In an earlier post, I recalled how I wanted to have some closure in a Curse of Strahd campaign that just sort of unceremoniously ended. For a while, I had a text channel on the Discord where I would journal Ironsworn as a solo game, doing my best to rectify the strict narrative and mechanics of the module with Ironsworn and Delve's freeform play. It's not always smooth, but I made it work.
This series is a real chimera. It combines Ironsworn, Delve, and Starforged along with a union of a Dungeons and Dragons module and character. It doesn't always map well, but sometimes the narrative just fits. I'm bolting on the Legacies track mechanics from Starforged and gave him a few connections. to represent what happened during the earlier stages of the game.
In an ordinary Ironsworn game, Session 0 involves establishing the Truths of the setting. This isn't necessary when following along with a module. Instead, I'll take this time to explain a bit about what has happened, what is known to Vonmir Bearcastle, and what his goals are.
Vonmir Bearcastle is a member of the mercenary company The Unforgiven. By this point in the story, The Unforgiven have created a small conspiratorial cadre of believers, especially in the town of Vallaki.
They have also forged a somewhat-strained alliance with the Martikov family in their quest to recover magic seeds that the family uses in making wine that lifts the spirits of the people of Barovia. Several Martikovs have died in their quests for the seeds, and were forced to flee Vallaki and abandon their home at the Bluewater Inn after the rise of Lady Wachter as a town leader.
Vonmir and the rest of The Unforgiven also fled Vallaki, joining their newfound ally, a snow elf named Kasimir, to the Amber Temple, a place of secrets and power. The Unforgiven and their allies suffered many casualties inside the Amber Temple, casualties that broke the remaining members of The Unforgiven.
The story begins in media res, with our protagonist Von hiding in a room near the Amber Temple's entrance, surrounded by dead companions and missing others. This is the first session of play.
Please, enjoy.
Vonmir Bearcastle’s eyes stung, a mixture of sweat and...tears that he struggled to hold back. In the cramped room, atop a floor of ancient debris, laid the scorched, lifeless bodies of his two companions, altogether different and alike. Kasimir, a new friend with dark secrets, face frozen not in terror but rather in strange contentment, an odd sort of peace that was not appropriate for the circumstances that he had died under. They were still out there, Vonmir knew. It had only been a short time since the fiery explosions had been heard. He held back crying because now, more than ever, silence was a must.
Next to Kasimir lay the young body of Viktor Vallokovich, former Baronet of the now-cursed town of Vallaki. Despite his beard and aged appearance, Vonmir knew Victor as he was, barely just a boy that he had been coaching towards manhood, as abandoned as it seemed that he had been by his real father. Vonmir reached forward and gently pushed strands of his hair clear from his face, noting the soot and ash marking where the fireballs had unceremoniously destroyed the boy.
Vonmir reflected on the ambush. It had all happened so fast. Right after triggering that magical trap...was it a trap? Victor had thought so. The energy had seemed to drain right out of Vonmir after the first step on the stairway and not long after a rain of fire had washed over the rest of the Unforgiven. This was the last thing Vonmir remembered, prior to awakening here in this room, with Victor nearby. That was right. The last thing Victor had done before the evil in this temple had robbed him of his life was teleporting him to safety and cover before the fire had washed over them yet again. Then, the slapping force of XX slapping him awake before running out of the temple as the fiery explosions rained down still. And so Vonmir Bearcastle, the strongest and bravest of the Unforgiven in the valley, cowered down and hid in this dark, musty, cramped room while his comrades suffered their own fates.
Now alone with the corpses of his two friends and after some quiet time had passed, Vonmir searched through their belongings out of a need for survival. He remembered Meibyran’s orders, “Anyone that dies, divvy their shit up amongst the living. It’s no good to them now.”
First, Vonmir removed the ring from Kasimir’s hand. A Ring of Warmth, absolutely necessary in the cold confines of this temple, and no good to a man whose body warmth was fading from unlife. He rifled through Kasimir’s satchel and discover his spellbook, written in some language that he couldn’t read. Next to it was a component pouch full of materials that Vonmir couldn’t identify.
