Beric's Notes

—Beric[src]

The various letters that Beric left for loved ones in the case that he didn't make it out of Dal Quor.

## Oriana's Note

A note written for Oriana in the case that Beric died in Dal Quor. He slipped it into her bag before their parting in Stormreach, when it was unclear if he would be coming back for her.

You will be angry with me I know. If I’ve managed to get away then that means I either tricked you or restrained you in some way. Well, if you’re reading this then I am dead, and you will find yourself obliged to forgive me. I am sorry if I hurt you in any way to get away from you, but I am not sorry that I succeeded.
You have become something you should not be at your age, an adept killer and someone who has undergone harrowing dangers and adventures. These are facts of your life and there is no going back, however monstrously unfair and cruel fate has been to you. I am sorry for those things, but I have learned that the only good you can make from the vicissitudes of fate is to turn them into strengths. You have done that and I am immensely proud of you.
I will not use my death to tell you what to do with your life. I only ask that you allow yourself to have one. If we succeeded, then vengeance is no longer possible. You can accept that it was not taken by your hand or you cannot. I don’t know, but either way, it is now beyond your reach. Take time to find out who you want to be, to grieve what is lost and to help others rebuild what can be rebuilt. Perhaps adventure is what you will desire, but you have never had the opportunity to find out. I have made some arrangements regarding my inheritance that I hope will give you the resources to become what you want to be, when you have found out what that is. Do what you will with it. You may, when my grandfather passes, live at the estate, or sell it and travel the world on the proceeds. You are an extraordinary young woman, and I know you will do great things whatever you choose. My only regret for myself is that I will not get to see it.
I remain with love your friend,
Beric
P.S. The condition described in my will is not a private joke. I was told that if I have no relatives, anyone I love might end up with the pact. I have no idea what has become of Drakir and Vor is to sensible. Be on guard.
P.P.S. Enclosed is a short message for Paolo. Please see it delivered.

## Oriana's Second Note

Left for her at Beric's grandfather's estate. There, he left her two letters: one labeled "If You Listened to Me," and one "If You Didn't." The following is the latter; the former had practical information she needed, like where the spare keys are.

If you have found this letter, you’ve arrived at the estate. There are some legal instructions included here in. I am also writing this under the assumption you ignored my advice and accepted the sword. Here is what you must know:* The creature talking to you in your head is Bel Shalor, the Shadow in the Flame, a demon who will try to convince you to do evil in the name of good.
* Possessing the pact long enough may extend your life. I had begun to notice effects of that sort.
* Erebus will try to convince you to release the energy of the pact to destroy the Quori. Doing so will probably upset the balance of reality in some way, but it will certainly end the presence of the Silver Flame on Eberron, unleashing the Demon Lords it holds at bay. You must not do this.
* My plan, had I lived, was to find an apprentice other than you and prepare them for the day of my death so that they would be ready to receive the Pact from me and carry it on, serving as a prison for this evil.
* That is not what I wanted for you. If you can find a willing vessel—Crast Perhaps, or Draconos—then I would beg you to give the pact to them. I believe they will be trustworthy with it. But if you will not, then you must carry the burden, resisting the temptation. Trust yourself, not the creature inside you. But it is of great importance that you find someone you can pass the burden onto at your end.
* It is possible, likely even, that I am trapped eternally in Dolurrh. Do not allow yourself to feel guilt on that fact. I am content to know you have not succumbed and that the world goes on. Using the 12th rune on the sword (unless you have already made it a spear) may allow you to communicate with me.

Though you have not accepted my final advice, I understand why you did. You have been a hero too long and it is perhaps hard to go back. If you will bear this burden, then you have my thanks.
Your friend always,
Beric

## Paulo's Note

Beric wrote Paulo a letter in the case of his death in an attempt to put into words what she meant to him, and to ask her to watch over Oriana.

There is nothing I can write that will undo the shadow that has fallen between us. If I ever hurt you, I am sorry. I have been very open with you about what fate dealt me, so I hope you can understand my behavior. As I consider my likely death, I see things with a certain clarity, and I know I made mistakes. I also believe I understand the nature of our relationship and I do not flatter myself that I left you weeping. Whether or not, please forgive any foolish thing I said or did as those of a young man out of his depth in all areas of life. Knowing and admiring you as I will to my last moment is one of the few things that prevents my ever truly wishing that none of this had happened.
I know you well enough to know I needn’t ask, but please look out for Oriana. You know I do not mean for her safety; she is too formidable for that. But she will not know what to do if this ends in victory, and I fear I will have placed a burden on her in my will that you will have better experience to help her handle.
I have now sat in silence attempting to define in words how I feel for you and find that I cannot find the correct words with which to close this letter, and perhaps that is as fine a poetic symbol of what we have been to one another as any.
Yours,
Beric

## Last Will and Testament of Beric Rowan, esquire

* Any items of use to adventure remaining on my person, I give to my companions and friends, Dex and Booyah for use in their future adventures, or for sale if they have come to their senses and given up this madness.
* Any property left to me in Mistmarsh I give to Booyah in the event he wishes a home in Dex’s demesne.
* All right of inheritance to title, land, or goods obtaining to me through my mother Urik Rowan or her family I hereby transfer to my friend Oriana to belong to her and to her heirs whomsoever they be. This inheritance comes with only one condition – namely, that should she ever be approached by a dark figure offering her a sword and a destiny, that she reject it and tell said figure to go directly to the deepest pit of the Nine Hells.