Metal of Arkad - Chapter 1: Bronze is Sharper than Iron
Welcome back to Metal of Arkad.
Last week we created an amazing setting using Pendulum; now let's create an assassin using Eric Dill's Order of Falcon supplement for Ironsworn. He's created a very cool Assassin's Creed-inspired supplement for Ironsworn. I encourage you to check it out!
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| Check it out on itch today at drakonspyre.itch.io/order-of-the-falcon |
Character creation is a bit different using the Order of the Falcon, so let's dive in.
Stats
+3 Shadow - This is a no-brainer. My character will be an assassin and therefore will need to be able to blend into shadows and move quietly. Lying and deceit will also be important skills for them.
+2 Edge - I'll also rely on speed and throwing weapons like daggers or maybe small concealable ranged weapons like a mini crossbow.
+2 Wits - I'll need to be clever to navigate the city and stay alive. Wits are always a good skill to have in an Ironsworn game.
+1 Heart - I'd like to have this higher, but I just can't. Maybe this represents how my character is a loner and doesn't work well with others.
+1 Iron - I won't be a strong character, and I'll try to avoid direct physical combat.
Gear
In Ironsworn, gear does not have a large mechanical effect. But it's still important for the story to note any significant equipment your character may be carrying.
Belt of Throwing Daggers - My character will strike from the shadows using throwing daggers. Deadly and silent.
A Dark Cloak - What assassin wouldn't have a dark cloak?
A Necklace - Something they always wear that is associated with the order they are a part of. What is it?
Assets
In the Order of the Falcon, instead of choosing assets as you normally would, you choose the three below. They represent you starting out as a part of your order.
Background, Motive, and Order
Now, for an important decision. I have two cults in Arkad to choose from. The Cult of Marduk, which prays to the old Bronze god and has recently reestablished itself in the city after a long exile.
Or the Church of Ashur, which worships the Iron god and speaks out against the wealth of the merchants.
I'll do this the only way I know how, with a 50-50 dice roll. Low is Marduk, high is Ashur. Let's roll!
An 18, so my character will work for the Cult of Marduk, a secretive organization that worships Bronze, the bronze god Marduk, and the glorious past of the city of Arkad. There are even rumors they've uncovered the sword of Chief Nakuru, the first Chief of what would become the city of Arkad!
Motivation takes the place of a background vow in this game. I'll say the character is there to avenge the death of their family by the Church of Ashur for the blasphemy of worshipping the bronze god.
Name and Description
For a name, I'll pick Utu, which matches the other names of the setting, and I'll say she is female.
Alright, we have everything we need to start playing. Let's get started!
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The story begins...
Momentum 2, Infamy Clock 0/4
The blasphemous smell of iron assaults me as I walk through the forge. Not many today forge only the sacred metal bronze. Most smelt iron, in defiance of the supreme god Marduk. Marduk himself came down and gave us bronze, the golden metal that built a tribe into a city, and a city into an empire.
Iron came later from that false god Ashur, to take the glory of Arkad for herself. But I should not let my mind drift when I am on a mission for our Cult. They sent me to kill a man and leave our symbol upon him. An iron-forger, a member of the false Church of Ashur, and an enemy to Marduk himself.
I got down on my knees and swore to the high priest of Marduk that I would kill this man tonight.
Take a Contract +1 Bond to Cult, +1 with Heart
Challenge 5,3 Vs 6+1+1=8, Strong Hit, +2 Momentum (4)
Contract - Kill the Iron-Forger, Dangerous
He told me this man could be found in the forges working his evil metal deep into the night. He likes to work alone at night. This should be in the favor of Marduk, and my bronze-throwing daggers should strike true. I believe him when he tells me these things.
This is my opportunity to show myself as a full-fledged member of the Cult of Marduk and prove to everyone that what binds me to Marduk is more than just hatred of the believers of Ashur.
