Selûnarra Selûnarra was also known as Opus , and was a surviving Netherese city whose patron was Selûne . The city survived the phaerimm s ' magical assaults by being transported to the Gates of the Moon , Selûne ' s realm in the Astral Sea , in the Year of the Sundered Webs ( - 339 DR ) . Opus stood in stark contrast to the other enclaves of Netheril . Where a majority of the archwizards opened up schools for magical study to increase the ranks of spellcasters , Opus instead opened up colleges , universities , and other storehouses of knowledge . Where other floating cities had gladiatorial arenas , magical spell duels , and other barbarous acts , Opus established theaters and libraries . History . Opus was established in - 1926 DR by the mentalist Chever , who spent most of his time trying to acquire knowledge after creating his contact other plane spell . It finally cost him his life in - 1899 DR , when repeated contacts with an extraplanar being drove him insane and he leaped into a sphere of annihilation . Other arcanists quickly assumed the mantle of leadership , and Opus continued to produce some of the best bards , musicians , poets , and scholars ever known in Netheril . Age of Discovery ( - 1205 DR to - 697 DR ) . Opus soon became a place where the well - to - do of Netheril visited to witness a play , hear one of Netheril ' s famous bards speak of the barbarian tribes living on the surface , or just experience the true culture of Netheril . As archwizards experimented with abundant metals for magical item creation and the people discovered new veins of gold and silver , life in Opus continued along the scholarly path set before it so many centuries before by Chever . The Shadowed Age ( - 696 DR to - 340 DR ) . The archwizard of Opus , Lady Arilain , discovered that Karsus was creating an ultra - powerful spell in - 341 DR . Warning the other leaders of the Opus Enclave , she went to confront Karsus about his avatar spell and was never heard from again . The Fall and Beyond ( - 339 DR onwards ) . It was widely believed that the city of Opus was spared the destruction of Netheril ' s cities by divining the effects of Karsus ' s avatar spell and evacuating mere moments before magic failed . The truth behind their salvation was somewhat hazy , however , and other sources stated that the goddess Selûne personally delivered them from destruction . In fact , despite being so concerned of celestial matters , they spare some time to spy on the Shadovar and their " conquered " realms . It was also rumored that in one way or another they helped a few Harpers in battling the Shadovar . Following the Time of Troubles and the battle which took place in Waterdeep between the avatars of Shar and Selûne , an artifact known as the Eye of Selûne was left with Kyriani Agrivar , half - drow owner of the tavern Selûne ' s Smile . The artifact , which had the power to temporarily open portals to other planes , was eventually revealed by the goddess to be intended for a special ceremony known as the Ritual of the Waxing Moon . If it was performed correctly at Elaz ' had , a site near the Sword of Anauroch , a portal would open that would summon Selûnarra back from the Gates of the Moon so as to combat the shades of Thultanthar . But apparently the correct time and manner of this ceremony was never discovered , since such an event never took place .