The Jodari Prophecy of Crowns
(The Jodari are a people of the western plains of Avalon who resemble
Scavengers but who take considerable offense if called such. It was
brought to Aran Elenaro in Padash in October of 597.)
Excerpt from the Journals of Nehillesthian Dreamseer:
As I slept, I dreamt, and in my dreams there came unto me visions of
a time yet to come; a time that hath not been. In my dreams, I saw
a power rising in the north, which stretched out a glowing hand, like an
eerie spider, to cast its webs over kingdoms and principalities.
This power had been, but had slept, and now it woke again, though centuries
had passed, to make wrought upon the land great errors and dire happenings.
No place on Tyrra was free from the touch of the ghostly hand, and many
died, while others wept and trembled. And this power was in from
like a dark king, though its crown was fashioned of Pain, both its own
and that of others. But there rose, from over the lands, many crowns
and powers to contest the Crown of Pain.
First among them came the Bereaved, who was not king nor queen,
but wore her Loss like a crown, and veiled herself with a mantle, made
from the thin bark of birch trees. And the Bereaved cast a net over
the Crown of Pain, and held it fast. She had lost much, and she acted
to see that the land itself was not lost.
A crown came from the Heart of the Land, and it was fashioned
of Golden Leaves. And the Crown of Golden Leaves brought a cloak
of magic to protect the other crowns together. And the Crown of Pain
flung its thorns against those who came against it, but it was for naught.
A Crown came from the East, and it was fashioned of Silver.
And the Silver Crown brought a sword made of the earth, with which the
Crown of Pain was struck a painful wound. And the Crown of Pain recoiled
in agony.
A Crown came from the North, and it was fashioned of Shadow.
And the Crown of Shadows brought tiny arrows, which flew like hornets against
the Crown of Pain, and wounded it such that it could not strike with force
or focus against those who sought its destruction.
A Crown came from the South, and it was fashioned of Steel.
And the Steel Crown brought many warriors to the ring the Crown of Pain
with flashing steel, such that it was blinded and forced to hold within
the nets of the Bereaved.
A Crown came from the West, and it was fashioned of Claws.
And the Crown of Claws brought such powers of life and death that the Crown
of Pain could not cast its dark spirit magicks upon those assembled for
it destruction.