Some OOC discussion about Coren that I wasn't sure where to put. So I'm putting it here.

A lot of what you've seen recently explains why Coren doesn't really have any friends. Only the kindhearted Li-eira is able to put up with Coren's grumpiness, his anger, his bouts of depression, his drinking, his snoring and his terrible singing voice. The damage that was done in his early life has led him onto a road to darkness that sometimes (often?) peeks through.

Which leads us to Coren's nightmare and his first prophecy.

Since killing the polar bear, Coren has dreamt of a big, black serpent attacking and devouring him (I suspect this is Beldrem trying to get back at Coren for killing one of his creatures :-) ). The Oracle has told Coren that only with the help of his animal companions, the hawk, the wolf and the rest, will Coren defeat this serpent. Together they might win but apart he'll definitely fail.

Originally, Coren assumed the serpent represented the Dragonlords, which makes a certain kind of sense. They're his nemesis and they ride serpents of a sort. However since joining with the others, the threat has expanded somewhat. Perhaps the serpent represents the Race war, or the many minions of Arluth-Traugur, or the Bright One himself?

Actually, the prophecy is simpler and more personal than that. The black serpent represents the darkness within Coren's soul or personality. It's his anger, his loneliness, his prejudice and all the bad things he is and the crap that he does.

Thus the prophecy is directed solely at Coren. With help from his friends, he'll drive back that darkness. With these companions around him, he'll see the good in people and that might help him become a better person. The prophecy is not about saving a country or the world, it's about saving a single soul.

Of course, if he leaves the companions then he's doomed. Let's hope that doesn't happen, eh? ;-)