A Dream of Abundance

A Vagabond and their companion AI march along Antumbra,

towards the city-state of Ashur.
 Credits
Written By
Federico E. Sohns

Lead Artist
Mahea Rodrigues

Art
Mahea Rodrigues, Daniel Liang, Alexey Tretyakov, Federico E. Sohns

Graphic Art
Federico E. Sohns, Kevin D. Odiz

Proofreading & Editing

Richard August, Matias Timm, Emil Mathias Heide

Playtesting
Stephen C. Robinson, Theo Maligeay, Alexander Gent, John Black, Joshua
White, David Coulter, Javier Angeriz-Caburrasi, Sammy Broly, Diletta Maria
Angelo, Gabriel Steimberg, Valeria Libertad Vidal, Facundo “Yayro” Mucci,
Benito Lynch, Juan Mendez, Graciela Lynch

And many more...

...Thank you kindly!

Special Thanks
Garry Harper
The Roleplay Haven
The Rolistes Podcast
The San Jenaro Community

©2020 Araukana Media LTD. All Rights Reserved.

For more information, visit our website: www.araukana.com
 The Skyless World
Welcome to Nibiru! This Quickstart Guide exists to give
you the basic tools needed to run a simple game, set in
the interior of a strange and ominous space station. The
stories that you and your friends create and the adventures
you will embark on will be tales of action and drama, of
mystery and suspense. But above all, they’ll be centered
around self-discovery, and the search for past lives—long
lost in the cold, obscure entrails of this Skyless World.
You will inhabit the skins of those called the Vagabonds;
people who awoke devoid of most of their memories,
adrift in a strange world they do not know, fighting to
survive another day while struggling to remember who
they truly are.
How to Use
In order to play Nibiru, you will need the following...
A group of friends to play the game with. Together, you
will decide what sort of experience you want to push. Is
it mainly a mystery story, about the strange events that
occur in the far reaches of the space station? Is it maybe a
horror story, in which you are confronted with things that
haunt the dark corners of the Skyless World? Is it a political
game, wherein your group delves into the machinations
and conflicts of the Nibiru’s rulers? Answering these and
other questions will help make sure that everyone is happy
with the story and the narrative direction you’ll take.
One of you will take on the role of Narrator (most likely
you who are reading this!). Your part is to drive the story
and guide the players through it—playing the part of all
3 The Skyless World
characters who aren’t portrayed by the players (NPCs,
or Non Player Characters), as well as describing the
environments the PCs (Player Characters) explore, the
sensations they convey, as well as making sure players are
having fun and feeling comfortable.
Also needed are six four-sided dice (which you can buy
at most tabletop gaming stores), a pencil and a printout of
the Character Sheet you can find at the end of this guide.
We also recommend Narrators keeping a notepad handy,
to take any notes you might need (as well as a copy of this
Quickstart Guide, for easy reference). Most sessions of
Nibiru last for around 3 to 5 hours. However, this can
vary depending on your group; play at a pace which suits
you and your friends best!
Just a Taste!
This Quickstart Guide takes for granted that you already
know what Table Talk Roleplaying Games are. The Nibiru
Corebook features the full rules for the game, as well as a
thorough explanation of what TTRPGs are (and the full
richness of Nibiru’s world and lore). If this is your first
foray into these games, we suggest heading over to www.
unpossiblejourneys.com, which offers great advice and
guidance for those new to gaming.
 Action Rolls
In Nibiru, most simple actions the characters perform do
not require rolling of the dice. Any normal, mundane tasks
should just happen, making sure the pacing of the story
stays hot and the conversation continues uninterrupted.
It is when the PCs make riskier moves that the Narrator
should as for a roll, always taking into account the
interesting consequences of said roll, whether it succeeds
or fails. Forcing a door open to try to escape their pursuers?
Great time to roll for it. Trying to sway the trader to let you
into the back of the hauler to inspect the goods? Another
great time to roll! Players might also suggest they want to
roll for something in particular (the reason why will be
made clear once we talk about Memories).
These rolls we described above are known as Action Rolls.
They are, unless stated otherwise, performed by rolling
three dice. The action is a success if one or more “4”
results show up among the rolled dice. We call each of
these “4” results Successes.
Contested Rolls
Some action rolls might pit a PC against someone (or
something) with a will of its own, opposing the character
in question. We call these Contested Rolls. These are
also performed by rolling three dice, but in this case
the Narrator also rolls a number of dice (the number
depending on how strong the opposition is).
To see who won, each side counts the total number rolled
(for example, 3 + 4 + 1 against 4 + 2 + 4) and compares
those values. In the case of a tie, the interaction is put
to a halt, as both sides are locked into conflict. However,
in most cases, one or the other side will win, and the
Narrator will explain what happens as a result.
Special Rolls
Sometimes, the game’s rules will require you to make
Special Rolls. These rolls cannot be affected by Memory
Points, and are usually utilized to determine the outcome
of specific, dramatic events. In this Quickstart Guide,
whenever we refer to a special roll, you will see the Special
Roll prefix along with the number of dice rolled for it.
Modifiers
In some situations, a certain task might be easier or harder
to perform than normal. To represent this, the Narrator
can add or subtract a certain number of dice to your
roll. These Modifiers can be applied, for example, when
the characters are using a particular tool to assist their
task, or maybe when they are walking into a discussion
The Skyless World
where most of the people present are one their side
(bonuses). On the other hand, a bleeding wound, a bad
reputation, or a sticky situation the PCs are ill-equiped to
face will most likely result in penalties. Bear in mind that
PCs can never roll less than one or more than six dice
at a time. The one exception to this rule is when PCs help
each other out. When doing so, each helping character
can grant an extra die to the character performing the
action in question.
Action Types
While action rolls are those dice rolls that we use to
determine the outcome of the PCs’ decisions, the skillset
involved in performing any particular action roll is called
an Action Type.
Creating Action Types
As you start playing, you’ll notice that coming up with
some action types is more intuitive than others. If a
character tries to read someone’s lips, it’s totally OK to label
that as Lip-Reading. However, we could also classify that
as Reading People or the like. Normally, we recommend
you don’t go with neither too broad nor too narrow an
action type. The more an adventure is based around a
specific genre (for example, political intrigue), the more
specific you might want to make, say, social action types,
in order to explore the PCs’ different skills more deeply!
Action types are important when considering Memories
(see the next page) and when referring to certain modifiers
that might apply (for example, you might get penalties to
Swimming if there is floating debris and it’s very dark).
Action types are created by the Narrator, and they’re
mostly used to flesh out character’s strengths and
weaknesses as they start to develop along with the story!
The Memos System
Nibiru is a game about recovering lost memories. But...
How does that actually work? Well, first we have to take
a look at what Memory Points are. Memory Points (MPs)
represent the potential for a character to recall something.
There are many ways in which this might happen to
people, but in Nibiru the main reason why memories
resurface is that of interaction with the outside world. A
certain image, sound or aroma might trigger that. Maybe
it’s someone’s peculiar walk, or the way a shape reflects on
the surface of a puddle. Simply put, MPs are what your
characters will need to start writing memories.
4

