Darksword


The Darksword series consists of the initial three books of The Darksword Trilogy, a supplemental role-playing volume, and a single-volume sequel. It was written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman with cover art by Larry Elmore. It is the story of a young man, born without magic in a society where magic is life, who has been prophesied to destroy the world. The books are published by Bantam Spectra, the science fiction division of Random House. Each book of the trilogy reached the New York Times best seller list.

Overview

The Darksword Trilogy consists of Forging the Darksword, Doom of the Darksword, and Triumph of the Darksword. A fourth book is a sequel, Legacy of the Darksword. The role-playing game is Darksword Adventures.

Characters

Main characters

;Joram
;Father Saryon
;Mosiah
;Simkin

Villains

;Bishop Vanya
;Blachloch
;Prince/Emperor Xavier
;Kevon Smythe

Plot

The Prophecy

In the chaotic times after the Iron Wars, the Bishop of the Realm decided to attempt a vision of the future, in order to calm the fears of the populace. In the month leading up to the attempt, he secluded himself in a small room and fasted, in order to purify himself.
The spell succeeded, but the strain was too much for the Bishop's weakened body. He died before the Prophecy was given in full, and the theurgist assisting him was rendered catatonic. Since the theurgist was the last of his profession in the world, no further attempts to see the future could be undertaken.
The Prophecy begins "There will be born to the Royal House one who is Dead yet will live, who will die again and live again. And when he returns, he will hold in his hand the destruction of the world--"
It is revealed in Triumph of the Darksword that the broken-off sentence would have ended with "or its salvation". It is also revealed that The Prophecy was only supposed to be a warning.

The Nine Mysteries

;Fire
;Water
;Earth
;Air
;Shadow
;Life
;Spirit
;Time
;Death
These nine mysteries were known as the Mysteries of Light. Prior to the Great Passage from Earth to Thimhallan, there were four Mysteries of Darkness that were cast out, since its members wanted revenge against the Mundanes for the persecution they suffered. These mysteries were the negative aspects of Earth, Air, Fire and Water: War, Famine, Pestilence and Spirit-Death.

Reception

Forging the Darksword reached 15 on the New York Times bestseller list on December 27, 1987.
Doom of the Darksword reached 9 on the New York Times bestseller list on May 1, 1988.
Triumph of the Darksword reached 12 on the New York Times bestseller list on August 21, 1988.