Naarah was the daughter of Bul-Kathos, and twin sister of Hiram. Unlike her brother, Naarah followed her father's path and became a great fighter.[1]
Naarah had a strong sense of justice, and was proficient in the use of the axe.[1]
Biography
Early Life
Naarah and Hiram were born to Bul-Kathos and an unknown mother. Her mother fell in battle. Naarah found her own prowess in battle at an early age.[1]
Naarah's relationship with her brother was never strong. Hiram was weaker than her physically, unable to lift a blade. He was dear to her until he set himself apart from his family.[1]
Legend of the Barbarian
Reunion
- Naarah during the initial battle(src)
One day in her village, Naarah came across a group of children playing "Barbarians and Demons." One of them, Aurel, declared herself to be Lilith. While it was in the spirit of play, an irate Naarah told her not to speak Lilith's name, and never talk of her returning to Sanctuary. Bul-Kathos was easier on the children, much to Naarah's irritation. He responded that they were only children, and that they should be allowed to enjoy their childhood before the harsh realities of the world took that from them. The two argued on how best to secure peace, when there was a commotion—Hiram had returned after seven years' absence.[1]
The three sat together over food and drink as Hiram related his tale. He told of visiting the cities of Intium and Edario, where in the latter, he heard the words of Hurit, who had extolled the virtues of Lilith. He told her that she would one day lead the nephalem in a final battle against the forces of Heaven, at last, freeing the nephalem. A disgusted Bul-Kathos walked out, who told Hiram of the Purge, how his own parents had been slaughtered by the "Mother of Sanctuary" along with the rest of Inarius's renegades. Hiram refused to be swayed, stating it was time for the nephalem to seize the Worldstone for themselves. Bul-Kathos refused to take part in Hiram's scheme, and Naarah sided with her father.[1]
Bul-Kathos ordered Hiram to leave, but was deeply troubled. As night fell, Naarah sat beside her father, pointing out that Hiram's talk was an example of one of the "true threats" he had mentioned earlier in the day. Bul-Kathos, perhaps in self-delusion, told her that come the morn, he would find Hiram and show him a father's love. Naarah objected, claiming that Hiram had been swayed by Lilith. She suggested riding on Hiram now, before he could march on Mount Arreat. Bul-Kathos remained silent, and Naarah departed.[1]
Before dawn, Hiram and his Zealots made the choice for them, as they attacked the Barbarian village before dawn. Wielding her axe, Narah fought back. The tide began to turn against the Barbarians when the Zealots started utilizing their Sorcerers, which, Naarah bitterly noted, was the only reason why the Barbarians had yet to defeat the attacking warriors. During the battle, Naarah rescued a child from her burning homestead, but the building collapsed with Naarah inside. The left side of her face was severely burnt.[1]
Naarah emerged come the morn—scarred, but alive. She told her father that he knew where Hiram and the Zealots were headed, and asked him what he intended to do about it. Bul-Kathos ordered his forces to be gathered—they would confront the Zealots on the slopes of Arreat.[1]
On the Slopes of Arreat
- Naarah before launching her attack(src)
As the Zealots climbed Mount Arreat, the Barbarians sprung their trap. Leading a Barbarian force, boulders were rolled over the side to the Zealots, followed by Naarah and her fellow warriors rapelling down to engage them. While the Zealots outnumbered Naarah's force, their attack split the Zealots' forces. The Zealots tried to use their archers, but Bul-Kathos and his forces engaged them separately. The Zealot Sorcerers and Beastmasters unleashed monsters on the Barbarians, and with the rest of their army arriving, Bul-Kathos ordered a retreat to the Worldstone Chamber.
Atop the mount, Bul-Kathos discussed strategy. He suggested using runners to gather other tribes while defending their position. Naarah pointed out that a protracted conflict favored the Zealots, as they would gather recruits as well, and they could live off the land better, as opposed to the barren crags of the mount. She suggested a night attack—attack the Zealots before they could be reinforced. Bul-Kathos agreed to her plan, and told her how proud he was to see her become a leader. They discussed how Hiram had drifted from his family, and Bul-Kathos regretted not seeing Hiram's strengths in the same way he had Naarah's. She dissuaded him from such regrets, pointing out that Hiram was no longer a child, and was responsible for his actions. Bul-Kathos agreed, but said that Hiram was still his son.[1]
At this point, they were interrupted—Hiram and a force of Zealots had broken through their lines, and were headed for the Worldstone Chamber. Naarah said she would face him, telling her father that he was blinded by love for his son to see what had to be done. She headed up to the chamber to face her brother while the majority of Bul-Kathos's forces remained to face the attacking Zealots.[1]
The Worldstone Chamber
"Oh, Naarah. Your pride always did speak louder than your axe."
- The siblings confront each other(src)
The two siblings confronted each other in the Worldstone Chamber. Naarah easily slew Hiram's Zealots, and he told her that a larger war was coming. That she could serve under him. She refused, and attacked, but to her surprise, Hiram's skill with the sword was much greater than she had anticipated, able to parry her blows. She was caught offguard by his improvement in martial prowess, and caught even further offguard when he demonstrated his ability to use magic. Naarah was bound with vines erupting from the ground, and Hiram impaled her with his blade.[1]
When Bul-Kathos arrived in the chamber, Hiram created an illusion of Naarah to attack him, claiming to have come to Hiram's line of thinking. He realized the deception, and upon seeing the corpse of his real daughter, turned on Hiram in anger. Hiram was killed and his Zealots defeated.[1]
Legacy
Naarah's story, along with that of her father and brother, was remembered by the Barbarians well into the Great Enmity. "Take up the axe" of Naarah became a Barbarian saying, referring to fighting a battle to its end—not for victory, but for honor and for duty, even if death is the guaranteed outcome.[2]
Trivia
- According to Hiram, as a child, Naarah was unable to distinguish between a mace and a pike.[1]
- The visual design for Naarah took cues from other Barbarians.[1]