Ironsworn Session 8: The Blight of Rockmark

Valryc's status: Momentum: 6; Health: 5; Spirit: 5; Supply: 3
Undertake a Journey: Return to Wrennsfall: Progress:6
Vow: Find the ruins, discover what the Shadiri are seeking and return to Wrennsfall: Progress:4

Oracle rolls for details of Rockmark:
Location descriptors: 40/5; Big and exposed.
Is the village in some sort of trouble? 51 or higher is yes; 57= Yes
Settlement Trouble oracle: 46- Corrupted by Dark magic…

Valryc finds himself on the outskirts of Rockmark, still some couple hundred yards from the village proper, with hope in his heart. A small village tucked between the river winding its way towards Wrennsfall and a dense forest that covers the western fields. “Surely they’ll have a horse that I could borrow for the rest of the journey. At least some food to replenish my stocks for the remainder of my journey. Its still some days before I will reach Wrennsfall on foot, but luck might just speed me along.” After the fall down the mountains, his return journey has been very favorable. No sign of Shadiri. A welcome sign and yet worrying all the same. He quickly puts the thought out of his mind as he begins his final approach into Rockmark. The path winds down from the foothills that he had been traveling out of, running along the forest as it turns towards the main entrance into the small village. As he nears the bend in the path, away from the forest and into the village, he hears a challenge from the woods as a figure holding a spear out at the ready steps out onto the path in front of Valryc. “Halt! Stop there stranger! What is your business in Rockmark?” The man speaks firmly, yet he does not hold himself with any military training. Strong, but most likely a farmer given some leather armoring and a spear to look intimidating. Valryc raises his hands to show he holds no weapons “Easy friend, I mean no harm. I am Valryc Wyndurk, a captain of the Wrennsfall scouts. I have important information that needs to make its way back to the city at once. I am only passing through and hoping to find some aid on my way.” He slowly reaches into his shirt and pulls out the iron arrowhead that most would recognize as the badge of the Wrennsfall scouts. Valryc holds it high so the man might believe his claim. The man’s shoulder’s slump slightly after hearing Valryc’s story. A sadness tinges his response “Oh I see… A scout is all then. I thought you might be here to help us with our problem. Please, come this way. The elder would like to speak with you, I’m sure. Names Euros by the way. Sorry for the formality, you don’t look Shadiri to me, but can’t be too safe after what’s happened.” Valryc tenses as the man mentions the Shadiri, “What’s happened with the Shadiri here?” Euros frown slightly as he turns to begin walking into the forest, “The elder will tell you all you need to know I’m sure. This way.” Valryc stands stunned for a moment, confusion and concern fill him as he begins following the man not towards the village, but deeper into the forest.

The two men mostly travel in silence as they continue deeper into the woods. Euros seems to think it is not his place to tell what happened in Rockmark. He only guards against people who might come after the villagers. And to stop anyone from making their way into the village proper. But on the reason behind this, he does not elaborate. After about a half mile walk deeper into the forest, they approach a rudimentary guard post, with two more villagers with spears keeping watch. As Euros and Valryc approach, the two man wave a greeting, but eye Valryc suspiciously. They begin to make their way into an encampment. Hastily constructed tents and other shelters are put up using the trees of the forest for support. People busily make their way around town taking care of the day to day needs as they two men cut straight for the central tent. “Welcome to Rockmark, Captain. Or at least those who are left.” Euros says under his breath as Valryc takes in the camp. The man continues to lead Valryc onwards towards the center of camp, stopping in front of one that looks a bit more spacious and well put together. “The elder will be inside. I’ll be heading back to watch the path. If I don’t see you again before you’ve made your way on… Well I hope at least you might send troops to help us.” After this one last cryptic comment, the man turns quickly and makes his way back. Valryc shakes his head slightly, taking in the sight of the villagers and their hastily constructed encampment. He turns and makes his way inside the tent.

