Those Fearless Vampire Hunters

S01 — Session 39

1626, Fire Season, Movement Week

Fire Season, Movement Week, Freezeday to Clayday

Dramatis Personae

Events

As before, the log will be recounted with extracts from Berra JarangsdottiHumaktisaga, NalaTiwrSaga and The Lay of Serala, Lance of the Cold Sun, the Lays of Finarvi, and The Death of Rajar. As with last time there will be extracts from the Sonnets in Praise of Xenofos and The Sonnets to Mellia, Sweetest of Healers, White Lady of Esrolia. There will be reference to the Accounts of the Travels of Irillo Goldentongue. Editorial commentary will be recorded [thus]. The {“D”} voice appears.

[Dr Tomm will be joining us once more by video link, as it appears rubber car tyres are not immune to the outbreak of Palmetanised Ants which were in the area, nor indeed was any other non-ferrous part of his car.]

[We will start with Nala-Tiwr, and the strangeness within meditation.]

The earth moves, quakes not
Blood runs as water, feeds her
Patience lies beneath

So dark and so cold
And so patient and patient
Waiting forever

Coldness is cruelty
Darkness below the water
Darkness in Boldhome

[No record of the Unicorn’s reaction seems to have come down to us. But we do have another odd non-reaction. Berra would be expected to react to vampires, as indeed would Varanis, given the urge of the Humakti to fight such things, and of the Orlanthi to protect their flock.]

Veered Vareena Valiant
From vampire hunt
D’Val Dagger dismissed
Death-dregs devising
Brave belief-balm
Belying blood-breather

[It seems, although little else mentions it, that there was a rumour of a vampire, ignored or tested and found wanting. But meanwhile, someone not found wanting, when the call comes. The Lay of Serala, Lance of the Cold Sun.]

She stay’d in Boldhome as a guard and guide,
To keep Irillo on the course that he did ride,
Advising him that he could find the Ladies’ outpost high,
Its place unlocked by order of Yelmalio of the Sky.
And then as equals came a servant of the Feathered Queen
To bow low to Serala who saw him with eyes hawk-keen,
And showed respect as any do who know the Feathered Horse.
T’was then arranged the meeting that would alter history’s course!

[Those of you who have read ahead, know. As for the rest, I don’t care about spoilers. Read ahead. Now, moving onward as swiftly as the hooves of a grazelander escaping a city…]

{“On a stolen horse.”}

[The companion of Serala, Finarvi. This time, not a Lunar.]

Red Smith within the tale they tell of Eril Sambar's woe
He found the wagon that would bear the Cross of Death1Literally two Death Runes together, in the original below
And bore the weight of Lunar hate as soldiers found his den
And begged release and felt the peace of Death come on him then.

[Which is, oddly enough, not mentioned in the Accounts… at least not at that point. There are certain hints of what could be murder, regret over deaths caused, or cold-blooded killing of allies – but on the death of the Redsmith who helped him, Eril and Irillo have no comment.]

[We have little from The Death of Rajar, although our not-yet-dead hero will most certainly star in the near future, for Eril’s journey is not without violence, and where there is violence, we will find Rajar. But, let us not forget we also find him where there is peace.]

White Lady Temple
Foundations are strong, set deep
Holds patience2The patients/patience pun works in the original. The use of ‘patience’ would indicate some importance is given to Darkness here, perhaps mercy holding cruelty in check. tightly3Spurious Rajar has it:

It was the one time.
So why is my eke-name now
Small Chicken-choker?

[This week lacks any significant Sonnets to Varanis but I draw your attention to the Vareena of Sartar instead – look it up. It’s not on the syllabus and if you don’t know it, you’re missing out.4Here is a sample verse:

Blade-bearer’s face dripped – bright battle sweat.
Hardened Hand of Humakt – into hidden healer’s hall,
Seeking sweet solace. –
Sanguine Vareena,
Ring rich noble, – rested red rapier.
Wise in the ways – of wound binding,
Offered all aid – as healer’s assistant.


 What we do have is Xenofos and Mellia in two very different parts. Mellia continues to be a healer in any guise, reference to her strength of character.]

Within the lofty hall5Probably a literal loft-hall. of Boldhome’s troubled past
Sweet Mellia found herself as healer first and ever last,
As swift to find those needing help as e’er the Goddess be;
As slow to them abandon as the Storm Bull is to flee.
In bravery unbidden save by love within her heart
In Heroquest and Middle World sweet Mellia plied her art.

Wise Xenofos came from the Temple of the Written Word
To tell to stout6Here, ‘brave-hearted’ as well as the usual overtones of the successful merchant. Irillo what was read and had been heard; How Eril was a Sambar, who in Wilmskirk made his name,
Initiate of Humakt before threat of Lunars came.

[And over to the video link for our Accounts.]

(Tommy, are you there?)

[“I am, thank you. Now, as we know, Irillo is drawn from his usual financial focus in this element, and we find him in thoughtful mood.”]

"Lost Chalana Arroy Hospital. Does the service hallow the place? Does the same for trading outside a Market? Where does Jaldis fit into this past?"

[“Later, we find him thinking more.”]

Sacrifices for expedience. A poor reward for aid.
At the gate, Truth gives way to Harmony.

[“These have been greatly debated. Perhaps people might suggest interpretations. Now we find him asking the question here, which others must have on their minds. “]

What profits him, in these things being lost?

What Really Happened

What Dormal Did Next (contains spoilers)

++++ Notable Moments and Quotes

Session Quotes

  • 1
    Literally two Death Runes together, in the original
  • 2
    The patients/patience pun works in the original. The use of ‘patience’ would indicate some importance is given to Darkness here, perhaps mercy holding cruelty in check.
  • 3
    Spurious Rajar has it:

    It was the one time.
    So why is my eke-name now
    Small Chicken-choker?
  • 4
    Here is a sample verse:

    Blade-bearer’s face dripped – bright battle sweat.
    Hardened Hand of Humakt – into hidden healer’s hall,
    Seeking sweet solace. –
    Sanguine Vareena,
    Ring rich noble, – rested red rapier.
    Wise in the ways – of wound binding,
    Offered all aid – as healer’s assistant.


  • 5
    Probably a literal loft-hall.
  • 6
    Here, ‘brave-hearted’ as well as the usual overtones of the successful merchant.