Ironsworn RPG is a TTRPG developed by Shawn Tomkin. In this actual play, we follow Jaggar Kova on his adventures in the Ironlands. If you want to catch up with the story so far, you can find Session 1 here, and if you'd like to see how we built the character, you can check out Session 0 part 1 and part 2.
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The low stone walls and tall, rough-hewn gate of Olgar’s Stand appeared before Jaggar and Serene as they crested a low hill. The evening fires puffed gray-white smoke into the darkening night sky. Jaggar could see warriors patrolling along the wall, and made a sound of approval in his throat.
“It appears the village has survived without us,” Serene said quietly.
“We are a tough and stubborn folk,” Jaggar replied, patting Serene on the shoulder. “We will need our Chieftain for what is coming, never doubt that.”
“Thank you, old friend.”
They reached the gate and were welcomed by the guards on duty. Many openly gazed at Jaggar in awe that he had survived and brought back their chieftain. The elders gratefully patted his shoulder as he passed. But he was not accustomed to accolades, and it made him uncomfortable.
“Do not wince so hard,” Serene said with a smile. “They are only thankful for what you’ve done.”
When they entered the longhouse, Serene stepped quickly up on the low dias and took her seat on the chieftain’s chair. The ruckus of their return caused the advisors and administrators of the village to quickly assemble at the longhouse.
After many greetings and offerings of thanks to Jaggar, Serene called order and began to speak.
“My friends, there is much to discuss,” Serene began, then turned to Jaggar who stood off to the side of the assembly. “Jaggar Kova, Olgar’s Stand owes you a debt far beyond the gratitude already expressed. I owe you a debt as well, old friend.”
“I only did as anyone would have, Chieftain.”
“I did not see any other warriors of Olgar’s Stand braving Stonetower and that cave to rescue me,” Serene replied, her tone admonishing. She was not about to let Jaggar shrug off what he had done for her.
Jaggar nodded in response, knowing Serene would understand his acceptance.
“However, I must ask you to do one more thing for me, my friend,” Serene said, her tone solemn. “While I explain our situation, I would ask you to travel to the Honorwood in search of Tayyah the Seer. Take the journal and see if she can decipher it.”
“At once, Chieftain.” Jaggar turned to go, but a call from Serene stopped him mid turn.
“I would request that you swear on iron.” Serene gave him a knowing look, and he understood that this request was not for her benefit but for the benefit of the onlookers.
Jaggar drew his sword and placed his hand upon the blade. “I swear upon the iron of my blade that I will seek out Tayyah the Seer and learn what she knows of this journal.”
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“Thank you,” Serene said, smiling at Jaggar.
“Chieftain, if I may,” Morien, the village’s master tailor, said. At Serene’s nod, the tailor continued, “The Seer was just in the village. If Master Jaggar hurries, he might catch her before she departs.”
“Thank you, Master Tailor,” Serene replied, then looked to Jaggar who nodded and strode from the longhouse.
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Jaggar walked through the village toward the market, where he assumed the Seer would be if she were still in town. Most of the stalls were closing up for the night, but he managed to catch the attention of the butcher, Vigo.
“I heard you were back, Jaggar,” the old man said. “Thank you for rescuing Serene.”
“Think nothing of it, Vigo. I only did what I had to do,” Jaggar replied, trying to deflect the praise. He quickly asked, “Have you seen Tayyah the Seer?”
“Aye, the Owl-woman was here only a bit ago. She headed toward the village gate, though, so I suspect she’s headed home.”
“Then I must go quickly. Thank you Vigo.”
Jaggar set off, hoping he was not too late to catch the Seer before she left the village. He arrived at the gate and asked the guards if they had seen the woman. They reported that she had departed less than an hour earlier, heading west and north toward the Honorwood.
He left the village and followed the footpath west toward the bridge crossing the River Lowbridge, where the path branched off. One path turned southwest toward the coast, and the other northwest, heading into the pine forest called Honorwood.
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In the muddy path, he was able to make out tracks of booted feet heading in the direction of the Honorwood. Knowing that these could only be Tayyah’s prints, he set off along the path after her. The forest grew close to the path on the north side, blocking the little light produced by the rapidly setting sun, and Jaggar wished he had thought to bring along a lantern or torch.
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Jaggar scanned the ground and found more footprints, but these led off the edge of the path and disappeared into the undergrowth. He stopped at the edge of the wood, considering his options. He did not wish to enter the forest with no light source, but if he returned to the village, Tayyah would likely make it to her home before he could return. No one knew exactly where she dwelled, save only that it was somewhere within the Honorwood.
Deciding that the need for information was greater than his need for light, he pushed forward into the pine wood. The thick trunks grew close together, making passage a challenge but not impossible. Flowers grew on the thick moss carpet of the forest floor, and as he passed, their petals began to glow a faint white. The light of the flowers seemed to illuminate a path forward through the forest, and Jaggar eagerly followed.
He recalled the woodsfolk’s stories about the Honorwood from his childhood. The wood was said to have a mystical quality about it, and few had ever been known to pass through it from one end to the other. Most had simply come out of the wood near where they had entered, as though the forest itself turned them around. Jaggar was not a believer in magic, but his experience in the cave had convinced him that something was at work in his formerly mundane world. The glowing flowers seemed to be leading him onward, deeper into the wood. He could not see much in their dim light, but enough to allow him safe passage.
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By the light of the flowers, Jaggar was able to pick up Tayyah’s trail once more. It led deeper into the wood, and the glowing flowers flickered to life with each step he took in that direction. He followed Tayyah’s path until the lights suddenly flickered off. Ahead, he could see movement, illuminated by an entire bush of glowing flowers. In the light stood a cloaked figure, their hood still up, carrying a large basket full of foodstuffs and a bolt of gray cloth. The flower-light did not extend far enough into the gloom of the dark forest for him to see why the hooded figure had stopped.
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Creeping closer, Jaggar could hear voices. There seemed to be two other people in the wood along with the hooded person. The voices seemed harsh, and when one took a step forward, the flowers of another bush lit the iron edge of an axe. Jaggar stiffened and quietly drew his sword. He recognized the armor the axe-wielder was wearing. He’d seen a lot of it lately—too much if he was honest. Stonetower scouts had found Tayyah, and stood between him and fulfilling his vow to Serene and his people.
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