This is one of hopefully many posts detailing my solo play through of the game Ironsworn by Shawn Tomkin. If any of you are curious about the game, you can get a copy for yourself FREE at www.ironswornrpg.com/. You can view all previous sessions of this play through at typhosgames.com/index.php/tag/ironsworn/.
The Haunted Caverns
Lona wakes up in the crisp morning, sun streaming through the gaps in the branch shelter she built the night before. She pushes aside the branches into the blinding sunlight and a cascade of newly fallen snow, which promptly buried her ripped pack. A large apple and some frozen rolls were enough breakfast to stop Lona’s stomach from growling, though looking through her mostly empty pack was incredibly disheartening. Her bag now had to be worn sideways to prevent her few remaining supplies from falling out. This was incredibly uncomfortable, but she didn’t have much of a choice.
Before she could finish her meager breakfast, a large crow flew down from a nearby tree and landed in front of her. Lona jumped back in surprise, nearly slipping on the frozen ground. The crow cocked his head at her and squawked expectantly. Nervously, Lona broke off a chunk of her roll and tossed it over to the expectant bird. The crow gobbled up the the crumbs, and flapped over to sit next to Lona in her makeshift hovel. Lona, confused but happy at her newfound companionship, finished off her breakfast and set out westward through the woods with a curious crow flapping along in the trees above.
It was only an hour or two before Lona could hear the sound of the River Balathu rumbling and roaring ahead of her. According to her map, she would have to cross the river to move forward. There was a bridge somewhere around here, and if she could find it quickly it would make this leg of her journey significantly easier. Before long the trees thinned out, and Lona found herself at the top of a great ravine. The river rushes along far below her, and a ways to the north she can actually see the Balathu bridge! Spurred on by her luck, she presses forward and soon finds herself at the end of the great bridge.
The Balathu bridge is a lovingly crafted, if rudimentary, work of local engineering. The long wooden bridge spans the 50 foot gap at the top of the ravine, with the foaming river nearly 100 feet below. Two massive fir trees support the weight of dozens of cedar planks that make up the walkway. Despite its simple design each plank fits perfectly into its space, and the two carved railings have intricately wrought iron joints and polished cedar handrails. Small statues of Lyncan wolves adorn the newels, and the balusters are carved into twirling ivy. The only mars on the picturesque bridge is the large number of broken planks near the far side, and the group of gruff men unloading a cart of planks and tools.
Cautiously, Lona started walking out toward the bridge. Her only chance is for the builders to not recognize her, or to ignore her and let her pass.
Before she could even fully step around the tree she was hiding behind, one of the men points at her and shouts, “Oi!”
Well, option one is out. Being found out, Lona timidly walks toward the group of men and tries her best to look innocent.
The large man stood head and shoulders above Lona, but looked down with genuine concern at the shivering girl. “What’s a little lady doing out this early, and in a blizzard to boot? Don’t you know the bridge is out?”
“Please sir, I’m from Loggerhall and got caught out on the wrong side of the river last night. The blizzard came in before I was prepared, and I barely lasted the night. Please, I just want to get home before I freeze.”
“Of course! Come, let me help you get past the broken planks.” The man began to lead her across the bridge, but before they got three steps an old man from around the cart shouted out.
“Hang on, I know her! That’s Lago’s girl, the witch who got away! Grab her!”
The man was halfway through the first sentence when Lona was already twisting away from her captor and racing down the thin road that leads north from the bridge. The men’s shouts pursued her, followed quickly by the builders themselves. They raced down the road, shouting to Lona to stop. She raced around a corner, and noticing a small gap in the cliff face she squeezed into a gap between the rocks. Seconds later the men raced past the rocky cave, with a shivering and terrified Lona holding her breath inside.
Only after she hadn’t seen the men for a minute or so, did Lona finally feel comfortable enough to breathe. She let out her breath in a heavy sigh, and immediately jumped backward when a squawk from next to her revealed the crow from the night before. How he got in here she doesn’t know, but at this point she didn’t really care. Terrified that his cawing would give them away, Lona reached down to try and grab his beak. The bird, apparently taunting her, just hopped backward and cawed again. This process continued for a few more steps, with Lona becoming increasingly frustrated at the taunting bird. Eventually he flies away down the cave, and Lona realized that the cave goes much deeper than she originally realized. With a glance behind her to make sure the men weren’t still following her, Lona heads into the unknown cave.
