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And so the name of this actual play has dropped. Not in the way I expected, but that's the joy of Ironsworn.
(Is the Weather Bad? Yes )
An hour later Kiah, Gruff, Keyshia, and even Shush, sat on the polar bear hide in the Great Hall. The wind howled outside. Snow and hail hammered on the walls.
"I suppose, I should explain," stated the Overseer.
"We are curious," admitted Kiah.
"It all goes back to the Sea Cross," Wolfmind started. "Ever wonder what happened to those who were left behind in the Old World?"
"Of course," answered Song Hood, "but I always thought such was beyond our ken."
"Those skeleton ships, that's them," Keyshia stated.
The siblings glanced at each other in shock.
Shush, happily tore into a salted seal flank.
"The sickness that drove us from home is a curse," explained Keyshia. "Those that fall, rise from the dead. Some sail for the Ironlands. It is my people's duty to ensure they go no further."
Carefully, Kiah asked, "I mean no offense, but how do you know they're from the Old World?"
Wolfmind laughed, "It's unbelievable, isn't it? Our elders who've examined their armor and ships say they're from the old world. Our founder, Bas Deathwalker, recognized his brother's armor."
"How do we not know this?" exclaimed the Bright Woman. Gruff nodded. Shush glanced at them for a moment and then went back to devouring his meal.
(What Draws The Dead To New Hope? Journey Dream)
"Do you know why this island is named New Hope?" asked Keyshia,
(Gather Information: Strong Hit)
Song Hood considered for a moment and answered, "The Dream Chaser, the first ship to reach the Ironlands, landed here, didn't she?"
Keyshia gestured for her to go on.
Kiah's eyes went wide as a thought struck her, "They're following the first landing. It must be some sort of mystical connection."
Wolfmind nodded, "That's what the mystics of Long Whick thought. So we stay here and fight. It's all we know."
"But that's horrible!" the Bright Woman stressed. "Surely the other circles can come to your aid?"
Keyshia chuckled, "Before or after you're done fighting each other?"
"Point," answered Kiah tersely.
"If you bury the hatchet with Long Whick for us, that'll be help a plenty."
Kiah considered that.
The Overseer stretched and added, "Tomorrow, I'll show you how your Grandmother helped us. For now though let's sleep through this blizzard." With that, she struck off for sleep.
-----
(What Form Did Reema's Help Take? Distract Hope)
The next morning, after fixing breakfast for themselves, Wolfmind brought the siblings to a dismal hut nestled into New Hope's rock. Keyshia lit a torch and gestured them inside.
Kiah gasped at what was revealed. It was a skeleton lying half-buried in a pile of dirt as if they were simply lounging there. Runes were etched in its skull and marked with charcoal. An iron orb was in its right eye. Its right hand rested on the handle of a paddle, its left hand rested on a carving on a boat.
"When a death ship closes in, it whispers in my head. It also gives me a sense of where the foe is. With this," she patted the skeleton's arm, "we are never surprised." "That's rather macabre, even for grandmother," Kiah expressed. "W-who were they?"
"My grandmother, Melia Iron Eye." the Overseer stated casually.
The Bright Woman let out a gurgle of incredulity.
Keyshia let out a long belly laugh at that, then slapped Kiah hard on the back. "Don't worry, she was dead before Witch Weaver did that to her." Then her mirth dropped, "But she's blameless. My father insisted.
He's dead too."
Song Hood blinked at that, contemplating there was a family more hexed than her own.
"That's enough of that," Keyshia said, once again brightly. "Come Gruff, let's spar," there was a lecherous grin on her face.
Which Gruff missed.
Kiah did not.
-----
(Is Wolfmind attracted to Gruff, or is she just messing with Kiah?: She's just messing with Kiah)
(Sorjun: Weak Hit)
(What happens during the next five days? Inspect Balance)
For the rest of the week, Wolfmind teased Song Hood by hitting on her brother. Kiah, who wished to be diplomatic, didn't stand against it but was obviously uncomfortable.
Gruff was unaware. Instead, he focused on his sparring with her and the Sentinels.
(Dose Gruff Do Well? Yes)
They engaged in these mock battles with relish. Gruff held his own and earned some esteem with New Hope.
Everyone did work and the siblings stepped in. Gruff sailed off with some folks to gather fish and lumber.
(Compel: Weak Hit)
Kiah helped with cooking, cleaning, and even clearing out the toilets. She shared songs in all tasks but the latter.
(Forge A Bond: Strong HIt )
The folks of New Hope laughed at her after she finished that last task, but at the same time, they offered her a bath and treated her to a wonderful dinner. That Song Hood was willing to handle their shit and made her one of them.
The following evening Song Hood and Wolfmind sat on the dock.
"Question, are you courting my brother?" Kiah asked suddenly.
Keyshia merely cracked a grin.
The Bright Woman's eyes went wide, "You!" and she punched her in the arm,
The young woman laughed in response.
Once the red had faded from Kiah's cheeks, she said, "I'm glad I came. This has given me perspective on what's really important."
"Oh?" asked Keysia.
Song Hood nodded and stared across the sea, "Politics, station, and etiquette, are all shadows compared to true camaraderie." She turned to Wolfmind, "Your people have that on deeper level than mine."
(Forge Bond: Strong Hit )
(Fulfill Iron Vow: Strong HIt )
(Fulfill Iron Vow: Weak Hit) - Great Mount Will be at a disadvantage when they arrive.
Keyshia stared back at her for a long moment. Then she shook her head, "Thunder f*%ks, I wish we grew up together. That would have been hilarious." Abruptly she stood, and she offered a hand, "Come on, best get sleep. tomorrow you leave for Greatmount with some of my finest warriors tomorrow."
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