Humakt: How Death came into the world

Introduction

This myth is intended to be read by players who want to initiate into Humakt, as background for their initiation Heroquest. 

The difficulty with Heroquests is that the players can feel like they are being railroaded by stepping through the myth with very little agency. The myth is deliberately written so that it tells what happened without defining how it happened. The “how” is left up to the player during play. 

This way, the players choices can establish the nature of the cult in our game. 

See below the myth for a set of questions for the player about their character. 

How Death came into the world

Eurmal, ever the wanderer, crept into the Underworld, searching for secrets unseen. There, in the deep places beyond life, he stumbled upon something new, something forgotten—a weapon that had never existed before and yet had always been waiting. The First Sword—Death.

Grinning, Eurmal clutched his new toy, eager to boast about his latest find. He returned to Humakt, laughing, reveling in his discovery.

"Look at this," Eurmal said. "No one has ever wielded such power!"

Humakt took Death in his hands. Unlike Eurmal, he saw its truth. This was not just a weapon—it was finality itself. It was neither good nor evil. It simply was.

As Humakt studied Death, Grandfather Mortal arrived, drawn by its presence. He was curious, though he did not understand what he saw.

"What is this thing?" he asked.

Eurmal, eyes glittering with mischief, leaned closer. "Do you want to try a new power?" he whispered.

Grandfather Mortal hesitated—but curiosity is a force all its own. The idea of holding something never before seen, of touching the unknown, was irresistible. He reached for Death.

And then—Death struck him down.

For the first time, something had ceased to be. Grandfather Mortal did not return, did not heal, did not linger. The path to the Underworld opened, and with it, Death entered the world.

Eurmal, delighted by the power he had unleashed, stole Death from Humakt and carried it into the world above. He placed it in Orlanth’s hands, whispering that it was the greatest weapon ever made.

Orlanth, thinking himself its rightful wielder, struck down Yelm, ending the Golden Age and plunging the world into darkness.

But Eurmal was not finished. He copied Death, spreading it far and wide. Now, it was everywhere, uncontrolled, misused by those who did not understand its nature.

Humakt saw the chaos that had unfolded. His own kin had taken what was not theirs. The balance had been shattered.

And so, Humakt cut himself free.

He severed his ties to the Storm Tribe, casting away his place among the Air Gods. No longer a brother to Orlanth, he stood apart.

With that act, Humakt ensured that Death would never again be wielded without honor.

With Death unleashed, the path remained uncertain. The dead did not know where to go. They wandered, lingering among the living.

The world was filled with souls who refused to depart. The divide between life and death blurred.

Humakt took up his task. He strode through the war-torn lands and drew the line between life and death.

He sent souls to their rightful place, separating the wandering spirits from the world above. Some begged to remain. Some tried to resist. But Humakt, unwavering, ensured that the cycle was honored.

From that moment forward, the living and the dead would never intermingle again.

Death had been misused. Twisted by gods and warriors who thought it simply a tool—a weapon for conquest, revenge, or destruction.

Humakt walked forth to take back what was his. He faced many gods and forced them to acknowledge him as the master of death. He faced Storm Bull, the wild berserker, who wielded Death recklessly. He faced Babeester Gor, the relentless avenger, who saw Death as punishment, without wisdom.

One by one, Humakt reclaimed Death, proving that it was not theirs to wield.

At last, Humakt stood before Orlanth, now King of the World.

Orlanth had carried Death into the world, wielding it without understanding. He had brought ruin, yet he had also brought change.

But now, the time had come for truth.

Orlanth first treated Humakt as a cottar, offering him a place among the common folk, but Humakt refused—his path was not one of labor or kinship. 

Then, Orlanth named him a carl, granting land and status, yet Humakt declined again, for he had severed all ties to belonging. 

Finally, seeing his strength and truth, Orlanth asked Humakt to be his thane, his warrior of honor and battle. Only then did Humakt accept, but not as a servant—he took his place as Orlanth’s champion, standing apart yet respected, wielding Death with wisdom and mastery.

Thus, Humakt’s place was solidified. The god of war. The god of truth. The god of Death itself.

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