# The Shining One — The Moon Pool character guide

> The Shining One in The Moon Pool by A. Merritt.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Shining One, One

**First appearance:** 0008-vi-the-shining-devil-took-them

## Snapshot

A luminous, ancient entity of terrible beauty whose hunger for dominion drives the dark bargain at the heart of Muria.

## Who they are

The Shining One is no mere monster but a cunning intelligence that promised the Taithu dominion over Earth in exchange for its release from the depths. It taught them to build the Moon Pool and the seven lights that channel moon flame into a gateway it could traverse, and it has been growing stronger with every sacrifice it takes. Its radiance is inseparable from its menace — those who behold it are filled with rapture and horror at once, and its influence shapes everything the heroes encounter below.

## Relationships

### [Yolara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/yolara)

_psychological_

The Shining One exerts a hypnotic, possessive control over Yolara, using her as a vessel.

### [Lakla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/lakla)

_rivalry_

Lakla opposes the Shining One, seeing it as a corrupting and evil force.

### [The Three](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/the_three)

_rivalry_

The Shining One and The Three are ancient, opposing cosmic forces in eternal conflict.

### [Lakla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/lakla)

_rivalry_

Lakla opposes the Shining One, seeing it as a corrupting and evil force.

### [Yolara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/yolara)

_psychological_

The Shining One exerts a hypnotic, possessive control over Yolara, using her as a vessel.

### [Yolara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/yolara)

_psychological_

The Shining One exerts a hypnotic, possessive control over Yolara, using her as a vessel.

### [The Three](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/the_three)

_rivalry_

The Shining One and The Three are ancient, opposing cosmic forces in eternal conflict.

### [Lakla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/lakla)

_rivalry_

Lakla opposes the Shining One, seeing it as a corrupting and evil force.

### [The Three](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/the_three)

_rivalry_

The Shining One and The Three are ancient, opposing cosmic forces in eternal conflict.

## In the story

### [V: Into the Moon Pool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/v-into-the-moon-pool)

The Dweller in the Moon Pool; a radiant, androgynous being formed from seven colored beams and opalescent mist; captures Throckmartin with a shining tentacle; later takes Stanton and finally Throckmartin himself.

### [The Madness of Olaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xix-the-madness-of-olaf)

Dances with sacrifices, is shot by Larry, recoils, and later withdraws through the Veil with its victims.

### [XXVIII: In the Lair of the Dweller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxviii-in-the-lair-of-the-dweller)

The Dweller; described with an androgynous face, seven moons, and a core of shifting radiance; observed by the trio.

### [XXIX: The Shaping of the Shining One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxix-the-shaping-of-the-shining-one)

Described as a creation of the Three, formed from ether and consciousness, which grew in will and pride, eventually rebelling and leaving the Three.

### [XXX: The Building of the Moon Pool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xxx-the-building-of-the-moon-pool)

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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters/the_shining_one
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moon_pool_se/characters