Inside the tent, an older woman sits at a writing desk scrawling on a piece of paper. An attendant stands at the ready near the door and jumps in surprise as Valryc enters, shocked and confused as the stranger barges in. Valryc holds his arrowhead aloft so the two can see it clearly. Tucking it away, he gives a small bow of his head to the elder as he begins. “I’m sorry to barge in like this. Your man Euros led me from the path into Rockmark and said you’d likely want to speak with me Elder. I’m Valryc Wyndurk, a captain of the scouts from Wrennsfall with vital information that must be returned to the city as quickly as possible. I was hoping I might borrow a horse or any supplies that you can spare for me on my way…” He finishes his request sheepishly as he realizes his request would likely be too great for whatever these villagers could afford him in their current position. The elder nods pensively as he finishes, taking a few breaths before speaking. “Valryc. I Am Elder Kayu. Please, come sit with me at the desk. Ulban, go fetch some hot water for tea for our guest please.” The elder sends the attendant away before bringing her attention back to Valryc. “You have come at quite an… inconvenient time with this particular request. A few weeks ago, maybe we could have afforded this for you. But now…” She trails off for a moment, deep in thought before returning her gaze to Valryc. “But now, unfortunately I cannot spare any supplies that might aid you. A few weeks back a small group of Shadiri were spotted in these woods outside of the village. We were worried, but they never made any attacks. We watched them with fear, waiting for some assault on the village. But for a week it didn’t come. It seemed they were waiting for something. And finally after a week of waiting it did. They strolled into the village square. One among their number was some kind of mage. They stopped right in the center of the square. He made a few mutterings and incantations and then there was a strange shadowy tear in the air. A beast stepped from this dark portal. Towering and massive, yet wispy and ethereal in the daylight. The Shadiri left the village, but they left this beast. And then it began its work. It attacked the villagers. Killing many, hunting through the town and wreaking destruction.” She pauses a moment, subtly wiping a tear from her eye as she recounts the tale. “People grabbed what they could and ran from the village. And the creature gave chase. But once we made it out and onto the road it stopped. It turned back to the village and continues to prowl through the place searching for anyone left who might be hiding there. So no, unfortunately I must deny your request. We are farmers and simple folk. We don’t have skills to defend ourselves. We cannot take our home back and we cannot stay out here in the forest forever. Our supplies will run out eventually. I’ve sent letters to Wrennsfall and any other towns with military outposts who might be able to help, but we’ve not received an answer from anyone yet. We need what we have so that we can either last here till help comes or for the journey onwards, if it comes to that. So, we cannot help you. Unless you are willing to help us…” Elder Kayu looks pleadingly at Valryc as she finishes her recounting of the last few weeks of the village's history. He thinks for a moment, eyeing the woman. His thoughts are interrupted by the return of Ulban with the hot water. The attendant goes about preparing the tea, setting the brew on the table between the two and then quickly bows and steps out of the tent. Finally Valryc responds to the Elder.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to help you. It may be that we need several warriors to take down such a creature. I’ve heard of these shadowy beasts, they were used when the Shadiri drove us from the old world. They are formidable foes. And my mission is critical to Wrennsfall. Please, I know I ask much but if you give me a horse I’ll make it back to Wrennsfall in a few days utmost. I’ll pass on my information and inform the guard to send a squad out to deal with this beast. You say your people have already been out here for at least a week. One more weeks time and warriors of Wrennsfall will be here to liberate your village.” Even as he speaks, his stomach turns at what he is asking of the Elder. He is making promises that he cannot guarantee and the elder can see his lack of confidence in his pleas.

Compel- Valryc attempts to turn the Elder to give him a horse with the promise that he will send aid as soon as he has returned to wrennsfall. It would mean the villagers would have to wait longer, but Valryc would make it back to Wrennsfall quicker.
Miss: Action die 5; Challenge die 5/10
The elder refuses or makes a demand; Pay the price

Pay the Price- Valryc is refused aid in his journey unless he deals with the beast. He will choose to deal with the beast in hopes that the aid the village would provide will be worth the risk.

“I know you may think your need is greater, but I must look after my people. If Wrennsfall needs this information of yours so badly, then you’ll have to carry it there on your own two feet. Unless you can deal with this beast. I’m sorry, but this is my final offer.” The Elder’s stern look seals the deal. Valryc knows the price he will have to pay for aid from the village. After a moment in thought he nods to himself. “Fine then. Tomorrow I’ll see if I can’t get the measure of this creature. If I think I can deal with it I will. And if I do I’ll need a horse and supplies for the rest of the journey. And if I cannot… I’ll send help as fast as I can.” The stern look of the elder softens slightly at his words. “That is more promising an offer than we could have hoped for. I do hope that in the end I can provide you with those supplies captain.”

Valryc stand and nods to her, turning and leaving the tent. The sun is setting as he finds a small patch of ground outside of the small encampment of villagers and sets his own encampment. He does not want to burden them with his presence and he must get plenty of sleep if he hopes to deal with this beast tomorrow. He quickly eats and tucks into his small lean to. A fitful night's sleep is all he finds. In the morning he rises early, packing his supplies, and heading back towards the abandoned village. He finds Euros in the place that the man hailed him from the previous afternoon. He pulls off his pack and sets it down near the man, withdrawing the marked map and description of the elven heiroglyphs that he found in the ruins. “Euros. I have a request of you if I might make one. If I do not return here today, take these items to your elder. Tell her that these must return to Wrennsfall, handed directly to councilor Amara. It is of vital importance.” Euros stammers in confusion, but cannot get out a question before Valryc has turned towards the village. He draws his blade and begins the trek towards the town square, ready for a duel with the shadows.

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Ironsworn Session 8: The Blight of Rockmark

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