Quote Originally Posted by Quild View Post
I should use this as an example of why spoilers aren't necessarily bad. Oracle spoiled us Belkar's death and the expectation of it brings suspense to the story that wouldn't exist otherwise.
This is true of any prophecy in a fantasy story, at least if it is well-executed. Their purpose is to build dramatic tension, and they do so not in knowing what will happen, but in when and how. (And in fact, even "what" can be up in the air, if the characters misinterpret an ambiguous portent and lower their guard as a result.)