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The oracles are a group of spellcasters (like clerics and mages) who contact divine magic to make prophecies of events that had not yet taken place. Just prior to the Calamity, the city of Avalir had its own oracles in the Hall of Prophecy.[2]

History[]

The first oracles probably appeared at some point after the Founding, when the gods first gave magic and knowledge to the mortal races. Traditionally these prophets made their predictions channeling the power of some deity; however, at some point in its history, during the Age of Arcanum, the mages of the city of Avalir discovered a way to contact the divine energy that made prophecies possible without the need to worship gods, although requiring a lot of the oracles, who lived a secluded life.[3] These mages studied to develop healing magic (uncommon in that magocracy) and they accepted those who wanted to learn, even if they wouldn't become oracles.[4]

Approximately two weeks before the Calamity,[5] the archmage Vespin Chloras succeeded in a ritual weakening the barriers that prevented the return of the Betrayer Gods.[6] In the Hall of Prophecy in Avalir, Karwen, one of the oracles, sensed the coming danger and delivered a prophecy of warning, so intense, dark and confusing that her fellow oracles thought she was going mad; the attempts of healing her, however, caused a different effect, allowing many other prophets to have similar visions. Worried about the sanity of the oracles, the Hall of Prophecy discreetly reached out, contacting with the Chair of Divination (the closest school due to the common nature of both institutions) and the Ring of Gold. Volucia of the Heart's Emblem, the Chief Diviner,[7] was sent to the Hall to help during a week, keeping the affected oracles safe, time during which she also tried to understand the nature of the strange madness that afflicted the prophets. It was during her watch when Karwen, apparently recovered from her vision, was allowed to walk freely; this, however, caused that when she had another episode she extended the effect to many of her fellows, to the point where only Sofyra was unaffected. Volucia, deeply worried about this, and after locking Karwen again for her own safety, contacted Loras of the Wearer's Mask, and they had an argument, during which she stated that the prophetic gifts of the oracles weren't worth the harm they were suffering for them. The two members of the Ring of Gold were unable to reach an agreement, and Volucia decided to renounce magic, breaking the staff she used as an arcane focus and leaving Avalir.[8] Loras took care of the problem closing the Hall of Prophecy and locking the mad oracles, letting just a few people (including Patia Por'co) know that the prophets needed rest before the Replenishment, and leaving guards watching the building.[9]

The night the Calamity started the Ring of Brass, investigating the strange events that took place in the city, sent Nydas Okiro and Zerxus Ilerez to the Hall of Prophecy. Using a bit of deception and the trust Zerxus had, being a former student of the Hall, they convinced Sofyra of letting them in and revealing them what happened. During the time he spent there, the First Knight of Avalir visited the place where Karwen was being kept, and going through a reflection had a conversation with Asmodeus.[10] Nydas, meanwhile, was informed about the first "false" prophecy recorded, but he didn't want to believe in it, so he treated it as nonsense.[11] Later that same night, when the Lord of the Nine Hells entered Exandria and Karwen's prophecy started to make more sense, the Ring of Brass returned to the Hall (following the advise of a briefly redeemed Vespin Chloras) and released the oracle. She healed her saviours and delivered a new prophecy about the doom that was coming.[12]

Before the destruction of Avalir Loquatius Seelie sent a message to both the floating city and Cathmoíra in the ground, asking people to leave Domunas using all the means they had.[13] Presumably, if Sofyra and/or Karwen freed the other oracles, at least some of them were able to save themselves before Laerryn's Astral Leywright sent Rau'shan and Ka'Mort (the primordials sealed under Cathmoíra) outside the Material Plane, destroying the continent in the process.[14]

It is known that the serpentfolk seers of the Vos'sykriss Empire foresaw the Calamity decades before it happened, and many of them survived it by entering an arcane stasis under their capital city in Visa Isle.[15] However, it is unknown if the oracles themselves were among those who entered the slumber, or in case they died and returned as ghosts, if they retained the gift of prophecy as undead.

At some point after the destruction of Domunas, one of the Gau Drashari survivors, Evontra'vir, used their connection with nature to transform into the Great Tree of Atrophy, growing between the realms of life and death and touching with its roots the skein of fate and the threads of destiny, and acquiring prophetic abilities for which many people visited it looking for answers or help. Evontra'vir was able to see possibilities and things that were meant to happen, and they answered questions even knowing the knowledge could hurt those who asked for it.[16]

After the Divergence it is unknown how common oracles are, but they still exist. In Syngorn there are legends between 810 and 836 PD about an oracle's spirit bound to the Gladepools that will reveal fates or grant a cryptic prophecy to those who give sufficient offering and respect.[17][18] In the same period of time, Seer Gloria Ios of the Arcana Pansophical started acting as a reaching arm of the organization in Vasselheim due to her visions, and now her duties are focused there.[1][19] By 835 PD there are seers and oracles in Xhorhas that, when a double eclipse happens (this meaning Ruidus and Catha overlapping before the sun) warn about the uncontrollable (if brief) colliding of multiple planes.[20] In 843 PD, Elder Joan Abaddina of Hearthdell referred to herself as a soothsayer. She had the ability to read the memories of others through pink spores and to locate people using her scrying well, but it is unknown if she was able to predict the future.[21]

