Black Cinders - Ironsworn: Entry 7
Session 2: Keeping One's Friends - Part 5
Hello everyone! Time to wrap up this chapter of the campaign once and for all, and gain a little direction for this playthrough going forward. Quite a roleplay heavy entry today. If you’re new, consider looking at the journal index to find the start of this campaign. Regardless, lets jump into today’s entry.
Journal Index for all the previous entries.
Before:
Last time, Kanno, Kalidas, and Zhan returned back to the latter’s homestead in Hound’s Grave with out much fuss. Exhausted, the three of them took the time to recover their aching bodies. Despite the respite, Kanno and Kalidas could not help that their friend had been untruthful to them. They resolved to question Zhan properly about the Gloomstep Mantle and what information he is hiding from them.
Setting the Stage
15th - 19th of the 4th Moon (Second Bloom) 394.IL
Move: Secure Advantage, (Heart)
Weak Hit: 8 vs 3, 10 | +1 Momentum
A plan was devised and enacted that evening during dinner. Kanno prepared a hearty stew that had been simmering away for most of the day. The three of them sat in Zhan’s sizeable home, eating the warming broth, surrounded by the various trinkets and trophies Zhan had acquired from his former life. Echoes of adventure or, to some, ghosts of the past. Ever proud of his time in the wilds, it was child’s play to get the man rambling about these past deeds. As both men knew, once Zhan started recounting his tales, its very difficult to get him to stop. Crucially though, it always put him in good spirits.
For past twenty minutes the retired fortune hunter had regaled the pair of his flight from the collapsing spire of Valonthamar. His bounty in hand and strapped to his back — treasures of the Lost Ones that had laid abandoned since even before the Firstborn mastered these lands. Kanno and Kalidas both played their part well, listening with eager faces despite the countless past retellings. The details vary from time to time and the embellishments change, but it always ends the same. The spire fell, the connecting bridge to the mainland gave way under his feet, and Zhan was faced with the prospect of perishing as an exceedingly wealthy man. A pack full of dreams dragging him to his oblivion. The story ends as he mimes tears rolling down his face while described his heart-breaking choice to cut his pack and send it tumbling into the cliffs below. To be consumed by salt and crashing waves.
There was only a small glimmer to his tale. The one item he managed to secure to his person. A small, hand-held looking glass. It was sealed within a metal casing that clasped together. Decorating the exterior was a symbol that no one, not even Zhan, understood. He thought it might be heraldry of some Lost One’s family or clan.
Zhan stood in his house presenting the palm-sized mirror for the other two to see, like a trophy, before placing it back on a shelf where it belonged. He stood, admiring his collection. His mouth curled as his mind drifted back to days passed.
“You’ve seen more than mere trinkets in your time though, right Zhan?” Kanno remarked gesturing to the pilfered loot adoring the walls of Zhan’s home. Vases, tapestries, weapons. Treasure that would make any Fortune Hunter envious.
“Kanno my boy, none of these are trinkets. These are history. Not only of the world before, or a world lost to us, but of my life too,” Zhan responded, feigning insult.
The young man chuckled, “Oh, of course. But I mean, you’ve seen things of power right? Artefacts of a bygone age.”
“Objects of power? Aye I’ve seen a couple in my day. Dangerous things. Priceless to some,” Zhan mused to himself.
“And what of the Gloomstep Mantle?” Kadilas interjected.
Zhan grew silent. His smile faded briefly as the edge of his mouth uncurled. “Like I told the girl, I’m not familiar with that tale.”
“Yes, but she was a bandit. This is us Zhan. Your friends. No need for secrets,” assured Kanno. His voice was firm.
“I have no need to keep secrets about that which I have no knowledge of,” Zhan replied, “There is nothing to say because there is nothing to tell.” His voice had grown firm too, but his eyes shifted uneasily between the two younger men.
“Please, knowledge and information are your tools now. Many would-be fortune hunters find themselves at your door seeking your wisdom. About matters just like this! You’re really telling me that you haven’t even heard a whisper?”
“Not even the name until that girl interrogated me.”
Kalidas stood from his seat by the fire. His gentle character had faded a little. Blocking the flames, he cast long shadows across the room. “Zhan, why do you hide from us? Is it truly that dangerous?”
“And if I were to say it was, would you cease this endless badgering?” the elder man replied, looking up from his seated position.
“If it were, then it could be of use.”