The cave was surprisingly warm compared to the frigid air outside, and Lona was grateful for the change in temperature. The walls dripped with condensation, and small rivers ran across the floor and deeper into the cave. Lona lit a torch from her pack, and the flickering light illuminated a downward-sloping cavern. Despite the initial impression that this cave was just a natural formation, Lona soon discovered a mine shaft. Abandoned equipment, rusting in the cave damp, became more common as the walls become hewn and structured. Occasional beams held up the ceiling, and a set of rusted rails formed an unusable cart track along the floor.
As she headed farther into the darkness, Lona saw flickering and glittering along the walls. The lights lead her farther into the mine, twisting around corners and constantly moving downward. Down, down into the darkness, as her torch slowly started to flicker and die.
When her torch finally went out, Lona realized that she had been blindly following the lights and had no idea where she actually was. Frantically she tried to light the torch, while staring around in the darkness and listening for a perceived threat. She didn’t hear the sound of feet, or the skitter of claws, but the sound of running water. That must be the river, so Lona headed back the way she came. After a few more twists and turns, Lona found herself at the edge of a rushing underground river.
Nearly ten feet wide and running fast, the river was clearly uncrossable by normal means. Frustrated at this newest barrier, Lona slumped down on the riverbank and kicked one of the rusted rails in frustration. With a scrape, the nails holding the rail onto the ground came away, and the rail sat unrestrained on the ground. Curious, Lona reached down and hefted the heavy beam in her hand. The rail was long, probably 8 feet, and perhaps long enough to help Lona vault over the river.
Ignoring the clear risks of her plan, Lona backed up a few feet to get a running start. She held the corroded rail in her sweaty hands, hoping beyond hope that she could launch herself far enough to avoid getting swept away by the rushing waters.
With a quick prayer to anyone who would listen, Lona started running as fast as she could toward the roaring river in front of her. With a final spring, Lona launched herself heedlessly over the rushing water. She planted her vaulting pole in the center, and it caught! She soared above the river, and with a splash landed only a foot or so from the far bank. She quickly scrambled out of the river, and lay panting on the far bank. Lona smiled, and rolled onto her back. Her laughs echoed into the darkness, barely audible over the sounds of the river behind her.
Game Mechanics
Undertake a Journey – Strong Hit
Lona sets out for the city of Redhall, the great city of the eastern coast. The journey will be formidable, but she is confident that eventually she can reach the sea. The next day Lona reaches a vast ravine with a rushing river at the bottom, with a broken bridge as the only possible crossing. Lona heads northward along the ravine, trying to get closer to the bridge up ahead.
Gather Information – Weak Hit
Lona arrives at the bridge to find a group of men attempting to fix the bridge. The oldest, probably the leader, comes down to look at the shivering girl and assess the situation.
Compel – Critical Miss
Of course they were from Davenza! The old man recognized me and I had just enough time to realize what was happening and I dashed away. The man shouts after me, and the other men take up their hammers and saws to chase me down!
Face Danger with Stealth – Weak Hit
I find a crevice to hide in, and manage to jump in before they come around the corner. I see all of them run past, but I am shaken to my core: -1 spirit.
Endure Stress – Strong Hit
This can’t be that bad (Lona says to herself, unconvinced): +1 momentum.
Discover a Site – Troublesome Haunted Mine
The crevice Lona got stuck in goes deeper than she anticipated. The tunnel opens into a large mine shaft that looks to have been abandoned long ago. Maybe this leads under the river to the other side?
Delve the Depths – Wits – Miss
Trickery leads you astray – What are those lights? Glittering lights in the darkness. If I could just get closer to them I might be able to see what is casting the illumination, but the light moves away as fast as I can approach it! Now I’m hopelessly lost and stuck in this horrible situation.
Gather Information – Strong Hit
Water? Is that the sound of running water I hear? That has to lead to the river, I need to go that way! +2 momentum
Delve the Depths – Wits – Miss
The environment is used against you – The water was closer than Lona expected. A massive underground river rushes past, with no way to get across! An old mining rail leads up to the edge of the water but the rest of the track has long since washed away.
Secure an Advantage – Wits – Weak Hit
Lona reaches down and manages to pull a chunk of the rusted rail away, and leans on it to test its weight. It’s not much, but it might just help her get across this river. +1 momentum
Delve the Depths – Edge – Weak Hit
Reveal a danger and mark progress twice – Danger is “A Denizen makes a costly demand” – Denizen is a Troll
With a running leap (aided by her new vaulting pole), Lona flies across the rushing water and skids to a halt on the other side. She slams into the wall, almost knocking herself back into the water, but manages to catch herself before that happens. She proceeds deeper into the mine, in the hope that this means she’s now on the other side of the river.