Moreover, there are still individuals that manifest prophetic abilities without actively acting as oracles. A good example of it is Leylas Kryn, Bright Queen of the Kryn Dynasty, who receives dreams with visions related with her deity and their sacred relics.[22]

There's an oracular ability colloquially known as "the Squint" that is considered to be "a faint oracle touch". In normal circumstances it allows its users to get glimpses of dangers yet to come, possibilities of futures they can choose or avoid. However, the Squint can be cultivated to develop the same capacities as a normal oracle.[23]

There's another ability that, while doesn't provide prophecies or revelations, does allow certain people to identify those who have been marked with a special destiny (whether that can be considered a blessing or a curse). Those who had this talent were able to see a light or "glint" around others, a glimmer that, according to superstition, could interest the goddess of fate.[24]

Known prophecies[]

Oracle Prophecy Meaning Fulfillment
Vos'sykriss seers[25][15] Content of the prophecy currently unknown The prophecy warned about the Calamity and its destruction. The events warned by the prophecy took place, and the Vos'sykriss Empire fell, with some the serpentfolk of Visa Isle surviving only by entering an arcane stasis.
Karwen[26] "The stars are leaving us. Our hands cannot reach the limbs of the tree, can no longer scribe the name of our deliverance. We will soon be as broken as our promises. Avalir shall fall. All shall fall. And from our folly will the hands that forge the world banish themselves from the broken things they have made." The prophecy warns about the destruction of the Tree of Names by a series of decisions that broke the agreement between the mages of Avalir and the Gau Drashari, causing the Calamity and eventually the Divergence. Every event warned by the prophecy took place.
Karwen[27] "When crowned fire and a throned earth stride forth to join ancient war anew, then Mother and Father shall fall to the hands of their imprisoned kin. And all the stars will weep until the death of light for lost Exandria, whose every ashen breath will wish for death, and never knowing peace, shall stumble ever more to seek in vain the end of horror without name." The prophecy warns about the great destruction that will happen if the Emperor of Fire and the Empress of Earth are freed when Avalir and Cathmoíra become one again in Mount Ygora. It also insinuate that, with the support of those primordials, the Betrayer Gods will defeat Pelor and Melora (the ones that sealed away those elementals). The destruction of Exandria as we know it is unavoidable at that point. The events of this prophecy were a possible future, and were mostly avoided by the efforts of the Ring of Brass (although Domunas was destroyed by the primordials regardless).
Evontra'vir[28] Content of the prophecy currently unknown This glimpse into Efterin's future helped him find the shard of the Empress of Earth in the Necropolis of Toramunda, essential to fulfill his destiny. This future happened as the Great Tree of Atrophy had shown, and led to Efterin's fateful end, destroying the Hishari and himself and using the elemental relic to create his true destiny: his child, Ashton Greymoore, as a "titan of blood".
Oracle's spirit
of the Gladepools
(presumably)[17]
A gleaming longsword that has written along the side in Undercommon: "Whosoever draws this blade has the power to free Ruhn-Shak from madness." This sword prophesies a potential savior for the drow city of Ruhn-Shak, which is on the verge of collapse under the dangerous influence of the Chained Oblivion. This prophetic longsword is part of the adventure hook No Basis for a System of Government in Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, and its fulfillment depends on a fighter or paladin finding the blade, deciphering its prophecy and deciding to undertake said mission.
Local soothsayers
near the Cauldron Sea[29]
Content of the prophecy currently unknown It is said that one day Tharizdun, who according to legend created the Cauldron Sea to loosen the veil between worlds, will rend the fabric of reality from the depths of those waters. According to some the prophecy is already fulfilled, since the Oblivion Vortex in this sea causes an eternal storm due to the aspects of the Elemental Plane of Water and the Abyss colliding in it. Many others believe there are worse things to come, and want to avoid the Chained Oblivion's return.
Oracle's spirit
of the Gladepools
(presumably)[18]
A gleaming longsword upon whose blade, in flowing elven script, is written: "Whosoever draws this blade bears the mantle of the true scion of Yenlara." This sword prophesies the appearance of an individual of elven ancestry who is descended by blood from Yenlara Alderwreath and, dynastically, holds more rights to rule Syngorn than the current High Warden, Tyrelda. This prophetic longsword is part of the adventure hook No Basis for a System of Government in Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, and its fulfillment depends on a character with elven ancestry finding the blade, discovering the conspiracy behind its prophecy and deciding if blood alone is enough reason to claim the position of High Warden.
Oleander Calloway[30] A vision of the red light of Ruidus consuming the green beauty of the Feywild, destroying homes and leaving behind dusty remains and dull red light. Fearne Calloway is in that light, extending her hand towards it before it consumes everything. The interpretation the Calloways gave to the vision is that their daughter is marked by the red moon, and somehow its vermillion light is entering the Fey Realm, putting Fearne and the rest of the fey in danger. This prophecy hasn't been fulfilled or avoided yet. Ruidus' light is no longer visible in the sky of the fey, since Bells Hells have destroyed the machine that caused the image of the red moon to appear in that realm.
Evontra'vir[31] A vision of the Bloody Bridge's light widening, a golden lattice shattering, and great beings of shadow and light fleeing, chased by a glow of endless red that eventually leaves too. The vision seems to show the release of Predathos and the flight of the gods, pursued by the Red End. The events of this vision are a possible future, but the prophecy hasn't been fulfilled yet. According to the Great Tree of Atrophy, the efforts of Bells Hells, using the shard of the Empress of Earth and the spark of the Emperor of Fire, could prevent it from happening.

