The Fifth Born

Lore & Background

Unlike the canonical entities such as the Lady, the Dominator, or the Shadowmasters encountered during the Company's campaigns, the 'Fifth Born' has no basis in the established texts. The idea of numbered avatars or a 'First Born' precursor to Sharra is unsupported by the known works. Any references to such figures are likely later inventions or misinterpretations of the cyclical nature of dark power in the series.

In Their Own Story

The candle flickered as Croaker turned another brittle page, dust motes dancing in the dim light of the ruined library. This wasn't a standard history; it spoke of cycles, of shadows that walked before the Lady's rise. The text mentioned a Fifth, a nameless vessel who held the power before it was claimed by Sharra or the current Shadowlord. He closed the book slowly, feeling the weight of centuries pressing against his chest. Some secrets were better left buried in the dark.

Reader's Guide

Understanding this figure requires context on the Shadowlord's history. The First Born is often cited as the origin point of the dark power that Sharra eventually manipulated. Later texts suggest a succession, though numbering varies by sect and region. This ambiguity reflects how magic distorts history in this world. The conflict between Light and Dark relies on these ancient lineages to justify current wars. Scholars debate whether 'Fifth Born' is a literal count or a title for the fifth major era of Shadowlord activity.

Did You Know?

• The term 'First Born' as a canonical entity is not established in The Black Company.
• No numbered lineage of avatars (First Born, Fifth Born, etc.) exists in the official mythology.
• The 'Order of the Sun' is not a known organization in the canon.