There are 3 different ways in which a character may
acquire Memory Points:
At the end of each game session, every PC earns 1 MP.
By following your Beacon­—a specific task determined
by your Habitat.
By triggering a Negative Memory.
The Journal
Aside from your Character Sheet, each player has a
number of pages which comprise their Journal. As the
game progresses, the Journal grows with their recorded
memories. However, in this Quickstart Guide, the Journal
has been merged with the Character Sheet, containing
six memory entries (one of which is pre-set to give your
players an idea of how a memory looks like).
Memory Entries
A Memory Entry is the space where a player records a
new memory. Each entry has two spaces: Memory and
Effect. The “Memory” space is where players write the
picture and overall content of their recalled moment. The
“Effect” space details the mechanical side of the memory,
where the player writes the bonus or penalty gained as a
result of that memory’s creation.
How to Remember
There are three different ways in which characters can
create new memories.
The first way is the most common one: when performing
an Action Roll, the player chooses to trigger a Memory
instead. Then, they decide if they wish to succeed or fail at
performing the action. If they wish to succeed, they spend
either 2, 3 or 5 MPs. The Narrator and the player describe
the action taking place, and the memory it inspires.
The player then writes the memory down. When
determining the effect, the Narrator will tell what action
type the bonus applies to. The player then writes down the
bonus dice depending on the number of MPs spent: +1
Die if the player spent 2 MPs, +2 Dice for 3 MPs, and +3
Dice for 5 MPs. If the player chose to fail at performing
the action, they choose the penalty instead: -1 Die grants
them 2 MPs, and -2 Dice grants them 3 MPs.
Not My First Time
When we acquire memories with an Action Type that
we already have memories for, just apply the new
bonus/penalty to the existing modifiers you had before.
Remember though, that a bonus cannot exceed +3 Dice,
and a penalty can never go below -2 Dice.
 An Example...
Mary’s Memory
Mary is taking on the role of a Vagabond named Rose.
Her journey has taken an unfortunate turn, as she
has been taken prisoner by a group of scavengers. As
soon as her captors go to sleep, she attempts to break
free by slamming the cell’s door, hoping to then make
a run to the camp’s exit. The Narrator asks Mary to
roll three dice as normal, yet Mary decides to spend
two Memory Points instead. She proceeds to write
a new Memory in her Journal, along with a +1 Die
bonus to Forcing Doors Open. The Memory reads:
“I Remember being locked up inside the barn by
my older brother, lying alone with my scruffy-
looking teddy bear. He always did this to me... until
the day I had enough, and busted the door open!”
The Narrator then describes Rose breaking away
from the cell, and sprinting towards the camp’s gate!
The second way in which a Memory may be created comes
from the Rule of Threes. When making an action roll
with three dice or more, if you succeed with either three
or more 4 results, or fail with three or more 1 results,
you create a new Memory. This means that the action was
performed in such an awesome—or, in the second case,
in such a disastrous—manner, that you will remember its
consequences as a testimony, either of of your great skill
or your serious lack thereof.
Memories resulting from the Rule of Threes are recorded
as per the events resulting from the roll. The effect will
always be either a +1 Die or -1 Die to the stated action
type, depending if you succeeded or failed respectively.
Influence Points
Influence Points exist to grant the players a fraction of the
Narrator’s power, by changing certain circumstances and
affecting rolls. Each character starts the game with two
influence points. These points can be used in two different
ways: You can either spend a single point to re-roll any
amount of dice rolled by any one player (make sure you
have their consent) once per roll, or spend a single point
to add a small, environmental detail to the current
scene. The Narrator has the right to tell you that a certain
inclusion might not be added, though if you keep it simple
there shouldn’t be a problem. Small changes might entail
big consequences; turning to see hanging cable while on
freefall might end up saving your life!
The Skyless World
Body & Mind
As the Vagabonds traverse through the far reaches of
Nibiru, their health (both mental and physical) will,
sooner or later, become compromised. The Body and
Mind tracks tell you how well your character is both
physically and mentally. Both tracks have three levels, or
Steps. The topmost is the OK step. The ones below are
the Beaten and Stressed steps, respecting physical and
mental states respectively. The last steps are the Wounded
and Shaken steps
A character descends steps in their Body track whenever
they are harmed or become ill, with the same happening
on their Mind track when overpowered by stress, fear and
trauma.
During the game, certain rolls might force the PCs to go
down in the tracks. In the case of the Body track, going
below the Beaten track imposes a -1 Die penalty to all
physical action rolls. Going below the Wounded step
essentially means they are dead—the player discards their
Character Sheet and their PC’s part in the game is over
(the player can create a new character to hop back in).
As for the Mind track, descending will impose penalties
to all action rolls. You cannot descend past the Broken
step (though this is a possibility in the full game).
Violence
Violent encounters are resolved like most contested rolls:
you roll your dice and the Narrator rolls your adversary’s
dice, and whoever got the largest number wins the
encounter. However, there are some considerations to
keep in mind!
The result of a combat roll determines if you or your
opponent are to go down a number of Body track steps. If
the roll result is even, it means you have basically “locked
horns” with your opponent. If your result is larger than
the opponent’s, check by how much. The losing side will
see their involved parties go down one Body step. If you
win the roll by double or more, the losing side goes down
two steps. Three if you roll triple or more. If you so desire,
you can use your victory to escape instead of pressing on,
or to reduce your opponents without harm. The same, of
course, applies to you if you lose though.
As a last note, if it wasn’t clear thus far, let us tell you:
violence in Nibiru is pretty dangerous. It should only be
relied upon as a last resort. We wouldn’t want all those
precious memories to go to waste...
6
 Bertha’s Song