Trivia[]

  • Due to the nature of their magic, oracles have a spark of celestial energy that marks their presence, being recognized by magics such as Divine Sense.[32]
  • Ioun, the Knowing Mistress, is the goddess of prophecy, which makes very probable that she has/had oracles under her service.
  • It is unknown if the ability to become an oracle is something one is born with, or if anyone with the proper training and disposition (or divine influence) can gain these prophetic abilities. In any case, Zerxus Ilerez is proof that if the potential already exists, it is possible for someone who is not working as an oracle to obtain dreams, visions, and premonitions.
    • The fact Cree Deeproots inherited the ability to see the glint from her mother's family[33] and Ollie Calloway inherited his Squint from his own mother indicates that the oracular potential might be hereditary.[34]
  • Theoretically, K'nauthi can gain oracle abilities if their deity so desires (although the process would be terribly detrimental to them). Likewise, a divine oracle whose god has no concern for their well-being may end up transforming into a K'nauth.
  • In Tal'Dorei (and possibly elsewhere) oracles use oloore root (an illegal drug) to enhance their divinations.[35]
  • In Reaching Bluff, in the Cliffkeep Mountains, the locals treat a Luxon beacon they found as a mystical oracle.[36]
  • The apogee solstice of 843 PD may have had an effect on oracular abilities such as the Squint, since Ollie stopped getting visions the moment the solstice started.[37]
  • While it has never been shown in Critical Role, there is a Supernatural gift in 5th Edition rules, Oracle, available as a character creation option in Mythic Odysseys of Theros, which gives, among other abilities, knowledge of the Celestial language and more spells the greater the devotion and piety to a deity.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 29.
  2. See "Excelsior" (E3x01) at 2:06:20.
  3. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 3:36:00.
  4. https://twitter.com/Luiscarazo/status/1538562311400529922?s=20&t=vtJZadbllAaCp2WfwXva4g
  5. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 1:53:02.
  6. See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 12.
  7. See "Blood and Shadow" (E3x03) at 3:23:54.
  8. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) from 3:36:00 through 3:50:09.
  9. See "Excelsior" (E3x01) at 2:06:20.
  10. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 4:02:05.
  11. See "Blood and Shadow" (E3x03) at 3:23:30.
  12. See "Fire and Ruin" (E3x04) at 2:26:54.
  13. See "Fire and Ruin" (E3x04) at 3:41:10.
  14. See "Fire and Ruin" (E3x04) at 5:38:00.
  15. 15.0 15.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 257.
  16. See "Roots Between Worlds" (3x74) at 3:19:26.
  17. 17.0 17.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 80.
  18. 18.0 18.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 121.
  19. See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 47.
  20. See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 134.
  21. See "Faith or Famine" (3x60) at 2:15:31.
  22. See The Tales of Exandria: The Bright Queen, Issue #1.
  23. See "Reunion & Revelation" (3x30) at 2:52:00.
  24. Critical Role: The Mighty Nein - The Nine Eyes of Lucien, p. 12.
  25. See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 97.
  26. See "Fire and Ruin" (E3x04) at 4:30:42.
  27. See "Fire and Ruin" (E3x04) at 2:27:40.
  28. See "Roots Between Worlds" (3x74) at 3:12:15.
  29. See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 151.
  30. See "Reunion & Revelation" (3x30) at 2:52:42.
  31. See "Roots Between Worlds" (3x74) at 3:29:51.
  32. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 4:00:36.
  33. Critical Role: The Mighty Nein - The Nine Eyes of Lucien, p. 12.
  34. See "Reunion & Revelation" (3x30) at 2:52:00.
  35. See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 85.
  36. See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 41.
  37. See "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) at 2:14:26.

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