It is nearly midnight, but the forges are still hot and bright as mid-day. Arkad is the city of Metal, and the forges are never cold. There will be no stalking through the shadows or attacking from darkened alleys here. Still, there are ways to be unseen.
As I walk through the forges, I look for something that will assist with my task tonight.
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| The Forges of Arkad are always lit. Photo by Francisco Fernandes on Unsplash |
Secure an Advantage +3 with Shadow
Challenge 2,7 Vs 3+3=6, Weak Hit, +1 Momentum (5)
The advantage is short-lived…
Mark Progress on Contract - 2 Boxes
I find the working outfit of a coal teamster hanging unattended. Better than my dark robes, but not perfect. Everyone knows coal is only delivered in the mornings and not at night. I will stick out to anyone who seriously considers who I am and why I am here. But most will look past me as I walk through. I quickly change into the dusty outfit.
The heat is unbearable. I do not know how these metal workers work in these conditions, especially those who work the cursed metal Iron. Don't they know Iron needs to get hot to be workable because the devil itself lives inside of it?
Making my way to the Iron section of the forges, I hear the loud ringing of hammer on metal ahead of me. My master is correct; the Iron-Forger continues to work deep into the night. I feel a twinge of doubt. Sure, this man works the cursed metal, but his hard work and diligence would be welcome traits among the believers of Marduk. Does the Church of Ashur hold the same traits sacred as we do?
I push the thought down and make my way to the Iron forge. It's a labyrinth of anvils, kilns, forges, and bellows.
Gather Information +2 with Wits
Challenge 8,2 Vs 5+2=7, Weak Hit, +1 momentum (6)
Information provided complicates the adventure...
Mark Progress on Dangerous Contract - 4 Boxes
I think the easy thing to say is the Iron-Forger is not alone. Who is with him? I'll make up a quick table: 1-33 it's an apprentice, 34-66 a fellow iron master, 67-100 it is two laborers. 95 - Two laborers, strong workers who spend their days shoveling coal, hammering iron, and pumping bellows.
Bent Bronze! This man was supposed to be alone! Now there are two with him, and by the look of them, they seem strong and if pressed could be dangerous. Our order teaches us that we should kill only those that we are sent to kill. Those laborers may be working with Iron, but that may be because they are forced to do so and not because they believe in the cursed metal.
I consider ways in which I can trick these men to leave. I stalk around to a furnace, boiling with molten iron. Tipping this over will surely make them scatter.
Secure an Advantage +1 with Iron
Challenge 1,4 Vs 2+1=3, Weak Hit, +1 Momentum (7)
Mark Progress on Dangerous Contract - 6 Boxes
I push with all my strength, and the forge and its molten contents scatter across the ground. I see my target, and the men rush around to figure out what happened. I see it, my opening.
Do I go unseen? I'll roll on the Infamy chart. I have 0 Infamy so far. A 74, I remain unseen.
The target turns his back to me as he attempts to put out a small fire caused by the still-red-hot Iron. I see my chance and sneak up to get a position. I remove a Bronze dagger, sacred of all metals. I get into a throwing position and let loose!
Strike from the Shadows +3 with Shadow
Challenge 4,2 Vs 6+3=9, Strong Hit!
Normally, you'd start a combat scene here, but this is an unarmed and unaware victim, so I'll say they are dead.
Mark Progress on Dangerous Contract - 8 Boxes
The bronze flickers through the light as it plunges deep into the chest of the Iron-Forger. I see him grasp it as he falls down. Flames begin to lick at his pants, but he does not move. Surely he is dead.
The workers see him fall over dead and decide running is the best course. I do not blame them. I, too, run, my job here completed.
Complete the Contract
Challenge 7,2 Vs Progress of 8, Strong hit
2 XP, 1 Rank Point
My contract here is complete. I go back to the Cult to tell my Master about the success I had.
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Well, that is Chapter 1 of Metal of Arkad. Let me know how you like it and be sure to tune in next week for our follow-up session!
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