Ep 5: Ramia & The War Dogs (Ironsworn Actual Play Adventure)
The fifth episode of my Ironsworn actual play follows Ramia as she and her warband take a dangerous journey north…
The fifth episode of my Ironsworn actual play follows Ramia as she and her warband take a dangerous journey north…
Name: Ramia Karth
Stats: | Edge: 2 | Heart: 3 | Iron: 2 | Shadow: 1 | Wits: 3 |
Tracks:
Health: 4/5
Spirit: 4/5
Supply: 3/5
Momentum: 3/10
Gear: Leather Armor, Iron Sword, & Shield
Assets:
- Path: Commander - You lead a warband with +4 strength. Roll +strength when you command your warband. War Dogs / Companions: Sidan the kindly warrior & his dependable brother Ghalen, the bold and loud archer Masais, and finally Jebran the cruel yet effective skirmisher. Advancements - Warband may scout, and bond forged
- Companion: Hound - Your hound is your steadfast companion (name: Freya)
- Empowered: There is value to your lineage/title/bloodline - Daughter of First Blade Hagarr, the chief of Clan Kuron
XP/Spent: 5/5Setting Info:
The Ironlands are a harsh, perilous frontier where survivors of the Old World fled after the Skulde clans destroyed their kingdoms. They now live in scattered settlements called circles, ruled by petty clan-chiefs whose rivalries threaten their fragile peace. The land is dotted with strange, indestructible iron pillars, each Clan Circle is built around their own Iron Totem. Wardens defend these communities from raiders, beasts, and darker things that prowl the forests and waterways. Though rare, magic exists—wielded by the gifted—and the people cling to prayers and old gods in a world where ancient fey races, feral remnants of fallen men, and unspeakable horrors still linger.In her last adventure, Ramia was declared a First Blade and vowed to hunt down the leaders of the raiders plaguing the hill clans.
Ramia thanks the people of Clan Breda for the honors they bestowed upon her and their hospitality. She sets off south, Freya following her close behind.
Undertake Journey > Weak Hit > Honor Decaying
As she leaves Breda lands behind, she sees a statue along the side of the road. The decayed stone figure was of some ancient warrior, his deeds probably long forgotten.
"Was this the fate of all men," she solemnly thought as they passed by, "was even honor doomed to death by the march of time?"
(-1 Spirit)
Undertake Journey > Strong Hit > Advance Sunken
As she travels through the windswept hills, she looks up to see a soft dusting of snow begin to fall. It was the month of First Frost, and she could feel in her bones that this would be a cold winter to come.
The snowfall reveals a depression in the ground — a sunken path between the rocky hills that got her to the other side much faster than she had expected.
Undertake Journey > Strong Hit > Support, Havens
She gets back on the roads, thankful her ancestors had the foresight to lay down the white stone paths that crisscrossed the southern holds.
The soft click of Freya’s claws on the stone behind was a comforting and familiar sound.
Reach Destination > Strong Hit > Hunt, Momentum
She saw some of her clan returning from a hunt as she passed into Kuron lands. They waved a friendly hello to her, holding dead rabbits and grouse slung over their shoulders.
She imagined the meat cut into thin strips and hanging over the sweetwood fires in the smokehouse, dripping with fat. Then the children would help wrap them up in oil paper and store them, sneaking bits of crispy meat that the adults would playfully pretend not to see.
Then later in the deepest months of winter, they would all gather around the warm fire in the great hall to feast.
Despite the early winter chill, she felt a warmth spread over her chest. She was home.
(+1 Momentum)
Fulfill Vow
She walked into the Clan Circle, head held high. Old Grum was sat near the fire, carving a set of rune stones in his hands as he taught their meanings to the children gathered around him.
"I have returned, Grum, and I have won my title!" she announces.
Excitedly, the children run up to her, pawing at her armor and babbling questions she could barely understand.
Grum slowly gets up and motions her over to him. Ramia shoos the children away and goes to kneel before his feet.
She recounts the tale of her adventure to him…
Oracle > Uncover, Deception
Grum sighs with relief.
"So that’s what happened. I had read my runestones for guidance to your fate, and they told me your quest had been broken. The stones do not lie. I see now you simply found your own path to being First Blade instead."
"So, what will you do now?" he asks gently.
Oracle > Uncover, Truth
"I want to discover the truth of who this Bandit-King Arenson is, and how to defeat him," Ramia said, feeling the conviction burn like a hot pressure behind her eyes.
Advance (Swordmaster) > Take a Hiatus
Ramia takes some time to rest after the hectic journey back from the wilds. Not to waste a moment, she spent the time practicing her swordcraft and drilling with the War Dogs.
(+Swordmaster skill)
"What news have we heard about them?"
Advance a Threat > Subtle Power Increase (Mark Menace) > Transform, Protection
Ramia learns that the raiders have taken over the watchtowers along the northern holds and now patrol the highlands, extorting tolls from travelers…
She discusses plans with her crew. What could they do to stop this menace?
Oracle > Hunt, Decay
Perhaps they could target the leadership of the bandits.
