r/Ironsworn

Having now fallen in love with this, I'm planning to run a guided game with my friends.

I'd initially considered co-op play, but as they've only ever played D&D I suspect they'd feel more relaxed if one of us was running things. This also avoids the trap of them always taking my lead.

But I'm struggling to reconcile how this works with the mechanics.

What makes the game come alive is the random and interpretive nature of it. The plot goes where it does because of dice, which you can't exactly plan for. Hell, even resolving a battle or vow relies on a roll.

So, how much should a gamemaster go about planning a session? What aspects would you pre-plan, if any? I feel like if I were to take the traditional route of building plots and populating the locations with enemies and allies, it's going to cause friction with the system.

I'm not sure how best to explain it.

Does anyone have experience, or are there any decent videos of this type of play? Almost all the ones I find are solo and occasionally guided.

All I can think is, maybe I implement something like the clocks from Dungeon World, which would give narrative momentum to certain dangers but leave the rest to chance? Or am I there really just to act as an Oracle, or as a facilitator to the Oracle? Would you still roll for waypoints or delving? Or for the settlements and the characters who populate them?

Genuinely not sure the best way to tread.

Thanks in advance.

Hi!!

I am really excited to get into Ironsworn, but it has taken me so long to get started, reading and rereading rules and overthinking everything. I thought maybe some feedback could help me!

One place where I am having a bit of the "AM I DOING THIS RIGHT" anxiety is... I've finally got the idea of a character-- she is an archer with a hawk from a nomadic circle of hunters that roams the Hinterlands. She is being groomed by her mother, the current overseer, to be the next leader. [Yay! So proud of myself!! I *LOVE* to create characters!!!!]

But then we get to the vows and here is where I could use some direction! I was thinking for her background vow to be to "explore the Ironlands until I find myself." Does that make sense?? Because she isn't so sure that she wants to be locked into this future. Or maybe she will, after all, but she doesn't know yet.

And then, I have an idea for the inciting incident that would set her off exploring... but is that a good example of a background vow? And will the background vow always be "epic" level? Should this one be? Do you get a feel for what level to make vows as you go on?

*nervous emoji* lol thanks!!!

Further to the last session, we find Gill considerably more amenable to Oz's request. Waterboarding has that effect.

Oz reveals to Gill the satellite he scavenged from was still semi-operational and had been recording the comings and goings of nearby ships, legal and otherwise. One particular shuttle had made several trips smuggling narcotics into Dwai for a gang called the Cutters. The disc Gill acquired, and Lenton had hoped to sell, contained its flight path.

Now for the job.

Oz "requests" Gill, along with Lenton and two of his own operatives, track the shuttle to its current location and burn it to the ground.
The job needs to be handled quietly. Oz may be the more powerful presence in Dwai, but an outright war with the Cutters could be costly. Destroying their supply would force them underground without too much bloodshed.

"You may refuse, of course" Oz tells him. “But I think we've established the alternatives".
Obviously, Gill agrees to the terms.
"One job. Then we go back to being strangers".
Gill is ever the diplomat.

In an unusual show of generosity, Gill is allowed twenty-four hours' respite in Oz's luxurious (and, crucially, air-conditioned) mansion. There are even several swimming pools, but Gill passes. He's spent quite enough time underwater for one day.

Unfortunately, an examination of The Drift spoils Gill's mood. The damage is worse than first appeared, and the parts required are both expensive and uncommon. Still, it shouldn't stop the bird from making a few short journeys.

During this downtime, Gill is reunited with a badly bruised Lenton.
"For what it’s worth, I really am sorry, Gill" Lenton tells him.
"Easy money, you said. Remember that? You asshole."

Gill is introduced to Oz's two operatives over a game of poker.
Brogan is a thick-set, square-jawed brute. Muscle. Human, although somewhere in his ancestry a gorilla likely slipped into the gene pool. Says little but quick to anger. Gill knows the type.
Juno is a plucky teenage gearhead and scavenger. Shows considerable bravado but has an irritating habit of using words she doesn't really understand. One of Dwai’s many street rats.
"I'm the fuckin' best at reading people" she announces while the cards are dealt. "Like I'm telekinetic or something."
Foul mouthed. Gill can't help but like her a little.

