Canon 22: The Sixth Sign: Against Ningula

In 5108 as the elves reckon time, there was a priest named Gamasiel who was given the sixth of ten signs.

It was the deep of winter, when the voice which called to him said, "Choose a god which your temple worships and have him show forth his power."

Because the days had begun to grow longer and the goddess Ningula would be placated to end the reign of night, Gamasiel went to the priests of the temple and asked for a sign. The priests agreed that her star had been seen on the horizon and would pass in due course, meaning that the winter would be swift at ending. The people of Westrun would know the comfort of the goddess, they said.

But the next day, a cold wind came and the air became too frigid to bear. A blizzard came with it and deep snow fell upon the plains. This was the year of the second Winter and no year like it was known before or since.

And the people moaned in their houses for the snow was too great to bear and the stores of their food grew short. So they cried out to the priests for relief. Then offerings were taken and sacrfices were made, but the Second Winter continued and there was no relief.

But then the voice came to Gamasiel and said, "Find seven shepherds and send them from North to South along the great road and Summer shall follow them, wherever they tread."

And so Gamasiel did as he was bid, and the shepherds went forth and the Summer wind followed them, wherever they tread.

But the priests argued that the snow was a blanket, and that all along this was the comfort of the goddess who sent it. Yet many there were who left the worship of Ningula and pledged themselves to the Gamasiel's Forgotten God.