He turned his attention to Victor’s body. He found a coin purse full of gold and silver. The little princeling had been holding out on them. Tucked into the same pocket on his robes was another component pouch, significantly different than Kasimirs but equally unknown to Vonmir. Another strange doll bearing a likeness to Ireena Kolyana. What was it with the people of the valley and their obsession with this woman, especially Strahd?
Victor’s spellbook. Of course. If they had done what Vonmir wanted and searched for that bastard Vilnius, it would have meant fighting some more of those flaming skulls in that narrow defensive fortified hallway. Sure, it would have been tough, but the foe that you can see is always easier to defeat than the one that you can’t. Vilnius was likely in possession of that other spellbook, the one Victor had wanted. Vilnius sat now near the top of Von’s list. Not directly at the top, where Baron Strahd von Zarovich resided, closely underneath by whatever it was that had ambushed them in the temple.
Von tucked all of these things into his near-bursting backpack, taking a rolled pack ration from within and delicately setting it about. Even the fear of death couldn’t satiate his hunger. After he had finished, he took the roll of cloth that had encompassed the food and gently doused it with water from Victor’s waterskin, wiping the soot from the faces of his fallen friends.
As he cleaned them, Von swore silently to himself, “I will have revenge for Victor, and closure for Kasimir.”
Move: Swear an Iron Vow. 1d6 + Heart (+2) + Bond w/ Unforgiven (+1) = 6 versus 8/3,
Weak Hit, Take +1 Momentum
Vonmir sat down and contemplated how best to move forward. He considered that he knew basically nothing and decided the best course of action might be to get a better picture about the threat. Vonmir pushed against the door, slowly and strongly, until it opened to reveal the balcony with which he had become all too familiar, the dying light of the evening sun peaking through the open entryway and painting the area in a pale light. Vonmir surveyed the area, slowly and deliberately, inching his way out looking for signs of the danger.
Move: Gather Information. 1d6 + Wits (+1) = 5 versus 7/1, Weak Hit. On a weak hit, the information complicates your quest or introduces a new danger. Envision what you discover (Ask the Oracle if unsure), and take +1 momentum
Vonmir was surprised to see the shape and form of a doglike humanoid rifling through the belongings of the dead barbarians scattered across the floor of the temple. From Vonmir’s position on the balcony, the thing had not yet noticed him, but he could see another alarming sight: Caelia’s immolated body, arm extended and wand extended towards the statue towering over the large cavernous temple room.
Vonmir worried that the thing may cease its search and turn his attention towards him. It was the time for action, just like it always was. He racked his brain for anything he could use to even the odds, and fast
Move: Secure an Advantage. 1d6 + Edge (+2) = 6 versus 5 / 8, Weak Hit. Take +1 Momentum
“If I get close enough to it, its flame firing servants wouldn’t dare use their fireballs”
Vonmir took a few steps backwards and measured distances with his mind.
“The stairs are out of the question, maybe still trapped. There’s only one way in.”
Vonmir ran forward, bare feet striking the stones with a soft patter and he attempted to leap from the balcony towards the dog-man, spear raised to bring with a downward strike.
Move: Enter the Fray. When you enter into combat, set the rank of each of your foes. (Formidable, 1 Progress per Harm, inflicts 3 Harm).
1d6 + Heart (+2) = 5 versus 5 / 1, Strong Hit. Take +2 Momentum and you have the Initiative
Vonmir landed in a roll somewhere between the first two columns of the open floor, gear clattering just before he sprung up! on his feet to close the distance. The thing had noticed him, but it was too late. Vonmir was in his face.
Vonmir let loose a primal roar, full of his grief and loss, feeling the wild strength surging forth in his time of need.
Ritual:Bear Totem Warrior. Roll 1d6 + Iron (+3) = 6 versus 8 / 3, Weak Hit. You are empowered. add +1 when making moves with + Iron. The animalistic nature eats at your humanity; Endure Stress (2 stress).
Endure Stress: - 2 Stress, roll 1d6+ Spirit (+3) = 8 versus 8 / 3, Weak Hit. Press On.