Bertha’s Song is an adventure that introduces you and your These are the locales of the Ring; the bulk of the station’s
friends to Nibiru’s mechanics and its unique setting. It is power-generating machines, as well as the birth-point of
designed to be played in a single session, though that is up Nibiru’s power lines.
to you and your group. It’s a story of horror and suspense,
meant to build up the fragile bonds that link a group of The first inhabited area of the skyless world is that of the
newly awakened Vagabonds to each other. Core Sectors, the first of the Umbras (also referred to as
“Antumbra”). The cradle of civilization is today a massive
Before getting into the story, let’s delve a bit into the setting sprawl of overgrown city-states, where 95% of Nibiru’s
of the Skyless World and its protagonists, the Vagabonds! peoples live. With over 60 populated vaults, and spanning
great expanses and long hallways, the main turning points
of human history happen within the Core Sectors.
What’s Out There
The skyless world is a machine of nigh-inconceivable
Past the Core Sectors, the Outer Reaches (often referred
complexity, fuelled by a seemingly endless stream of power
to as “the Reaches” or “Penumbra”) are located. It is the
flowing from its center towards millions of terminations,
largest populated sector of the station, sparsely dotted
built to last for millennia and to preserve the precious life
by small settlements and colonies, where hard-working
found therein. Although its design remains a mystery,
industrialists and fortune seekers live.
the most important components of what make Nibiru
are, conceptually, easy to observe and comprehend. The
The Umbra, which lies beyond Penumbra, is a place of
station is a disc-shaped structure, roughly measuring 3600
non-life where almost no one dares venture forth. The
kilometres in diameter. Its rotation generates artificial
world itself crushes most people who tread there, choking
gravity in such a way that approximately 20% of its total
the life out and breaking the bodies of those stupid
surface can be inhabited. Human societies have traversed
enough to brave the dark.
much of Nibiru for thousands of cycles, and yet, they still
have the grand majority of it to discover.
The grand majority of Nibiru’s space is a sea of tunnels
and hallways, serving as arteries to connect the vaults
At the centre of Nibiru lies the Core, the giver of all
that keep life intact. Steel expanses extend as far as the eye
light. The Core hides all manner of strange mechanisms
can see, serving as nexi to where many of these tunnels
designed to bring the world to life. The nature of the
converge, as well as hubs from where important aspects
Core is shrouded in mystery, and it has been regarded as
of the station’s functions can be monitored. Hidden past
a deity and a living thing by many belief systems across
hundreds of meters of coiled wire and metal, the entrails
the station. A ring of colossal facilities surrounds it,
of the station rumble incessantly to keep all of the
thundering pillars that rise as far as the eye can see, and
machine’s functions up and running.
labyrinthine complexes—all bursting with raw power.

7 Bertha’s Song
 Habitats
Removed from humanity’s sphere of knowledge, wrapped
in mystery and occluded from the rest of the Skyless
World, Habitats are the lost places of origin of the
Vagabonds: the protagonists of your stories.
Each habitat is vastly different from one another. Some
have a physical location, while some others might exist in
the mind of certain people or entities. What is common
among them is that they are all frameworks within which
the players may create the memories of their Vagabonds.
These habitats might signify a past life as a tiny creature or
as an artificial intelligence, as a character in somebody’s
theatrical production or even in a small countryside town.
Building the Past
Habitats are the ideal playground for players who like
to get creative, and think about the past lives of their
characters (and how they’ll influence their future).
Encourage your group to think about what kind of place
their habitat was, how was their daily life, who they shared
it with, what their dreams and struggles were. That way,
when the time to write memories arrives, they’ll have a
clearer idea of what to pen down in their journal!

The habitat featured in this Quickstart Guide is that of remember—which can happen right after they wake up,
BrightTown, but there are four more habitats (each with or a long time after they settle down in the station. This is
their own interesting themes and mechanics) in the often triggered by a change in their current circumstances.
Nibiru Corebook. Of course, nothing stops you and your Vagabonds are found in every strata of society, yet they
friends from creating your own habitats too! tend to keep their true nature to themselves (lest they
attract unwanted attention). Even for very well established
Vagabonds, the moment in which they start remembering
Vagabonds is riddled with turmoil and insecurity.
The characters portrayed by the players are, when
compared with other humans, special in many different
ways. It’s not just about their origin, but also in their
strange abilities and the mysterious condition they find
How does it all begin?
A Vagabond on their own is unlikely to survive, excepting
themselves in. At the beginning, the idea of jumping into
exceptional cases. A Vagabond found, however, sees their
the role of an amnesiac might seem rather odd, so let us
life tied to their saviours’ good will. Not many people
clarify some bits and bobs about them...
have contacts within Enki’s Covenant, but those that
do will most likely jump at the opportunity to sell these
What do Vagabonds “human wrecks” to the secretive society. With that said,
Remember? most people will generally help stranded Vagabonds;
Vagabonds are not a blank slate. They certainly know after all, they are fellow human beings in need. Given that
how to take care of themselves and, although missing Vagabonds are completely capable of communication,
clear streaks of time from their past lives, they still recall they are quick to familiarize themselves with the lands
a series of hazy images that instantly pop to their minds and customs of the skyless world.
when focused. The names of those that were close to
them, as well as the names of the places they lived by,
should generally be clear. They will definitely recognise
sounds, images and scents from their habitats. Upon
finding these, the Narrator could take the chance to
award Memory Points—after all, these are the sensorial
cues that push memories to the surface!

What is their place in the

World?
Nibiru adventures don’t usually start when the Vagabonds
wake up. Although it might (and such situations do pose
a few challenges of their own) most adventures kick off
some time after the Vagabonds’ awakening, once they
are somewhat settled and accustomed to their new
lives. Adventures start when the protagonists begin to

