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
Second Sending
Third Sending
Fourth Sending
Fifth Sending
Continuity
See Continuity/Sendings of Darkness.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 2001/10 Dark Majesty - AC:DM CD Lore: Alaidain's Gem
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2003/02 That Which Is Ours - The History of Auberean Volume I: Empires Clashing (-30,000 to -9,000)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2000/11 Should the Stars Fall - Alaidain's Gem
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 2003/05 Discoveries - Prophecies