Gudrid's Prophecy is an ancient and enigmatic foresight regarding the fate of the Heroes and the political stability of the Continent of Osnines. Transliterated from the runes encircling the records of the 774 AM mission, the prophecy provides a metaphorical roadmap for the conflict between Rojden and the Department of Resolutions. It specifically foretells the rise of a foundling, the multi-faceted nature of a powerful father, and a resolution brought about by a “bringer of justice” through blood sacrifice.

The literal text of the prophecy as recorded in the Book of Heroes is as follows:

Lost yet found, he stands tall far from the sea
In among the ghosts of fallen spear carriers
Where, women witness and are spared to bear 
daughters descended from god’s fire made flesh.

The father’s myriad faces are bent 
on elevation making kings, princes, cities.
His lover’s fierce flame flowers vigorously 
when her sacred sword sings in the old ways.

Sacrifice to the old gods, 
blood in rivers, smoke skywards.
Worship her righteously, seek perfection, 
embrace the bird filled trees.

She brings justice by night 
and ends   empires, oppression 
by northerners, faith restored."

The Department of Resolutions has identified several key correlations between these verses and the events of the 774 AM southern campaign. These are tentative, prophecy is notoriously fickle and usual open to more than one interpretation, and it's important to bear that in mind when attempting to understand it.

• The Foundling: The opening line, “Lost yet found,” is believed to refer to Noren, who was abandoned as a baby and “found” by the people of Straven. His transition from a fisherman to an initiate “far from the sea” at Estreham mirrors the text.
• The Father of Myriad Faces: This is believed to be a reference to Rojden and his treacherous outlook.
• The Fierce Flame and the Sacred Sword: “His lover’s fierce flame” identifies Yngvild the Fierce, whose name and lineage are linked to Aeolf (Goddess of Flames) and Malfin. The “sacred sword” is Jafnadr, the sentient blade of justice that “sings” when wielded by its rightful heir.
• The Sacrifice at Estreham: The “blood in rivers” could refer to the ritual performed at the black altar in the Temple of Clewg. To break the involuntary geas laid upon Noren, Yngvild was required to offer him as a sacrifice to Malfin.
• Ending Empires: The concluding lines are very ambiguous. While they may refer to the end of Rojden's expansionist regime, some scholars within the Council of Electors worry that “oppression by northerners” and “ends empires” might portend the downfall of Skyssian maritime hegemony.

• Noren: The “lost yet found” hero whose lineage triggered the prophecy's fulfilment.
• Yngvild the Fierce: The “bringer of justice” and wielder of the sacred sword.
• Rojden: The father of “myriad faces” and the primary subject of the prophecy's warnings.
• Alfarinn: The matriarch whose son was born to fulfil the ancient words.
• Old Bjorn: The founder of Skyss who used the prophecy to guide his long-term contingency plans.
• Gudrid the Gull: The legendary shapeshifter for whom the prophecy is named.

• Estreham: The site of the “bird filled trees” and the ritual sacrifice.
• Kingdom of Skyss: The “northerners” whose influence is questioned by the text.
• Kingdom of Cottalem: The seat of the new empire that the prophecy suggests may be ended.

• Jafnadr: The sentient sword that serves as the instrument of justice mentioned in the prophecy.
• Geas: The magical binding that necessitated the “sacrifice to the old gods.”
• Great Schism: The historical context that makes the prophecy's talk of “faith restored” politically sensitive.