Bertha’s Song 8
 BrightTown
One needs not make a huge effort to imagine what would
be like to be from BrightTown. Remove yourself from
your world, and place yourself in Nibiru. Simple, right?
However, out of all Vagabonds, BrightTowners face one of
the toughest challenges. Theirs is a fall from grace—from
everything they knew and loved, and all they considered
real—into a dark world. A world where the sun is absent,
the clouds are unheard of, the wind always comes with an
engine's roar and the sky is made of solid steel.
Vagabonds of BrightTown come from a town just like
yours. It can be a countryside village, a strange hamlet
drifting in the waves, a treetop hive where you spent your
days in good company—living a simple life. Until the day
you fell into the black ditch, the murky waters, the green
tapestry below. The embrace of the unknown took your
memories away. And now, you are stuck in this place.
How will you return?
Will you return?
Theme:
Collision with Contrast
The same as you, the relics of BrightTown also found their
way into the Skyless World. It could be anything: a paper
plane that flew too far, a football that was kicked with
too hard, a skateboard that rolled off a cliff. These might
have been common things back home, but here in Nibiru
they are otherworldly wonders. That paper plane? There
are no trees in the station—what is this strange, rubbery
contraption? The football? What purpose does it fulfill?
And that skateboard... they've never seen anything like it!
But they surely look like they wanna try it out…
9 Bertha’s Song
BrightTowners reach for their memories through these
objects. In a world stranger than their wildest dreams, the
fallen relics of their home town are life-savers to hang on
to. Your character's past is, thus, slowly rebuilt via the lost
pieces of its wreckage. To determine what that past was
made of is, ultimately, your choice.
Memories:
Otherworldldy Stories
Memories of BrightTown are filled with longing—sugar-
coated with all the romance and nostalgia you need to
survive the Skyless World's oppressive atmosphere. Sure,
they might be distorted recollections, but the willpower
you get from them is definitely valuable. And maybe, one
day, you'll remember that which may lead you back...
"I Remember the cold winter at home, when I'd ring
my bell to call for Snuggles—the tap-tap of its tiny paws
bringing warmth to my heart, as it leapt onto the couch
to stare in the fire."
...+1 to Animal Handling.
"I Remember playing with the neighbour's kid at the
hillside. She'd throw the bell upward, and I'd aim at it
with a rock. The ring would mark the hit—I can't really
remember a single soundless throw!"
...+2 to Throwing.
"I Remember hiding in the closet while he was looking
for me. I couldn't stop shaking, and moving—way too
uncomfortable!. I made a misstep, my bell rang, and the
eyes turned to the doors..."
...-1 to Hiding.
 Brightscape
The embroidery laid in disarray all over the floor. All
those memories, all the feelings, disemboweled, bleeding
memories out before my eyes. The scoundrel knew how to
make a provocation. It surely didn't know the full extent
of his mistake. I took one of the steel bars on the deck, and
looked at him straight in the eyes. The furnace fires caressed
the bar, and as the warmth climbed up to my grip, I pointed
the molten tip towards him in defiance. Any footwork he
employed didn't matter. His smile was cut short, as the
burning steel punctured his chest and made him screech like
a dying calf. He knew then, as did all of his fellas.
You Do Not. Mess. With. BrightTown.
BrightTown was your life, and it is gone. This is the thought
that Vagabonds from BrightTown have to deal with on a
daily basis. From time to time, there's some respite from
it, but at the end of the day, it always comes back.
BrightTown was not just a home; it was a way of life, a
cosmovision, and on top of all of that, one hell of a good
place to be in. It's no wonder why BrightTowners, even
those who manage to carve themselves a life out of
Nibiru, always yearn to go back. The thought is a source of
constant worry—the kind that plagues those that always
live in the future (and, in this case, also in the past) rather
than in the present.
The Longing
As the cycles go by, memories erode. Even the strongest
ones go through this process; the colours fade, faces lose
their features, and yesteryear's crystal-clear image of
your past becomes a blended mess. This is why the fallen
treasures of BrightTown are so precious to them; once you
get hold of one of them, the picture recovers some of its
magic, and things start to come together; to make sense.
When creating a BrightTowner, you need to pick your first
memento; the object you fell with. This entails a Special
Roll (two dice). The roll determines the significance of the
object. For example, you may roll and get a total of 5 for
your shovel's significance. Because your remembrances
will be linked to that shovel, all memories of your past
written while using its significance will have to feature
your shovel in them (either in the background or as an
important part of the recollection).
You will continue to write memories until you've written
a number of them equal to the object's significance.
When the last memory is written, you won't be able to
create more (that is, until you find another object from
BrightTown).
10 Bertha’s Song
While on your journeys, it's likely your objects from
BrightTown get lost, stolen, or even get destroyed. This
will not change your situation; you'll still be able to think
of that object to reach out into your past. It is however,
worth noting that losing part of your home for a second
time is a hard thing to go through—some of these
instances even triggering a Stress test.
Beacon:
Quest for the Past
Whatever the reason for objects from BrightTown to
fall, it’s certainly a curious thing that they keep falling.
The reason why is yours to determine, yes, but the
consequence is that every once in a while BrightTowners
will find new relics lost in the station. The common folk
might see them as weird trinkets, some of them even
lacking a clear purpose, but BrightTowners will recognise
them from a mile away.
Once an object's significance is depleted, it's time to find
a new one. Speak to the Narrator about the next object;
they will need to integrate it as soon as possible into the
story, giving you a chance to retrieve it. However, this
shouldn't be an easy task; the thrill of recovering a relic of
your lost life should kick in—with the quest being at the
least somewhat of a challenge. Difficult enough to result
in some exciting action to take place, but not impossible
(bear in mind that the Vagabond won't have memory
points to spend during this quest!).
Once an object is recovered, it's time for a Special Roll
(two dice). This roll determines the object's significance.
However, the recovery of a relic from BrightTown comes
with a reward: a number of Memory Points equal to the
significance rolled.
Picture...
...the green-grocer, carrying the tools of her trade,
desperately seeking for her hometown’s colours. She is used
to the texture of mud and earth, to waking up and smelling
the morning dew. After all of those years married to the soil,
she landed where none can be found. She has seen things
grow in this dark, sunless world. At least the sight of the
fungi's glow gives her hope, and so she brings a strange kind
of optimism to Nibiru—making people notice her.
...the cruel ne'er-do-well, playing with a tennis ball and
showing a nasty grin. He used to play pranks on everyone,
until the day he got pranked on big time, and fell to the
station. One would think that'd be enough to make him
stop, yet the pranking was always a coping mechanism

