28 – Troubled Greybrook

We left off the last chapter at the end of a celebration, so here we’ll roll Sojourn w/ Heart + Bond (9, 4, 6+2+1), Weak hit.  Provision +2 Supply (+5) & Provide Aid. Swear an Iron Vow w/ Heart + Bond +1 (1, 3, 3+2+1+1), Strong Hit. +2 momentum (+10).  Vow: Renew Southern Trade Route.

The twin stone jetties on the southern side of Twin Rivers, had been cleared of the dead and the various foodstuffs that had rotted while the Broken had been in control of the settlement.  Branwhyn silently thanked Thorsten for not being idle while he’d been guarding the Ironhold. There were still a number of boats still moored along the jetties, their crews killed by ensorcelled-Ironlanders.  Branwhyn chose a dugout canoe for their journey. Relatively small, but good for two people and supplies, it had a shallow draft and had a small and simply carved open-mouthed serpent head at one end.

He secured their packs along with a few trade goods in the dugout canoe while Corinna untied the mooring lines.  The sun was just starting to grey the horizon when she gingerly stepped into the boat. Like him, she was glad to be moving again and the early start would prevent lengthy goodbyes.  Settling into the seats, Branwhyn used the oar to move them into the current which would carry them south. It was the direction that the son of the old Thane of Twin Rivers had taken when he’d left several years ago.  Håkon by name, he had apparently said that he wanted to see more of the Ironlands and had a particular interest in the Ragged Coast. So Branwhyn’s plan was the same, let the river carry him south and ask after Håkon at each settlement they came to.  The journey south served another purpose as well though, Twin River’s life blood was trade. That trade had stopped when the Ironhold fell to the Broken and their Apostle. Now that it had been reclaimed, that trade needed to resume if Twin Rivers was to survive.  Snorri and his hunters from White Tree would head north, up river and as Branwhyn and Corinna were heading south anyway, they would carry the word down river.

Continue reading “28 – Troubled Greybrook” →

27 – Twin Rivers Restored

We’re dealing with a fairly short distance between Spider Hive and the rendezvous point, but that is closer to home, so the high and lonely rendezvous will be the next waypoint for the journey roll.   Branwhyn will Journey w/ Wits (2, 8, 6+3), Strong Hit. +1 Progress and no Supply hit.  Journey back to Twin Rivers Progress 3/10. That will also be the last move to advance progress on our Vow: Taken by Spiders/Rescue Ironlanders from Harrow Spiders 10/10.  Fulfill Vow w/ Progress (1, 2, [10]).  +2 xp. Forge a Bond w/ the Valknut (2, 3, 4+2), Strong Hit. +1 Spirit (+4).  Finishing the Vow: Taken by Spiders also advances the Vow: Return Ironlanders Home to Twin Rivers.  Progress 6/10.

It was long after nightfall when they started to climb up the sloping side of the high and lonely mountain where Branwhyn had told Corinna to meet them.  They were all weary and tired from the ordeal of escaping the nest of harrow spiders not to mention the forced march that had followed. When a posted guard challenged them, calling out for them to identify themselves, it was a relief.  Word traveled quickly that they’d returned and soon they were swarmed by the other Ironlanders from Twin River.

The press of bodies and clamour of well wishers was too much for Branwhyn though.  He disengaged from them as best he could, even putting off Lief, the Steward of Twin River.   They could speak in the morning. He thought he’d broken free when he heard his name called, wearily he turned to see yet another well-wisher trying to thank him.  He was surprised, when Cyne intercepted them, accepting the thanks and turning them back towards the gathered throng. Taking a moment longer to watch, he saw that all the members of the Valknut along with Sidan, one of the men they’d rescued from the spider’s nest, were running interference for him.  The men and women of the Valknut had trusted him with their lives since Crow’s Perch where they’d won their home back from the magic of the Leshen who’d ensorcelled their home. They’d followed him across the Haven to free Twin Rivers as well, chased a fleeing enemy north to confront another Leshen in its place of power, and now they were helping to defend and return the people of Twin River to their home.  Yet, it was in this moment that his admiration for them swelled with appreciation. Catching Cyne’s eye, Branwhyn nodded his tired gratefulness before leaving the celebration behind.

Continue reading “27 – Twin Rivers Restored” →

26 – Delve the Depths – Part 2

“I’ve encountered Elder Beasts before.”  Branwhyn moved slowly ahead of the others, speaking directly to the monstrous spider before him.  He kept both torch and axe visible and held tight in his hands, hopefully conveying his willingness to use them.  “The great bear had intelligence beyond the keen of its lesser kin and so I’ll assume the same of you. Agidda, Great-Grandmother of Terror, do I name you.  Your children have taken our people from us and we have come to take them back. There need not be any more conflict between us though. Let us take what is ours and we will leave without further harm or destruction to your home.”

Continue reading “26 – Delve the Depths – Part 2” →

25 – Delve the Depths 

The warriors of the Valknut lit their torches and adjusted their gear.  Packs were left behind along with spears and most of their bows. Weapons with reach were likely to be less useful within and heavy packs would make narrow corridors difficult to navigate.  In a staggered line, with Branwhyn in the lead, they walked into the gaping cave mouth. They were as ready as they could make themselves to delve into the depth of the spider’s cave.

Continue reading “25 – Delve the Depths ” →

24 – Camp Raid

Your friendly neighborhood Harrow Spider . . .

24 – Camp Raid

Corinna tossed the raven into the air with both hands, a moment of pure joy on her face as she watched it take wing and cawed a farewell to it. With the small scroll inside the case tied on its back, the Raven took flight and winged its way south.  It would reach Twin Rivers far sooner than Branwhyn and his company would, but at least Thane Thorsten would know they were returning. 

