Ironsworn: Beast of Cindermeet

April 6, 2024 ◇ 12 min read

Adventure introduction

Beast of Cindermeet is an original, improvised actual play example using the core Ironsworn rules. I focused on elements found in the free Ironsworn rulebook, which can be downloaded from DriveThruRPG. To track everything and assist with oracle rolls, I used the Pocketforge app.

Character creation

For this adventure, I wanted to play a mystic character with specific assets in mind. I created a new hero with Ironsworn origin, hit Edit, adjusted the description slightly to better reflect the character, and manually selected the following assets: Hound with the Ferocious ability (Companion), Wildblood (Path) and Augur (Ritual). Augur is a really fun asset that can be used as described, limited to summoning crows, or as a Speak with Animals spell.

Kanno Cragsmere
Description: Successful, Sociable, Reclusive
Race: Human
Role: Traveler
Backstory: You are haunted by past actions or failures
Goal: Defend a place
Motivations: Resist Dream, Hold Protection, Break Warning
Inciting incident: Important event threatened

Kanno is a traveling druid who prefers to resolve conflicts peacefully, if possible. Wits will be his primary stat, as it's used in both the Augur and potentially Wildblood assets, followed by Heart which is important for many relationship moves, and Edge as his main combat stat.

Kanno:
Edge: 2, Heart: 2, Iron: 1, Shadow: 1, Wits: 3

Blaenstead village

Settlement Blaenstead
Description: Protected, Lush, Shadowy
Initial contact: Wary
Authority: Tolerant
Population: Dozens
Projects: Salvage, Trade
Settlement trouble: Raiders prey on the weak

I began by generating two settlements and adjusted their populations and troubles. This gave me an idea of how to link the two villages and how to proceed with the adventure. One of them is Blaenstead, a small village recently plagued by raiders. Some say the raiders are from a neighboring town, but there's no incriminating proof yet. They've mostly targeted trade caravans for supplies. The raids are quick, efficient, and well-organized. Wynne, Blaenstead's overseer, is seeking a solution.

NPC Wynne Jarsyn
Description: Critical, Old, Suspicious
Role: Leader
Goal: Restore a relationship
Activity: Raiding Honor
Disposition: Helpful
Motivations: Hide Relationship, Depart Trade, Clash Spirit

The townspeople are frustrated and restless. On top of that, they are being incited by Wynne's daughter and possible future town leader, Mona.

Mona Jarsyn
Description: Angry, Attractive, Dangerous
Role: Warrior
Backstory: You rejected a duty or destiny
Goal: Prove worthiness
Motivations: Acquire Trade, Uphold History, Search Weakness
Inciting incident: Old wounds reopened

Mona believes there's no solution to the raids other than a show of force. Otherwise, she says, the attacks will continue, preying on the town's weakness and inaction. Wynne wants to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, but she is slowly being overruled. She decides to summon Kanno to resolve the situation before it escalates into open conflict.

Swear an Iron Vow
When you swear upon iron to complete a quest, write your vow and give the quest a rank. Then, roll +heart.
Vow: Stop the raids on Blaenstead (dangerous).
Challenge: 10, 2. Action: 7 (+heart), weak hit.
On a weak hit, you are determined but begin your quest with more questions than answers. Take +1 momentum, and envision what you do to find a path forward.
Action: Serve.
Theme: Safety.

How difficult should a vow be? For example, a dangerous rank marks 2 progress boxes per milestone and requires 5 milestones to fill the progress track completely. A formidable rank marks 1 progress box per milestone and requires 10 milestones, so the difficulty is effectively doubled. For a one-shot play, troublesome or dangerous ranks usually work best.

I added a personal vow to Kanno's Tracks section. Possible milestones include:

• Find and question the raiders
• Reach the suspected village
• Discover who is responsible for the raids
• Stop them from continuing this shameful activity

I scored a weak hit on Swear an Iron Vow and decided to roll Action and Theme, this is completely optional and up to you. I got Serve Safety.

