Ironsworn RPG is a solo TTRPG designed by Shawn Tomkin (links for the game can be found in the Dragon's Hoard). In our first adventure, we will be following the story of Jaggar Kova as he journeys around the Ironlands. We set up the character, his initial relationships, and motivations in Session 0 part 1 and part 2. Now, on to the story...
Jaggar Kova abruptly sat up in his bed, the sounds of screams and shouts filling the normally quiet night. He knew the turmoil could only mean one thing: an attack. The din of iron on iron vibrated through the air, as he threw on a shirt and grabbed his sword from the bedside. At the door, he stamped his feet into his leather boots and moved cautiously outside. His forge was located near the back of the village, away from what amounted to a village gate. A woman, clad in a leather jerkin and linen pants, hurried his way.
"What's happening, Sendra?" Jaggar asked the woman when she neared.
"Stonetower's attacking." Sendra never slowed, even as she spoke, calling back over her shoulder when she passed Jaggar by. "The watch says they were pushing toward the Chieftain's longhouse. I'm going to gather those who aren't fighting to join me in keeping the children safe. You should help the Chieftain."
Jaggar knew what he must do. He slid his sword from its scabbard and stormed toward the town center and the village longhouse, where the Chieftain dwelled. Cries of battle echoed across the flat terrain and off the nearby marsh. As he neared the longhouse, he spotted the chieftain being dragged away by two burly men. A third man stepped into his path, raising his axe and bellowing a challenge.
Dice Rolls
Jaggar and his opponent charged each other, and the attacker's axe clanged off the polished iron of Jaggar's blade. Jaggar slipped to the side and let his foe's momentum carry him off balance.
Dice Rolls
Jaggar struck as his opponent struggled to keep his footing. His blade sliced into the foe's bare arm, then across his chest, cutting through the leather jerkin and flesh beneath. The man cried out, flailing wildly with his axe.
Dice Rolls
Jaggar pressed his advantage, slicing deep into the man's thigh. The warrior bellowed and fell to one knee.
Dice Rolls
Jaggar knocked the axe from his foe's hand, sending it flying into the shadows. He raised his sword and brought the hilt down on the man's temple, who slumped into the stirred-up dirt of the road, unconscious.
Jaggar left the man lying in the road and charged after the men who had taken the chieftain. The fighting was thick nearer the gate; men and women shouted as they fought with the invaders. Jaggar saw several of his neighbors lying in pools of their own blood or struggling to rise. He forced his eyes from the carnage, searching for the chieftain. He spotted the two men, massive black silhouettes in the firelight. They shoved the chieftain over the rump of a horse and galloped into the darkness, north toward Stonetower and out of sight.
A horn sounded in the night, and the Stonetower warriors broke off from their opponents and ran into the darkness, leaving the men and women of Olgar's Stand to care for their dead and wounded.
Jaggar, filled with rage and shame that he was not able to rescue the chieftain, stormed back to the warrior he had knocked out. With muscles honed by years of Blacksmithing, he hefted the big man off the ground and carried him over his shoulder to the longhouse. Inside, he dropped the man in a chair. With rage burning like a forge in his eyes, he stalked back and forth, waiting for the warrior to wake up. He would know why Stonetower attacked, why they took the chieftain, and where they took her. He swore, then, on his iron blade: "By iron was this done, and by iron will it be undone. This I Vow."
Dice Rolls
It took several hours for the Stonetower warrior to awaken. In all that time, Jaggar did not sleep. He did not even sit. Instead, he spent the hours pacing the floor. His mind roiled with thoughts of vengeance, of pursuing the raiding Stonetower warriors through the night, killing them all. Sendra, his mentor, arrived and insisted that he drink some ale and eat, but he paid her no heed.
"Boy," Sendra said, as he looked blankly at the hunk of bread she handed him. "I know you feel responsible. But do not let your guilt or your rage overpower your good sense. Eat."
"I should just go now, while the darkness provides cover," he finally said, still not eating the bread.
"And do what?" Sendra scoffed. "You and I both know Stonetower outnumbers us. Even more so after the slaughter tonight. What could you hope to accomplish on your own?"
"More than I can standing here, waiting for this lout to awaken!" Jaggar's voice rumbled in the quiet space. He paused, then continued, "I am sorry, Sendra. You do not deserve my ire."
"This is the wisest thing you've said this night," Sendra replied, giving him a small smile.
"I am not a rash man. I do not know what has come over me."
"The bloodlust, no doubt."
"I grow tired of this war. Of all the death. We do not even know why Stonetower attacks."
Dice Rolls
"Perhaps you can ask our friend. He appears to be rousing," Sendra said, gesturing toward the warrior.
Jaggar drew his sword and stepped toward the raider, placing the tip of the blade against the man's chest. To his credit, the man did not flinch away, but stared back at Jaggar with an icy glare.
"Why did your people attack us tonight?" Jaggar demanded. When the man made no move to answer, he pressed the tip of the sword harder against his sternum. Blood slid slowly down the man's bare chest. Fear flashed in his eyes. He clearly did not wish to die.
"Swear to me you will not slay me, and I will tell you what I know."
"I have no wish to continue this bloodshed between our people. Tell me what you know, I swear to you by my blade that you will not be harmed this night," Jaggar replied.
"Very well," he began, his voice a hoarse rasp. "We were ordered to. We do not question our leaders."
Jaggar noted the shudder that went through the man's body as he mentioned the authority of the leaders of Stonetower.
"What of our chieftain? Why did you take her?" Jaggar demanded.
"Our leaders required leverage."
"I will need more information that that," Jaggar growled.
"Our people are starving. The soil to the north is salted and mostly sand. Nothing will grow. Our people starve. I do not know what they are planning to do to your chieftain, but I know that we have only survived by raiding villages like yours and stealing supplies."
"We would trade freely with your people," Jaggar said, a look of confusion flashing across his face. "Why resort to violence where bartering would save lives on both sides?"
"I do not know."
"Where have they taken the chieftain?"
"I am not sure." The warrior hesitated for a moment, then continued: "Two carts were sent into the caves northwest of Stonetower. We were ordered not to ask questions."
Jaggar turned to Sendra, "That must be where they are taking Serene."
"It is as likely a place as any," the old blacksmith replied.
Jaggar nodded to Sendra, who turned on her heel and walked through the doors of the longhouse.
"What are you going to do with me?" the warrior asked.
"What is your name?" Jaggar removed the blade from the man's chest.
"I am called Kione."
"Kione. You understand that I cannot set you free, yes?" Jaggar asked, sheathing his sword.
"Aye, I suspected as much."
"You will be kept under guard until this matter is resolved. If my chieftain comes to harm, there will be a moot to decide your fate."
"I do not wish to die."
"Nor did any of the people who were slain by your warriors tonight."
"Most of my fellows do not approve of the raiding. But what can we do? Our leaders, they are harsh and demanding. We dare not go against them."
Jaggar noted the shudder once again.
"I will see to it that you are not treated poorly. But do not expect any compassion from my people."
The man sat in silence until Sendra returned with two armed villagers, bearing manacles and a heavy chain. They escorted the Stonetower warrior into the dawning light of the morning. Jaggar followed them out and returned to his house to prepare for the journey ahead.
What awaits Jaggar in the north? Will he find the Chieftain? We might just find out in the next session of Just Roll With It! Thanks for reading!
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