Journey w/ Wits (5, 3, 5+3), Strong. 1/10 Progress.  Resupply w/ Wits (1, 10, 2+2), Weak. -2 Momentum (+2), +2 Supply (+4).  Secure an Advantage w/ Wits (3, 6, 5+3), Strong. +2 Momentum (+4).

The journey back to Twin Rivers would be a slow one and the Ironlanders were hardly in a condition to make it in their present condition.  They’d been forced marched far into the North of the Havens and the return travel, even at a more measured pace, would be a long one.  To make matters worse, they were bereft of traveling supplies. They traveled less than full day at first, only enough to put the deep woods of the Leshen’s domain behind them.

They camped in the lee of a large hill, their numerous fires keeping them warm but with nothing roasting upon them to feed their bellies.  The next morning found the Valknut, Corinna, and Branwhyn out hunting in pairs to bring back what game could be found. The day after that, supplies were gathered to preserve the hides.  It was a rude start, but the hides would be the beginning of the makeshift tents and sleeping covers that would help them to survive the journey home.

Continue reading “24 – Camp Raid” →

23 – Removing a Thorn

“Aðalsteinn is dead!”  Leif cried out so that all would hear.  “The Thane of Twin Rivers is dead!” The Thane had been among those wounded by the wardens from Bramblehall.  The man called Leif was a friend to the Thane and hadn’t left his side. Perhaps he felt some guilt since he’d been the one inhabited by the Leshen.

Continue reading “23 – Removing a Thorn” →

22 – The Leshen

“Confused?  Not surprising.”  Steiner grumbled. He’d circled back on his pursuers once he’d realized they’d faltered in their chase.  “Head back the way you came, a shaman named Branwhyn will explain.”

The knot of Twin Rivers Ironlanders, recently ensorcelled and under the dominion of an Apostle of the Broken, shook their heads in confusion.  Their minds were muddled by the experience and for a moment, it looked as though they might press Steiner further. However, when the small contingent from Bramblehall arrived, the Twin Rivers Ironlanders decided it was best to move on. 

The wardens and mercenaries from Bramblehall had unfortunately survived the battle.  With the freed Ironlanders of mind control, Steiner presumed that meant Branwhyn had succeeded.  The absence of Gunvar, the Bramblehall officer, was suspicious though and the wardens and mercenaries didn’t look particularly friendly either.

Continue reading “22 – The Leshen” →

21 – Drawing Out 

Note: Several of the Assets used by Branwhyn and Steiner have been updated and their assets have been altered to reflect the change.

The structure was like a massive birds nest that had been placed on its edge and had its center punched out.  Made haphazard of large tree limbs and narrow tree trunks, all thrust together it appeared to be a standing circle or a massive crown of brambles that stood on its side.  Branwhyn had seen it, or something very much like it, once before. An augury performed near White Tree that had gone awry had thrust him into the shadow lands and led him to see a structure very similar, though much further to the North.  A Leshen, what he’d called a devourer at the time, had come out of it. That this place and that structure were linked to the Apostles of the Broken was certain, how and the implications of such a link were far less so. The Broken Ironlanders, travel weary and worn, their clothes tattered and torn to the point of nearly be indistinguishable from actual Broken, were arrayed around the standing wooden structure in a broken half circle.  Most had dropped to the ground, to exhausted to do anything else. A few walked stiffly with glassy eyes, as if their bodies had become so used to movement that even now they could do nothing different. At the center of the half ring, standing before the haphazard amalgam of branches, stood the Apostle of the Broken, a human possessed somehow by a Leshen. Wood and bone had been tied to the arms like some kind of crude armor and claws extended out from between fingers tightly clenched into fists.  The arms, made to appear more akin to the Leshen’s normal form, were spread wide as if welcoming whatever might step out of the standing circle.

Continue reading “21 – Drawing Out ” →

20 – Working with Brambles

Looking at Branwhyn, Steiner dragged his thumb across his neck, signalling that they should take the Wardens from Bramblehall by surprise and slay them whilst they were unaware.  Branwhyn shook his head though, he knew this woman to be an Warden of her word. If they could work together, it would be better than fighting.  Though Branwhyn and his company had the element of surprise on their side, the Bramblelhall Wardens were likely far better rested. Steiner clearly thought it better to kill them outright, but didn’t press the issue.

Standing, Branwhyn called out.  “Hello Gunvar. It’s good to see you again.  Might my friends and I enjoy the warmth of your campfire?”

Continue reading “20 – Working with Brambles” →

19 – Pursuit

The walls of Twin Rivers fell away behind them as they traveled North.  The dirt road that led to the city was too well traveled to have any sign of any recent passing upon it, even a departure as significant as the Ironhold’s entire population leaving had left no trace.  If there were any sign, it would be on the side of the road, when they departed from the trade route that ran north. So it was that Steiner walked on the East side of the road and Branwhyn, with Corinna, on the West looking for any sign that would indicate the passing of such a large number.  The Valknut, the wardens who’d helped Branwhyn face down the Leshen in Crow’s Perch, were a loose line between.

They all knew, of course, that the Broken Ironlanders from Twin Rivers might not be traveling as a group.  They could have easily departed in small numbers, a few at a time over several days. Sent out or simply let loose until the town was empty of its native inhabitants and then the Leshen itself left the true Broken behind.  If that were the case though, they had little hope of finding the Ironlanders and virtually no chance of returning them home again. So they journeyed North along the road, looking and hoping for any sign of their quarry’s passing.

Continue reading “19 – Pursuit” →