There are still many unknowns at this point. While Kanno considers his approach, Mona jumps in. She's determined to do things her way. She will join Kanno and ensure that, if he fails, the raiders will still be dealt with.

I often play with more than one character. It's similar to guided play, which is one of the recommended styles in Ironsworn, so there's no issue with balance. When playing with multiple characters, I usually increase the rank of combat or scene challenges slightly. I had a specific character in mind when I started thinking about this adventure. For Mona, a skilled warrior, I chose the following assets: Loyalist (Path), Skirmisher, and Shield-bearer (Combat talents).

Mona:
Edge: 2, Heart: 2, Iron: 3, Shadow: 1, Wits: 1

Mona suggested that they head toward Cindermeet. The raiders had been most active in that area. They agreed, it was their best bet for now.

I created a new challenge track, Journey to Cintermeet and set its rank to troublesome. It's a well-known path, but they could still encounter wild beasts or raiders along the way.

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 7, 1. Action: 8 (+wits), strong hit.
On a strong hit, you reach a waypoint. If the waypoint is unknown to you, envision it (Ask the Oracle if unsure).
You make good use of your resources: Mark progress.
Waypoint: Rough, Civilized Forest

After leaving the village, they passed through the surrounding forest, where local woodcutters were at work.

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 6, 9. Action: 4 (+wits), miss.
On a miss, you are waylaid by a perilous event. Pay the Price.
Pay the price: It forces you to act against your best intentions. -1 momentum.
Waypoint: Flooded, Beautiful Swamp

Recent rains had been particularly heavy, and the normally passable path through the forest was now flooded. Crossing the swamp would take more time than anticipated.

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 9, 6. Action: 7 (+wits), weak hit.
On a weak hit, you reach a waypoint and mark progress, but suffer -1 supply.
Waypoint: Flooded, Peaceful River Ford

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 4, 2. Action: 7, strong hit.
Waypoint: Rich, Ruined Mountain

Luckily, the rest of the journey went without major obstacles, and they arrived before the gates of Cindermeet, a small village nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains.

Reach Your Destination
Challenge: 4, 2. Action: 7, strong hit.
On a strong hit, the situation at your destination favors you.
Make another move now (not a progress move), and add +1.

Reach a Milestone: Stop the raids on Blaenstead. Milestone: arrived at Cindermeet.
Progress 2/10

Cindermeet

Kanno and Mona had reached their destination. Mona was known by at least some of the townspeople, including the guards, and there was no hostility or suspicion in their welcome. However, it could be a facade, perhaps the raiding was a well-kept secret, or maybe the people here were truly innocent.

Settlement Cindermeet
Description: Wide, Defended, Blighted
Initial contact: Welcoming
Authority: Tolerant
Population: Dozens
Projects: Terraforming, Subsistence

They spent some time in the village looking for any hint of what was going on. Mona was itching to confront the village overseer right away. Instead, Kanno decided to summon his flock of crows and asked the question: "Are people of Cindermeet raiding travelers".

Augur
Challenge: 3, 5. Action: 10 (+wits, +1 add from reach your destination), strong hit. On a strong hit, you interpret their calls as a helpful omen.
Action: Surrender.
Theme: Disease.

Reach a Milestone: Stop the raids on Blaenstead. Milestone: find out who's behind the raids.
Progress 4/10

The answer was yes, the people of Cindermeet were not innocent. But there was more: a hint of corruption plaguing the town. There was a reason for the raids and for the secrecy. That was enough for Mona, she didn't need any further answers. But Kanno stopped her and urged caution, this could be a delicate matter. They disagreed on the next steps.

Face Danger (Kanno)
Challenge: 3, 2. Action: 4 (+wits), strong hit.

Face Danger (Mona)
Challenge: 8, 5. Action: 9 (+iron), strong hit.

Mona won the disagreement. Both scored strong hits, but her action score was higher.

