: The new age *does* start when the Leveller appears, I
: think... Is it not an accepted theory that the comet
: brings with it the spirit of the Leveller? And even
: so, why would they say "We won't know, at least
: not for another 940 years" when, 940 years hence,
: it will have been over a thousand years since the
: Leveller last appeared...
Because in less than 940 years, some darkness could come and be vanquished, or could come and last a long time, or have any combination of dark/light comings and goings, if the cycle was broken; but if, in the next 940 years, a great darkness comes and almost oblitterates mankind and then their leader is killed by a great hero right on schedule, then they know the cycle is still intact. If not, then it must be broken.
However, that doesn't preclude each Era from starting when a Great Hero is born; you just never know who is a Great Hero until he kills a Leveller. So, until the next Leveller dies, you can't be sure that this cool wizard dude is a Great Hero or just another parlor magician.
