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.
Fortunately, Gauk as an attentive student, such that his lessons stuck and have served him well.
There are several other elements used to describe a character including Health, Spirit, Supply and Momentum - I am sure these will all become very familiar as time goes on.
A Warden's oaths are many and include to uphold and enforce the will of the Overseer. A previous Overseer, Varin Ornolfsson was proven to be a poor choice as he was a reckless, vicious and spiteful individual with little regard for anything beyond his own comforts. Another Bidsfell tradition is 'The Reckoning', providing elders with the can petition a Warden to dispense justice upon villagers, including incompetent Overseers. As a result of Varin's hubris, a dozen of the villages Longboatmen were lost to rough seas. When approached by the eldars, it was said that Gauk's brow knotted in fury and he swore to "...bring Varin to account". Learning of Gauk's vow, Varin immediately fled Bildsfell and hasn't been sighted since.
The evening after Steinbitr's departure, the Warden Katla unexpectedly returned from her ranging a changed woman. Seemingly detached from reality but otherwise unharmed, she's has laid down her arms, foresworn her role of Warden, muttering of "...the beasts from the North..." and a "dark ship". Surely, the arrival of the hulk and Katla's change cannot be mere coincidence? Gauk is concerned for Stienbitr and his expedition - while his brother is a capable leader, now they are without the aid of a Warden and Katla's current state suggests they may be in more danger than they appreciate.
I think that's a sound beginning. The rulebook outlines the following 'checks' for a good Inciting Incident:
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 together for the common good.Iron: Physical strength, endurance, aggressiveness, and prowess in close combat. [2]
Over the years, Gauk has earned a reputation for his perseverance and expertise in the melee. Whether fighting in an honour match or for his life, few can match him hand-to-hand.Shadow: Sneakiness, deceptiveness, and cunning. [1]
While Gauk understands there are many ways to achieve outcomes, he's never paid much heed to politics. To Gauk's mind, "A complex plan is a mistake waiting to happen." He leaves the intrigue to those who need it. He trusts the iron in his blood and hands.Wits: Expertise, knowledge, and observation. [2]
"Observe. Think. Only then Act." was Gauk's father Herl's liturgy, ceaselessly drummed into the young boy, oftentimes accompanied with a sharp slap to the head for good measure.Fortunately, Gauk as an attentive student, such that his lessons stuck and have served him well.
There are several other elements used to describe a character including Health, Spirit, Supply and Momentum - I am sure these will all become very familiar as time goes on.
Gauk's Vows
Gauk needs to start with two Vows: a long-term goal (aka his "background vow") and an immediate situation which must be dealt with (his "inciting incident").
Gauk's Background Vow "...bring Varin to account"
Like all Bildsfell firstborn, Gauk accepted his role as a protector of his people with dignity and reserve. After the customary two decades of service, Gauk has stepped back, content with lending his voice and ear to younger, less scarred Wardens and the village's Overseer.
A Warden's oaths are many and include to uphold and enforce the will of the Overseer. A previous Overseer, Varin Ornolfsson was proven to be a poor choice as he was a reckless, vicious and spiteful individual with little regard for anything beyond his own comforts. Another Bidsfell tradition is 'The Reckoning', providing elders with the can petition a Warden to dispense justice upon villagers, including incompetent Overseers. As a result of Varin's hubris, a dozen of the villages Longboatmen were lost to rough seas. When approached by the eldars, it was said that Gauk's brow knotted in fury and he swore to "...bring Varin to account". Learning of Gauk's vow, Varin immediately fled Bildsfell and hasn't been sighted since.
Gauk's Inciting Incident "Protect Steinbitr"
The winter's first storm washed up a huge hulk of ancient design upon the coast, less than 20 leagues distant from Bildsfell. Such a windfall could materially bolster the community's ability to see through the winter, so on the Overseer's instruction, Gauk's twin brother Steinbitr gathered a small party to meet with the famed Warden Katla Thrandottir and then investigate hulk for salvage opportunities.
The evening after Steinbitr's departure, the Warden Katla unexpectedly returned from her ranging a changed woman. Seemingly detached from reality but otherwise unharmed, she's has laid down her arms, foresworn her role of Warden, muttering of "...the beasts from the North..." and a "dark ship". Surely, the arrival of the hulk and Katla's change cannot be mere coincidence? Gauk is concerned for Stienbitr and his expedition - while his brother is a capable leader, now they are without the aid of a Warden and Katla's current state suggests they may be in more danger than they appreciate.
I think that's a sound beginning. The rulebook outlines the following 'checks' for a good Inciting Incident:
- "Make it personal." This is a family thing - Gauk's brother may be in danger.
- "Make it a problem that won’t go away on its own." If the hulk is the source of the problem, well ignoring it likely won't be an option - look at what it may have done to poor Katla.
- "Give it a ticking clock." Gauk already has a 24-hour head start to... trouble. Waiting is unlikely to defuse the situation.
- "Up the stakes." The community think this hulk may be a boon - winter is tough and every windfall counts. And with Katla presently out-of-action, the pressure is sure to mount.
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