“Use for what? For the pair of you to wander these lands in the reckless pursuit of vengeance. I shall have no part in that. Give it up, your hate will only consume you.” He paused for effect, before firmly adding, “Do not bother me with this again.”
Move: Compel, (+1 Bond)
Strong Hit: 7 vs 3, 1 | +1 Momentum
“Don’t you want Elva to see justice?!” Kanno cried. His voice cracked ever so slightly as he spoke, “Her fate was his doing! His betrayal. Do you not think he needs to pay? That his iron should soak his land?”
“Rust and Blood! Is that what you think?” Zhan spat back. His lower jaw quivered and his eyes glistened from the fluid pooling under them. He rose from his chair. It wobbled slightly in his wake.
“What am I supposed to think? You’ve caged us here for months. We’ve rested. We’ve recovered. The longer we wait, the harder our vow becomes. We swore Zhan.”
Kalidas stepped in with a softer voice, “Zhan, we are not children anymore. We need to know.”
The silence held for a moment. Zhan’s eyes darted between the two men before him, before he sighed and his head hung low. It was another moment before he spoke again. Softly, he said, “You may not be children, but I can’t send you out there like lambs to the slaughter...” He trailed off and stared at the memories of a life now lost, gathered on his wall, before continuing, “I’ve known men like Bataar before. I never should have told you about this life. My stories. Maybe if I held my tongue, she would still live. My inspiration would never have called you to pick up the iron. You would never have left your home. The three of you could have lived content lives in Lostwaters. Grown old, started families. You would have been spared the pain that the Ironlands loves to bestow upon its would-be masters.” A single tear slowly fell across his cheek.
A large hand rested on his shoulder. Kalidas spoke with his gentle voice, “Zhan. You’re hardly the first fortune hunter to pass through Lostwaters with a story to tell.”
“Our hearts were always set on this life.” Kanno affirmed.
“I couldn’t stand to see you suffer. Months back, when you both stumbled through my door, half-dead, I promised myself. I promised I would spare you more hardship. Elva never should have died. I could not bear to lay the path for you both to find similar fates,” Zhan said with his voice quivering, “You say you swore, but I swore to myself to keep you safe.”
“Zhan, we swore upon iron. With or without your aid, we’re going after Bataar. We will find justice.” Kanno paused, studying the face of the older man. The seriousness of their plight slowly dawned on him.
Kalidas followed Kanno’s lead and continued, “Would it not be best to stack the odds in our favour old friend? Would you not want our blades to be at their sharpest before we strike?”
Zhan’s eyes looked pleadingly at both Kanno and Kalidas. Their gazed matched his like steel, before the fire within him faltered. With reluctance, he said, “Aye. Aye. You are right. You shall not be caged.” He wiped his cheek and continued, “I shan’t force you to dishonour yourselves and forsake such a vow. Iron… Iron bind us.”
[Myrkur Vaskur]
Morass of Twlight | Dangerous | Wild, Shadowfen | Deep Wilds
He turned and sat back down in his chair. Zhan beckoned the other two to do the same. As they returned to their own seats, he bent over and unclasped his iron leg from his body. He massaged the end and hissed a little in relief. He rose back upright and merely said, “Myrkur Vaskur. So the rumours say, that is where the cloak rests. Somewhere in the Deep Wilds, I know not where. I believe within the deepest reaches of that great forest. Within Dark Aurintar. ‘Tis the domain of the Elves and they hide their secrets like no other. ‘Tis the domain of other, darker things too.”
Kanno and Kalidas both sat and listened intently to his words. “Is it as Lio said? Does it hold power?” Kanno asked.
“I don’t know its full tale, but aye. Said to be forged from gossamer strands of night and shadow. Said to cloak the wielder and hide them from any sight. Even the dark powers.” Zhan continued, “But nothing concrete I am afraid to tell you. Mere rumours I had overheard back in my day.”
Kalidas spoke up, “Regardless, even if the mantle yields more myth than truth, we have a path forward. Something to work towards.” He nodded towards Kanno and held out a gauntleted arm, “Iron bind us brother?”
Move: Swear an Iron Vow - Find the Gloomstep Mantle. Formidable
Weak Hit: 8 vs 9, 4| +1 Momentum
Action/Theme: Acquire, Rumour
Kanno’s hand took a wide grip around his friend’s forearm. The iron of their gauntlets gently clinked together as he shook Kalidas’ arm. “Until journey’s end.” The iron thrummed in resonance with their words.
Move: Gather Information, (+1 Bond)
Miss: 2 vs 10, 3 | Pay the Price - A surprising development complicates your quest
Oracle: Who are they?
