Civil War prophecies (and a little on prophecies in general)
Lloyd Gayman
In my Civil War campaign, I have this old gypsy woman who travels throughout America telling fortunes (for a
song) and occasioally giving prophecies. Her predictions come true with remarkable accuracy - and they usually
have a subtle twist which is usually not noticed until the prophecy comes true. Here are some examples I worke
out:
- Just before the war, when Jeff Davis comes to power in the Confederacy, the gypsy woman warns him, "Beware!
In four short and terrible years, your once-proud nation will be as thy middle name." (BTW, Jeff Davis's middle
name was Finis.)
- Regarding Stonewall Jackson: "You will be such a great warrior, no enemy may harm you." (But as for a friend,
well...)
- Late in the war, regarding the future of the Confederacy: "You are doomed...a system of life gone with the
wind :-)...utter destruction...the living will envy the dead." (No, she is not talking about nuclear war here.
She is talking about Reconstruction, and the devastation that will welcome the Southerners when they come home.
I have read that the destruction was so complete, the living must have envied the dead somewhere.)
- Just before the battle of Franklin, a Confederate brigadier comes to the gypsy woman's tent, looking for
advice. He pays his silver piece and gets his fortune: "In your next battle, you will receive a mortal wound."
What happens is this: he recieve a severe wound to the head that puts him out of the war, but is not
immediately fatal. However, it leaves him with brain damage that manifests itself as seizures. 21 years and
some-odd months after the war, the stuff hits the fan. As he is about to go down a flight of stairs in his
South Carolina home, he has a seizure, falls down the stairs, hits his head on the floor, and dies within
hours. Now that's a mortal wound! (BTW, this is based on an actual event and an actual general.)
I need advice on brewing up some prophecies for other NPC's and also for the players. I also want your opinions
on and experience with prophecies and predictions in your campaigns. Perhaps I could get some ideas.
Thanks a million.
-Dawn Gayman
aka Pachira the druid
aka the Dungeon Mistress
---* Any descendant of any man who was in the battle of Franklin, no matter what side, is my friend. *---