Black Cinders - Ironsworn: Entry 16
Session 4: Hot Pursuit - Part 3
Hello all, I have a new Black Cinders entry for you this Monday, as Kanno is confronted by a mysterious threat. I have nothing more to add but thank you for taking the time to check out my write up. As always, if you liked this entry, please check out the story from the beginning using the Journal Index.
Before:
Oddvarr fled Scaldvann’s ritual sacrifice, resulting in the town’s destruction at the hands of the unchained Fire Primordial, Agademaden. The Embered, vengeful fire spirit of those who died to Agademaden’s wrath, now seek Oddvarr’s death. He hid under the Spear’s Shadow in Cliffell. Though the protective field hinders the Embered’s quest for revenge, the intereaction between the two created the magical blight known as the Scorching.
When Kanno and Kalidas searched for answers, Oddvarr fled through the Circle and attempted to escape. Kanno gave chase and pushed his way through the market square. Oddvarr had been convinced to talk, before a large figure attacked Kanno on the road.
Marked by the Relentless
12th of the 5th Moon (Third Bloom) 394.IL
[Vidar the Relentless]
Role: Explorer, Noble, Mercenary | Violent, Persistent, Quarrelsome | Goal: Obtain an object, explore and discover, hedonism
Action/Theme: Deliver, Warning
Kanno’s back slammed into a thin, lonely tree clinging to life on the edge of the rocky switchback. It cracked and groaned under his weight, but held firm. Flickering embers leapt from its scorched bark and danced in the air. He felt like a bull had just charged through him. Dazed, his eyes fluttered open.
Gripping him tightly by his cloak and collar, and pinning him against the tree with a massive grip, was a beast of a man. He had Kanno by the throat. Taller and broader than even Kalidas, this man was powerfully built. His arms were exposed, revealing thick, tightened muscles. Each was heavily scarred. This stranger bore an expression of barely bottled rage and a venomous glare that pierced through Kanno. Dark hair draped down loosely over the man’s neck and back. Upon his face was a rough goatee that had the very first signs of grey creeping through it. His clothes and armour were finely crafted. It was clear to Kanno that his man had the trappings of nobility and perhaps the temperament too. Upon his back was a large blade of Iron. Kanno was no expert but even he could respect its craftsmenship.
Kanno gasped for breath as the hand tugged tighter at his cloak and the massive forearm of this beast pressed him harder into the tree. Behind the brute, he could spy the shocked expressions of his companions. Kalidas quickly rushing to pull his club of his back, only to be met with the tip of a Thorn. The nobleman had not come alone and his allies had Kanno’s friends surrounded. Oddvarr stood in shock, beset by indecision.
Kanno counted five other men and women surrounding his friends. They were dressed in well-maintained and crafted leathers or iron, which they wore over fineries matching that of the man currently crushing his windpipe. Each was armed, though to varying degrees. Once more, Kanno spied and appreciated the expert craftsmanship of their arms. All appeared to have advanced well into middle aged, save for one. Curiously, they all wore the same sigil on their person in some form or another — a gold crown sitting on a silhoutte of the Ironlands peninsula.
A young man who could barely be older than Kanno or Kalidas, stood at the back of the group. In contrast to the man’s companions, he was not outfitted quite as well. He lacked armour and his clothes were well-maintained, though clearly worn. They were looser and draped over him. Only a dagger was spotted at his side and looked like it was rarely drawn from its sheath. In Kanno’s assessment, this lad was no warrior.
Before Kanno could do much of anything, a blade was rapidly drawn and pressed against his cheek. The pressure stung but was yet to draw blood. “Boy, you have a lot to answer for,” snarled the beast before him.
Move: Compel, (Heart)
Weak Hit: 4 vs 1, 10
Action/Theme: Search, Secret; Revitalise, Essence; Obscure, Worship
Kanno rasped under the man’s grip, “I have no idea what you are talking about.” He fumbled impotently at the man’s forearm, unable to even get a good grip to move the arm. In the background he spotted Kalidas gripping his great club tightly, but unable to make a move due to the thorn shoved in front of his face. With his eyes, Kanno urged his friend not to intervene, before wheezing, “I feel this would go better if we could discuss this like men.”
The iron grip did not relent. The nobleman sneered, “I see no men before me. Only foolish children. You have cost me dearly today, welp!”
“By the Iron, do tell me how you’ve come to that conclusion. I’ve never met you before,” Kanno asked, gasping for breath.