[Esben]
Role: Outcast + Falconer | Stern, Calculating, Faithless
“So how do we proceed?” Kalidas asked.
“Zhan, where can we find more on Myrkur Vaskur?” Kanno followed up.
The older man sighed and rubbed his temples. With reluctance, he replied, “Last time I heard of the place was from a man named Esben. Back up in in the Tempest Hills. Claimed he had spoken to the Elf that created the cloak. Last I heard of him, he was living in Crowcrest. Mining Circle. Salt, I think. No Spear to cower under like Hound’s Grave, but defensible.”
Kanno nodded in acknowledgment, “Crowcrest, right. Where can we find this settlement?”
“As I said, all the way up in the Tempest Hills. So quite the journey ahead of you. A few miles from the eastern coast. Nestled in a craggy valley. You’ll know you are in the right area when you see the fog and mist clinging to the land. That and the crows.”
“Crows?”
“Crows.” Zhan repeated and offered nothing more. He furrowed his brow in thought for a few moments before speaking again, “I suppose you could consult the Green Iron Pact in Kiritorni for any information they might have, but I’m less certain they will know anymore than I do.”
The pair of younger men took in Zhan’s words with puzzled faces. “The Green Iron Pact? What is that?” Kalidas enquired.
“Band of Free Wardens. Though I say that loosely. They operate out of Kiritorni, the largest Circle any Ironlander has carved out of the Deep Wilds. Not are grand as Ravgulundr up north mind you. You’ll find it easily enough, in Bright Aurintar. Head east. The Iron Tower is visible through the trees. The roads are old but clear. The Green Iron Pact act as guides for foolish souls wishing to wander the great forest of Aurintar. They know those lands better than any other Ironlander. But, again, it is the domain of the Elves. Their secrets are veiled in ways we cannot fathom. Its a shorter journey but that forest has no sense of peace.”
The room fell silent as the three of them mulled over the words in their mind. The rest of the evening was spent far more practically. Supplies were gathered and prepared. Repairs were made. Kanno picked out a small handaxe from Zhan’s ‘armoury’. The pair decided to head to Crowcrest in search of Esben. If he knew the Elf that made the mantle, then he would be their best bet.
“I would be careful of Esben. Crowcrest is not his home. He fled to there. Be it exile or worse,” Zhan warned them, “I don’t know the man too well. I don’t know what trouble he is in or if he still breathes. He was a falconer, I can tell you that much. He’d fit right in with all those birds up there.”
The next couple of days were spend in reflection of the journey ahead. At down, on the 20th of Second Bloom, they would depart for the north. The Havens offers relative safety in comparison to the rest of the Ironlands, they are still arduous lands to travel through. Horrors persist despite the patrols. On the night before their expedition, Kanno headed to bed early and slept a dreamless sleep.
Post-Session:
We’ve gained a new vow. Plus we’ve finally left the ‘tutorial’ and now the world is ours to sieze! I think finding the Gloomstep Mantle, or gaining other such advantages to confront the Black Cinders, will be the driving force for much of the main quest. I think that opens up the narrative enough to allow little side quests while still pushing it forward.
That being said, these rails get immediately diverted at the first sign of something new! You’ll see what I mean in the coming entries.
The conversation between Kanno, Kalidas, and Zhan was something that I didn’t really elaborate on while I was playing. I rolled an oracle to see if Zhan would give up the information on the Mantle and made a move with only a vague idea what the conversation was about. I liked what I came up here, even though I’m not sure its execution was perfect. That conversation was hard to figure out. In fact, originally that conversation occured back at the watchtower during the night, but I felt it made more sense narratively to place it here. I like the idea that all three of these men feel guilt for Elva’s death, even if they haven’t truly discussed it with each other.
These write ups are quite nice because I can foreshadow elements from the later sessions here. Those little tidbits about the Deep Wilds are elements that were only created ten sessions from now, when I was playing, but I can hint them here before they even beome relevant.
My fun fact for this entry is Zhan’s tale about the spire of Valonthamar was partially cannibalised from my first attempt at Ironsworn. Vesna was a Warden in training and ventured into the spire to stop a ritual at its peak. She succeeded but the tower collapsed, crushing her. It was a series of just awful rolls duirng the escape and I was far newer to the game. But I liked the idea of the spire so I added it here as a little easter egg.
Thank you for reading! Subscribe if you’ve liked Black Cinders so far and hopefully I’ll catch you next time!