more than a sign of immaturity. Now that the pain is real,
he does it even more, and coupled with his otherworldly
awkwardness it all makes it so that he struggles to find a
place to stay. Will he find his niche, a place that accepts him
with all his flaws—and all his potential?
...the nobody, now in her element. Contrary to most, she
sees her fall as a blessing. In a town that shunned her due to
her introversion, she resorted to her grand imagination to
escape. She dreads BrightTown, and now that she arrived
at the Skyless World, she is in a constant state of euphoria
due to the marvels that unfurl in front of her. Still, she
shouldn't dismiss her past; she'll need to grow fast, and part
of that means looking back so not to fall again.
Bertha’s Song
Once in a junkyard sale along the torus
corridor, was it... near Tarsus? I remember
there was this really weird contraption; like a
very small cup with a plastic handle and a lid.
In its bottom it had some sort of secondary
recipient with yet another weird lid, with tiny
holes drilled into it. I know, crazy, right?
Say, that was just the beginning of the whole
kerfuffle. As soon as I turned to put the thing
back on the counter, some psycho came running,
pushing people to the sides, with a face of
pure dread.
Obviously, I was scared shitless. The guy lands
right in front of me, and takes a deep bow.
He gasps and tries to speak while agitated,
saying he has no creds but that he’ll work in
exchange for the weird cup-thingy. I turned to
the vendor (we are both quite baffled) and I
leave them to their own devices. I came to know
that the seller did accept this guy’s offer,
and that he’s still employed at that stand.
Everytime I try to ask him about it though, he
gets nervous, and changes topics. I wonder...
what is it that those two are hiding?
10
 “The Peoples of Oxydia
are justifiably wary about working
during the darkest
Glenn Hewa, Covenant Researcher
Prologue
After wandering aimlessly through cold tunnels in the
company of strangers, you noticed a strange pattern of lights
in the distance. Famished, and at the edge of sanity, you
made your way towards a dark hole in the wall, through
which the vision of lights seeps in. You slide down a wet
metal plaque, the stench of petrol sticking to you as you land
on a steel beam.
You take a look ahead, your eyes travelling across a flood
of junk and rubble, sinking into petrol pools, crowned by
shifting grey mists. Several hundred metres past, a glinting
cascade of light shines on the petals of a steel flower, standing
atop a rubble hill. Surrounding the flower, and piling up on
one another like supplicatory hands reaching to heaven, are
dozens of small coloured houses built on and into the hill.
“Civilization” someone whispers.
“We are saved”.
Bertha’s Song is set in the town of Oxydia, a small village
located in the far corners of Penumbra. The PCs have finally
arrived, after a long journey, at their destination—a town
wherein, as the traveller they encountered mentioned,
they could rest up and find some supplies. Desperate for
food and water, they ready up to cross the swamped land
ahead. This is how their story begins.
A Troupe of BrightTowners
The PCs in “Bertha’s Song” all come from the Habitat
of BrightTown, described in the pages before this one.
You can find the pre-generated character sheets you
need to hand out to your players on the last pages of this
Quickstart Guide. We commend the players to brainstorm
through a series of ideas on what their version of
BrightTown looks like, and what their lives were like there.
In most Nibiru games, you’ll will want to think about your
character’s background from the start, so that when it’s
time to write memories you are not caught unprepared!
12 Bertha’s Song
hours of each Cycle”
The Cast
The PCs that protagonize Bertha’s Song are...
Claire
21 years old, Claire used to live near the Ashen Woods in
BrightTown’s outskirts. She was known as the town’s baker,
and for netting almost 50% of all downtown shots when
playing at the local basketball league.
Tom
The 19 year old son of a cheese artisan, Tom is an avid
poetry reader and aspiring writer. He was celebrated for
eating a considerable part of Michael’s ginormous birthday
chocolate cake a few years ago, and surviving.
Tamara
Tamara is a bright 28 year old, easily irritable when at
parties but really cool once you get to know her. She enjoyed
cycling to the edge of BrightTown, and was known for her
essay on the ethical implications of pineapple pizza.
Michael
A strong willed, 32 year old musician that directs
BrightTown’s jazz band. A fashion trendsetter; his style
has a large following among BrightTown’s older folk. His
catchphrase: “Kids not get it”.
Sylvia
An 18 year old plumber, Sylvia is detail-obsessed and really
likes to sing while doing their job. Fortunately for all, their
singing is great. Sylvia is known as the undefeated champion
of BrightTown’s arcade fighting game scene.
Preppin’ Up
Before anything, make sure that everyone knows this will
be a horror adventure, and an opportunity to explore
memories resurfacing in times of tension and peril.
Print out the Character Sheets found on page 21, and
hand them to the players. Each character starts with
two Memory Points and two Influence Points. Everyone
should have dice, pencil and eraser. We also suggest you
read the Narrator’s Corner, located on the next page.
 Narrator’s Corner
There are several things that you might want to consider
when running Nibiru, and particularly Bertha’s Song. This
short list is designed to give you ideas on how to run the
game, to ensure the most enriching experience.
1) Desolation, Mystery and Inspiration. The area of
Nibiru in which action occurs during Bertha’s Song has
a particular ambience: it should evoke feelings of awe,
desolation and struggle. We suggest looking into graphic
sources such as BLAME! and listening to the soundtrack of
Blade Runner 2049 and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. These
evoke the indomitable feel of Penumbra very closely.
2) Setting the Tone. The mood of this story is better
conveyed in a quiet, friendly place. We suggest playing
at home or somewhere familiar. Utilizing ambient music
can go a long way towards setting the tone; EVE Online
and Homeworld are two games that have a very robust
ambient soundtrack, which you can use along with a
playlist to accompany the narration.
3) Take great care on how you portray the characters.
Bertha’s Song places focus on three NPCs­ —Ormus,
KALUE, and Bertha the webworm. Think, before you
start the game, about how to convey them.
Here are some ideas:
Ormus is the main antagonist of this story. His willingness
to take advantage of the Vagabonds and their lack of
knowledge will be hidden during the start of the game. The
transformation into fully-fledged murderer can happen
suddenly or gradually, just remember that the moment
the players realize his intentions, they’ll probably switch
from working to finish their job to desperately trying to
escape. Avoid statements like “Ormus says that...” and
vocalize his words when you want to make the interaction
Bertha’s Song
more immersive. You can quote him indirectly whenever
referring to more utilitary information, or information
that isn’t that relevant to solving the puzzle. Establishing
this difference might help your players come out on top.
KALUE, being an AI, should be cold in its demeanor. It will
provide very square, direct solutions to simple problems,
but even if it’s programmed to put the characters’ safety
first, it will naturally lack the “human ingenuity” needed
to escape the web farm. If you wanna go all in, use a voice
modifying app such as RoboVox to play its part!
Finally, Bertha should pose a constant threat to the
players. Fear of the unseen can be much more powerful
to maintain tension: Bertha’s description throughout
most of the game should focus on the horrifying noise of
the cracking metal pipes, the rumbling that makes loose
steel joints tremble, and the stench seeping through the
air ducts. Only reveal the monstrosity of Bertha’s visage
during the final act!
4) Use the map below to guide yourself through the web
farm. Of course, you can improvise! You might want to
end the session sooner, or see them explore more of the
web farm, so let your imagination run wild and feel free to
make your own version of the web farm.
Before we Start
As with other Nibiru adventures, this booklet will describe
the way in which action may develop as the story is narrated.
We will embolden certain actions to imply there should be
a roll, at the same time suggesting that roll’s Action Type.
We also give indications to narrators in orange!
13
 Scene 1
Arrival at Oxydia
The PCs move through a wire entanglement, stumbling
down into the black pools below and drawing closer to
the surface of the swampland. The vision ahead replicates
that of the Quickstart Guide cover: the ground is unstable,
and thus the PCs need to make sure they Tread Carefully
as they make their way through the irregular surface,
avoiding jagged metal plaques and debris. Failing to do
so will result in a nasty fall (and going down one Body
step). PCs can try to heal by Improvising Bandages if
they manage to scavenge around for something of use.
Upon arriving at the gates to their hoped sanctuary, they
are confronted by a guard who asks them to state their
business in town. They don’t seem overtly hostile, nor
particularly welcoming. A convincing plea for help will
get through to them, though they will try to then hurry
them up inside­—swiftly closing the gates behind them.
The guard will see them off into the town by telling them
that the cycle is about to end, and it’ll get dark. It’s best
they hurry up and seek refuge wherever they can. If the
PCs ask for more information, the guard will probably
point them to go to the base of the flower, atop the hill.
The Heart of Nibiru
The Core of the Skyless World does not provide consistent
power throughout the entirety of Nibiru. It fluctuates,
working in 3 month long cycles, with energy flowing in
waves and recharging hundreds of nodes spread across the
station. Although the central part of the station enjoys a
constant supply of power, the towns and hamlets located
far away from the Core do not share in that privilege.
It’s due to this that Oxydia’s power cycles always come
accompanied by widespread blackouts, such as the one the
Vagabonds are about to experience.
As the group climbs up misshapen steps, the hill becomes
increasingly steep. The people around them seem to be in
a hurry, mostly trying to pack up with what seems to be
the skeleton of what was a thriving market located atop
the hill. Upon arriving at the crest, the Vagabonds can
see the pillar of light bathing the steel flower’s petals in
iridescence. The air feels warm, scented and refreshing;
a fountain at the base of the flower is host to dozens of
strangely colored water lilies. Cable wire spreads from
the base of the flower, driven via metal posts towards the
village below. PCs who wish so can Assess the Technology
in order to conclude that the contraption is responsible
for the town’s power supply.
14 Bertha’s Song
You can also indicate that, when comparing the pillar
of light as seen from afar, it seems like its brightness has
dimmed from that moment until now.
Nearby, a few people can be seen packing foodstuffs.
If the characters try to talk to them, they’ll be brushed
aside rudely—it seems like the inhabitants of Oxydia are
too busy to be distracted from their task. However, if a
character approaches them with enough Empathy they
will be told that the people of Oxydia do not work during
the darkest hours, and would much rather wait inside
until the power comes back up.
The locals will recommend Vagabonds to find shelter as
soon as possible; finding a secure place that has enough
power to last through the blackout is their best choice­.
You might want to make the search for a kind soul
stretch out a bit, enabling them to build up tension right
before presenting them with a solution. After a few failed
attempts, a man will approach them. His name is Ormus,
and he states that he is willing to give them a place to stay
at in exchange for some work. Ormus has an endearing
smile, partly hidden by his thick beard, and wears a set
of work clothes that seem to have been to hell and back.
He is accompanied by a small dog-like contraption that
moves in an eerily familiar fashion, like a parody cross
between a dog and a monkey. It’s clear at this point that
Ormus is the one to help them, and if you have let the
tension build it’s much more likely the PCs will accept the
offering without many questions. So it’ll be that they will
set for his house, located outside the city walls.
Ormus will lead the group from the crest of the hill down
a grey trail that sinks into the oily swamps surrounding
Oxydia. Past the walls, the trail is flanked by strangely
shaped contraptions that seem to lean into the petrol
pools. During this trip, it’s likely players will ask a few
questions. Ormus will comfortably talk about his life,
how he passes the days, some hobby he picked up, and
casually talk about the web farm and how production has
gone lately. However, to earn time and prevent players
to dig too deep, Ormus should also be asking questions
about the Vagabonds. When it starts to become clear to
Ormus that the group is made up of people that seem to
have hazy memories, he recommends that they don’t go
about telling much to strangers, since (in his own words),
“uprooted folk are at a bigger risk around these parts”.
Any further explanation might have to wait until they
enter Ormus’ home: a small, dilapidated shack with a
squalid chimney protruding from the roof.