Gill cleans house at poker.
"Deal again" growls Brogan.
Gill looks at the sizeable pile of money on the table in front of him.
"Nah. I think we should end on a friendly note. Right, big guy?"
Brogan doesn’t consider this a friendly note, but he does pay up.

Mr Midnight watches from a balcony.

The following day, Gill learns from the data disc how the Cutters' courier shuttle has been travelling between Dwai and a nearby planet called Mokal. An ocean world battered by volatile atmospheric pressures, global hurricanes, and acid rain. What few settlements exist hover in the lower atmosphere. Depots, shipyards and industrial platforms, all suspended above the storms.
One such place is Providence Hold, home to around a thousand people, mostly dock workers and their families. It's here the Cutters have been distributing their narcotics throughout the Anvil.

Gill, Lenton, Juno and Brogan take The Drift to Providence Hold. The journey is uneventful, and heavy rain doesn't prevent a smooth landing.

Lenton has contacts on almost every planet in the region, most of them crooked or desperate, often both. A local foreman directs the group towards Hangar 3.21, a notorious topside dock exposed to the elements, where (in his carefully considered words) "a lot of really bad shit goes down".
The foreman can’t say for certain who owns it, but it sounds like the Cutters.

And that's it. I actually managed two sessions that day, squeezed between some chores. I'll post the next one when I can. Shit goes sideways, again.

Long story short:

I'm part way into Starforged, and there's another character / setup I'd quite like to play.

I'm also itching to play Ironsworn.

Too many choices, so little time.

Has anyone successfully balanced several games, or do you get the best experience concentrating on just one?

Many thanks.

I just got into Starforged thanks to a comment that suggested the Bad Spot. Now I've binge watched his series of Starforged and Sundered Isles.

But it seems I got spoiled with the good stuff, as I don't care much for what the Algorithm suggests.

Some are pure podcast, and I prefer video on my videos. Others skip world building, and you know, prep play is game play.

I welcome any suggestion you throw at my way.

Wondering what everyone had used to improve the dialogue. I've tried using Keep Talking, which is excellent, but almost too much for what I'm looking for.

Hello, everyone!

I'm Moro, the creator of the solo TTRPG Elegy, a vampire game based on the rules of Ironsworn/Starforged. The newest 4e Beta Manual is here, and this is the biggest update the game has ever received. Here are the highlights:

• New Action Roll, now working exactly like Ironsworn (1d6 vs 2d10).
• The old “Edge” mechanics are gone. Every trait is now an Aspect (Expertise, Gift, Mystery, Edge, Connection, Burden), each with upgradeable abilities.
• Mask is gone. Vampire reputation is now a Tenet you test when you cross a line, like Conscience.
• Basic Actions (Face Danger, Secure an Advantage, Compel, Gather Information, Hunt) are now the default way to play, with the simpler Generic Action Roll as an alternative.
• Simplified combat: regular mortals go down in one hit; only tough enemies get a progress track.
• Character creation was redesigned, streamlined, and simplified.
• Magic reworked to feel less like rituals and more like spells.
• Rescaled XP.
• Rebuilt Factions, now with oracles for alignment, values and names.
• Reworked Fey, now with a darker and more threatening tone.
• A glossary of all important terms
• New oracles for objects, weapons, quick victims, mortal occupations, and vampire homes.
• A brand new Actual Play chapter showing a player starting the game and playing through a first night in detail
• A new Alternative Rules chapter

This is intended to be the last rules update before the final version. The rules will mostly remain as presented, though minor refinements may still occur based on playtesting and feedback.

As for the final release, I don't have a clear picture yet of everything it will include, but it will likely feature paintings by me, more character creation and customization options, possibly new or updated oracles, and maybe a brand new visual identity. No release dates planned yet, but it definitely won't be this year.

