The bards last words and the modrons (session 30 or 43)

Dear Nori,
I can't believe this happened. I'm speechless. She died, Nori. Bertha died.
I told you in my last letter about a big blue devil approaching. We tried to get to our bikes, but we failed. The devil was with us before we could reach the bikes. She introduced herself as Lucille, Zariels second in command, warlord and commander of the 2nd and 5th legion. Lucille wanted to know why we were there. Bazelstein managed to convince her we were his slaves, until she smelled Bertha's soul. We tried to convince her Bertha belonged to us, which kinda seemed to work, until Bertha had enough of Lucille downtalking to us. Bertha is was pretty smart, but I don’t think she ever really understood that within the devil ranks they aren’t equals. And we are on the bottom. So she talked back to Lucille, like an equal. Even offending her. So Lucille did the only thing she could do without losing the respect of her troops. She struck Bertha down. We were lucky she didn’t kill us all. But still, Bertha shouldn’t die. Not here or now. She had no business being here. I still don’t understand why you would travel to actual literal hell, just to tell a story.
After Lucille struck Bertha down she moved her gaze to us, looking for more people needing a lesson in respect. Which we didn’t. So, she told us we could start working for her. Apparently they always need new or more people to fight the blood war. If you do well, you can get yourself promoted, as in, you won’t start your devil-life as a lemur but higher in rank. All you have to do is kill a couple of demons. Honestly, to me it felt like a good deal. I really don’t want to become a mindless pile of flesh. And I would be an amazing imp. I’ve been kinda wondering how to skip the lemur part once I die.
Anyway, we were told that once we figured out if that’s what we wanted to find Lucille at her ship. She mentioned something about Bazelstein getting demoted and left. When we got a good look at Bertha we realised we wouldn't be able to revive her. At least not with the resources we've got. Her body is too damaged. We were kinda at loss about what to do with her. I kinda felt like we should bring her back at Taxidor, considering he's her family. But I don't know how we could get back up at Elturel. And it would take a lot of time we simply don't have if we want to save the entire city. Eventually we decided to bury her among the ruins a little bit up the road. The ruins are still pretty and Ron carved a beautiful gravestone out of the table in “Bazelsteins house”. We had a small ceremony, but I didn't really grasp the fact that she's gone. I still don't. After we buried her Ron set up the dome and we rested close to her, although I feel like none of us slept well.
The next morning I had an argument with Fenrir. He trusts the devil shield way too much, even praising it out loud. I wanted him to get rid of it. Ron mediated, and eventually Fenrir agreed I would carry the shield. Which isn't a solution any of us like, but it's the only viable option, considering Ron hates the shield even more than I do. Thing is, I kinda understand why Fenrir is so attached to it. It talks a lot, giving me a lot of useful information. I don't trust it, but I can't don't want to ignore it.
Anyway, after our rest we drove on, looking for the modron ship. After an hour or so we did find a ship. The shield said it couldn't be a modron ship considering it had a few ornaments and modrons don't use (like?) anything ornamental, which Ron confirmed. After searching the ship (which was completely empty by the way. Although I did have the feeling of being watched) we found some logbooks which heavily implied the ship was a pirate ship. Owned by the actual plundering and enslaving kind of pirates, who also happen to be bug people. I think? They’re from Ravnika, so I wasn’t familiar with some of the words they use (and their calender. We assume they arrived some 2 years ago, but we can’t be that sure). We found a mirror which (we assume) turns people to stone, which also explains all the statues outside. There wasn’t much else, so we left again, kinda disappointed we hadn’t found the nirvanan cog box or modrons we came for.
We decided to keep looking for another ship (it’s weird how many beached ships there are in hell), until Fenrir realised something: There is an antenna coming out of the big volcano. Considering Leo told us there is a modron outpost in a volcano, we decided this would be our next move. After a half day drive we were too deep onto the volcano on a too steep hill to keep driving. So we hid the warmachines and continued on foot. It was a hard climb, but eventually we reached the top, only to be greeted by an invisible voice. After stating our names and intentions the voice revealed themself. It turned out the voice was a modron named B-52. B-52 guided us down a very long stairs into the volcano outpost. The outpost is something else. And quite honestly, it just rubs me the wrong way. It is all very blocky and monotonous sprinkled with a big handful of boring. It also kinda makes me wonder what modrons do for fun, although I’m afraid to ask. I asked B-52 one question, and he answered it with a very boring but factual story which lasted at least an hour. I don’t even remember what I asked! I just zoned out after the first few minutes. Do not ask modrons anything.
After the very boring story B-52 pointed us to the store. The store was manned by a different kind of modron, who kinda looked like a sea-star (B-52 looks more like a cube that’s spinning on its point). There was no room for negotiating, but we still bought the nirvanan cog box from them. I kinda got the feeling Mad Maggie would prefer it if we get the pitons out of a living modron, although I don’t think she would complain about a successful job.
Anyway, we're going to the tavern now. I’m kinda curious what a modron tavern looks like, although I fear it’s just some rectangles on the floor, and a second room which is just a kitchen. That can’t be right, can it? Do modrons even need to eat or sleep? I guess we’re gonna find out.
I hope you’re still safe and doing better than we are.
Take good care of the people around you, and give them a hug. We don’t know when we will lose those close to us.
Your loving sister,
Caja
P.s. It’s probably nothing, but B-52 mentioned something like they expect the demons to make a big attack very soon (because the blood war has been “ quiet” for a while). I don’t think they will attack Elturel, but maybe, just keep a lookout or something?