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. To catch up on Jaggar's story, check out the Game Journal.
Jaggar's head throbbed as his consciousness returned. He had no idea how long he had been out, but his dreams were wildly exaggerated replays of his experience in the Stonetower. He groaned, trying to compel his body to move. His eyes blinked open to see a rocky ceiling above, illuminated by the dim glow of candle-light.
"Jaggar? Are you awake?" A familiar voice spoke somewhere to his right.
"Serene?" Jaggar asked, pushing himself up on an elbow and looking around the chamber for her.
"Yes, Jaggar, it's me," Serene answered.
He heard the scuff of a foot against the ground, and then felt the chieftain's hand on his shoulder. "I wasn't sure you were going to wake up."
“I would not mind sleeping a while more,” Jaggar replied, finally hoisting himself up to a sitting position. “Where are we?”
"In some kind of cave.” Serene helped Jaggar slide back to the wall for support. “I only saw glimpses when they brought me in."
"That tracks," Jaggar said, remembering the information the captive Stonetower raider had given up.
"How did you get here?"
"I...swore a vow to rescue you." Jaggar couldn’t see her face very clearly, but he thought she smirked before giving him a disapproving look.
"That was rash, Jaggar Kova, and very unlike you."
"I know, chieftain." Jaggar did not regret his decision to charge off into the wilds to rescue Serene. She had proven herself a capable leader, and they once had a relationship long ago in their youth.
"I'm glad you are here now,” she said, squeezing his forearm. “I suspect between the two of us, we can get out of this."
Jaggar and the chieftain discussed the guard patterns Serene had observed in the two days she'd been held in the cave. She informed him that a guard came by at regular intervals to check on her and, occasionally, brought in broth and a cup of tepid water.
"That will be our best chance to escape," Jaggar said after a moment of thought. "If we can conceal ourselves in the shadows by the door, it might lure in the guard, and we can overpower him."
"It's risky, but I think you're right. There should be a guard soon, if memory serves."
Dice Rolls
Jaggar and Serene crouched in the shadows on opposite sides of the iron-banded door to the holding cell. An unease settled in Jaggar's stomach as he waited. He knew they had only one chance to make their escape. He considered all the things that could go wrong, acutely aware that he no longer had his armor or sword. When the sound of a key entering the door's lock echoed in the chamber, his body tensed in preparation to strike.
A guard stepped into the room and looked around. Jaggar silently cheered at their luck as the man stared into the back corners of the chamber, oblivious of them. As Jaggar prepared to leap out of the shadows, another guard stepped into the chamber. His mental celebration turned to one of dread as the second guard's eyes locked with his. The warrior drew a long knife from his belt and charged at the unarmed Jaggar.
Dice Results
Dice Rolls
Jaggar dodged to the side, letting the knife stab empty air. He managed to grab the guard's arm and toss him over his hip. The guard’s long knife clattered onto the floor, and Jaggar leapt for it, knowing the blade would give him an advantage.
Dice Results
Dice Rolls
He snatched the knife from the ground and rolled to his feet, but was forced down onto his back as the recovering guard threw himself at Jaggar’s knees. Jaggar struggled to get away from the guard, but the foe had a tight grip on Jaggar’s leg. He managed to drag himself up Jaggar’s body and make a desperate grab for the knife. Jaggar struck with the knife, slashing the man’s forearm, then stabbing it down into his shoulder. The blade sank deep, and the guard fell back with a cry.
Dice Results
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Jaggar gained his feet as the guard charged him again. He stabbed with the knife, but his focus was divided as he heard Serene cry out. He managed to sink the blade to the hilt in the man’s stomach, and turned toward Serene as the man fell away, clutching his wound. His eyes strained to see through the dim glow. What he saw sent a chill of fear through his body; Serene landed with a thud against the rough stone wall.
His legs propelled him forward even as the guard approached her, raising his axe to strike. Somehow, she managed to lash out with her legs, tripping her foe. The man fell to his knees, and Serene pounced on him. Jaggar watched in amazement as Serene wrestled the short-hafted handaxe from her assailant, her eyes glinting fiercely in the candlelight. He had never seen her like this, and it settled his stomach knowing she was capable of fending for herself. Serene walloped the confused guard on the head with the butt end of the axe and pushed herself to her feet.