Move: Strike w/ Sunderer Asset: 1d6 + Iron (+4), -1 Momentum, +1 Harm = 9 versus 6 / 6,
CRITICAL HIT! The match represents a twist in the narrative, something interesting, or a new opportunity. +2 Harm inflicted +1 for Critical hit, +2 Momentum
Vonmir pinned the dog-man to the marble floor, a spurt of blood beginning to pool as he twisted the Blood Spear of Kevan deeper, a sense of satisfaction filling the recesses of Vonmir's mind as he lifted the Spear up for another piercing strike. The dog-man quivered, begging for Vonmir to stop, or so Vonmir imagined as he laid the spear upon it once again.
Move: Strike w/ Sunderer asset -1 Momentum, 1d6 + Iron (+4),, +1 Harm = 6 versus 1, 7, Weak Hit. Inflict your harm and lose Initiative. +2 Harm inflicted on Arcanaloth
The dog-man took advantage of the gap in Vonmir’s second strike, rolling away and taking only a glancing blow from the spear as it fiddled within its robes for something. Rather than taking a defensive posture, Vonmir pressed in harder, hoping to prevent it from completing whatever it was going to.
Move: Clash w/ Sunderer: -1 Momentum.
When your foe has initiative and you fight with them in close quarters, roll +iron.
1d6 + 4 = 9 versus 8 / 4, Strong Hit. Inflict your harm, take initiative, and take +1 Momentum.
2 Harm inflicted on Arcanaloth
A ball of fire soared from the tip of the dog-man’s wand that he pulled from his robe, Vonmir ducked underneath to the side, slashing longways with the spear and tearing flesh from the creature. Vonmir was close enough to see the tremble in his hand as the thing limp-wristed its wand. In the black and white display of darkvision, Vonmir saw the wide-eyed mark of terror in the dog-man’s eyes.
“Please, stop! You can have it all! Anything that you want!” it cried out.
Vonmir pulled the spear in close with his spectral hand. “REVENGE!” he barked, thrusting it forward, his actions powered by call coming forth from the Blood Spear’s thirst.
Ritual: Blood Spear of Kevan. When you mark your hands or weapon with an intricate blood rune, roll +iron.
On a strong hit, the rune thirsts for fresh blood. One time only, when you make a move to inflict harm, reroll any dice and inflict +2 harm on a hit. Then, for each point of harm inflicted, take +1 and allocate it as +health or +momentum.
On a weak hit, as above, but this asset counts as a debility until the rune’s thirst is quenched.
1d6 + Iron (+3) = 9 versus 2 / 6 Strong Hit.
Move: Strike /w Sunderer, Blood Spear. -1 Momentum, +3 Harm.
1d6 + Iron (+4) = 6 versus 5 / 10 BLOOD SPEAR REROLL THE D6 AND THE SECOND D10
1d6 + Iron (=4) = 6 versus 5 / 4 Strong Hit. 4 harm inflicted, allocated +1 to Vonmir Health, +3 to Momentum
Arcanaloth Progress Track filled.
Move: End the Fight. Progress (10) versus 6 / 2 Strong Hit. This foe is no longer in the fight.
They are killed, out of action, flee, or surrender as appropriate to the situation and your intent
The spear stuck deep, directly through where the creature’s heart might be, if it had one. Vonmir thought that he heard the reverberation that felt somewhat like a hearty laugh vibrating through the Blood Spear of Kevan’s haft. The creature fell down atop the corpse of one of the fallen barbarians, blood pouring from its gaping wounds. Vonmir flinched, expecting the fiery skulls to open fire on him. When nothing caught fire around him, he relaxed and wept softly to himself, collapsing on the floor amidst the other barbarians.
Milestone Reached. +2 Progress.
The moment did not last long. Vonmir realized that although this thing was dead, it may not have been the only danger here in the temple. He looked around, the limits of his darkvision allowing him the chance to take in more information than his comrades would have. Caelia pointed up at the statue, an eternal compass towards the faceless monument. He looked back towards the stairs, and thought for a moment.
