the replica Wand of Four Moons at the head of this parade.

The temple also held a festival on the Feast of the Moon.

Reputation
The House of the Moon was known to be the greatest, and certainly the most opulent and beautiful, of the temples to Our Lady of Silver. It was the center of much moon-related activity in and around Waterdeep.

Notable Members

 * Priestess of the High Moonlight Naneatha Suaril
 * Acolyte Respen