Canon 17: The First Sign: Against Kinurea

 In 5107 as the elves reckon time, there was a priest named Gamasiel in Treft who was called by He who was forgotten, saying that ten signs should accompany that calling.

Gamasiel heard the voice which called to him said, "Choose a god which your temple worships and have him show forth his power."

So Gamasiel, went to his fellow priests and asked what signs might be seen from Kinurea.

The priests agreed that it would be a great season for harvest.

But then a blight came, such as has not been seen before or since. All across Westrun the seedlings died and many came to the temple for wisdom. The priests made their sacrifices and imprecations and determined that the ground was still fertile and so the planting was made again, albeit late. But again, when the first shoots sprang forth from the earth the seedlings again died.

Then there was great fear across all of Westrun and men demanded that the gods be appeased. For forty days and nights, offerings were piled high upon the altar of Kinurea and a great column of perfumed smoke rose to the heavens, but no answer came. The priests made their prayers and rituals and the people tore their clothes and shaved their heads, but no answer came.

Then in the last days of the sign, the voice said to Gamasiel, "Go to your King. And go also to the valley beneath the city walls and find there seven shepherds. Lay your hands upon each of their crooks and bid them to walk to each of the remaining kingdoms. If they do so, whatsoever field they cross, will blossom and grow and be ripe in time to harvest.

So Gamasiel did as he was bid, and things were as the voice had promised.

But the priests of the Grand Temple mocked Gamasiel and his shepherds and made sacrifices of thanksgiving to Kinurea anyway, saying that their portents were true, but misunderstood. Yet many there were who left the worship of Kinurea and pledged themselves to the Gamasiel's Forgotten God.