If they hunted down and killed their leaders, perhaps this amassing of disparate raider warbands would decay and fall apart.
It was better than risking open battle with them, at least.
They agreed on the plan. Once they got closer to the northern holds, they could find which petty raider warchief to target first.
Grimwick was the southernmost hill clan, straddling the pass to the highlands. That would be a good place to start their hunt.
Undertake Journey > Weak Hit > Denss
They set out at dawn, ranging low and fast across the heath as they made their way north. Freya led the way, sniffing out the trails.
A dense growth of thorny bramble covering the ground forced them to detour around the fastest way.
(-1 Supply)
Undertake Journey > Strong Hit with Match > High, Spirit
The detour ended up being quite a boon, as the path they traced across the lower hills was covered in beautiful wildflowers.
They found themselves smiling, their spirits high and light.
(+1 Momentum)
Undertake Journey > Miss > Waylaid > Community, Savage
As they pass through a narrow gulch, they are suddenly attacked — stones and arrows rain down on them!
They hear the whooping shouts of feral Firstborn and spot them crawling out of hiding spots on the stone cliffs.
(1 Harm)
Enter the Fray > Miss > Enemy Initiative
Ramia shouts orders to form up and raise shields, yet her voice gets lost in the chaos.
The War Dogs scramble around aimlessly and a pack of rations is lost down the gulch.
(-1 Supply)
Clash > Miss > Disadvantaged
Ramia orders the warband to fire arrows back, but the enemy javelins force them to take cover and be pushed into an even worse spot… (2 Harm)
Turn the Tide > Warband + Wits = Strong Hit > Unexpected
Ramia looks around desperately for anything that could help.
She sees a narrow gap in the rocks ahead — if they could squeeze through it, they’d be able to flank the savages above!
She orders the men to hold their shields tight and run for the gap. Arrows and javelins bounce and break off the rocks near them as they push into the gap.
After a few moments, they stumble out together on the other side and scramble up the short rise.
They had done it!
(Initiative > Ramia) Strike > Strong Hit (Ranged)
Now that they had the high ground, Ramia ordered Masais and Jebran to fire on their ambushers!
Arrows suddenly sprout from an enemy warrior as he tumbles into the gorge with a scream.
Strike +Iron > Weak Hit > Enemy Initiative
The War Dogs roar and smash into the loosely grouped enemy, scattering them.
Some of the savages scramble away, and more spears come flying their way.
Clash +Iron > Weak Hit > Loses Faith in You
A spear strikes Jebran along the arm, cutting a wide gash. He swears in pain as he goes down, Masais trying desperately to stop the bleeding.
(-2 Warband Strength)
"We need to run, Ramia, this isn’t working!" he shouts through gritted teeth.
Ramia considered their options. They could run but the savages would harry them down the slope, they might be even worse off than holding their ground. “On the other hand, one more solid attack and the savages would surely break ranks!” She thought.
"No! We’ll be slaughtered if we run. Hold ranks and kill them all!" she shouts over the din of combat.
Clash > Strong Hit
With that, she darts forward and spears a savage warrior right through the skull.
She hears a roar behind her as Ghalen and Sidran get to bloody work as well, outmaneuvering and cutting down another.
With a whooping howl, the last few savages retreat, breaking and running for the hills.
Ramia orders the War Dogs to stay together and not chase down the stragglers, and soon the gorge is silent again other than the groans of pain from Jebran.
Make Camp > Strong Hit > Warband Strength + Health and Supply
Freya the wolfhound leads them to a small alcove in the rocky hills, perfect to camp in.
They set up with what they can and attend to their wounds, patching Jebran up.
Oracle > Deliver, Demanding
"You need to be more careful. We won this time, but a couple of missteps and we’d all be dead at the bottom of that gorge. As leader, you’re meant to protect the warband — so fucking deliver on that," he glowers at Ramia, picking at the bloody wraps around his injured arm.
Oracle > Change, Protection
Ramia looks back at him with a steely gaze.
"We survived because we all fought together and followed orders. If you don’t trust us to protect you, then leave the warband. But don’t question my leadership unless you’ve got a better idea."
Oracle > Unfriendly
Jebran says nothing more for the night, but Ramia can see the tightness of anger in his face.
Undertake Journey > Weak Hit > Command, Respect, Occupied, Indifferent
They come across Fort Ghast, a massive wooden keep built to defend the mountain pass generations ago by Magrim the Builder.
Chief Magrim had united the northern clans to build and man the fort together — a way to protect their lands beyond it and foster unity.
Nowadays, the fort was lightly manned by wardens, yet its impressive defenses commanded respect from all who would seek to pass it.
The War Dogs walk up to the massive gates as a guardsman calls down:
"Be you clan? What’s your business in the Ghast?"
Ramia shouts back that they are wardens from Clan Kuron, on a mission to find and kill raiders.
After a few minutes of waiting, the frosted iron gates are pulled up with a groaning screech.
Ramia takes a moment for a last look behind them at the southern holds before they are swallowed into the dark interior of Fort Ghast — and the frigid northlands it protects…
End Session - Tune in next week to see how the story develops! I’m trying to set myself a goal to post every week!
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