The Five Afflictions are strange, amoral beings which cause trouble on Palisade for just about anyone, regardless of their factional allegiance. Their precise origin and purpose is unknown. However, they are known to have resided on the planet for thousands of years, long enough to have received names from the New Earth Hegemony, and later the Divine Free States and Principality of Kesh. Their current auto-antonym names appear to come from the Afflictions themselves; Austin stated that Cleave, for example, "has called itself, or people have dreamt the name" Cleave.[1] Each has pawns (minions) of its own, and interferes with the senses in some way.
Dust
Also known as Pride's Mirror (by the NEH) or the Looking Glass (by the ancestors of the Divine Principality). "What if a mummy could be a mech, shawled and wrapped and deteriorating."[1]
Refrain
Also known as Yesterday's Reprise (by the NEH) or the Ghastly Chorus (by the ancestors of the Divine Principality). "An abandoned theater which appears as if from nowhere. Upon the stage, a spectral projection of a human that no one knows."[1]
Ravel
Also known as Labyrinth's Thread (by the NEH) or the Hedge Maze (by the ancestors of the Divine Principality). "Looks like a massive, loose brain neuron prowling the hills and valleys".[1]
Cleave
Also known as Whetstone's Opposite (by the NEH) or the Sanguine Hatchet (by the ancestors of the Divine Principality). One of Cleave's pawns is seen in "Into the World", and is basically "what if a dragon was made of knives".[2] It impedes communication using spoken, signed or written language.
Oversight
Also known as Hell's Facade (by the NEH) or the Empty Garden (by the ancestors of the Divine Principality). "A slowly moving statue whose features are always fluctuating under a stone shroud."[1]