Ironsworn Solo

There are plenty of games out there, wargames and role-playing games (RPGs) galore.   The hobby has been going strong for 50-odd years by my reckoning and really there's something out there for everyone's tastes. Enter  COVID-19.   Suddenly the social aspect of gaming is all but gone.  Sure, we can play over Zoom, try Tabletop Simulator etc, but it feels like a pale imitation of the real thing.  I spent some time first looking for, then writing my own solo wargaming rules and during the process, stumbled upon solo RPGs.  "Solo RPGs? How is that even possible?"  I wondered.

I had a decent scan of the rulebook over a few nights, trying to get a broad impression of how things work.  With that under my belt, I jumped to page 192 and we're off! The rules suggest that unless you have a strong sense as to your character's identity, you can "Create your World" which may act as a catalyst for your hero.  Sounds good, as I know little about Vikings.  Reading through the various 'sketches' of the Ironlands' peninsula, the Ragged Coast  (picture a coast that is ragged) struck a chord, kind of reminding me of some of the scenes in a recent Warhammer 40k novel I had read with Space Wolves etc.  Excellent!  I can lift some of what I vaguely recall about that particular novel (I'll find out the actual name later) and use it to help me envision my Ironsworn World's setting. Apparently now I need to jump to Your Truths : three choices that set the campaign's background and tone while providing the basis for quests and se...

I got things a little wrong last time.  Rather than choosing three Truths in total, I actually needed to choose one of the three Truths for each Category, of which there are several.  I've now filled in the blanks and during the process, I've got some good seeds for Quests.  That's a clever way of squeezing some creativity out of us less than creative types PS those with an asterisk were materially written by me.

So now that I've gotten my Region and Truths both selected, I need to describe my Settlement - the place where the story begins.  While there's an excellent name generator in the rules, I've instead turned to a n online name generator that I like which yields Bildsfell and then created a quick map using another generator . Okay, I'm going to set myself a goal: a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) whenever I am describing place or scene.  Here it goes:

The creation of a character - make that MY character.  Glup.  It feels so... climactic.  The Ironsworn rulebook has plenty detailed to help get things moving, but it all starts with a name.  How about Gauk Herlusson?   Done. Gauk's vital statistics There are five statistics, each given a value from 1 to 3 and used to modify resolution dice rolls. A higher number means the more exceptional the character is in that regard. To start, I need to allocate bonuses of 3, 2, 2, 1 and 1 across the five stats. Edge: Quickness, agility, and prowess in ranged combat. [1] No longer a young man, Gauk's eyesight is failing him and his hips have suffered the brunt of many a heavy load. Heart: Courage, willpower, empathy, sociability, and loyalty. [3] Gauk's a stalwart of his village, respected by all for his wise counsel and enterprising nature. He's all too well aware that survival in the Ironlands is dependent upon how effectively his community can pull to...

So I'm in the process of fleshing out Gauk, my hero/character.  His stats are done and he's got a Background Vow and an Inciting Incident defined.  Consulting the guide, I've still got a couple of things to address. Gauk's Background Bonds Bonds reflect the relationships forged with others during the course of a Character's life.  They provide narrative texture to the world, fleshing out other people and inhabitants, provide places to return to and people to reconnect with. Mechanically, they provide benefits when your Character interacts with the bonded community or individual. Apparently, up to three Bonds should be detailed to commence with.  I must admit, this is the first piece of the rules that wasn't absolutely crystal clear upon the first read.  I joined the Ironsworn Discord Server, had a hunt around, and think I have a better idea as to what they're about.  I think I will run with two Background Bonds for the moment. Background Bond #1:...

The rulebook describes two different methods for starting play, either beginning with the normal world else in media res .   The normal world feels a little taxing, both creatively and otherwise, so I might just get right into it... Glup... well here we go... "Warden, speak to me, what has happened to you?" begged Gauk of his protegee, Katla Thrandottir. "Guak there is no point,"  Katla whispered sympathetically.  "All things come to an end and... here we are."  With that, she simply turned away to face the darkening sky, lost in her own thoughts. Bildsfell's Overseer, Ingirun Spiutdottir steered the big man from Katla's room.  "Let her rest Gauk.  Gods know she's not talking any sense anyhow.  She'll share more in her own time, but now you and I have important matters to discuss." "Steinbitr," answered Gauk.  "My brother. What is to become of him?  If I am to protect him, I need to know more about the hu...

Despite the lateness of the hour, the community of Bildsfell was hard at work, outfitting a longboat to enable Gauk to reach his brother Steinbitr.  Time was of the essence and Gauk had stated that he would be embarking at first light.   "The way I see it," began Gauk to a motley collection of Bildsfell's most accomplished navigators and seafarers, "as of the morrow, Stienbitr has a 2-day lead on us.  Presently he'd still be heading to Brackwater Cove to meet Katla." Elstan Malik, Captain of  The Minerve spoke up.  "Knowing your brother, he'll wait out the day and leave the following morning.  From Brackwater, it's another 5-days travel to the region of the Hulk.  If the weather was with us... mmm... maybe during Icebreak we could do it, but this deep into Breakfrost... mmm". "There must be a way Elstan!  Kaland?  Torrans? Do not forswear me now," Gauk commanded the assembled sailors. "My brother's life is at stake and no...

Travel is a common feature in many stories, none the least Ironsworn.  Unless trouble comes to the Hero, a Hero needs to track it down, wrestle it to the ground and declare it trouble no more!  Or something like that... With the sun ever so slowly rising behind them, the longboat powered out of Bildsfell, throwing freezing spray up from its bow as the oarsmen dug deep and true with their every stroke. "Keep that pace up lads," shouted Captain Malik, "and we may end up ramming into Stienbitr's rear."   "That's one rear that I will gladly row for!" replied Sigrid Kollsveindottir to the raucous cheers of the crew. "They're good men and women Gauk, you won't fail on their account," reassured  Malik , "provided the weather holds". "Enough of such talk," responded Gauk, spitting into the freezing sea.  "You know better than to tempt our fates at a time like this".  Gauk slapped [Captain's] back in a goo...