Iron Short #2
The Scholar
Iron Shorts are based on the Ironsworn RPG by Shawn Tomkin [CC-BY 4.0]. The idea behind these short stories is to develop an anthology of Ironsworn tales in a shared universe. You can see the map of my shared Ironsworn world here. It should be noted that some locations are from games not yet shared here.
Name: Dagni
Role: Mining Foreman
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Stats: 2 Edge, 3 Heart, 3 Iron, 2 Shadow, 4 Wits
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Assets
- Thunder-bringer
- Bonded
- Improviser
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Bonds
- Rathton Tor (Community)
- Sendara the Seer (grandmother)
_________________________________________________Two months had passed since the unfortunate day that Dagni's mining crew had broken into a previously unknown complex within the Rathton Tor mine and woke draugr from their centuries-long slumber. The creatures did not take kindly to the miners' presence and slew all of Dagni's crew. She only survived by hiding in an alcove with a heavy ironbound wooden door. Within, she discovered the sarcophagus of what she could only guess was a Firstborn queen and a tome wrapped in dry, cracked leather, with pages of indecipherable runes. Since then, the tome and its intricate writing had become something of an obsession for the mining foreman.
It had taken her the better part of the last two months to convince Tormod, Chieftain of the Tor, to permit her to seek out a scholar who might decipher the tome.
"If you find this scholar, you must learn all that you can about this barrow within our mine. Perhaps there is something that will bring glory to our great Tor."
Dagni grasped the scratched and dented head of her iron pickhammer. "I swear upon the iron I have tirelessly brought forth from the earth that I will seek out this scholar and return with all the knowledge they will impart me."
Swear an Iron Vow: 10 (+3 Heart, +1 Bond) vs 3 | 1 = strong hit (+2 Momentum)
Vow - Find a translator for the Firstborn Tome (dangerous): 0/10Momentum = +4/10"Heard and witnessed," Tormod boomed. "By iron and with iron, so shall it be."
"So shall it be," Dagni repeated.
"Hrafn will depart tomorrow to deliver the Dragonshadow iron shipment. You will go south with him and seek knowledge of the Firstborn at Dragonshadow. Their Chieftain is said to know much about the ancient folk."
"Thank you, Chieftain." Dagni bowed and left the mead hall satisfied, relieved, and not a little afraid. She had never traveled more than a day from the Tor in all her nine and twenty years.
Back in her small house on the outskirts of the Tor, backed up to the palisade wall, Dagni informed her grandmother, Sendara the Seer, that she would be leaving for a while. Sendara, who was the only person Dagni had ever known with even a passing knowledge of the Firstborn, had encouraged her to seek out a scholar to translate the ancient book.
"Come, my child, let me see what the Sight might grant."
Dagni sat down across from her grandmother at the table and stretched out her hands. Sendara grasped them, her grip tight. The old woman closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She was silent for a long moment before she spoke.
"Much loss, I see. But not for you, no. The Chieftain of Dragonshadow has lost much in his time, but despite it all, he perseveres. Much benefit has he brought to his people, and great joy as well. He will know where to find that which you seek, though it might be painful for him to recall."
"Do you know him?"
"I have never met him, but I was in contact with his grandmother many, many years ago. She was a shrewd woman, though there was something there that I did not quite trust. She is long dead, and what I have gleaned of her grandson is positive."
Secure an Advantage: 5 (+3 heart) vs 7 | 3 = weak hit (+1 Momentum)
Action: 51, Persevere
Theme: 92, LossMomentum = +5/10Dagni excused herself and set about packing a satchel for the journey. By the time she was certain she'd packed everything she would need for at least several days of travel, the sun was dipping below the hills, and darkness was fast approaching. She settled for the night and, despite the growing anxiety, slept well and woke at the first crow of her grandmother's rooster, Carrack. Her grandmother was already awake, as was normal, and greeted Dagni when she stepped into the gray twilight of dawn.
"Travel safe, my child."
"Be well, grandmother." Dagni hugged the old woman softly before walking briskly down the lane toward the town gate.
The iron merchant's wagon was at the gate when she arrived, and the young merchant, Hrafn, greeted her. Hrafn was tall, broad, and thickly muscled. His eyes sparkled with exuberance, and his patchy beard marked him as one not yet full grown. She heard he had been a sarcastic child, often sharp-tongued and always quick-witted.
"Welcome, welcome! Are you ready? We should be off soon if we're to reach Dragonshadow on time!"
"Hello, Hrafn. I'm ready to depart. I would not want your shipment delayed on account of me."
"Very well!" He clapped his meaty hands. "Climb aboard, and we will be off!"
