UESP Forums

Isn't Moonstone literally from Secunda? It certainly matches the coloration of the White Moon. Probably why it's so commonly used in Khajiiti and Aldmeri armors and weapons. Of course, Secunda is technically in Mundus and not Aetherius. I suppose it's the closest thing modern Elves can get ahold of.

It makes sense, then. They enjoy strutting around in pieces of his dead body. That's the most Altmeri thing imaginable.

Is there actually any established lore on moonstone? I never really made the Altmeri/Khajiiti connection before, but it makes a lot of sense.

There isn't, but it's what you craft Khajiit armor from in ESO, and it's an ingredient in Elven armor in Skyrim. It's also the exact same color as Secunda. It wouldn't surprise me if some connection isn't commented on in the future games.

The Khajiit racial motif from ESO does say the following: We had a long and lovely chat. There are superficial similarities between the motifs and designs of the Khajiit and the Redguards, perhaps because they both inhabit hot, arid environments, but where the Redguards favor long, flowing curves, the Cat-Folk are devoted to circular and crescentiform moon-shapes. The shapes of Masser and Secunda in all their phases appear everywhere on Khajiiti clothing and ornaments. The falcate sliver of the crescent moon also brings to mind the Khajiiti claws that spring from pads in their hands and feet, a subtle but ever-present threat to softer folk.

There are two ways to explain the naming of moonstone: it's stone from the moon, or it's stone that has a property that reacts to moonlight or somesuch.

Moonsugar has a similar folklore. It's harvested from a specific spot in southeastern Tamriel (Tenmar groves), but it's believed to be crystalized moonlight. Notice the similar coloration to moonstone.

Skyrim's Spheriphem were made of moonstone too. Painful Portal 2 cameo aside, that seems to hint at its celestial origins.

Seems more like the Valve guys were being cheeky with that. I doubt they looked far beyond the name "Moonstone" and its obvious connection to our concept of space.