“I’ll handle this one!” Serene called, turning her attention to her recovering foe.
Dice Results
Dice Rolls
Distracted by Serene’s predicament, Jaggar was slow to react when his own foe moved in for an attack. The wounded man grabbed for the knife and managed to seize Jaggar’s arm in both hands. Jaggar retaliated by shoving the thumb of his free hand into the guard’s eye. The man released his arm and staggered back, covering his bleeding eye. Jaggar moved quickly, closing with the guard and stabbing with the knife. He connected, driving the blade deep into the man’s stomach, and pushed him to the floor.
The wounded guard’s hand landed on a loose rock and, in a last ditch effort, swung it at Jaggar. The stone collided with his temple, leaving him dazed and reeling away from the bleeding man. Jaggar landed on his side, clutching his bleeding head. The long knife remained embedded in his foe’s stomach, and both men groaned on the dusty stone floor, bleeding from their injuries.
Dice Results
Dice Rolls
Jaggar, knowing he had to move or risk losing their shot at escape, struggled to his knees. He shook his head gently trying to shake off the blow as best he could. A cry from Serene drove him forward, and he leapt upon his foe. Jaggar ripped the blade from the man's stomach and stabbed again. The man held up his arm, trying to defend himself from the blow, but the blade found purchase in his shoulder. Jaggar held onto the hilt, struggling to stay upright as his head swam.
Dice Results
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With a burst of adrenaline, Jaggar tore the blade from his foe’s shoulder and plunged it into his throat. The man gurgled, blood pouring from around the blade and out of his gaping mouth. Jaggar breathed heavily, his arms shaking from the exertion.
“Jaggar!” Serene yelled, drawing his attention.
He pulled the knife from the man’s throat and rose. Staggering, he began to make his way toward Serene, who was dancing away from her foe as he tried to wrestle the axe away from her.
Dice Results
Dice Rolls
As the guard lunged again, Serene grabbed his arm to keep him from turning to meet Jaggar's advance. When Jaggar reached them he wasted no time, plunging the knife into the man’s back. Their foe flailed in pain, releasing Serene’s arm. Taking advantage of the opening, Serene swung her axe and hacked off the man's arm.
Dice Rolls
The man screamed as his stump of an arm gushed blood. Jaggar quickly covered the man's mouth, muting the cries of pain, and drove the knife into his chest. The final scream came out a gurgle as the man went limp in Jaggar's arms. Jaggar dropped the man and fell to the ground, dazed and suddenly very weak. Blood, his own, rolled down his cheek from the wound in his head.
Dice Results
"Jaggar?" Serene called, rushing to his side. "You're bleeding."
Serene ripped a piece of fabric from the hem of her tattered night gown and placed it against Jaggar's forehead. He faded in and out of consciousness, his head throbbing. Part of Jaggar’s mind knew that they had to move before someone came looking, but he couldn’t seem to control his body.
"Come on Jaggar! We've got to go." Serena shook him gently, her voice tinged with impatience.
Jaggar grumbled but eventually got to his feet with help from Serene. He staggered, but she caught him by the arm and held him steady. He took a few deep breaths and tried to settle his spinning head. It took him a few moments to steady himself, and even after the dizziness passed, his vision was not completely clear.
"I think I'm ok now," he said, gingerly bending down and lifting the long knife from where it had fallen. "Do you think any of their clothes will fit you?"
"I think the boots might, the rest will be too big."
Serene tugged the boots off the feet of one off the dead guards and slipped her bare feet into them. She rocked on the balls of her feet and walked a few steps.
"A bit too big, but they'll do. Much better than walking on shards of rock and who knows what else we might find in this cave.”
"Good. Let's go before someone comes looking for these two."
What obstacles await our hero and his newly rescued chieftain? Will they make it out of this cave without facing more of Stonetower's warriors? Find out Thursday in Session 6!
