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A D M should consider whether the mystery of the the Prophecy is a map that shows many possible fu
Mourning can be solved and what the consequences tures, along with the steps that must occur to make that
would be. Right now, fear of the Mourning holds war at future a reality. A fragment of the Prophecy might say,
bay. If it's confirmed that the Mourning is no longer a "If the Bear King is slain by a sorrowful assassin in the
threat-or if one nation manages to harness its power Shadow of the Mourning, the Crown will fall from his
war could begin again. nation." The "Bear King" could refer to King Boranel of
Breland, since the bear is Breland's heraldic beast. The
THE D R ACO N I C P R O P H E C Y "Shadow of the Mourning" could mean that Boranel
must be slain in the Mournland, or it could mean that
There are patterns hidden in the world. Secrets lie in the assassination must occur on the anniversary of the
the conjunctions of the planes and moons, in strange Mourning. This passage doesn't say that Boranel will
symbols formed by the flowing lava of a volcanic erup be assassinated or that the Brelish monarchy will fall; it
tion or the fissures caused by an earthquake. Carved in suggests that if Boran el is assassinated under these con
the walls of ancient citadels and on primeval megaliths, ditions, then the monarchy will surely fall. But it could
knot patterns appear to have meaning that only the con also be fulfilled in different ways, if the terms of the
templative mind can hope to comprehend. To those who Prophecy are interpreted differently. Other fragments of
can read them, these myriad events and signs form a the Prophecy might cover what happens if Boranel is as
map of possible futures, a map that can be used to shape sassinated under other circumstances, or what happens
the course of history. if he dies of natural causes.
Scholars call this map the Draconic Prophecy, attrib As an adventurer, you could be hired by a scholar
uting it to the Progenitor Dragons: Eberron, Siberys, trying to piece together a fragment of the Prophecy
and Khyber. The Prophecy is vast and complex, its signs and clash with a secret society along the way. Or you
scattered across the world. Few humans or even elves could discover that your family plays a pivotal role in
have the time or resources to unravel its secrets. The
foremost students of the Prophecy are ancient dragons, a fragment of the Prophecy. Will you embrace this or
immortal fiends, and others who have devoted thou fight your potential destiny? Will you dedicate your life
sands of years to this work. to interpreting the Prophecy or ignore it as just a bunch
What makes the Prophecy especially complex is that of mystical nonsense? And might the Prophecy hold the
it doesn't define a singular path for the future. Rather, answer to the Mourning itself?
WELCOME TO EBERRON
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