The trip south began as an easy ride across plains and rolling hills along wagon-roads etched into the earth by years of use. Travelers north were few, and Dagni was left alone with her thoughts for most of the trip, save the few times she elected to ride on the driver's box with Hrafn. The young merchant had many tales to tell of his journeys across the land delivering the iron from the Tor's mine. Dagni did not reveal her doubt as to the veracity of many of the details of these stories, choosing rather to humor her escort.
On the fourth day out of Rathton Tor, the cart hit a rut that jarred the rear tire so hard it came loose. Hrafn chose not to immediately stop to repair the damage, citing the terrain as too open and the potential of robbery too high. He slowed the twin oxen pulling the cart along and chose his route more carefully, electing to leave the wain-road when the ruts became too deep or potholes too numerous.
"We lost quite a few miles from our pace today, but no matter. Tomorrow, we can make up for it. We are getting closer to settled territory, and the road will be in better repair," Hrafn told her when they stopped for the night.
The merchant worked on the wagon's wheel before the sun fully set and declared it repaired before turning in for the night. The next morning, they set out at dawn, arriving on the outskirts of the walled village of Dragonshadow a few hours after midday.1
Face Danger: 6 (4 withs) vs 4 & 9 = weak hit (-1 Momentum)
Action: 63, Challenge
Theme: 21, LaborMomentum = +4/10Mark Progress - Find Translator (dangerous): 2/10The village was larger than Rathton Tor, at least as far as houses and other buildings, though the Tor claimed a significantly larger tract of land than Dragonshadow. Guards manned the gate, both on the ground and on the palisade walls to either side. Dagni noted that the guards on the walls held longbows at the ready, though not drawn.
"Hail, travelers!" One of the guards by the gate stepped forward, holding a spear.
"Hail, Masias!" Hrafn responded, lifting the brim of his hat.
"Ah, it's you at last, Hrafn! A moment, and we will get the gate open for you." The older man turned to his companion, and the two began opening the heavy wooden gate.
"You know the guard?" Dagni asked.
"Aye. Old Masias has been gate captain at Dragonshadow for a long time. He's also a fine smith."
"So, a customer."
"Indeed, but not the only one in the village."
As the gate opened, Hrafn goaded the oxen forward slowly.
"My companion seeks an audience with the Chieftain, Masias. Is he around today?" Hrafn asked as the wagon slowly rolled through the gate.
"He returned three days ago. Lady Maya is near time, so he doesn't stay away long."
"Excellent. I'll be by your forge before the evening meal."
"I look forward to doing business with you, Hrafn."
The wagon surged forward, leaving the gate behind. Hrafn navigated the smooth dirt path that curled round the thatched houses and buildings, all which seemed to have been built without any eye to order or structure. He pulled the oxen to a stop in a wide circle before a large hall. Dagni's eyes were immediately drawn to the massive, sun-bleached skull hanging over the twin wooden doors. The skull boasted horns on either side of its head, and smaller spikes running the ridge of its eye sockets and along the tapered snout.
"Magnificent, isn't she?" Hrafn asked, noticing her gaze.
"What is it?"
"They say it's a dragon skull, though I think it must be a wyvern. A really big one. Not many of them left, I hear."
"Who could have killed such a massive beast?"
"My grandfather many times removed," a man said, rising from the shadows by the door. Dagni had been so enamored with the skull that she didn't notice him until he spoke.
"Chieftain Toran2," Hrafn greeted the man with a bow. "May I introduce Mine Foreman Dagni. Much of the iron I bring was wrestled from the ground by her and her crew."
"Welcome to Dragonshadow, Dagni."
"Thank you, Chieftain."
"I hear congratulations are in order," Hrafn says. "How many will this one make?"
"Three, and you have my thanks. Maya is hopeful this one will be a boy."3
"You have girls, then?" Dagni asked.
"Aye, the Twins, Alina and Edda."4
"I couldn't imagine having twins," Dagni muttered.
Toran chuckled in response. "It was a challenge at first. But now that they are in their eighth summer, it is not so difficult."
"If you'll excuse me, Chieftain," Hrafn interrupted. "I've got a shipment of ingots and ore to deliver."
"Well met Master Hrafn. I will not keep you."
Ask the Oracle: Does Hrafn know the guard? Likely (26+) = 41, yes
Oracle — Ironlander Name: 69, Masias
Ask the Oracle: Is the Chieftain home? 51+ = 65, yes"Actually, Chieftain," Dagni said, jumping down from the wagon as Hrafn snapped the reins. "I was wondering if you know of anyone who can read the tongue of the Firstborn?"
"Indeed, I do," Toran replied, scratching his greying beard. "There's a woman in Firstmeet, who spends much of her time studying the Firstborn ruins the town was built upon."
