Types of Moonshards

Inert Moonshards < Supply Moonshards < Moon Relics

Moonshards are the remnants of the shattered crystal Moon that fell across the surface of Anasta. The vast majority are simply chunks of prismatic minerals that, while they may be beautiful, hold no special properties beyond their decorative appeal. They can be found literally anywhere, with the largest concentration in the Shimmering Wastes where it is said much of the Moon fell. Indeed the wastes take their name from the Moonshard dust that swirls and shimmers when picked up by the wind.

However, some active remnants of the Moon survive and these are the key commodity of the Age of Rebirth. Most Moonshards will appear to be inert through simple examination. The only way to truly test for an active Moonshard is for someone to attempt to psionically connect with it to see if it activates. Those that do activate come in roughly two states: Ones that are damaged but still channel power, and ones that are intact that both channel power and unlock new psionic potentials.

Supply Moonshards

Supply Moonshards are the damaged crystals that are capable of channeling raw Ether but nothing more. Anyone that has activated one of their psionic potentials through Ethertech can use Moonshards to temporarily amplify their abilities. In terms of game mechanics, Supply Moonshards temporarily boost Ethertech Abilities to a higher level of power (the Power Up stunt). Supply Moonshards are a valuable resource stockpiled by many, including the Cohort. These are the Moonshards resource on the Cohort sheet. While there is no single currency on Anasta, Moonshards come closest to fulfilling that role.

Acquiring Supply Moonshards

In play, it is assumed that the PCs are always on the lookout for active Moonshards laying about and collect any bits of Supply Moonshards they come across. If the group has an empty resource slot at the beginning of a scenario, this scavenging gives a Rank 1 Moonshards. Other Supply Moonshards may be found as part of an adventure or as trade for completing jobs. Supply Moonshards may only be used once before being destroyed; the Moonshards resource is removed when used.

Moon Relics

Some Moonshards are found mostly or fully intact from the Moonfall or from ancient Archon sites scattered across Anasta. Moon Relics are Moonshards that contain information left by the Archons. While much of such lore is often unintelligible or out-of-context, occasionally intact bits of Archon knowledge or Psience is recovered. Visually they appear to be identical to Supply Moonshards and the only way to know is to psionically connect with them.

Moon Relics always count and can be used as Supply Moonshards, but they also count as a special kind of asset related to the subject contained within it, which may be a Psionic Ability. Such Abilities may be “unleashed” during a session by destroying the Moon Relic (see Using Moonshards). In lieu of unleashing an Ability, a Moon Relic may be destroyed and used as a Supply Moonshard to Power Up other Abilities during a session, or in lieu of a Moonshards resource for Growth.

If a Moon Relic with an Ability is kept intact until a downtime scene, a PC may use their Growth pool to integrate the Moon Relic into an item or infuse it into their bioform as a new Psionic Ability. This use of Moon Relics is the basis of all Ethertech. If no PC unleashes, integrates, or infuses a Moon Relic, the Cohort may store it. A single Moon Relic occupies a Cargo resource slot until used or traded.