Mona is relentless and although Kanno's arguments are reasonable, she came here to settle matters herself. She stormed off to meet the overseer, entered the mead hall, and declared: "The crows have spoken. The secret is no more. I demand a formal duel in the name of the people of Blaenstead. The raids must stop, and the spoils returned."

NPC Bas Starhenge
Description: Passive, Reclusive, Agreeable
Role: Leader
Goal: Protect a secret
Activity: Patrolling Opportunity
Disposition: Indifferent
Motivations: Persevere Ruin, Investigate Momentum, Learn Advantage

Draw the Circle (Mona)
Challenge: 7, 9. Action: 7 (+heart), miss. On a miss, you begin the duel at a disadvantage. Your foe has initiative.
Pay the Price: It is harmful. -1 health.
Endure harm: Challenge: 10, 5. Action: 10 (+health), weak hit. On a weak hit, you press on.

This was extremely reckless, and Bas' personal guards were on her in seconds. One of the guards attempted to incapacitate her, slamming her with his shield. Bas interrupted the scene and commanded his guards to stand down. He would not shy away from a challenge.

I added a new track, Duel with Bas, and set its rank as formidable. This is a duel, and only Mona will fight.

Face Danger
Challenge: 1, 2. Action: 9 (+iron, +1 shield-bearer), strong hit.
When you Face Danger by holding a foe at bay using your spear's reach, roll +iron or +edge. If you score a hit, you may Strike (if you have initiative) or Clash now, and add +1.

Sometimes, to get some inspiration during the fight, I roll for combat action, method, and target.

Combat action: Take a decisive action.
Combat method & target: Breach Opportunity.

Strike
Challenge: 4, 4. Action: 8 (+iron, +1 skirmisher), strong hit. Match event: Assault Land. +3 harm.
Progress: 3/10

Mona took a stance and waited for any openings Bas might have. Once she noticed one, she struck.

Strike
Challenge: 4, 2. Action: 5 (+iron), strong hit. +3 harm.
Progress: 6/10

Strike
Challenge: 4, 8. Action: 6, (+iron), weak hit. +2 harm.
Progress: 8/10

They circled each other. She kept him at a distance, thrusting her spear at every opportunity.

Clash
Challenge: 10, 6. Action: 6 (+iron), miss.
Pay the Price: -3 health.
Endure harm: Challenge: 6, 2. Action: 8, strong hit.
Embrace the pain: Take +1 momentum.

Bas, realizing he was at a disadvantage and slowly getting outmatched, decided to risk it and move much closer, where Mona's spear was not as effective.

Strike
Challenge: 1, 5. Action: 7 (+iron), strong hit. +3 harm.
Progress: 10/10

Bas successfully hit Mona and tried to take advantage of the situation by overpowering her, but she parried the incoming strike, bashing Bas' weapon away and thrusting her spear at his exposed flank.

End the Fight
Duel with Bas resolved. Challenge: 4, 3. Action: 10, strong hit.

Mona won the fight and demanded that the raids against Blaenstead stop. Bas swore that he would not harass them anymore.

Reach a Milestone: Stop the raids on Blaenstead. Milestone: won the fight against Cindermeet overseer.
Progress 6/10

But the situation was more complicated than that. There was a reason the raids started, and there was a risk that not everyone would submit to his command. Cindermeet had its own troubles: a Beast on the hunt. For some time, a fearsome beast had been harassing his people, making it difficult for the more remote homesteads to farm and keep their cattle safe. Some of them had grown desperate and started raiding, though so far without harming anyone.

Blaenstead should be mostly safe now, but if they truly wanted to end the troubles in the area, the beast must be vanquished. The Cindermeet hunters had tried to defeat it themselves but were unsuccessful. If Kanno and Mona could do what they couldn't, they would be generously rewarded.

For Kanno, this was the real problem that needed to be resolved. Mona admitted that, while the immediate issue was resolved, with the beast around, the problems could resurface, or her village itself could become the next target of this monster. Kanno swore that the beast would be gone.