Character Profile
Ormus, the Weaver
Ormus is one of the only remaining web farmers
in Oxydia—an industry that has been slow to take
over the fringes of Penumbra. His mother, who
started the business about thirty cycles ago, was a
well known musician—part of a group that toured
Lumia, Suruptu and the central settlements of
Penumbra. As cycles went by, she decided to invest
everything she had to build the farm, purchasing a
young webworm that she named Bertha.
Ormus will be quick to offer some food; a small bowl
for each, filled to the top with what seems to be soup
made of a faintly glowing blue stuff. The consistency is
somewhat rubbery, and the taste is, well... Definitely
not like something you would’ve had in BrightTown.
While eating, Ormus will talk about the farm’s past and
his mother’s talent and industriousness. He laments the
decline of the farm, partly blaming himself for not taking
leave when it was still possible.

The construction of the farm was set up along with

other folk who wanted to install farms of their
own, thus giving Ormus’ mother a reputation as an
organizer for the community. Unfortunately, that
reputation would not be perpetuated by her son.

Ormus inherited the family business at a time in

which the building of new Ascendants (elevators
that allow for fast travel between Antumbra and
Penumbra) was in full motion, bringing cheap
produce from the web farms of Ashur along with
a myriad other products. This pushed most web
farmers out of business, with Ormus pleading
for assistance from the village. However, they had
problems of their own too, and refused any assistance
to support the production. Ormus, naturally, lost all
sympathy he had for the townsfolk.

Ormus’ mother passed away soon after, and he

became a recluse, only heading to town to trade in
produce and purchase supplies for himself and for
Bertha. Turns out, feeding an adult webworm can
be extremely expensive, thus the reason why he’d
eventually implement an extreme solution...

Scene 2
The Job
The group enters the shack and peeks around the place.
Ormus pulls a lever and a lonely, yellowish light bulb
lights up. The centre of the room is occupied by a large
contraption (if a PC chooses to Assess the Technology
they’ll understand it’s a web spinning machine). To the
sides there’s a humble kitchen, and several piled up crates.
A hammock, a small table and a chair are pushed against
a corner, and a series of control panels are laid close to
the leftmost wall. To the far right of the room is a metal
platform, and a desk a picture portrait. The woman in the
picture has eyes closely resembling those of Ormus.