You can get the game on Itch or DrivethruRPG for a "pay what you want" amount.

Thanks!

Hey folks,

I just tackled my second ever Ironsworn session. I have typed out the after action report, and would really like to see if anyone is willing to read through it, dissect it, and just make sure I have the correct idea of the gameplay/moves. I completely understand it's a game, I'm playing myself, and there is lots of wiggle room for anything, but I just want to make sure I'm at least doing it correctly. Thanks to anyone willing to read and give me some assistance!

What I'm looking for:

Do my moves check out? Could I have done something different?

Did I leverage the oracle correctly?

What is something else I could/SHOULD have done instead?

What should I have done with the group of bonewalkers while I engaged 1on1 with the second one blocking the exit?

Ironsworn

Scene 2 Mystical Runic Circle

As the bonewalkers emerged from the bush, Althus manages to hide in the underbrush undetected. He sees them throw down some shepherd looking folk, mutilate them, and watches as the runic circle reanimates them as undead and disfigured corpses. Time to get the hell out of here.

Face Danger (stealth) + shadow= MISS + match; oracle said “misty + hole”.

Scene 3

Althus attempted to sneak out, but quickly discovered a hole in the ground and fell down a tunnel. (Oracle I choose you!-> corrupted + ruins+ sanctuary + conduit)

Althus sees a giant bone amalgamation of sheep bones that is channeling dark magic via a bonewalker mage esc entity.

Oracle- does it notice Althus falling down? Small chance because it's channeling magic-> roll 97 yes it does (uh oh).

Sweet. Ok face Danger + edge to flee- MISS + match. 5 more bonewalkers sprint into the chamber. Oracle, is there another way out? Yes. Cool. Face Danger flee that way. MISS + match, 1 more bonewalker covers the exit. 

Alright Enter the Fray, roll + wits because ambush, strong hit, let's do this.

Strike, miss, stress damage. 

So then here's the part I really just “wung” because I don't fully know combat/moves order. Bonewalker has initiative because I missed, so it'll jump and attack me. This means CLASH action. I roll, MISS, it inflicts 2 harm on my HP because it's dangerous, and then I roll endure harm. Weak hit, press on.

IT still has initiative, so we CLASH again (I could have Faced Danger here instead, right?). I burn my 10 momentum to cancel an 8 and 9= strong hit. This means I threw it off of me and took +1 momentum and initiate back.

Althus is frantic and freaking the heck out, so he Faces Danger to keep trying to flee, WEAK HIT, endure stress because freaking out. Ask oracle if this is the way out, it says yes. Ask oracle if there are more bonewalkers in next chamber, it says yes (crap).

Well, Face Danger again to keep running/fleeing- STRONG HIT + match! Oracle says (escort+corrupt+threshold). I interpret this as a new NPC that came running in, yelled to follow RIGHT NOW, and got Althus out of there beyond the corrupted threshold (runic circle) into a safer area. 

This will now introduce a new NPC that I have to roll up and figure out how they inject into the story. 

Thanks for any kind words, and taking the time to read this!

I have been playing a Starforged game for a while. And I've accumulated enough XP. I've upgraded some of my assets and bought a couple more. But now I read all the options and don't feel interested or that it fits my character.

I'm playing an exploration focused game so I went with explorer, navigator and sensor array. After hacking enough doors in game I decided to buy the path, as it fit the story. I also picked a copilot so I paired it with the sidekick asset.

So I look at the assets and say this looks cool, but not for my character.

I'm wondering if anyone had this problem and what they did.

Hi all,

today I played two fight and I remarked that I could stay kn a bad spot for 5-10 rolls. Even though I play in 43221 on a stay PoV so it´s already not few. 32211 is too harsh for me. in spite of that I could not take the initiative back for a long Time twice and your character suffer extremely quickly.

my question being, is not the react under fire move, which is make to react to a bad spot to harsh. if you take a long you can take the initiative back only on a strong hit, and statistically the dice will tend to do a lot of weak but not a lot of strong.

