The Great Cycle

The Great Cycle is not merely a record of events, but the profound truth revealed when one traces the enduring rhythm of existence. The act of documenting this cycle shapes our understanding of reality, proving that all great ages are bound by a universal, measurable flow of Auric Resonance. This saga, initially codified by Brother Omnal in the Book of Tides, charts the cyclical ebb and flow that governs the rise and catastrophic descent of civilizations. The Cycle posits that when the energetic 'Tide' is high, mastery over crafts like Resonance Weaving flourishes, leading to epochs of unprecedented growth, such as the Aerilon Ascendancy and the golden years of the Lost City of Umbral. Yet, this energetic peak inevitably precedes a devastating collapse. The over-exploitation of power, exemplified by the abuse of fragile Aetherium Conduits during Umbral’s rapid decline, causes the Tide to retreat with brutal speed, giving rise to ages of shadow and famine. This downturn accelerates entropic forces, culminating in great destructive events like the Great Sundering. The overarching protagonists are not people, but the epochs themselves, struggling against the looming, existential threat of the Great Unmaking. Only by recognizing this rhythm can we hope to mitigate its future impact. The Cycle suggests that certain powerful artifacts, like the protective Sunstone of Aethelgard, are merely tuning pegs used by unseen forces (perhaps The Weaver) to manage the system's extremes. This transcription, now fixed in the Abbey’s records, compels the dwarves of the Iron-Grip Mountains to recognize that their current existence is but a fleeting moment of respite, preparing them for the next inevitable, terrifying energetic surge and subsequent retreat.