Bertha’s Song 15
As the group finishes eating, Ormus explains the job they What information will Ormus reveal?
will perform. The PCs will need to help Ormus with the Ormus will talk about the job being basically “a walk in
harvest; they’ll go down below while he handles the gates the park”. He will describe the basic process of cutting
of the farm, fill in the canisters and return before the dark web and filling the pressure canisters. They will fill four of
hours are over. Also, he will ask them to check if they can these, before heading back up.
find a tape recorder, which belonged to his mother and
got lost down there. He’ll state it plays a song Bertha loves. What information will Ormus conceal?
Ormus will avoid talking about the worm itself too much,
stating that she sleeps through the dark hours (given
Lore Bites that the generator at the center dims down). Truth is,
Weavers & Worms the generator is self powered, and Bertha hasn’t eaten in
weeks. Ormus plans, essentially, to let her loose on them
“There aren’t many occupations as dangerous as that in order to sate her hunger.
of the web farmer. I’ve been lucky to reach old age
without losing more than a hand—can’t say the same What should the players know before going down?
about many of my colleagues.” Before making their descent, the characters will be shown
how to use the tools at their disposal. They will learn
Spike, retired worked from the Cocoon
that they can get in touch with Ormus at all times via
transceivers, that they will utilize service shafts to send
The Dalqu—“primordial fear”—, or webworm as
up the canisters to Ormus, and that they will be following
its more commonly known, are a species that has
the indications of KALUE (the small, dog-like AI that has
coexisted with humanity since time immemorial.
been accompanying Ormus all this time).
They are witty, patient hunters capable of spinning
a thick, conductive web that is used to capture prey.
Their web is spun across miles-long tunnel networks, Scene 3
generally converging around a power node, where
they tend to nest alone.
Descent
Ormus will then set them up with all manner of tools
needed for the task ahead, instructing the Vagabonds
Webworms may not possess eyes, but they do have
on how to employ them. The tools should be distributed
an extremely sensitive sense of touch, which they
among the players as they deem fit. They are:
use to detect vibrations across their web networks.
When this happens, they turn and plug their web
KALUE, a small service AI with high pitched voice that
to the power source, sending a wave of electricity
knows the way across the maze of the webfarm like the
that shocks their prey. With their catch under shock,
palm of its metal paw. It will obey most simple orders,
they move in for the kill and swallow their victim
though bear in mind that its role derives from its owner’s
whole, slowly digesting it over the course of weeks.
orders—which Ormus might revoke at any time.
This usually results in worms overbloating, with
the most successful hunting periods resulting in an
Cutting tools (two), consisting of a short baton that can
increase of up to 200% of their body mass.
be wrapped in web. Once enough has been collected,
pulling the handle cuts any excess web. which can then be
Web farming is a process that has developed a great
pushed down into the canisters.
deal since its first days. Long, nigh-suicidal missions
into worm-riddled tunnels were replaced as settlers
Pushing cart, used to carry the four canisters that need
began to learn how to lure and enclose worms in
to be filled. Quite bulky and capricious, it needs a steady
tunneled mazes—known today as web farms.
hand to be properly steered.
At the center of these farms, a power node is kept
Dead sparkling, a cat-sized, already-dead creature that
to replicate the webworm’s natural habitat, enticing
can be used as worm bait in case of emergencies.
it to weave around its immediacy. Gated systems
are used to harvest the web, keeping the harvesters
Transceivers (two), which can be utilized to communicate
isolated from the sections where the worm resides.
either among themselves or with the one held by Ormus.
For all the safety of today’s methods, the idea of
going down and feeling constantly stalked is still
A flashlight, in case the lights go out down there.
something that takes time getting used to.