I admit that this day I had a lot of bad roll, not my Lucky day. but even the stats imply that if you roll +2 or +3 with react under fire you should takes a few -1 results before taking back the initiative.

i wondered if you could not roll some take advantage roll but I think not. As I understand it you must be on a good spot

After much procrastinating, worrying about all the rules, and whether solo roleplaying was for me, I just completed my first Starforged session. Had a great time. Thought I'd share how it went.

Gill Cassidy is a small-time crook. He’s lazy, but not inept. Shady, but not unprincipled. He drinks bad coffee and is dead set against working any harder than necessary. Picture a 30-year-old Ron Livingston. His vow is simply "retire". Gill's dream is to disappear somewhere quiet. A small hut on a beach, walks, sunsets, his own space, and (most importantly) no longer having to look over his shoulder.

Scoundrel. Gunslinger. Courier.

This story opens in The Last Call, a bar in the settlement of Dwai, on a far flung jungle planet. Think Vietnam crossed with Mos Eisley. Humid, crowded, full of wheeling and dealing. Gill’s contact, Lenton, a schlubby humanoid shrew, offers him a job. There's an old satellite in nearby space, deserted and under lockdown because of a substantial hull breach. Lenton wants Gill to retrieve a data disc from it.

"Easy money, friend. Easy money."

Gill takes the job and sets off in his ship, The Drift. An uneventful journey.

He finds a serviceable landing point with a connecting umbilical, and fortunately the outer hatch isn't locked or damaged. Things inside are surprisingly intact. Gill makes his way through the satellite to the central hub and finds the disc. Just as he takes it, part of the satellite breaks away into space. The place isn't quite so safe after all. Gill makes an urgent return to his ship through alarms, jets of steam and collapsing pipework. As The Drift pulls away it takes some damage.

Fucks sake. Still, he has the disc.

He has absolutely no idea what’s on it. And, being Gill, he's not really interested in finding out. He's getting paid to fetch it, not to be curious. I suspect that decision may come back to bite him.

Gill returns to Dwai and heads back to The Last Call, noticeably irate about the damage to his ship. He fails to notice Lenton is looking very, very nervous. For context, Dwai is a lawless settlement, full of crooks and mercenaries going about their own business, so Gill sees no reason to be discreet. He hands the disc over and that's when half the bar turns on him with guns. Seems poor Lenton found himself in his own bad spot after Gill left, and was being used to bait our hero on his return.

Enter Mr Midnight.

Dressed in a long, dark coat. His neck and the back of his head are clearly cybernetic, and his eyes are completely black, each with a white glowing halo where the pupils should be. Calm, polite, and ruthless. He tells Gill and Lenton they're coming with him. Obviously, Gill tries to talk his way out. Midnight isn't buying it, but he's amused by the effort.

Gill and Lenton are separated.

Gill is eventually brought before Ozmandas, one of the planet's biggest kingpins. Gill is far too smalltime to be on Oz's radar, but here he is. Oz is an insect-like humanoid, somewhere between a locust and Moriarty, dressed in an expensive white suit. Gill arrives with a bag over his head.
When it's pulled off, he's standing in a beautiful room with enormous windows overlooking the distant town. Venetian blinds. A beautiful view. And air conditioning.

Oz explains that Gill should be more careful about the work he accepts. The disc contains sensitive information, and Oz has taken possession of it. By his reasoning, Gill now owes him, and Oz wants him to complete an errand. Gill, being Gill, tells Oz he doesn't do anything for free.

Oz clicks his fingers and Mr Midnight takes Gill away.

An hour later, Gill is wet, bruised, and considerably less argumentative after a thorough beating and near-drowning. Oz tells Gill again how he now owes him. This time, Gill is less inclined to disagree...

Can't wait for session 2.

About to hand out playkits to a group and am just realizing there are no blank track sheets for vows, does that exist somewhere?