Altar of the Forge Gods

A one-shot played using With Sword Heavy in Hand (part of the The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book: 40 Fast, Easy, and Fun Tabletop Games). This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Questions

What is your name?

Hilde Ironhand.

What is the significance of the sword you carry?

It's an axe.

What personal stake do you have in this mission?

It's a matter of family honour.

Why do you still care for your former companion?

I helped to raise him.

What is their name?

Grim Ironhand.

What relationship do you have with them?

He is my younger brother.

Why did your relationship break apart?

I fell in love with an elf and Grim felt it was a betrayal.

Why must they be stopped?

He is travelling to the highest altar of the forge gods to ask them to raise a mountain range between the dwarven homelands and the elven forests.

"Letters"

As I stood on the edge of a cliff face I remembered a moment of betrayal. I came to you overjoyed with news of my success in battle against an evil wizard. Along the way I found a love that I never thought I could have known. As soon as you heard the name of my love I saw your heart harden against me, against us.

As I walked the streets of a city long abandoned to shadows I remembered a moment of openness. I shouldn't have come there, we are forbidden from returning to the oldest city. As children we dared each other to come here one day and you confided in me your fear, which I shared. Following you now we have both passed this way.

As I crossed a valley of ever-blooming flowers I remembered that followed my revelation. The peace of the valley unsettled me. The beauty and serenity reminded me of my love and made my axe feel heavy. I steeled myself and continued.

As I walked through a forest showering leaves like rain I remembered the promise I made to my love. The green and loamy scents reminded me of the elven forests and the memories of my love brought me some comfort.

As I trekked across a desert glittering under the sun I remembered the initial pang of fear I felt before I told you. I pushed the fear aside, sure that our bond would endure anything. I still believe that, and so I follow you.

As I walked the banks of a lake reflecting moonlight I remembered the stories of the sanctuary of the forge gods. I knew this was a safe and sacred place and took a measure of solace in knowing that I would be among the gods of our people.

When I arrived at the high altar I found you finishing your ablutions to purify yourself for prayer. I felt anger and pity in equal measure. Anger that you would bring your bigotry here to this sacred place. Pity that you couldn't see the purity of my love. I shared with you my memories of how we played as children and feared the oldest city. We have shared fears and then overcome them, so could we not overcome this conflict too?

I cannot raise my axe. I lower it, open my arms, and welcome my brother into my embrace.

Shadow and Noir 9

A series played using Quill Noir and Quill Shadow and Ink. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Letter 9: Price to West

Casey,

I'm writing to let you know that I'm okay - things have gone sideways, but I'm okay. Even as I write this the sights I saw have started to swiftly dissipate. It was dark and I thought I saw things that I couldn't have seen.

I was checking in on Agnes Maxwell, an old friend and fellow reporter. When I arrived at the guesthouse she'd been staying at I thought as first they'd been burgled. Then I followed the blood stains and the trail leading out the back door.

I followed in into Sycamore Woods and that's where I found them. There were dozens of them, naked and scarred and chanting. It was a symphony of voices and I could have sworn there were fleshy, bulbous creatures feeding on them.

I must have been mistaken though, right? What I can say for certain is that there was another man there; tall, well-dressed, and smiling. I'm scared but I'm trying to be pragmatic - do you think he could be tied to Parminder somehow?

HE CAN'T BE, HE WAS TOO OTHERWORLDLY TO BE CONNECTED TO SUCH A MUNDANE CASE AS OURS. THE SCARRED CULTISTS TOLD ME I SHOULD REJOICE FOR THIS MAN - THEIR GOD - HAD BROUGHT THEM TO PARADISE. THEY DIED PRAISING HIM, THOSE SHAPELESS FLESHY THINGS FEASTING ON THEM. WHAT WHERE THEY!

Shadow and Noir 8

 A series played using Quill Noir and Quill Shadow and Ink. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Letter 8: Maxwell to Price

Maxwell,

I found the missing notes but it's too late. I saw them as they writhed and chanted in Sycamore Woods. I fear that they succeeded where Jemima failed and now we are all in danger.

I paid off a useless cop from Arkham who gave me the lead. For a few months the locals had been reporting strange lights and sounds in the woods. The law were refusing to investigate so I saw a chance to do some digging.

I rented a room in a boarding house and befriended the landlady. There's a field north of the woods where the local dogwalkers go. So I offered to take the landlady's spaniel for a stroll as cover to go check out the woods.

Well, I found the source of the lights and chanting - circle of ten people performing the Vir Stellas ritual. They were covered with the same symbols as Jemima, but their ritual was working. Amidst the spiteful gloam I saw a tall gentleman looming over them.

I couldn't draw my eyes away from him - he was at least eight feet tall and dressed in immaculate finery. As the ritualists chanted and danced around him he cackled at them. This "Mans from the Stars" is a threat and we must stop this ritual from ever being performed again.

Agnes.

Shadow and Noir 7

 A series played using Quill Noir and Quill Shadow and Ink. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Letter 7: Price to Maxwell

Maxwell,

I've got a potential lead on whoever killed Jemima and her friend. There have been some grisly killings and the killer's been made. "Kris" Parminder is known for his ritualised knife work so could be our guy.

I know it's a tricky situation, but did Jemima have any enemies? Parminder works for money so we'd need to ID someone who'd want to kill her. If we can link an enemy to Parminder, we're a step closer to justice.

I know you move in more refined circles, but let's just say I've been known to mix with a gangster or two. I've been putting out some feelers but Parminder has worked closely with the Galdi family. You won't know them but trust me, they're bad news.

I've kept an ear to the ground and had Casey make some discrete enquiries. We've grilled some low-level goons and found Parminder's star is on the rise. He's (allegedly) taken out the big man's right hand and has designs on taking his place.

The Galdi family are in the position to take him out for us if we wanted to go down that route. That said, they'll also rub out anyone they think is a rat, so bringing him to justice might be a lot harder. Casey says he can get an audience with someone who has the big man's ear. I'll keep you posted.

Price.