“Angles line up. Vantage point. Definitely.”
Vonmir quickly rifled through the pockets of the dog-man, noting that despite the bloodstains, the creature’s robes were of superior quality. It might fetch a good price if the gray people of Barovia had such coin or desires for finer things. He decided to take it anyways, surely one of the Martikovs might appreciate it, and the bridge there needed to be rebuilt. Likewise, Vonmir plucked the rather stupid-looking spectacles from the dog-thing’s twisted face.
Underneath the robe, he found yet another spellbook, this one scrawled in an unfamiliar language. It had value to someone, if not for Vonmir. He did some reconfiguring, taking some of the rations that he had in his pack and scattering them about the floor and cramming the spellbook into the space they had evacuated. Soon the rats and rodents might come, and Vonmir may have friends again.
He glanced at Caelia, reaching delicately and extracting the wand from her hands. It had a delicate feel to it, so flimsy and with a fine tip that Vonmir feared he might break throwing into his pack. He held it aloft, swishing it about as he had seen some of the more arcanely adept members of the Unforgiven.
“I get out of this, I can study some magic. Carry on Victor’s legacy. Hell, I got the spellbooks, and that’s half the fight.”
Without warning, the wand snapped to in Vonmir’s hand, bending his wrist against the position he had it held in. He noted that it was the same way Caelia’s hand had been pointing right before an image appeared in his head involuntarily, the backside of the statue sliding aside.
“Well I’ll be damned. Maybe I can do magic.”
Vonmir crept to the base of the statue and examined the rear, finding a fine line that marked the door that he had seen in his mind’s eye. He pushed, slowly and strongly, and the door gave way to reveal a spiral staircase. Vonmir wasted no time, entering and sliding the door behind him as he did his best to not make any more noise than necessary. He ascended until he found himself in what he reckoned was the head of the statue, looking out through the narrow slots of the statue’s eyes.
From up high, the carnage below looked especially brutal. He could make out the shapes of all of the berserkers, the dog-man, and Caelia’s charred corpse. He also realized that he was safe, for now, at least. Vonmir looked about the statue’s space, and decided to take a moment.
Move: Make Camp. 1d6 + Supply (5) = 9 versus 10 / 6, Weak Hit. +1 Spirit
Vonmir tried to sleep, but the restlessness and unresolved turmoil did not allow his mind to rest very well. After a while, he stood up, too focused to fully rest. He made his way back down the spiral staircase and through the secret door into the main chamber.
“There’s still secrets in this temple, ones that Kasimir died in pursuit of.”
Move: Gather Information: 1d6 + Wits (1) = 3 versus 5 / 9 ***MISS***
On a miss, your investigation unearths a dire threat or reveals an unwelcome truth that undermines your quest. Pay the Price
Movement caught Vonmir’s attention at the base of the nearest pillar. The tall supports held the high arch aloft overhead and had an amber glaze, as did much of the landscape here. Vonmir ventured closer towards the pillar, and found himself staring at his own reflection, but something was wrong. His reflection bore no spectral arm, and the sockets of his eyes were empty. Vonmir looked upon his own horrified face that held a mouth open with a silent scream. Without warning, it ran away, circling the pillar. Vonmir chased himself on pure animal instinct.
His reflection moved fast. Vonmir circled the pillar and lost sight of it briefly, but picked up the movement again, this time on the wall of the temple behind the statue. Vonmir’s feet slapped across the bare floor as he ran to the last spot that he had seen himself. As he drew closer, the amber seemed to focus, altering the pale reflection of the light leaking through the temple’s open doorway. Vonmir gazed upon the presence of several Unforgiven members in the reflection, each a sight of horror.
Olmaaxil, shoulders slumped and sundered shield at his feet, scaly hand extended out as if pointing behind Von.
Thomas, sitting on the floor with arms wrapped around knees, shaking his head back and forth, back and forth, no, no, no, no, no.
Caelia, burnt to a crisp just as Vonmir had seen him
Victor and Kasimir flanking Vonmir’s own reflection, breaking into a pile of ash. Vonmir looked at his own mouth, which seemed to be repeating something in Dwarvish.