"Excellent! I must be off, then. Thank you, Chieftain."
"Hold a moment, Dagni. Permit me to ask why you seek such a person?"
She withdrew the tome from her pack and held it out to the Chieftain. The older man looked at it with a twinkle of wonder in his bright green eyes.
"Where did you find this?"
"My crew broke through to a barrow in the mine a few months back. I found this in the tomb of what I can only guess was a Firstborn queen."
"A queen of the Firstborn buried beneath Rathton Tor? That is quite a find! I daresay, Vesna will be thrilled."
"Vesna, is this the Firstborn scholar you spoke of?"
"Aye. She has studied the ruins beneath Firstmeet for many years and is the only person I've ever heard of who could read the old runes."
"Thank you, Chieftain. How do I reach Firstmeet?"
"The town is due south of here, about two days’ journey on foot."
"Then I shall be off immediately."
"Hold a moment," the older man said. "I will send along one of my best hunters as a guide. The paths between here and Firstmeet are plagued with Kobolds, who hold quite the grudge against me and my people. Kaven knows where they are likely to be at this time of year and can lead you around."
"I thank you again, chieftain."
"I'll send for Kaven and send someone to gather some provisions for your journey."
"Very well," Dagni relented, despite wanting to get underway as quickly as possible.
Gather Information: 10 (+4 wits) vs 6 | 4 = strong hit (+2 Momentum)
Oracle - Ironlander Name: 30, VesnaMomentum = +6/10Find a Translator for the Firstborn Tome (dangerous): 4/10 progressAsk the Oracle: Does Toran offer her a guide? 50/50 = 54, yesThe Chieftain did as he said he would, and Dagni was introduced to a young man with bright blue eyes and blazing red hair and beard only a dozen minutes later. Kaven was a friendly man, with a slender build and easy smile.
"If we leave now," Kaven said, his voice surprisingly deep, "we should reach Wynne's hold before nightfall. From there, it's a day and a half to Firstmeet."
"Safe journeys, Dagni," Toran said. "I hope you find what you seek."
The journey south was uneventful. They followed the river until it turned to the east, forcing them to continue on across the wide heather-filled fields. They reached a small cothold an hour before full dark and were greeted by a dun hound, graying around the muzzle. Kaven greeted the hound as an old friend. An aging woman waved from the door of the cot and as they approached. Kaven introduced her as Wynne, the cotholder, who owned the land and kept her flock of sheep with the help of her cursed husband—the hound. They were given the hay shed to sleep in and departed the next morning.
They spotted a band of Kobold moving along the horizon to the west about midday on the final day of their journey, but the creatures either did not see them or paid them no mind. By mid-morning of the third day, they arrived on the outskirts of Firstmeet. Kaven, apparently familiar with the bustling town, showed her to the scholar's residence before excusing himself to the tavern.
Face Danger: 6 (+4 wits) vs 5 | 5 = strong hit with match (+1 Momentum, +1 forward)Momentum = +7/10Dagni waited a few moments, gathering her thoughts, before knocking on the rough wooden door to the small stone cottage nestled between two-story rock and mortar buildings.
"I'm coming," a voice called from somewhere within, faint, though the house couldn't be more than twenty feet square.
When the door opened, Dagni was greeted by a warm, smiling woman standing only to her sternum, with wildly curling blonde hair and large, round eyes. The woman's hair was tucked haphazardly behind her ears, which came to unmistakable, but subtle, points.
"Are you Vesna?" Dagni asked.
"I am called Vesna, yes. And who do I have the pleasure of greeting?"
"I am Dagni of Rathton Tor."
"Rathton Tor, you say!?" The woman's bright eyes shone with an excitement that Dagni couldn't begin to fathom.
"You've heard of Rathton Tor?" The miner asked, surprised that anyone this far south and not associated with mining or smithing would have any reason to know of the village.
"All scholars of the Elder folk know of Rathton Tor. Surely you are aware of the legend surrounding your home?"
"The barrow?"
"Yes, the barrow of Cwynn Leōte, last High Queen of the Elder folk."
"The legend of Firstborn barrows near Rathton Tor was known to us, but I've never heard of...this High Queen."
"Cwynn Leōte."5
"Yes, Cwynn Leōte," Dagni repeated, stumbling over the unfamiliar feel of the words.
"Of course we believe it is merely a myth, and no expeditions have ever located any Elder folk ruins, much less a barrow, near Rathton Tor. You must forgive me, talk of the Elders always excites me so. What brings you to my door? Dagni, yes?"
"Yes. Chieftain Toran of Dragonshadow said you would be the likeliest person to translate this." Dagni pulled the old tome from her satchel.