Swear an Iron Vow (Kanno)
Vow: Vanquish the Beast (dangerous).
Challenge: 3, 9. Action: 5 (+heart), weak hit.
On a weak hit, you are determined but begin your quest with more questions than answers. Take +1 momentum, and envision what you do to find a path forward.

The beast of Cindermeet

Kanno and Mona couldn't afford to take any more reckless actions and had to prepare properly. They decided that Mona needed to heal her wounds first. She tried to leverage her position as the daughter of a neighboring village's overseer.

Secure an Advantage: Aid Your Ally (Mona)
Challenge: 2, 8. Action: 4 (+heart), weak hit. +1 momentum (loyalist). +1 momentum for Kanno.

Sojourn (Kanno)
Challenge: 10, 5. Action: 7 (+heart, +1 advantage), weak hit.
Kanno: Plan: Take +2 momentum.
Mona: Recuperate: Take +2 health for yourself and any companions.

Heal (Kanno)
Challenge: 3, 4. Action: 5 (+wits), strong hit. +2 health for Mona.

This could have been a real challenge. Kanno didn't want to risk it and spent some time healing Mona fully before going after the monster.

Gather Information (Kanno)
Challenge: 8, 7. Action: 9 (+wits, +1 wildblood), strong hit.
Reach a Milestone: Vanquish the Beast. Milestone: investigated beast's location.
Progress 2/10

Kanno and Mona pinpointed the location of the beast's den based on information provided by the townspeople about recent attacks and the direction in which the beast usually retreated. They also learned that only livestock had been killed, hunters and farmers were only wounded before the beast left them alone. The beast's origin was unknown, and people were convinced there was magic at work. With all the provided information, I decided to make this journey troublesome.

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 10, 10. Action: 7 (+wits), miss. Match event: Escalate Vow.
Pay the Price: A new danger or foe is revealed.
Progress: 0/10

NPC Kayu Farseer Description: Quiet, Clever, Charming
Role: Guide
Goal: Avenge a wrong
Activity: Inspecting Survival
Disposition: Friendly
Motivations: Protect Fear, Protect Blood, Affect Opportunity

Some distance away from the village, Kanno and Mona were approached by a man. He seemed friendly but kept his distance, congratulated Mona on her fighting skills, and explained, regrettably, that he couldn't let them continue their hunt or return to the village. At that moment, a huge wolf-like beast emerged from the forest's edge.

Challenge track (Formidable): Fight against beast duo.
Progress: 0/10

Enter the Fray (Kanno)
Challenge: 4, 9. Action: 3 (+heart), miss.
Pay the Price: suffer move, -3 momentum.

Enter the Fray (Mona)
Challenge: 8, 8. Action: 5 (+heart), miss. Match event: Release Love.
Pay the Price: It causes a delay or puts you at a disadvantage. -3 momentum.

The course of events shocked both Kanno and Mona. The stranger shouted a command, and the beast jumped at them.

Face Danger (Mona)
Challenge: 10, 6. Action: 8 (+iron, +1 skirmisher), weak hit. -1 health.
Endure harm (Mona)
Challenge: 6, 10. Action: 6 (+health), miss. -1 momentum.

Mona immediately took a defensive stance with her spear and shield. The beast circled her, then lunged again.

Clash (Mona)
Challenge: 7, 1. Action: 6 (+iron, +1 skirmisher), weak hit. +2 harm.
Pay the price: It is stressful. -3 spirit.
Endure stress (Mona)
Challenge: 3, 6. Action: 8 (+spirit), strong hit. Embrace the darkness: Take +1 momentum.
Challenge track (Formidable): Fight against beast duo.
Progress: 2/10

She had never faced such an enemy and felt completely overwhelmed. The wolf-like beast was big and fast, its bites barely blocked by her shield. It nearly knocked her down with its weight, but she managed to land a hit.

Face Danger (Kanno)
Challenge: 2, 5. Action: 9 (+wits, +1 wildblood), strong hit.