The knife at his cheek broke through the skin. A small, warm rivulet of crimson snaked its way from the blade’s tip and down Kanno’s cheek. Another droplet flowed down the edge of the blade. “Is that so? So we didn’t just meet in the square mere moments ago. Your reckless behaviour broke something of great importance to myself and my companions here.”
Kanno’s mind raced and he sighed. He had barged into a rather tall and imposing figure in the square during the chase. Something had been broken. The only word he could get out was a meek “Ah.”
“Ah indeed.”
“Honest accident, I swear on my Iron. This man’s life is in grave dang-” Kanno began, before man’s blade pressed further into his flesh and the grip around his throat tightened. Kanno choked.
“I wouldn’t test me with your excuses boy,” the nobleman spat, “I don’t give a shit what the reasoning was. That tablet was priceless. Do you have any idea what it took to procure it? How long we searched?” He was almost frothing at the mouth with anger as he spoke. His spit lightly sprayed Kanno’s face.
“Perhaps we could assist with reclaiming something of equal value. My friend and I...” Kanno croaked, gesturing to Kalidas, “... have plenty of experience delving ruins. Would that suffice? We would swear upon the Iron.”
The nobleman glanced over his shoulders. His grip did not relent as he looked Kalidas up and down, with his eyes narrowing like a predator sizing up his prey. He paused for a long while. Kanno writhed uncomfortably under his grip. Finally, he said, “The big one shows promise, but you... pathetic really.” Kanno remained silent while the nobleman looked him up and down. He kissed his teeth disapprovingly and then pulled the dagger out of Kanno’s cheek. The blade was held slightly aloft. “Little Dagny,” he whistled, “This enough Iron for Okoth to work with?”
The youngest of the band of men holding Kalidas at thornpoint snapped his head towards the towering figure, and ran over. His forehead had a slight sheen of sweat upon it. The lad reached under his cloak and pulled out a small stoppered vial, and raised it up to collect the blood dripping of the tip of the knife. He took a moment to let it settle and then examined the glass. The larger man growled impatiently for an answer. The young man stuttered, “Yes, this this should certainly suffice.”
The nobleman shooed the boy away and turned his attentions back to Kanno. “You owe me. You owe the League. We’ll send word when your debt is to be paid and the Iron is to be sworn upon,” he said. He pulled Kanno in close and hissed, “Don’t bother hiding. Our mage has your blood. You won’t escape his eye. Understand?”
Kanno’s eyes widened and he muttered a weak affirmation. The towering man gave him a wicked grin, before he shoved Kanno into the tree and released his grip. Kanno coughed.
The man spat on the ground and said, “We’re done here,” turning to his men, and gathered them up to leave. No closing remarks were uttered, he never even turned to back to face Kanno. The band lowered their blades from Kalidas, and stepped in line behind their leader.
The remaining four stood in silence for a brief moment. Kalidas was the first to break it and said, “Kan, are you okay?”
In truth, Kanno was shaken. Even with his release, his chest felt tight, as if the pressure of the nobleman’s arm still trapped him. His barely recovered throat scratched as he breathed. He wheezed a weak, “Fine... fine Kal, thank you,” before wiping the blood off his cheek. Cera quickly hurried over to tend to the wound.
“You’re a fool for crossing that lot,” Oddvarr piped up, “Do you know who that is?”
“Enlighten us?” Kalidas replied.
“The big one, that is Vidar the Relentless. He and his men are part of the Grand Marks League — a band of noblemen and fortune hunters from Ravgulundr,” said Oddvarr, “Vidar is brute for sure. His path is one of violence and blood. None shall stop him. I would say you got off lucky there.”
Eager to change the subject, Kanno snapped, “Well your luck is about to run out if you’re not careful. The dead of Scaldvann want you reduced to cinders for your perceived cowardice. Unless you wish to suffer their fire and wrath, you best start cooperating. Show us the markings now!”
Move: Compel, (Heart)
Strong Hit: 8 vs 7, 5 | +1 Bonus
Move: Gather Information (+1 Bonus)
Miss: 6 vs 7, 9 | Burn 10 Momentum > Strong Hit : 10 vs 7, 9 | Mometum Reset, +2 Momentum
Much to Kanno’s relief, Oddvarr did not protest and accept the aid of those gathered before him. He rolled up his sleeves and unwrapped the strips of cloth around his arms. Underneath was an intricate pattern of lines and symbols penned into the skin with black ink. Kanno immediately recognised the similarities between these markings and those found around Scaldvann. Work of the Old Powers and ritual. The skin alongside these tattoos was an angry pink and red.
