The Moon Pool · Chapter
XXX: The Building of the Moon Pool explained
Lakla recounts the epic history of the Shining One, its corruption of the Taithu, the sinking of the sunken land, the rise of the moon king, and the doom placed upon the Three.
What happens
Lakla recounts the epic history of the Shining One, its corruption of the Taithu, the sinking of the sunken land, the rise of the moon king, and the doom placed upon the Three. She explains how the Shining One grew in power, enslaved victims, and how Yolara and Lugur now plan to use it to conquer the surface world. Goodwin questions whether Throckmartin and the others can be saved, but Lakla relays the Three's verdict that they are beyond redemption.
Themes in this chapter
Forbidden Knowledge and Pride
The Three's pride in creating the Shining One leads to its corruption and the doom placed upon them; the Taithu's pursuit of power and knowledge results in their downfall.
Sacrifice and Redemption
The Three are condemned to remain until they have the will to destroy the evil they created; the victims of the Shining One are considered beyond redemption, with death as the only boon.
Lost Civilizations and Ancient Wisdom
Lakla's tale reveals the history of a sunken civilization (Muria) with advanced knowledge of moon flame and the Shining One, echoing themes of Atlantis and ancient lost worlds.
Characters to notice
- Lakla
Narrates the full history of the Shining One, the Taithu, the Three, and the sunken land; reveals her lineage as a daughter of the sun king.
- Larry O'Keefe
Interrupts Lakla's tale to suggest the green land beyond the Black Precipices of Doul is Ireland; expresses hope for the souls of the Shining One's victims.
- Dr. Walter T. Goodwin
Listens intently to Lakla's story; asks about the fate of Throckmartin and Olaf's wife, clinging to the possibility of their salvation.
- Yolara
Mentioned as the priestess who, with Lugur, plans to open the way to the Earth face and use the Shining One to grasp the world.
- Lugur
Mentioned alongside Yolara as co-conspirator in the plan to unleash the Shining One upon the surface.
- The Shining One
Described as growing in cunning and power, feeding on life force, and promising dominion to its followers; its history and the building of the Moon Pool are central to the chapter.
Key passages
“And the Shining One forgot what it had promised them of dominion—and in this new evil delight they too forgot.”
The Shining One abandoned its promises of power to the Taithu, and they became lost in their own wicked pleasure.
Highlights the corrupting influence of the Shining One and the Taithu's moral decay.
“The Three say no, Goodwin. The Shining One— feeds —upon the flame of life itself, setting in its place its own fires and its own will. Its slaves are only shells through which it gleams.”
The Three declare that the Shining One consumes the very essence of life, replacing it with its own energy and will, leaving its victims as hollow vessels.
Explains the irreversible nature of the Shining One's possession and the hopelessness of saving its victims.