Prophecy of the Fourth Kindred

The High Temple contains vast data libraries of lore and knowledge, but some texts are no longer present. When first discovered, the Temple was heavily damaged, and hundreds of data cores were permanently damaged, or otherwise unaccounted for. The Oracle claimed to have some vague knowledge of some of these, but having suffered much damage in her battles amongst the stars, had forgotten much of her own memories as well. So when human surveyors from the Raven discovered a fragment of the High Temple's libraries deep under the surface of Verne, there was much excitement. While the colonists agreed to hand the artefact over to the Pangard, somehow the Corsairs learned of the artefact, and sought to destroy it for unknown reasons. In the ensuing battle (in which the future "Heroes of Pangard" would first meet), the artefact was stolen, and so a special team was assembled to retrieve it and learn its secrets (the same investigation team that would later be called "Heroes of Pangard"). It was eventually found that the text spoke of a lost prophecy, one that would come to play a large role in events to come, with some seeking to fulfill the prophecy, and other, darker forces seeking to thwart it.

Summary

Full Original Text, translated by Chaplain Alundian:

4 Kindreds will gather in this place

First the many people of stone and soil

Second, the bold wanderers of starry oceans

Violently entangled, my sacred places violated,

Until Third come with peaceful spirit and Heavenly Word

After this is done, the Fourth shall at last come

Made in Maker’s Image

Survivors of Fall and Flood

Sent out on Ark and Raven's wings

Chosen of LOVE to be Witness to the Heavens

Together with the 3 they make 1

The 4 spoked wheel, now complete, will move them

Oracle will guide them

They will search and they will find

Then unto the Uplifted Serpent they will come

And Evil for all time

Is Undone

The text appears to predict the creation of Pangard, as well as the eventual coming of a divinely chosen "4th Kindred" who upon joining Pangard, would render it "complete," and somehow able to traverse on a great journey, ending in the finding of a mysterious being called the " Uplifted Serpent ," or "Ascended Dragon." Scattered references in other rare texts speak of the Uplifted Serpent as some sort of ruler or deity, though very little else can be ascertained from Temple records.

Historical Basis

According to data stamps within the text, the prophecy was attributed to an figure known as "the Loremaster." It was eventually discovered that this referred to the Vari scribe "Raziel," an organism living deep beneath the oceans of Crow, in the Cameron Trench. According to Raziel, the 4 kindreds referred to the Yizith, Han-Larn, Engi and Humans, specifically those that were foreseen coming on the Raven. The presence of all 4 Kindreds would awaken Euongel (the High Temple itself, in reality a powerful but dormant alien life-form called an Ophanim), who could then proceed on its quest to travel the stars and rendezvous with its master, the "Uplifted Serpent." Fearing what would happen if the Uplifted Serpent and "his favored fourth" were united, the Neph sought to thwart this prophecy from passing, sending the Sarn to do whatever possible to destroy Pangard, or at the very least stop humans from joining it. Thankfully, all their evil plans eventually failed, thanks in part to the actions of the great "Heroes of Pangard." At the climax of the Sarn siege of the High Temple, the Heroes, having discovered a hidden control center, input the genetic code of all 4 kindreds, Engi, Han-Larn, Yizith, and Human, awaking Euongel from its ancient slumber. Commanded and controlled by the Oracle, Euongel used its miraculous weaponry to destroy all enemy forces assaulting it, saving the Pangard and Colonists from certain defeat. While the Oracle was the only one capable of communicating with and understanding the creature, Eongel was a gentle giant, pleased to be home for the Pangard (which now included the crew of the Raven). Using Eongel's mastery of warping space and time, the Pangard began their great journey through the Cosmos, in search of Pangard's ultimate destiny, performing many heroic deeds and righting many wrongs along the way...

Spread

The Prophecy itself was unknown to most until the discovery at Verne, however certain details were known to the Oracle. For instance, the Oracle declared that the Pangard were forbidden from settling on the planet that would become known as "Crow," as it was "Not their home, but the home of those who have not yet come." When humans first arrived in the system and settled on Crow, many Pangard were furious at the intrusive blasphemy, however the Oracle declared that they be left alone for "they would not be there long." The Oracle herself had only partial knowledge of the prophecy and her role to play in it, so explaining her cryptic language. The Sarn however had full knowledge of the prophecy, for it was there mission to thwart its fulfilment.

Variations & Mutation

Seeking to thwart the Prophecy, the Sarn planted many false versions of it to be found by Pangard. These texts spoke of the 4th Kindred not as Pangard's salvation, but as their destruction, their coming to be prevented at all costs. Shockingly, Raziel the Loremaster when asked about these false prophecies did not outright deny them, simply stating that it was up to humanity to decide which path to take.

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