Picture from here: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/celestial-phenomena-16th-century-germany/ Why Beltran the Watcher wants magic and Aida's plan to lure Nisus to his doom. After the wounded were tended and the dead gathered, Kiah and her party found themselves in Fire Bridge's Great Hall. Aida Whitewing sat and listened to her wardens' report. Once they were done, she closed her eyes and let out a shuddering breath. She then regarded Song Hood warmly, "Thank you for

Picture from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Medieval_battle.jpg [Enter the Fray: Strong Hit with Match] The Axe Brook warband was engaged in a pitched battle just outside Fire Bridge's pallisade. They clashed with a large force of the city's wardens. The ring of steel and cries of valor, rage, and pain filled the air. Then Kiah's party crashed into them like a hurricane. [Strike: Miss] [Companion Takes Harm] Gruff and Morter dove into the fray together,

Picture from here: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/pictorial-atlas-to-homer-s-iliad-and-odyssey-1892/ Just a few Moves and Kiah finds herself in another war. The party crouched in the plains, observing the city down the hill. It was surrounded by a palisade of wood. There were no buildings larger than one story. The great hall was easy to spot, a giant's skull mounted above the door. The orange light began to fade as the sun set behind the walls. Behind the city wa

Picture from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/gorge-royat/ Our party strikes out to Red Hope. Along the way, they run into scouts and awkwardness. Fire Bridge's Great Hall was wide and built with solid stone. It held multiple rooms separated by stone dividers. Kiah and her party met in a back corner to share breakfast and discuss. [Compel: Weak Hit ] "And that's where we are." Kiah finished. The remains of her eggs and hash were before her. She scoope

Picture from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/11146530436/in/album-72157638906393085 Kiah's iron vow forces her into Fire Bridge/Red Hope politics. [Sourjurn: Weak Hit - Burned Momentum] As Kiah's party approached the open gate, a well-dressed group stepped forward to greet them. At their head was a demure young woman, "Greetings, Kiah Song Hood. Mistress White Wing welcomes you into her domain." Oddly, her eyes were closed. She gestured to the waiting att

Illustration from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/skolj-castle/ It turns out Fire Axe wanted to send our party to the gods using the quick way after all. [Forge Bond Is the town a Kiah fan?: Strong Hit] [Undertake Journey: Miss A person or community you trusted loses faith in you, or acts against you . ] [Face Danger: Weak Hit Lose momentum ] The party set off at a brisk pace to the northeast. Just beyond the city they wandered in a vast scrubland. Sh

Picture from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/11006650883/in/album-72157642484575704 Kiah finishes her business in Axe Brook and then strikes off on a new adventure! [Augur: Strong Hit - With Momentum - Share, Greed ] [Is the Bandit Camp To The Northeast - Likely: Yes] [Bandit Camp: Shield River - Ravine - Inaccessible] Early the next morning Kiah stood on the edge of Axe Book, her back to the palisade. Before her were a dozen crows. Five stood on the roof

Picture from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/cloud-kingdom-opening/ Kiah realizes it'll be a while before she returns home. Ranna stormed from the pavilion. However, Kione the Wise, his party, and Kalina the Fox stayed. Overseer Stone Mark did not seem distressed at all that he had lost the suit. Kalina had stepped aside with her people, and they were in a heated but hushed conversation. Gruff patted Kiah on the shoulder. Owena chuckled and said, "You

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_court_jester_(1906)_(14730359326).jpg Characters whose highest stat is Heart can really shine, if you let them. [Invoke: Strong Hit With a Match] The next morning, Kiah sat on her bench with her eyes closed. She felt currents of magic flowing within her. There was a music to it that filled her with warmth and courage. She opened her eyes to a small crowd around her. Flint, his followers, the servants, the visitors

Image from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banquet_scene_Louvre_G135.jpg A bit of fun at the Althing. Dealing with the Overseer of Axe Brook and finding an unexpected ally. [Oracle: Is the All-Thing in full swing? 50/50: Yes] They spent the night in Oak Eye's hall. The next morning, just as Song Hood was waking up, she was confronted with a well-dressed servant. She held herself with the pride of a great house. "Our overseer, Cadigan Fire Axe, wishes to breakfa