Kanno focused on defending against Kayu, each of them armed with a staff, looking for an opportunity to trip or knock down his opponent. Kanno blocked each hit and found an opening.

Strike (Kanno)
Challenge: 3, 1. Action: 4 (+iron, +1 hound), strong hit. +4 harm, +1 momentum.
Challenge track (Formidable): Fight against beast duo.
Progress: 6/10

He hit Kayu, forcing him to stumble back from the impact, and his hound locked its jaws on Kayu's leg, biting viciously.

Combat action: Leverage the advantage of a weapon or ability.
Combat method & target: Sunder Balance.
Secure an Advantage: Aid Your Ally (Mona)
Challenge: 2, 8. Action: 8 (+iron, +1 loyalist), weak hit. +1 momentum (loyalist), +1 momentum for Kanno.

Mona saw what was happening to Kayu and tried to trip him with her spear, trying to give Kanno and his hound an opportunity to eliminate Kayu from the fight completely. However, she only managed to push him back without making him lose his balance.

Strike (Kanno)
Challenge: 10, 1. Action: 5 (+iron, +1 hound, +1 advantage), weak hit. +3 harm.
Challenge track (Formidable): Fight against beast duo.
Progress: 9/10

Kanno closed the distance and continued attacking Kayu in tandem with his hound.

Face Danger (Mona)
Challenge: 10, 6. Action: 10 (+iron, +1 skirmisher), weak hit. -1 health.
Endure harm (Mona)
Challenge: 3, 10. Action: 6 (+iron), weak hit.

The beast charged at Mona, both paws slamming onto her shield in the blink of an eye, its huge jaws gnawing at the shield's rim. The beast was too big, one of its paws slipped past the shield and slashed her.

Clash (Mona)
Challenge: 6, 3. Action: 7 (+iron, +1 skirmisher), strong hit. You bolster your position: Take +1 momentum.
Challenge track (Formidable): Fight against beast duo.
Progress: 10/10

Using the beast's own weight, Mona shifted her position and pushed her shield hard, throwing the beast off. Then she immediately struck it. It retreated, wounded in several places, foam dripping from its mouth. It looked briefly at Kayu, took a few uncertain steps, and then ran away into the forest, abandoning its master.

End the Fight
Fight against beast duo resolved. Challenge: 10, 8. Action: 10, weak hit. You'll pay for it: An objective falls out of reach.
Reach a Milestone: Vanquish the Beast. Milestone: defeated beast's master.
Progress 4/10

Kayu lay on the ground, breathing heavily, and watched as his beast disappeared between the trees. "This is not the end," he promised. "The beast will be back." They bound him tightly and prepared for their next move.

Ask the Oracle: Will they continue to pursue the beast to its lair?
(Likely): 79, Yes.

They decided it was better to act fast, Kayu, bound and unarmed, wouldn't cause any trouble.

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 7, 6. Action: 7 (+wits), weak hit. -1 supply.
Waypoint: Blocked, Blighted Thicket.
Progress: 3/10

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 10, 2. Action: 4 (+wits), weak hit. -1 supply.
Waypoint: Rich, Empty Thicket.
Progress: 6/10

Undertake a Journey (Kanno)
Challenge: 2, 2. Action: 9 (+wits), strong hit. Match event: Journey War. +1 momentum each.
Waypoint: Exposed, Contested Pass.
Progress: 9/10

Moving through the thicket wasn't easy, but they eventually reached a ravine with unnatural tracks leading to the beast's den.

Reach Your Destination
Journey to the beast's den resolved. Challenge: 8, 2. Action: 9, strong hit.
Reach a Milestone: Vanquish the Beast. Milestone: reached beast's lair.
Progress 6/10

Inside the shallow cave, on a small stone altar, lay a talisman made from wood and bone, bound with hemp. The place smelled like a wet dog, with chewed bones scattered around. No doubt, this was its resting place. Kanno picked up the talisman and, after a while, told Mona that this was the source of the beast's unnatural strength. Kayu had cursed the creature and forced it into submission, but the process should be reversible. He would attempt to break the curse and asked her to stand guard.

