The Obsidian Eyes

The term Obsidian Eye can also refer to the title adopted by the successors of the sorcerous, unnamed founder of the Order as its leader.

As of the release of The Eye of Scales, those holding this title as revealed in Shroud of the Avatar on-line game and Blade of the Avatar novels are as follows.

The Lineage of the Obsidian Eye

Obsidian Eye I: unnamed founder of the Obsidian Empire and orator of 'the Prophecy of the Obsidian Eye'. "The man had a name in that time before, but he decided that, like the world in his book, his old self should pass away and a new self should take its place. So he abandoned his name and became, instead, simply “the Obsidian Eye.”"

Obsidian Eye II: Markus Dirae — father of Doran Dirae. Apprentice to the original founder of the Obsidian Empire and recorder of The Prophecy of the Obsidian Eye. “Ready, my master,” came the answer echoing through the chamber. Markus Dirae was an acolyte among the Obsidian Sorcerers … There were several soft clay tablets arrayed on a table next to him within easy reach. There was a dim awareness that Markus was inscribing runes into his tablet in some faraway place. "Markus Dirae himself had written down the Prophecy of the Obsidian Eye at the edge of the Destiny Pool. He had ascended to the Central Circle and taken the place of his master upon his passing."

Obsidian Eye III: Doran Dirae — son of Markus Dirae; father of Malam Dirae. "His son, Doran, had followed to take his father’s place as the Obsidian Eye."

Obsidian Eye IV: Malam Dirae — daughter of Doran Dirae; mother of Evard Dirae. His daughter, Malam, came to the council upon Doran’s death and retained her own family name in marriage as a symbol of the dynasty she hoped to build. Their one problem, however, was Evard, the son of Malam. "Ever since the former Obsidian Eye, Malam Dirae, had died, Tarvus had been a thorn in Maradin’s side."

Obsidian Eye V: Evard Dirae - son of Malam Dirae. Author and concealer of The Dirae Prophecies of Evard. "Ultima Futura Automaton: The actual book, called by some 'the Prophecy Dirae' or 'The Dire Prophecies,' was first transcribed by the great Obsidian sorcerer Evard. He was known to history as the Obsidian Eye, and the Prophecy was a testament of the knowledge the Obsidians had uncovered."

The Seventh Throne

The position is also referred to as “the Seventh Throne” by members of the Obsidian Central Circle.

"“… the seven-member council that was the Central Circle and from which the reigning Obsidian Eye was sanctioned and elevated to position of emperor or empress …”"

"The Chamber of Souls was a large rotunda with an upper gallery supported by a colonnade. Below, accessed by the single stair, was a stone floor at the edge of which sat seven high-backed thrones."

... fittingly, one Seat for each point of the Obsidian Septagram of Dominion!

"The Septagram of Dominion, whose seven points correspond with the seven lords of the sorcerous Cabal and their thrones in the Epitaph, also represents the proactive aspects of rulership required to obtain power and command obedience, which are the core tenets of the Obsidian Order."

"“A most sensible attitude,” Vaslond agreed. He stepped over toward his chair, the second from the right of the one designated for the Obsidian Eye, and sat down on it."

"She’d thought when she arranged for the Eye to have a fatal accident, that the circle would promote her to the seventh throne, but then Tarvus revealed his own ambitions."

The Seventh Throne is unoccupied during the events recounted in Blade of the Avatar/Sword of Midras and Blade of the Avatar/The Eye of Scales, the most recent Obsidian Eye, Evard Dirae’s Mother, Malam, having been subtly assassinated and not yet replaced. During the fifth through seventh centuries following the Cataclysm as experienced in the Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues, the position of Obsidian Eye, to the extent of our knowledge, remains, thus far, vacant. However, when asked about the Cabalists, Arabella ominously warns, "“'Darkness rises again! Cabalists, wraith-like entities that follow the teachings of the Obsidians, are attacking with greater and greater frequency. They are in search of their next leader; an immortal they believe will reveal a dark prophecy to be fulfilled.”"