{{ :hoogna.png?nolink&400|}} ====== Bertram Hoogna ====== [[dwarf|Dwarf]] poet of the [[starlit_door|Starlit Door]], who was purported to record his ravings in his own blood. >//“Greetings. Bertram Hoogna’s my name."// - Backstory Codex - Apprentice (RPA-BC)  |**Race:**|[[dwarf|Dwarf]]| |**Affiliation/Loyalty:**|Self/[[starlit_door|Starlit Door]]| ---- ===== Personality ===== Bertram is surprisingly happy to help given the opportunity, but does not care for distractions or interruptions; >//Mr. Hoogna looks to the side and nods, clearly not to you. “Yes, I’m explaining it now, please stop interrupting,” he chides, then he looks back at you. “Sorry, they’re very excited to finally contact you. It seems they’ve been petitioning [[ulrir|Ulrir ]]to let them return for quite some time. Some of them want you to rebuild the Order, while others want you to avenge their deaths. You can study either subject here in my [[library|library]].”// - Backstory Codex - Apprentice (RPA-BC) ---- ===== Reputation ===== The legacy of Bertram Hoogna is not particularly tasteful; >//“As I understand it, the poet Bertram Hoogna kept a [[library|library]] in [[undercity|Undercity]] and wrote terrible poems in his own blood.”// - Zalic, Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) >//“Get that hack out of my face.”// - Orc Thieves Guild guard, Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) >//You show the [[dwarf|Dwarf ]]woman the statue head. She takes it from you and holds it aloft in one hand, then recites a bit of [[dwarf|Dwarven ]]verse. When she’s done, she spits in its face and gives a bawdy laugh. “What a hack,” she says, handing the head back to you.// - Dwarf Pit attendant, Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) ---- ===== Powers ===== As a [[ghost|ghost]], Bertram Hoogna has the power to project illusions; >//He traces a pattern in the air with his hands, reciting one of his poems. A phantom image of the observatory in pristine shape appears around you.// - Backstory Codex - Apprentice (RPA-BC) The sound Bertram's ghost makes when taking his leave is a fluttering of pages; >//With that, Mr. Hoogna’s ghost fades away to the sound of ruffling papers.// - Backstory Codex - Apprentice (RPA-BC) ---- {{ :inkwell.png?nolink&300|}} ===== Inkwell ===== The old [[inkwell|inkwell]] found at Bertram's desk in the [[library|Library]] appears to possess a kind of blood magic; >//Now that it is full of blood, the inkwell emanates a strange power. Holding it, you feel a sudden desire to express yourself. Bertram Hoogna must have cast a spell over his inkwell to help him feel inspired.// - Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) It is revealed to be of Kobold make upon closer inspection at the [[undercity|Undercity]] [[the_pit|Pit]]; >//You shine your [[lantern|lantern]] on the empty [[inkwell|inkwell]] and turn it around in the light. On the bottom of the [[inkwell|inkwell]], you notice some letters impressed into the glass. They read: Made by Hosenfass & Sons Co., a [[kobold|Kobold]] family glassworks.// - Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) ---- ===== Poetry ===== ==== Ten Tasks for You, Who Would See Azema’s Return ==== by Bertram Hoogna, Esq. >>//Circle a lake of blood and ash// >>//Find a girl where two are one// >>//Purge a fever, be not rash// >>//Enter the palace all undone// >>//Seek your freedom from a tomb// >>//Rid a tree of vile ghost// >>//Make a path where spirits bloom// >>//His ring to whom you love the most// >>//Ride a giant through the veil// >>//And find our Knight Immortal// >>//With blazing helm and sword step forth// >>//To draw Azema from her portal// ---- ===== References ===== ==== Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) ==== At the [[undercity|Undercity]] [[the_pit|Pit]], you find a marble head that belongs to a statue of Bertram; >//One item stands out: a carved head of white marble.// - Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) In the [[library|library]], you find a [[durgolium|durgolium]] desk that appears to have been Bertram's; >//At the back of the [[library|library]], you discover a small [[durgolium|durgolium]] writing desk that looks surprisingly clean and well kept. Atop the desk is a fresh quill, an empty [[inkwell|inkwell]], and what looks like a broken statue. It’s a white marble neck mounted to a wooden base that is engraved with the name Bertram Hoogna.// Replacing the statue head in the [[library|library]] and filling his old inkwell with blood will reveal a poem and another interplanar object; >>//Thank thee kindly for the blood// >>//I shall not ask about its source// >>//As my gratitude does bud// >>//I hereby yield a wondrous force// >>//This cube is ancient as can be// >>//Keep it safely in thy care// >>//It levitates most marvelously// >>//And opens doors that lead elsewhere// - Outbreak in Undercity (RPA-ADV3) ==== Servants of Azema (GS-ADV2) ==== You find a copy of //[[book of poems|Symbols, Poems by Bertram Hoogna]]// propped against the tombstone of [[gulpax|Gulpax's]] mother, Glormax. ---- ===== Backstory Appearances ===== ==== Apprentice ==== Bertram acts as an intermediary between you and your classmates, guiding you to books on how best to rebuild or avenge your fallen order in the [[undercity|Undercity]] [[library|library]]. You will then have your choice to release your friends from their pain or bring them back to Ulos to exact their revenge on the [[dragul|Dragul]] that pillaged your monastery at the [[ancient_observatory|Ancient Observatory]] in [[bogroot_swamp|Bogroot Swamp]].