Fate of the Blade - The Tale of Beorhtric

Written by JethroTheChronicler

Beorhtric the Strong came from humble origins. He was a warrior, found in between the great clan wars in Keller before it could ever become a nation. As Anfeld became torn apart by the wars caused by the Ice Giant Kings, Beorhtric asked a higher power to empower his hand to slay his foes.

Sword in a Cave by Kie Onishi

Indeed, he had gone to Vivian, the Fae of Fate. In the caverns of Drulikak, he witnessed the power of the fae bending the earth’s foundations. He submitted to her power, taking up a pact of the blade for a “crusade for the clans”. She warned him the pact would never be finished, but he did not listen. His sight for heroism had blinded him.

Beorhtric gathered a small group of trusted men, called the Heroes of North Star, and uniting the tribes of Keller against a greater enemy: the Ice Giant King, Svoggeryn. They usurped the Ice Giant King. Thus, the Kells rejoiced, declaring Beohrtric their savior.
Beorhtric aspired to have his own wife, and his eyes caught a half-orc maiden named Matilda Carannog. However, though she was the toughest of all women in the land, she sought no suitors, as she was bored by men of one trade. Beorhtric one day approached her, asking if she had a knight suitor. She said she did, but he bored her. He asked if she had a smith, and she said yes. He asked her if she had a carpenter, a miller, a cup bearer, a magician, a musician. She said yes to all. Then, Beorhtric asked if she had a man who could do all those things. Finally, she said no. Thus, Beorhtric asserted he was her perfect suitor, who knew all those crafts. Thus Matilda became the bride of Beorhtric Lulach.
It came to pass that one day a green dragon had attacked the town of Orwood. Thus, Beohrtric, ever driven by his heroism, went to conquer the creature and pursued it to Northwoods of Gildsen. There he felled the monster and returned to Orwood, the town of righteousness, with the dragon's skull and it's scales. They rejoiced in the name of Beohrtric.
Days before he became king, Beorhtric was confronted with a challenge: the horses of Keller had been riled up by stirring under the earth below Keller’s Coast. With his Heroes of North Star, they came into the deepest caves of the world, and found the mighty Balor. Many of the heroes fell, until at last, Beorhtric had overcome the monster, sealing it under the earth to never disturb the foundations of Keller again. After that battle, he would be crowned King of the Kells by Ruel-Navi.
As king, Beohrtric built his mighty castle over the caverns of Drulikak near Keller's Coast. He was a wise king, bringing peace to the warring clans under House Lulach. He learned Dwarven education on law, using the Lawstone to establish the rule of a divinely-chosen king. He also created trade with the Danen tribes and the Dwarves of the Golden City, leading to prosperity in the Land of Keller.
Unfortunately, after becoming a successful king, the day of his doom would soon arrive. Vivian remembered the promise that Beorhtric gave her, to crusade for the clans. She stated this mission would never be finished; thus, though he would die, his soul would be restless for heroism, unlike his brethren who died in peace.

Legend of King Arthur by Naka Insurita

Beorhtric's soul had promised it would return to rescue Keller in the hour of great doom. If not him, than his spirit of heroism would pass on to those who took up the Fate of the Blade.

Warrior by Georgi Georgiev

Interpretation of Beorhtric, the King of the Kells, in his younger adventuring days.

Date of Setting

1A 2400

Note from Jethro: Bards of Lysandus, myself included, speculate that Beorhtric's spirit has been called upon in further bardic tales by a few figures:

• St. Lanceler

• Aethel Ebenwald

• Yorick the Wanderer

These were chosen due to their strange connection to the Lady of the Lake of these legends, especially with her passing of swords to each.