Ironsworn - Solo Session #4

With a new outlook on the situation Morgan and Irsia left for Bleak Hope early on the morrow. When they returned there was a message waiting for Morgan, from Saskia. Before she could read it though she was interrupted by a nearby commotion.

Morell got into scuffle with a local woman name Artiga. He was not faring too well by the looks of it. Partially due to his burns and partially cause he was facing Artiga's iron axe unarmed. Morgan tried to reason with her but she would not back down, saying Morell has made a promise to her before her parents and before the gods. Morell refuted that the promise had no weight anymore as it was not bound by iron. Still Artiga demanded a compensation in blood or bone.

And old and mostly forgotten tradition demanded that broken proposals be compensated either by gifting a wyvern bone or by chopping off the left hand of the offender. Naturally Morell wanted to keep his left hand, however it's not like acquiring a wyvern bone is a trivial thing. They're valued commodity, more expensive than even the precious iron and getting a fresh one would mean killing a beast as strong as a score of armed men. Having little in terms of other options, Morgan said she'll bring Artiga the wyvern bone.

With that little excitement out of the way, Morgan wanted to spend some time resupplying before continuing her quest. However the people of the Bleak Hope had next to nothing left to give. Morgan also read the letter from Saskia, which informed her she is ready to head to the Long Rock and expects her outside the Eaglespire in three days time. Encroaching obligations and lack of resources took their toll on Morgan's mental health but she decided to endure and march on.

Next day Morgan performed the augur ritual, asking the crow spirits where to find a wyvern's bone. Thankfully spirits answer and showed her a vision of a verdant elven ruin among the forest of dead trees some way north from the Bleak Hope. From the locals she learned the place is called Green Dimshak and is about as dangerous as you'd expect from mysterious elven ruins. She started preparing for the journey but before she could finish yet another complication thwarted her plans. Morell went missing during the night.

Room he was staying at wasn't broken into or anything however due to the recent events Artiga was still suspected. For the time being she was put into house arrest. Morgan started following Morell's tracks. They lead eastwards and out of the settlements. Leaving the Bleak Hope with Irsia, she attempted to find the fastest route forward however she stumbled right into the thickest part of the forest overgrown with brambles and low growing trees. By the time they managed to cut their way through the underground both their skin and their clothes were torn up.

By the end of the next day they managed to get on the track again an make some headway but lack of proper supplies took its toll on their physical health. Following the tracks further, Morgan made a good use of her Wayfinder abilities, somewhat compensating for their continuing lack of equipment. Unfortunately the tracks lead them into somewhat worrying location. Branches marked by talismans and arcane runes carved into the trunks. No doubt a territory of a hermit mystic.

Next day Morgan managed to secure a minor advantage by scouting a faster route. They made a good use of their time and soon found themselves in front of a squat tent built against a great fallen tree. There was a lit campfire next to it but they couldn't see anyone. That's when they heard a voice of a old man right from behind their backs.

"Looking for your friend, are you?"