The shorter woman's eyes bulged as she beheld the moldering leather, with its faded etchings of swirls and leaves. Her thin, trembling fingers reached out and carefully caressed the cover.
"Where..." she began, but the words caught in her throat. She tried again, and the words came out a whisper, "Where did you find this."
"We uncovered a barrow a few months back."
"Come inside," Vesna said, dragging the other woman through the door. "Who have you told of this?"
"The warrior and his circle who saved me, the Chieftain of my village and the elders, my grandmother, Hrafn—he's our iron merchant—and Chieftain Toran."
"The iron merchant, is he trustworthy?"
"I've known him since he was a child. He's a good sort."
"Good, good. Now, may I see the tome?"
"Of course."
The scholar took the book and sat it reverently on the table before slowly opening it. Dagni watched in silence as the woman's expressive eyes flitted over the page.
"Describe the place you found this."
"My crew were slaughtered by draugr, and I fled deeper into the barrow. I found a chamber with a door and went inside, hoping to barricade myself in. The tome was laying atop a stone coffin carved in the likeness of a woman."
"Draugr? Are you absolutely certain?"
"I am."
"It is said that only the most powerful mystics of the Elder folk could create what you call draugr. They trapped the souls of warriors within their bodies through a long lost sacrificial rite, Blessing—or cursing— them with eternal half life to protect their liege in death."
"The warrior, Odvain, and his circle defeated one draugr and burned it."
"These warriors must be mighty indeed if they defeated a draugr in direct combat. It is said that only the greatest warriors were given the opportunity to be enspirited and guard their liege in death. I believe this barrow you discovered is the legendary resting place of Cwynn Leōte herself. It will take time, but I will begin translating this immediately. Speak of this to no one else."
Find a Translator (dangerous): 8/10 (progress)"Very well, I will seek accommodations in town and return later."
Vesna opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by the sound of heavy pounding on the door. The wide-eyed scholar grimaced, drawing her impossibly smooth skin into wrinkled concern.
"You said no one else knew!"
"They don't! Perhaps Kaven, my guide? He was told to bring me to you. "
"Come, we must hurry. The Tome of Leōte is too powerful to let anyone have it. Follow me."
The sound of wood being split echoed in the small cottage, accompanied by the grunts and growls of men outside. Dagni followed the shorter woman to the stone wall at the back of the cottage. She looked down at the blonde scholar in confusion. Vesna reached up and pressed an imperceptibly protruding stone, nearly out of reach for the diminutive woman. A bookcase nearby clicked and swung open, revealing a stair leading down into darkness.
"This way, be quick!" Vesna motioned Dagni into the stairwell and pulled the bookcase closed behind them. "Down the stairs, dear. They will not likely find us here, but we can't risk it."
The sound of glass breaking and wood splintering echoed faintly down the rough-hewn stairs. A flame flickered to life in Vesna's hand, and she led Dagni down the stairs as the raised voices of the men in the cottage above filtered down to her.
"Where does this go?"
"Somewhere safe."
Dagni continued following Vesna deeper into the earth by the light of the strange flame hovering above the smaller woman’s hand. The noise of the men in the cottage above dwindled until she could no longer hear them. After several minutes of walking down the carved stone tunnel, they arrived in a large chamber. Bookcases covered all the walls, and a sturdy table filled the center of the room. Vesna touched the little flame to the wick of a candle resting in a dish upon the table.
“We will be safe here, and I shall set to work on translating the tome. You can rest on the bed there in the corner.”
Ask the Oracle: Is Vesna home? 50/50 = 81, yesFace Danger: 4 (burn momentum) -> 7 vs 5 | 9 = weak hit (-1 spirit, Endure Stress)
Endure Stress: 5 (+4 spirit) vs 2 | 7 = weak hit (press on)Spirit = +4/5Fulfill your Vow: 8 progress vs 2 & 6 = strong hitI chose to use Face Danger for the journeys in this Short instead of the Undertake a Journey move because I did not want to focus on the travel component.
Toran is the first PC I ever played with Ironsworn way back in 2021. Eventually I hope to edit and flesh out his adventure into something more akin to a novel.
Maya is Toran’s wife, and the village’s healer. She was my second character in Ironsworn and I played a short adventure where she escaped from raiders and made her way home through the Grimwood and the Swamp—a dangerous place inhabited by fierce beasts and the remnants of an ancient folk loosely based on Ironsworn’s Varou.
Edda and Alina are named after Toran’s grandmother (Edda) and mother (Alina).
The name is based on the Old English words for queen (cwēn) and light (lēoht).
Great job
Entertaining story. Makes me I think I should give Ironsworn a try.