“They burn...” Oddvarr murmured, “Ever since I came to Cliffell. Its like fire writhing underneath my skin. It stings and never relents.”
Cera turned her attention away from Kanno’s cheek and towards the marked man. She said, “Perhaps the effect of the Spear. Its shadow repels the dead and the spirits. Though due to the nature of the Aether, the power is less absolute on spectres. With persistence, they can slip under the field, though manifesting within it is arduous. I’m not certain but I think the tattoos bind you and the Embered together, and through that, the fiery dead can exert some will within the town. The Spear rejects that, and the friction of the two powers manifests as the Scorching. I believe that is what is happening to the man’s flesh.”
Oddvarr’s eyes welled up with tears. “What are we going to do? I just, just wanted to live.”
“Cera, are their any who follow the Old Powers in these lands? A Draoi or Wyldsman?” Kanno asked.
Oracle:
Who does Cera know? Aric
Action/Theme: Resist, Relationship; Ruin, Society; Extract, Ritual
Cera glanced down at the valley below. A couple of travellers could be seen moving parallel to the cliffside, though they were too small to make out any detail. She hesitated briefly, before stating, “There is one. Aric. I... He has been on my mind a lot recently.”
“Were you close?” asked Kalidas.
“Not particularly. I respected his wisdom, but the Reader and Aric never got on. Conflicting ideologies and faith, I’m sure you can imagine. Then about two, maybe three Passings back, Reader Audhild cast him out. Said he wasn’t welcome in Cliffell any further. Aric left without complaints.”
Kanno followed up, “You say he has been on your mind? How so?”
“I dream of him,” she replied, a little sheepishly, before quickly adding, “Or as I believe, I have been given visions of him. Since this curse began. Not visions granted by Iron. I think the Old Mother is reaching out to me. I feared Reader Audhild is too closed-minded so I never mentioned it to him. I feared he would perhaps cast me out too. But the Matron calls me while the Iron does not.”
Kalidas smiled warmly and said, “As with any problem, no one piece of the puzzle grants us a solution. Through the Iron...” he pointed to Kanno, “We gained a bearing to follow. Through the dead...” he pointed to Oddvarr, “We learned the precise nature of Cliffell’s predicament. Through you and the Old Mother, we will find a solution. Please, what have you been shown?”
She nodded in response and appreciated his words. “It is not much to go on. I see a tree. Impressive and grand. There is something... otherworldly in its nature. But there is fruit upon its branches. Aric sleeps beneath. Then there is a flash. A circle of wooden pillars sitting top a cliff. Below is the confluence of two rivers. Then the dream ends.”
“Both of you know these hills better than I, does it sound familiar?”
“Unfortunately not.”
“I know the place,” Oddvarr remarked, “The henge that is. It comes from the Time of Claiming, constructed by the pioneers of the Old Powers. To grant safe passage through Aurintar. It sits way up on the Viridescent Slopes to the west. Towards that great forest. I’ve passed by once or twice.”
Kanno clapped his hands together. “Excellent, then you shall lead us. We’ll find this Aric and ask him to free you of this curse.” Oddvarr nodded, before Kanno continued, “Kal, remain here and protect Oddvarr. We know little about how the Embered will respond now that he is outside the Circle. I will escort Cera back, gather supplies for the road ahead, and ask the travellers for any more information. Preparation is key.”
He nodded to Cera and turned back to walk up the rocky switchback. The embers of Cliffell crawled down to meet him.
[Mark Milestone] Resolve the Scorching of Cliffell - 4/10
“Found Oddvarr and a path to save him.”
Start Tension Clock:
The Embered catch up to Oddvarr - 0/6
Post-Session:
So ends the fourth session of Black Cinders, with Oddvarr in hand and a new source of aid on the horizon. I’m not going to lie, the past three entries that made up this session were so hard to write up and I was stalled for ages. I think I was having a very off day while I was playing.
Coming up with a new danger after the chase last entry was difficult because I didn’t just want to have the Embered or some random monster show up so close to Cliffell. I think Vidar was a good solution, even if I did just boot the consquences down the road a bit. At the time I really just wanted to progress with the quest. The Grand Marks League was a concept I fleshed out in my previous Ironsworn campaign and it was too good not to bring back.
Next time, Kanno and Kalidas prepare to search for Aric and the aid he may give. You may recall Aric was mentioned by Cera when they first spoke at the Black Iron Temple. Its fun to seed characters and threads from future sessions in these writes ups.
Join me next week as I continue Kanno’s quest to end the Scorching!