“Turn back. Turn back. Turn back.”
Move: Endure Stress 1d6 + heart (2) = 6 versus 6 / 3, Weak Hit. -1 Spirit.
Vonmir blinked, hard, and rubbed his eyes. Hoping to break the spell of whatever this illusion was, he looked towards where the dragonborn Olmaaxil had been pointing and realized that it was the entrance to the temple.
“What a waste of powerful magic. Take a lot more than petty illusion to scare me,” Vonmir lied to himself.
He steeled himself and decided that it was time for action. It was time to delve deeper into the temple. He moved quickly, both to get down to business and to get away from the uneasy illusion.
Move: Delve the Depths.
1d6+ edge (2) = 8 versus 9 / 4, Weak Hit. Consult the table
1d100 = 64, Mark Progress.
Vonmir elected to ascend the staircase on the far side, away from where the berserkers had shown him the flaming skulls were, and to go back to where the party had slain the amber golem. Vonmir found himself standing over the giant creature’s corpse with more options before him.
There was no time to stop and think. Vonmir quickly pressed forward, confidently.
Move: Delve the Depths
1d6 + edge (2) = 7 versus 4 / 10, Weak Hit. Consult the table.
1d100 = 27, Mark Progress and Reveal a Danger
Move: Reveal a Danger.
Von wandered through empty rooms until he found a staircase that descended down further into the darkness. At the bottom, he found that the ceiling had given way and that rubble was not blocking off one avenue of advancement. He paused for a moment and recalled the lessons of stoneworking that all dwarves seemed to be educated about, and decided that this was not a recent cave-in. It was safe to continue down the only path forward. Probably.
Vonmir moved forward through a narrow hallway and rounded a corner, where the hallway opened up into what he thought of as a tomb, where a trio of sarcophagi lay propped against the wall. Vonmir thought of it as a tomb for these caskets, but also because in the darkness he saw two corpses standing, shoulders hunched low and spittle dripping from a long, drooping tongue. In the center of their foreheads, an unblinking, unfocused eye cast a milky glance at the doorway. Vonmir froze.
Vonmir blinked, uncertain if the things had registered his presence. As always, it was time for action, not fear or uncertainty.
Vonmir readied the Blood Spear, moving quickly to catch the monsters unaware.
Move: Secure an Advantage +edge = 8 versus 2 / 4, Stong Hit. Take control: Make another move now (not a progress move); when you do, add +1
Move: Enter the Fray versus Dangerous Foe (2 progress per harm; inflicts 2 harm) +shadow+1= 3 versus 8 / 6, Miss. Your Foe has the initiative. Pay the Price.
Move: Pay the Price. Foe escalated to Formidable. 1 progress per harm; inflicts 3 harm
Vonmir moved to thrust the Blood Spear into the nearest monstrosity’s side, but was taken aback as he entered the chamber and saw no less than 5 other of these creatures crawling about the ceiling. Vonmir skidded to a halt, doing his best to not get surrounded by the creatures before realizing that it was too late for that.
Vonmir grew angry, which was fast becoming his default state of being. He was angry at himself, angry at the foes in front of him, and angry most of all at that bastard Strahd. The only way to get rid of this anger was to let it out. Vonmir whirled the spear about, a flurry of activity.
Move: Secure an Advantage +iron(3) +berserker(1) = 9 versus 4 / 2, Strong Hit
+1 on next move
Move: Clash +1 + iron(+3) +berserker(+1 harm on a hit, then Endure Harm or Stress) +sunderer (-1 Momentum, +1 harm on a hit) +bear totem warrior (-1 Momentum, +1 harm on a hit) = 7 versus 5 / 1, Strong Hit. Inflict harm 1+1+1+1+1= 5 harm. You have initiative.
Move: Endure Harm (-1 harm), +health (4) = 5 versus 5 / 1, Weak Hit. Press on. Progress Track is at 5.
