Babel
Hermit, Heretic or Hero?
Babel is a historical figure, some even say god, and known Hermit, who was alive around the time of the (now fallen) Mathidoni Empire.
It is said that he lived in a small cave near the base of the Pinnacle of Hope. where it is thought the last prophecy from the Mother is written.
Babel told many prophecies and predictions during his lifetime, but can any divine truth be garnered from them?
More importantly, his words have brought secret hope to many over the years, especially since Age of Unbearable Sorrow.
In recent years, there has even been a resurgence in offerings left at Babel's cave, whilst the idea that Babel wrote the 'last great prophecy of hope,' is gaining speed throughout the city of Malvarron, especially as the people struggle against the new militaristic regime imposed on them by The Vanguard.
According to some versions of history, Babel met his demise centuries ago, after climbing a tree, naked, in a lightening storm. He was struck a multitude of times and perished as a result. This was apparently witnessed by the great scholar Imanu Keshkara, who paid a visit to Babel to chronicle his words and thus noted down this encounter.
Nevertheless, whether alive or dead, god or commoner, Babel has gone down in history as an important yet controversial figure of great mystery.
Who was he?
Most regard Babel to be nothing more than an ancient outcast, a madman, perhaps even one who suffered tremendous trauma at the hands of people, and thus, preferred to isolate himself from society.
Some believe that he was in communication with the Gods, that his ramblings were the divine word, whilst others believe he is actually a god in disguise.
In fact, according to the Church/Cult of Shadow, he was a child of Nocterra and member of the Shadow Pantheon in his own right. A notoriety which has earned Babel the titles of: 'the God of madness', 'the god of loneliness, fear and unfounded courage'.
As Nocterra isn't acknowledged by the The Church of the Eternal Mother, neither is Babel, or indeed any of her supposed children.
The Last Prophecy
"When a distant light flashes across the sky, shadows, ravenous and thirsty, will pass into our world. They are chaos. Evil entwined with frightful power and intent on reaping destruction. A noble blooded child of New Revaelor will be Ethera's champion. The chaos in their warrior's heart whispers in the ears of those seeking to oppress the others. Through them a child will be gifted to the world. The scar on the infant's restless soul a testament to those who have faith in the Mother. And the divine one shall come down from the heavens once more to destroy the unspeakable evil a which has gripped the world."
This is Babel's most famous prophecy, and is one of the few confirmed things we know for sure about his 'divine teachings', largely because we can still see the letters today, written in blood on the wall of his cave, along with other random drawings and doodles.
Whilst some dismiss the claims as heresy, or the ramblings of a madman, there is evidence of people making a pilgrimage to the cave over the centuries to give offerings to a man who is said to have transcended the planes between worlds.
Babel's Fate
According to some versions of history, Babel met his demise centuries ago, after climbing a tree, naked, in a lightening storm. He was struck a multitude of times and perished as a result. This was apparently witnessed by the great scholar Imanu Keshkara, who paid a visit to Babel to chronicle his words and thus noted down this encounter.
It is not clear why Babel would do such a thing. Some say he was trying to communicate with the Guardians. Others that it was simply a demonstration of his own insanity and nothing more.
In recent years, there have been several reports of a Haggard Old Man, dressed in rags, loitering in the Elvara Forest, near Springbrook,. This man often wonders about the forest yelling various nonsensical phrases and insanities, including that he is Babel 'reborn.'
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