Rune’s Testament
Overview
Rune’s Testament is a set of secret instructions left by Rune, the first Kuningas of Asgartha, revealing the true purpose of the Rediscovery Endeavor. The Testament declares that the Source of The Tumult is a fabrication, and that the real mission is to sail westward and rekindle the Phoenix, allowing the Firebird to be reborn.
Core Teachings
The Testament contains several key revelations. Rune himself searched for the Source of the Tumult and failed to find it, declaring the Source does not exist as described. The real objective is to rekindle the Phoenix—“The Firebird must be rekindled, reborn. Only then can the world rise from its ashes.” Explorers must sail westward to find the Phoenix’s nest, and the Phoenix Egg must be transported west for the rebirth to occur.
The Keepers
The Phoenixian Guard serve as stewards of Rune’s Testament. They have preserved these secret instructions across generations, knowing the Source of the Tumult was never the true goal. Members of the Guard bear golden tracings on their skin—patterns identical to the archaic script carved throughout the City of Scholars—marking their role as Testament keepers.
Sitina, a Phoenixian Blade Dancer, revealed the Testament’s existence to Waru Toowoom and Kojo Oduro in 393 AC after they discovered Rune’s scroll.
The Scroll
A scroll bearing Rune’s words was discovered in 393 AC by Waru Toowoom’s expedition in the City of Scholars. The scroll was located in a shrine featuring a massive phoenix sculpted in bas-relief, brooding over a flame-wreathed egg identical to the Bravos emblem. The alcove within the egg contained the cylinder holding the ancient vellum.
The scroll’s discovery confirmed what the Phoenixian Guard had always known: Rune foresaw this moment and left instructions for when the fabrication would be exposed.
Text of the Scroll
The scroll contains Rune’s final message:
“There is no escape. My crown is my cage. Like the Tumult, my prison is a snake biting its own tail. No beginning, no end. But to atone for my crimes, I must not break the cycle. Such is my damnation, and at the same time, my rebirth. Do not despair, however. Those of you who still can, keep going. You hold the key to renewal in your hands. In Avalon, the king will awaken. RUNE”
The message reveals that Rune viewed his kingship as imprisonment and speaks of atonement for unspecified crimes. The reference to Avalon as the destination where “the king will awaken” connects the Testament to Arthurian mythology from the World Before.
Implementation
Acting on the Testament, Bravos loyal to its teachings secretly joined the Tisdhera Clan aboard The Wayfarer. They carried the Phoenix Egg, stolen from Haven, westward toward the Phoenix’s nest. This covert operation was unknown to most of the Expeditionary Corps until Sitina’s revelation.
The Decision to Continue
When Waru Toowoom learned the Source of the Tumult was a fabrication, he faced a crisis: revealing the truth would collapse the Rediscovery Endeavor and destroy morale. The Testament provided an alternative—rather than abandoning the mission, the expedition could adopt the true purpose of rekindling the Phoenix. Waru chose to substitute one truth for another, keeping the fabrication hidden while pursuing the Testament’s goal.
Kojo Oduro, witnessing this decision, was deeply conflicted. He believed people had the right to know, but accepted that the greater good required maintaining hope.
Relationships
- Rune: First Kuningas who created the Testament
- Phoenix Egg: Artifact central to the Testament’s mission
- Phoenix: Firebird that must be rekindled according to the Testament
- Phoenixian Guard: Keepers of the Testament across generations
- Sitina: Blade Dancer who revealed the Testament (393 AC)
- Waru Toowoom: Discovered Rune’s scroll and accepted the Testament’s mission (393 AC)
- Kojo Oduro: Witnessed the Testament’s revelation (393 AC)
- City of Scholars: Location where Rune’s scroll was found
- The Wayfarer: Vessel carrying the Phoenix Egg westward
- Tisdhera Clan: Lyra Saraband secretly transporting the egg
- Rediscovery Endeavor: Expedition whose true purpose is revealed by the Testament
- The Tumult: Phenomenon whose “Source” is revealed as fabrication
- Avalon: Destination mentioned in scroll where “the king will awaken”