Challenge track (Dangerous): Lift the Curse.
Progress: 0/10

Enter the Fray (Kanno)
Challenge: 4, 8. Action: 9 (+wits), strong hit.

Kanno sat down, with the talisman in one hand and the other resting on his hound lying next to him. He closed his eyes, performed a short ritual, and when he opened them again, the cave had vanished. He had entered the world of spirits. Right in front of him, the manifestation of the beast's spirit, bound by the curse's black vines, thrashed around, unable to escape.

Strike (Kanno)
Challenge: 2, 7. Action: 5 (+edge, +1 hound), weak hit. +3 harm. Progress: 6/10

Kanno assaulted the curse, trying to untangle the weave, his spirit hound wrestling with the threads.

Face Danger (Kanno)
Challenge: 6, 3. Action: 9 (+wits), strong hit.

The curse tightened for a second, then lashed out, pushing Kanno and his hound away with a shockwave. Kanno stood his ground and responded with a decisive strike.

Strike (Kanno)
Challenge: 5, 8. Action: 5 (+edge, +1 hound), miss. Burnt momentum. Challenge: 5, 8. Action: 10, strong hit. +4 harm, +1 momentum.
Progress: 10/10

End the Fight
Lift the Curse resolved. Challenge: 1, 9. Action: 10, strong hit.

The curse lost its grip on the wolf's spirit, its weave untangling and slowly disintegrating. Kanno returned from the spirit world to the cave. Somewhere in the distance, the wolf's howl could be heard.

Reach a Milestone: Vanquish the Beast. Milestone: lifted the curse.
Progress 8/10
Fulfil Your Vow
Vanquish the Beast resolved. Challenge: 5, 9. Action: 8, weak hit. +1 exp for each hero.

Reach a Milestone: Stop the raids on Blaenstead. Milestone: resolved Cindermeets troubles.
Progress 8/10
Fulfil Your Vow
Stop the raids on Blaenstead resolved. Challenge: 8, 3. Action: 8, weak hit. +1 exp for each hero.

With their captive still bound, Kanno and Mona returned to Cindermeet and told Bas what had happened and what Kayu had done. The beast was no more, people could return to their normal lives. Now, the only matter left was that of the rogue ritualist. What was his motive? Did he want to overthrow the current overseer and take his place? Or was he merely a pawn in a greater scheme?

Forge a Bond (Kanno, Cindermeet)
Challenge: 10, 2. Action: 8 (+heart), weak hit. Reroll. Challenge: 4, 2. Action: 8, strong hit.

Forge a Bond (Mona, Cindermeet)
Challenge: 7, 6. Action: 3 (+heart), miss. Reroll. Challenge: 7, 6. Action: 8, strong hit.

Bas was thankful. The people of Cindermeet would not forget what Kanno and Mona had done for them, just as Wynne of Blaenstead was grateful that Kanno had prevented a much more dramatic outcome, with both communities at war.

Forge a Bond (Kanno, Blaenstead)
Challenge: 6, 5. Action: 7 (+heart), strong hit.

Mona, being Wynne's daughter, was already bonded with her village, so I only rolled Forge a Bond for Kanno. This concludes the short adventure.

Summary

This was an example of an improvised adventure, with nothing planned beforehand. I started by generating a settlement, rolled Raiders prey on the weak, and decided I wanted another settlement for the raiders. That one had Beast on the hunt, and I decided the raids were only a consequence of the trouble with the beast. Once I began the journey to resolve the Beast on the hunt trouble, the accidental encounter sparked another idea, the beast was the product of a curse placed on a regular wolf by the rogue ritualist, and vanquishing the beast could mean lifting the curse. That felt much more interesting than a simple hunt and provided a setting for the next adventure: why did Kayu place the curse in the first place?