Diaries The Saga Of Berra — Fragment 43
1626
Following footsteps that Eril had set there
Berra returned with the Cross to the city
Bringing the Ravenwing banner beside her
Guarding the iron that was given by Humakt
Out from the chamber of Ikadz the care-thief
Out of the body of damaged Irillo
Into the Darkness it made as its home there
Came to the world a great Demon of Torment
Torn from the heart of the High Sword of Boldhome
All he put off in his quest to be Humakt
Rose up before them as tall as the rooftops
Dark was its heart and its voice was as Eril’s
Bending to speak with the Dagger of Humakt
Thus spoke the Demon in voice of her captain
Give me the things that I swore I would guard once
It is my oath that I keep them forever
Knowing it was but a treacherous Demon
Every brave one of the heroes fell on it
Swiftly it entered the flesh of Irillo
Hiding within him to keep from the heroes
Berra spoke up in the light of her flame-sword
Say that she could strike stiftly against it
Rending the frame of the merchant Irillo
Killing the demon but wounding her master
Mellia spoke to say this to the Dagger
I will heal him if you drive out the demon
Though it may pain him my magic will keep him
Still Berra paused at the moment of striking
She could in safety strike down at Irillo
Held in the hands of the strong Urox Rajar
Striking a blow with dishonour behind it
Smiting a foe who was held down and helpless
Then she spoke clear to the Demon of Torment
You I will face with my honour about me
Stand forth my foe and my friends will not hurt you
Hearing the promise the Demon came fleshward
Taking the form of Lord Eril of Boldhome
Thus did the Demon attempt to torment her
Showing a face that she owed all respect to
Berra quailed not for she knew what the Truth was
When it came on it was swift as the whirlwind
Knowing the secret of Broadswords from Eril
Fighting as Death to the Dagger of Humakt
Driving her back with the strength of affliction
Ever she struck but could not pierce its armour
Backwards she stepped as her blood pooled before her
Back to the Relics her fire-sword protected
There she sprang forward with Death in her manner
All that she had was committed to Humakt
Crying his name she cut out at the Demon
Bringing it Death by the way of the Sword-path
Sending it on to the place that awaited
What Really Happened
Berra escorted the Humakti relics back to Boldhome, with a stop on the way at Wilmskirk, where the Cross killed an Initiate of Humakt who touched it without preparation. In Boldhome, they were pulled into a Heroquest in which Eril was betrayed by Eurmalites, to Ikadz the Torturer, and had his sins (and his memories) cut out. When this was over, with Irillo badly wounded, the cut parts of him became a Demon, which at first seemed unassailable. It fought them in spirit form, and when they damaged it, retreated inside Irillo, who was possessed. Rajar summoned an Uroxi Spirit, which he was unable to control, but which decided to attack the Demon it could see. It bounced Irillo up and down a lot, doing spirit damage to what was inside him. Mellia calmed the spirit, to get Irillo back – he fell and was saved by his armour.
Berra could touch it physically with her fireblade, but only by harming Irillo. She offered it the chance to come out and fight, rather than be cut to pieces, and it did. Although it was stronger than her, it had only claws, and she was almost as fast. It hurt her but she managed to cut it in half with a lucky blow (or one guided by Humakt).
The scene collapsed, and they were in Boldhome, with the hired Humakti asking what the hell was going on. The group took the relics up to the Humakti Temple, where at first only Mellia was admitted. Eril had been gravely injured. At that point the body of Kallyr arrived in the city, and things began to get political.
Session Quotes
“There is a wagon that Berra is walking alongside. Yamia is not invited.” – GM
“Hypothetically speaking…” – Irillo
“Just so you know, I’m going to thump you if this is real and you say hypothetically.” – Berra
“Is Leika likely to kill her?” – Irillo
“No, she’s more likely to try to marry her.” – Berra
@@*@@horrified look@@*@@ – Varanis
“Varanis just became the most eligible bachelor in Sartar.” – Berra
“I mean, she’s got good legs, but I wouldn’t….” – Irillo
“I would.” – Berra
“You don’t have an angry and vengeful girlfriend in Nochet.” – Irillo
“…” – Berra
“Maybe we’ll have refutation or resurrection by then.” – Irillo
“Whaaa?” – Berra
“Re-fu-tation.” – Irillo
@@*@@blank look@@*@@ – Berra
“Critical.” – Berra
“So that’s 6D6, maximum, plus damage bonus.” – Irillo
“Berra has to stay and guard this, but she’s looking at Varanis like she really wants to be with Varanis right now. ‘You could take the back way,’ she murmurs.” – Berra
