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== First Sending ==
== First Sending ==
There are no direct references to the First Sending outside of the Fivefold Curse and the Heretical Prophecy. However, some conclusions can be drawn from those sources.
<br /><br />
In this first line of the Fivefold Curse, it is important to understand who "we" are. We know that these were Sarvien's last words,<ref name=AlaidainsGem /><ref name=ACDMCDLoreAlaidainsGem /><ref name=HistOfAubVolI /> but they are a Falatacot prophecy,<ref name=ACDMCDLoreAlaidainsGem /> from the Book of Eibhil.<ref name=HistOfAubVolI /> With that in mind, it seems most likely that the "we" referred to here are the Falatacot, and Sarvien was not referring to the Dericost people when saying "we".
<br /><br />
The [[Campaign Journal]] states that ''"For the Falatacot, in their flight from the Darkness and cold that had put their gods to sleep, taught the kings of the Ice Throne their secrets in exchange for sanctuary."'' which implies that the Shadows were involved with the ice age.<ref name=CampaignJournal>2000/11 [[Should the Stars Fall]] - [[Campaign Journal]]</ref>
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The [[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary#Shadows|AC:DM Bestiary entry for Shadows]] states that, ''"There are indications that some Shadows, particularly those of the more powerful Panumbris and Umbris types, predate the conversion of Ilservian into Bael'Zharon. Scholars believe this indicates the force that empowered the Hopeslayer has sought the conquest of Dereth for a far much longer time than is commonly known."''<ref>2001/10 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore]]: [[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary#Shadows|Derethian Bestiary - Shadows]]</ref>
<br /><br />
And [[Aerfalle's Letter]] seems to support this, ''"The dark spawn have now appeared in my cellars as well, below the levels infested by Asheron's vermin. They are older than the ones that trouble you, I believe; Uvriliim and Paanuvriliim."''<ref name=AerfallesLetter>2000/07 [[To Raise a Banner of Flame]] - [[Aerfalle's Letter]]</ref>
<br /><br />
It does not seem to be coincidence that Umbris and Panumbris shadows are all female. This is most likely a hint at their Falatacot origin.
<br /><br />
All of this leads the [[user:An Adventurer|editor]] to believe that the First Sending of Darkness involves the conflict between the Darkness and the Great Ones which led to the Great Cooling of the World, which in turn led some Falatacot to flee Dereth for the warmer lands of Dericost.


== Second Sending ==
== Second Sending ==

Revision as of 02:08, 24 September 2016

The Sendings of Darkness are periods of time when the "Darkness" seeks to control Auberean. Though it is unclear what constitutes a Sending, they seem to involve the Shadows.

The Fivefold Curse

The Fivefold Curse is a Falatacot prophacy[1] from the Book of Eibhil.[2] The curse is as follows:

As we were sent by the Darkness
The Darkness shall send again
An avenging star
A light to bring darkness
The Darkness shall send then
A knowledge:
A power to bring destruction
For Alaidain's blood shall be
The death of the people
And then Darkness shall send yet again
And once more, and the Darkness shall win.[3][1][2]

These were the final words of Sarvien II, the last king of Dericost, which he uttered to Empress Alaidain as he died on the Ice Throne.[3][1][2] When Alaidain returned from Dericost, she inscribed this curse on Alaidain's Gem. In her waning years, she entrusted this gem to the wards of Ithaenc. Only the monarchs of the Seaborne Empire were allowed to read these words.[3][1] Much later, Asheron referred to it as the curse of Eibhiill.[4] Isparians discovered Alaidain's Gem in Leafcull, 11 PY.

The Fivefold curse can be broken up into the five Sendings as follows:

First Sending As we were sent by the Darkness

Second Sending The Darkness shall send again
An avenging star
A light to bring darkness

Third Sending The Darkness shall send then
A knowledge:
A power to bring destruction
For Alaidain's blood shall be
The death of the people

Fourth Sending And then Darkness shall send yet again

Fifth Sending And once more, and the Darkness shall win

Heretical Prophecy

In Solclaim, 14 PY, Isparians that made their way to Knorr discovered an ancient tome written by Asheron, Prophecies, where he communicated the following to Delacim:

As darkness draws about light
And all falls to ruin so shall come; the star.
The darkness will impart its wisdom,
And the Light shall lose its way.
And blackness shall fall across the land,
And the Light will be hidden above.
Then shall the light gain its wisdom
And Champion.
For Alaidain's blood shall be
The savior of the people
And then Darkness shall send again,
and be beaten
And so it will send again,
and be beaten.[4]

This prophecy, Asheron said, is in opposition to the Fivefold Curse, and would be considered heresy to the Nali.[4]

The Heretical Prophecy can be broken up into the five Sendings as follows:

First Sending As darkness draws about light

Second Sending And all falls to ruin so shall come; the star.
The darkness will impart its wisdom,
And the Light shall lose its way.
And blackness shall fall across the land,
And the Light will be hidden above.

Third Sending Then shall the light gain its wisdom
And Champion.
For Alaidain's blood shall be
The savior of the people

Fourth Sending And then Darkness shall send again,
and be beaten

Fifth Sending And so it will send again,
and be beaten.

First Sending

There are no direct references to the First Sending outside of the Fivefold Curse and the Heretical Prophecy. However, some conclusions can be drawn from those sources.

In this first line of the Fivefold Curse, it is important to understand who "we" are. We know that these were Sarvien's last words,[3][1][2] but they are a Falatacot prophecy,[1] from the Book of Eibhil.[2] With that in mind, it seems most likely that the "we" referred to here are the Falatacot, and Sarvien was not referring to the Dericost people when saying "we".

The Campaign Journal states that "For the Falatacot, in their flight from the Darkness and cold that had put their gods to sleep, taught the kings of the Ice Throne their secrets in exchange for sanctuary." which implies that the Shadows were involved with the ice age.[5]

The AC:DM Bestiary entry for Shadows states that, "There are indications that some Shadows, particularly those of the more powerful Panumbris and Umbris types, predate the conversion of Ilservian into Bael'Zharon. Scholars believe this indicates the force that empowered the Hopeslayer has sought the conquest of Dereth for a far much longer time than is commonly known."[6]

And Aerfalle's Letter seems to support this, "The dark spawn have now appeared in my cellars as well, below the levels infested by Asheron's vermin. They are older than the ones that trouble you, I believe; Uvriliim and Paanuvriliim."[7]

It does not seem to be coincidence that Umbris and Panumbris shadows are all female. This is most likely a hint at their Falatacot origin.

All of this leads the editor to believe that the First Sending of Darkness involves the conflict between the Darkness and the Great Ones which led to the Great Cooling of the World, which in turn led some Falatacot to flee Dereth for the warmer lands of Dericost.

Second Sending

Third Sending

Fourth Sending

Fifth Sending

Continuity

See Continuity/Sendings of Darkness.

References