“So it is written among the murals within Ysand’s crypt. The Bleak Sun shall eventually descend from its zenith and with it comes a choice for all the Golden Empire’s citizens. We can persevere despite the void left without our beloved god. Or we can fall prey to our own machinations.
The Empire will last, of that there is no question. What one should ask is what will remain of us when Ysand returns? Our might may seem untarnished and with our final victory closing in through each step - what keeps me up at night is wondering whether we have served his vision diligently. Or lost ourselves to an insidious pride and blind wrath.
Only the future shall tell what will become of us. When our father rises again, shall we deliver this world unto the Golden Dawn.
Or into the Long Night.”
-Dominus-Sanctus Aurelius Marcellus
One Dusk, One Dawn
Beneath the Temple of Ysand lies an ancient crypt. A stone wrought space empty of any grave - with only a mural at its center. A painting of an ashen night behind that of a rising sun with nine edges, which carves through the veil of darkness like holy swords.
This is the mural of prophecy that was painted by unknown hands, shortly after Ysand’s demise. It is believed that these artists were the first priests of the Ysandrine Pantheon who the god personally taught his ideals and visions, back when he was still a living half man and half divine.
Within the artistry, one can find an array of ancient runes - poorly translated as more than a thousand years of time have altered the language beyond recognition.
These runes are believed to speak of a prophecy, that Ysand knew that his demise was inevitable and that he would fall. Perhaps by enemy hands. Perhaps by a traitor among his own. Perhaps the mortal part of his blood would eventually give in to age.
Like all divinities - be they aspects of order, chaos and even corruption - for as long as they are believed in, a god can never truly die and will reform naturally.
Modern scholars believe that the runes speak of the Golden Empire and humanity's ultimate victory against the powers of darkness that seek to shatter them - but with a twist. As Ysand in death is an extension of the people’s faith in him, his resurrection is inevitable. Be it tomorrow, or more likely - in another hundred years. The Golden Dawn is the term of his return, when the Empire is still pure and righteous in their quest to chase his vision. To then be led into glory as a nation which brings a foundation of peace and unity unto the entire world.
The Long Night
The Long Night is the antithesis of the Golden Dawn. A victory, in word only. Ringing hollow as Ysand’s wisdom is perverted by blind dogma and the Golden Empire turns into the very thing it was founded not to become.
This dark prophecy is said to be an official part of the sacred mural. A warning that within every human heart lies a shadow that is a greater threat than all their enemies combined.
Infamously, this prophecy is even fully embraced by the traitor legate, Dominus-Praetorius Luciano Penumbra and his Black Church. Seeking to bring back Ysand through a vampiric curse to lead the Golden Empire to a sanguine conquest of the world.
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