16 Bertha’s Song
Once prepared, the group descends via the elevator into
the depths of the farm. Some dark, ambient music will
do wonders to set the tone, along with descriptions of the
muddy, oily layers of ground and metal junk that make up
for the elevator shaft. Rickety noises and the screeching of
steel joints, the smell of petrol and the stagnant, moist air
all write a fitting preamble for what’s to come.
As the elevator reaches the ground, the doors will open to
reveal the tunnel ahead. The place is filled with web, and a
thick fog reduces visibility to the point where the next gate
remains unseen. A crackle of static will herald Ormus’
first communication via the transceiver, through which
he’ll state that he has sealed the path ahead to harvest this
section. He asks them to let him know when they’re done
with it, so that he can handle the gates accordingly.
When roleplaying the interaction between transceivers,
and as the group presses forward, it’s cool to build up
tension by making it so that Ormus voice starts to get
choppy—eventually leading to the point at which, later in
the adventure, the signal is almost completely lost.
KALUE moves forward into the thickly webbed passage.
The PCs will start to Cut Away the web and fill the
canisters. Failure in this roll will see them stuck trying to
untangle the cutters for a while, revealing (to their dismay)
how intense the work in the farm looks to be. Pushing
through the hallway will see them fill half of the first
canister, and upon reaching the next gate that KALUE will
remind them to contact Ormus. The man will promptly
open the gate and, once people are on the other side, he’ll
close it behind them. If they ask for a reason, Ormus will
state that in the case of an emergency he has to make sure
the way to the elevator is kept isolated, only to be opened
when the group gets back there.
The second section seems to be longer at first sight, heading
both to the right and the left. KALUE will state they need
to move to the right, and in that moment, the players will
be prompted to Hear (-1 Dice). Success in this roll will
mean they hear a strange, grinding noise that seems to
come from afar. If the group asks, KALUE will indicate
that Ormus is likely redirecting power to make sure the
path ahead is lit up. The group will then continue to Cut
Away through the section. Success in this case will lead to
a negative result; at the halfway point, one of the PCs will
be cutting through a bundle of web, and suddenly they’ll
notice a thread of blood that has started dripping from the
entanglement. Checking on this, whether by themselves
or by asking KALUE, will reveal that inside of the bundle
lies the rotten remnants of what seems to be a sparkling
(the cat-sized creature used as bait). KALUE will advise
against cutting it down, since it might be infested with
who-knows-what, and suggest to press forward.
Bertha’s Song
Eventually, they’ll reach a crossroads: three metal gates
stand before them—a good time to communicate with
Ormus. This time, however, the signal will start to get a
bit choppy. Players should have a harder time figuring out
what Ormus is saying, but don’t make it that big of a deal.
Ormus will indicate to go through the left gate, opening
it and closing it behind. Once again, if the PCs find
themselves untrusting, Ormus will state that it’s important
to keep them always sectioned off from the main course of
the maze in case of an emergency.
Once they start to push through, they’ll notice that
lighting here is much more precarious than before; several
bulbs are turned off, while many are flickering nervously.
The path ahead is completely covered in a much thicker
wall of web, requiring them to Cut Away for about twenty
minutes only to reach the middle of the hallway. There
and then, they’ll be once again prompted to Hear (-1
Dice), only this time the noise will be of a strange rumble
that seems to come from the compartments behind.
Immediately, the floor below starts to vibrate—if KALUE
is asked, they will say that Bertha might be awake, but that
the maze should contain her just fine.
Scene 4
Downfall
As the players begin to realize their predicament, have
them roll against Fear of Bertha (three dice). Failing will
naturally see them take a step down their Mind track.
Then, read or paraphrase the following:
Suddenly, a loud screeching sound pierces the stagnant air,
the reverb of twisting metal screaming as it bends under
the weight of something gigantic. The lights above flash and
crack, sending sparks flying everywhere, plunging half of the
tunnel into shadows. Something is very, very wrong.
Bertha is now trying to push through the door behind
the characters. This will force them to cut through the
remainder of the section until they reach the gate. Until
then, any attempt to check with Ormus will be useless; he
will, seemingly unaware of what’s happening (and unable
to hear them well), state that “he cannot hear them, and
that they should contact him when they reach the gate”.
As they close in on the gate, they’ll hear a horrifying loud
bang from the back of the hallway. The metal gates are
being smashed by Bertha! They will probably contact
Ormus, who will open the gates without (astonishingly)
much of a rush. As they go through, the gates will start
to shut down, and in the creeping shadows beyond the
broken lightbulbs they’ll see the silhouette of a massive
avalanche of flesh, occupying the entire width of the
hallway, armed with hundreds of teeth the size of knives.
17
As they turn to face what’s ahead, they hear KALUE state
that “they should be careful, given that the web in this
section appears to be electrified”. The entanglement here
seems to be way less thick, yet the Vagabonds should still
Tread Lightly to avoid getting shocked (which might
take them down a set in the Body track). If, by this point,
players have been conservative with their MPs, you might
want to get ready to put them to use in order to escape
hairy situations. Advancing along this section leads them
to the centre of the farm.
Filled with an electrified web connected to a huge
metal coil that hums with static, the place is an eerie
environment, made even more unsettling by the sudden
roar coming from behind the past gate. By now, about
three of the four canisters are filled. Pick two characters
18 Bertha’s Song
(whomever seems to be less shaken by the whole thing)
and have them pay Attention to Detail (+1 Dice). This
should be an easy success, which will point to the fact
that—beneath the central generator, under a clump of
web—lies the lost recorder. Whomever locates it should
be awarded an Influence Point. They can acquire the
recorder with no need for a roll.
As the group passes the generator and looks for a way
out, they’ll reach a passage with a gate—taking them away
from the central area. This time, even with the choppy
connection, Ormus’ intentions will become clear: he will
duly thank them for the services provided, and for their
sacrifice and assistance to keep the farm running. He’ll cut
all communication, and the sudden BOOM of blasting
gates behind them will herald the coming of Bertha.
Next to the gates, there’s a panel that can be utilized to
open the gates. Manual control is disabled, but anyone
can Assess the Technology to figure out how to remove
the panel and reroute power, forcing the gates open.
Someone will need to hold the cables in place, and quickly
go through the gate while it closes to be able to move past.
This will make for a perfect “by a hair’s-breadth” moment,
as they come only metres away from Bertha’s maw.
Ahead of them, the web thicket paints a dreadful picture;
they need to Cut Away (-1 Dice) fast or they will be
trapped between Bertha and the web thicket. This is a
perfect time to either put IPs or MPs to use. Success will
see them cuth through enough web to reach the middle
section, where the service shafts used to send stuff to
Ormus’ shack are located. These are way too small for a
human to fit though. Failure will see them reach those
right as Bertha breaks the gate and pushes into the hallway.
Lore Bites
Melodic Deliverance
To say Bertha is “attracted” to the song in the
recordedrwould be a gross understatement. The track,
a recording of a song by Ormus’ mother, holds a strong
connection to the webworm, as it was played around
the farm while the creature grew up. Hering it now
acts as an emotional trigger, meaning Bertha will
chase after the song no matter what, in an attempt
to close in to the last remaining memento of her
adoptive mother.
The way in which the characters might find salvation
and revenge at the same time is actually quite simple:
pressing play in the recorder and sending it up the
shaft. When someone realizes this, award the
player with an Influence Point. Use the chance to
make Bertha appear in the most terrifying fashion,
chasing them down while delaying the start of
the song just enough so that she stops right before
devouring the terrified party, turning and heading
towards the sound of the music.
Scene 5
Ascent
At this point, it’s do or die. The webworm will push
through and the PCs will either realize how to use the
recorder or be forced to Cut Away (-1 Dice) through
the web ahead. Failing to do so will lead to certain death,
while reaching the end of the hallway will see them face
another gate, and another challenge to reroute power—
something they definitely do not have time for. There are,
now, two possibilities for an ending here...
Bertha’s Song
1) The Vagabonds pressed “play” on the recorder,
sending it through the shaft. In this case, proceed to read
the extract titled Punishment from Below.
2) The Vagabonds find themselves cornered, about to
encounter Bertha face-to-face. In this case, proceed to
read the extract titled End of the Run.
These endings are just a suggestion: it’s always great to
come up with your own ideas about how a different wrap
up might provide a better experience (especially if you
have time and all of you seem eager to continue playing).
End of the Run
“As the creeping, slithering mass of flesh moves forward,
you desperately try to tamper with the controls of the gate.
Sweat runs through your fingers, and the circuit cable
splits. The air is hot; you feel a warm breeze from behind
you­—the stench of rot assaulting your senses. You look
back into the gaping maw, shaking, teeth sinking into each
other in preparation for a pain your mind cannot square.
You close your eyes, feeling the piercing embrace of death.”
Punishment from Below
“As the creeping, slithering mass of flesh moves forward,
you desperately try to tamper with the controls of the gate.
Sweat runs through your fingers, and the circuit cable
splis. The air is hot; you feel a warm breeze from behind
you­—the stench of rot assaulting your senses. You look
back into the gaping maw, shaking, teeth sinking into each
other in preparation for a pain your mind cannot square.
You close your eyes, and...
Exactly at this point, you might want to consider
playing a song; perhaps a country song, or a cold
melody that inspires revenge. This is Bertha’s Song, the
song composed by Ormus’ mother. It will help bring a
climatic finale to the game!
...you wait for death’s embrace, yet nothing happens. A
strange tune echoes at the distance, and as you open your
eyes, you see the mass of flesh twisting upon itself, rushing
and sinking into the wall. It punctures the metal placques,
bulldozing its way towards the surface, chasing the sound
of the recorder. Eventually, you make your way out of the
complex through a partially collapsed tunnel—the smell of
petrol and rust seeps into your lungs, and you peer towards
the shack as it sinks into the ground, its foundations torn
by asunder, drowned along with Ormus’ screams, amidst
the fading echoes of Bertha’s Song.”
19
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