Of the seven foul beasts in front of him, three are cut down in a swath of unsophisticated spear swings, as unsteady they fall and trip over each other to get out of the range of the wild dwarf’s even wilder swings. In the face of terrible foes, Vonmir’s best solution was to be even more terrible. He press on the offensive, breathing outward in a steady, “Aggghhhhhh” of aggression let loose. His muscles ached as he swung with speed and great power.
Vonmir felt it. The Blood Spear longed for replenishment. Who was he to deny it, his only true and faithful friend left?
Artifact: Blood Spear of Kevan 1d6 +iron(3) = 8 versus 9 / 4, Weak Hit. The spear counts as a debility until the weapon’s thirst is quenched.
One time only, when you make a move to inflict harm, reroll any dice and inflict +2 harm on a hit.
Then, for each point of harm inflicted, take +1 and allocate it as +health or +momentum.
Move: Strike +iron (3) +berserker (+1 harm on a hit, then Endure Harm or Stress) +sunderer (-1 Momentum, +1 harm on a hit) + Bear Totem Warrior (-1 Momentum, +1 harm on a hit) = 8 versus 4 / 2, Strong Hit. You retain initiative. Inflict 1 harm + 1 +1 +1 + 2 = 6 harm. Progress Track is capped at 10.
Vonmir swore that he heard laughter echoing throughout the small chamber as his spear swings transitioned from wild and chaotic to purposeful and driven, downward thrusts nearly decapitating the humanoid figures from the decaying flesh, stripping it from bones now shattering. Von struggled against the spear now, hoping that it would be satisfied as his foes were vanquished.
Blood Spear debility removed.
Move: End the Fight (Progress Move) 10 versus 9 / 5, Strong Hit.
The last noise made was not echoing laughter, but rather a gross wet thump as the last of these monsters slumped into a pile, kicked loose from the tip of the spear by Vonmir. He whirled, on edge and afraid that someone may ambush him from the narrow passageway, but after a few seconds of acute listening his nerves began to relax. His muscles were sore. He had never fought so hard before, and it seemed that the day was far from over.
He looked beyond the pile of undead bodies, seeing now three large blocks of solid amber, one each set against three of the four walls. One dead ahead of the passageway in particular caught his attention, a movement on the shiny block. Vonmir tucked the spear via its sling over his shoulder and rubbed his eye with the psychic arm, certain that he was seeing something trapped or dancing behind the surface. This thing, the size of a worm, perhaps, called to Vonmir through the surface of the stone block.
“You are no son of man. Perhaps you are something greater. Would you like to live many lives?”
“Yes,” Vonmir said out loud after a moment’s hesitation, “with many lives, I could be all but guaranteed to achieve everything that I wanted to.”
“The deal is made. Touch the sarcophagus, and become one of Dahler-Nar’s chosen.”
Vonmir hesitated. What was it that Kasimir had said about this place?
“What does it matter?” Vonmir asked himself, “Kasimir is dead, and I am as good as dead.”
Vonmir reached out with his ghostly hand, touching the amber sarcophogi. A terrible pain entered his mouth, and a popping noise followed. He tried to remove his hand but found himself unable to. This was what he expected, but he was still unprepared.
Move: Endure Stress - Formidable (-3 Spirit). 0 Spirit, -2 Momentum.
1d6 + = 4 versus 5 / 7, Miss, -1 Momentum. Mark Debility (Corrupted), Max Momentum now 8, Momentum Reset is 0.
Vonmir felt it. Power, enough to defeat death, enough to defeat Strahd. He tilted his head back, his mind awash in twin maelstroms of pain and power. A deep rumbling sounded from within, and he laughed deeply and loudly.
His mind settled, and the pain subsided. He licked his lips, and it was at that moment that he realized that he didn’t have any teeth.
“Well worth the cost.” Vonmir thought to himself, “Well worth everything. Who knows what other wonders this temple holds. Now, where did that bastard Vilnius go?”
Move: End a Session. +1 Momentum.
Move: Reach a Milestone
+1 Progress - End the Tyranny of Strahd
+1 Progress - "Revenge for Victor, Closure for Kasimir"
+1 Progress - Amber Temper Delve Site
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