Yes, it's been over a month since I last updated this blog. I was waylaid by inspiration. I was browsing the Ironsworn Discord when I encountered the Elsewhere setting jam . I'm a game designer whose been blogging my Ironsworn game for over a year, so I thought I'd try my hand at writing a setting. It got a little out of hand. 21 assets, 7 locations, and 55 NPCs later, and I've released: Wizards of the Jumble . Let me tell you about it and then I'll get back to my regularly

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arming_warrior_Staatliche_Antikensammlungen_1553_cropped_glare_reduced_white_bg.png Kiah's family drama is far from over. "Hail Gruff!" called a voice across the field. The party turned to see a group of travelers. At their head was a handsome older man whose black beard was neat but streaked with grey. "Hail Flint!" the bright woman called back cheerfully. Gruff smiled and waved. "Whose this?" asked Owena. "Flint, a

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Schnorr_In_den_Schluchten_des_Balkan_Illustration_056.jpg Storms happen a lot in this game. Granted, they should. Missed journey rolls are an excellent excuse for bad weather. [Fulfill Vow - Sing Praises to Leucia Nightdotter in Wood Hill: Strong Hit ] [Forge Bond -Bleat the Bat: Weak Hit ] [Forge Bond - Wood Hill: Weak Hit ] [Oracle - What Else Do They Want? Avoid War ] Kiah woke up by painful degrees. Every sm

Picture from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/travelers-lured/ I like a dash of the supernatural in all my games. I'm rather proud of this troll bash. Three massive figures awaited them at the foot of the hill. Their height dwarfed even the mightiest warrior back home. Their hides were rough and knotted. They had scraggly hair and yellow eyes that shone in the dark. "Bold," grumbled one. "Be you the songstress or be you supper?" asked the other, brandi

Picture found here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jacob_I_Savery_-_Six_Landscapes-_Path_Between_Swamp_and_Wooded_Bank_-_1988.153_-_Cleveland_Museum_of_Art.tif Ironsworn has some of the best travel rules I've ever played with. I loved this little journey. Also, in this session, we get to find out why Gruff doesn't speak. As they struck off from Long Wick, Owena Wolf Mane eyed Kiah and asked, "Whatever happened to getting us all chummy with New Hope?" The masked one k

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masked_Woman_MET_DP804947.jpg Something terrible happened to Kiah in this chapter. It definitely hurt her spiritually, but her true strength is her heart. Her bravery in spite of it all. It's how she was able to bounce back quickly. Reminder, though, this is fiction. If what happened to Kiah happened to me, I'd be wrecked, and understandably so. [Fullfill Vow: Solve Long Wick's Troll Problem - Weak Hit] Kiah opened he

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Hundred_Fables_of_La_Fontaine_-_The_Wolf_and_the_Fox.png It's been a while since I've had such a terrible streak with rolls. Even so, this was fun. Don't worry Kiah's not dead. Yeah, there was a failure with a match, but I still get to decide how that's addressed. I think it'll be fun. [Does Glush Send Wolves After Them That Night (Likely)? Yes ] [Is Atani able to hold them off by himself (50/50): Yes] [Is it raini

Picture from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Dyring_-_Matthew_James_Lawless.png Earlier Kiah sang the Saga of Aritga Curse Blood, a doomed Overseer in the the Deep Wilds. As such, it's only fair we revisit her now that Kiah's there. This is also why Song Hood reacts with sheer terror in her prescense, this a wraith she's heard tales of since she was a child. [Oracle - Is The Weather Bad That Evening? - Likely: Yes ] Dark clouds blanketed the sky, the wind

Photo from here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LightningBranches.jpg I'm breaking these sessions up as feels natural. True, not a lot happened here, but I think these moments help build character. Before setting up camp, Kia closed her eyes and hummed an eerie tune. [Secure Advantage: Strong Hit] The air shimmered, as if in a heat ripple. Kiah opened her eyes and smiled. To Gruff she said, "I've cloaked us in magic. We should be able to set up camp, and stay the nig

Picture from here: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/beech-trees-knowle-park/ I like how Raven Father turned out. He's a very non-human elf, but also very familiar. At least, to me. Kiah muttered and shook herself awake. She rose from her swamp bed. Before her stood Atani Raven Father and her brother. "You spoke to Bleat the Bat, yes?" questioned the alfar. "Tell us what you have learned." "Of course," answered Song Hood, and then she regaled her dream, and h