Hilde Ironhand 6

 A series played using Quill: Coal & Parchment and Quill Quest: The Warlord's Downfall. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Kamron the Rogue

Hail Kamron, the greatest thief the land has known.

Tales of your cunning ans proficiency are legendary. Brintha also speaks highly of you and thus i seek your aid.

I wield an axe more often than a swift dirk, but can recognise the need for subtlety. I tried a front-on assault and failed. A more strategic mind however would perhaps find a way.

The enemy I stand against hides their true face behind a coward's masquerade. They send minions and powers against the people of Swanvale but never leave their tower. I beseech you to join me in unmasking them.

By the by, Kuhlo, Master of Tomes, holds the only copy of a book that would aid us. If a certain notorious cutpurse were to pay him a visit. Well, the value of his library is said to be limitless.

Brintha and I will be assembling oit allies in the Swanvale tavern. We expect many will flock to us eager to learn, so a potential mentor could take their pick. I await hushed whispers of your coming.

Hilde Ironhand.

The letter is successful! Kamron agrees to meet Brintha and Hilde at the Swanvale tavern. If he happens to pay Kuhlo a visit on way... so much the better.

Hilde Ironhand 5

 A series played using Quill: Coal & Parchment and Quill Quest: The Warlord's Downfall. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

The Setters

To whom it may concern,

I am writing regarding my recent order to your esteemed crafters. The custom axe-handle charm bracelet I ordered arrived today and it was utterly unacceptable. This is nowhere near the normal high quality of your work.

I have been a loyal patron of your artisans for many years. I know that this is a heinous, but uncharacteristic, error. Your fine smiths are surely labouring under some fell curse when they fashioned this piece.

The item received is most assuredly a grave error. I ordered the charms to be kittens with bejewelled collars, these kittens have gold-inlaid collars. I'm sure that my intense disgust is understandable.

I regret to inform you that I will be suspending all further orders. I will hold short of advocating an absolute boycott for now. Though rest assured I will resort to such methods if restitution is not prompt.

Once the correct order is supplied I will resume my trade. Further, I will bear my newly-adorned axe into battle so all shall behold your guild's work. Eventually it will become a legendary weirgild that future generations will speak of in awe.

Hilde Ironhand.

Hilde Ironhand 4

A series played using Quill: Coal & Parchment and Quill Quest: The Warlord's Downfall. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

The Elven Princess

A letter ghost-written by Hilde on behalf of a Prince in need and delivered by hand.

Beloved Princess Elenda,

When you visited the Court these past weeks I was so entranced by your beauty. I longed to speak with you but the loathsome tyrannical King forbade me. Thus I send this missive to you in the hope of wooing you from afar.

I beseech you to look within your heart to find if my flame of passion is mirrored therein. If so, I would ask you to elope with haste with me to the Shimmering Lands. There we could be together and start a new life.

Truly you are the fairest of all elvenkind and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Would that we could be together, the half-even offspring of our union would be enchanting to behold. And I'm sure we'd find our dynasty to be just and fair rulers of the Shimmering Lands.

I lie awake each night since your departure, struggling in vain to recall the vibrancy of your beauty. Alas, like the delicate sun orchid, the memory of your face fades in the long winter of your absence. Would that you would return to me that I might know spring again.

One final time, Elenda, I ask you to be with me. Your fair skin will shimmer with the light of the... Shimmering Lands. Together we shall shine our love for all to see.

Yours eternally

Winslow Herrington, Prince of Cornbury

Under Hilde's pen the Prince comes off far too much like a desperate stalker for Princess Elenda's taste. She questions Hilde until she's sure that Winslow merely chose his ghost-writer poorly and Hilde is not a potential kidnapper. Hilde is released with a small amount of compensation and vows never to ghost write another love letter as long as she lives.

Hilde Ironhand 3

A series played using Quill: Coal & Parchment and Quill Quest: The Warlord's Downfall. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Brintha the Warrior

Mighty Brintha, whose legend is beyond redeem,

I write to you of a great evil. I have learned of an ancient and powerful evil that needs great heroes to defeat it.

Your tactical prowess is beyond renown so I write to you that you might lend your keen intellect to our cause. A band of heroes needs a cunning leader to guide them to triumph.

The evil of the black tower near Swanvale is plaguing the region and will only spread if left unchecked. I have battled the symptoms but the cause eluded me. We need a mighty warrior such as yourself.

Mighty Brintha, whose power has no equal and wields the legendary blade Blackfang. You are needed to save not just a town, but perhaps all of us.

I cannot guarantee your safety in what will no doubt be an epic confrontation. You and the others who are brave enough to answer the call will live forever in the legends of future generations.

Hilde Ironhand

Hilde's shameless letter to her idol has great effect. Brintha is on standby in the Swanvale tavern and contacted another hero to prime him for Hilde's message.

Hilde Ironhand 2

A series played using Quill: Coal & Parchment and Quill Quest: The Warlord's Downfall. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Gunr's Story

Gunr, my old friend,

How have the years been treating you? It feels like only yesterday that we were delving into every tunnel and cavern we could find. I was speaking with Aevi recently and they reminded me of our past exploits.

I've been following the news from the scouts as best I can, my own journeys have been keeping me occupied of late. I do, however, often hear tales of the world-famous Gunr, the greatest scout dwarvenkind has ever known. You must be so proud of all your achievements and have many a grand tale to tell.

Remember the time we were out near Eaglecroft? We'd been scouting for new veins of iron and stumbled across that network of passages. It took us a week, but we eventually mapped them.

The passages were part natural formation and part ancient earthwork. It was like nothing we'd seen before, I've still not seen anything like it. Do you remember the waterfall-like vein of gleaming copper? Such a great find.

I've heard rumours from the people of Swanvale that there is a labyrinth beneath the local forest. From their descriptions it could be the same origin as the ones we found - how exciting. I'm planning a trip and it would be great to have you with me - just like old times.

Hilde.

Gunr was convinced to at least meet Hilde for a drink to reminisce. Drinks became a few rounds of cards but it was clear that Gunr's heart wasn't in a long-term expedition. Glad she'd at least lifted his spirits for an evening, Hilde left with her winnings.

Hilde Ironhand 1

 A series played using Quill: Coal & Parchment and Quill Quest: The Warlord's Downfall. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

The Demon-Haunted Tower

Esteemed Guhlo, Keeper of Tomes,

I trust that this letter finds you in good health. I write to you regarding a matter of great mystery and urgency that is taking place in a nearby settlement. It is my sincerest hope that your wisdom and generosity will save these poor people from the plight that assails them.

People are going missing in the night, vanished from their beds and never seen again. Animals are found dead, the local livestock dwindles in number. Their fields are filled with withered dead crops, their livelihood and that of the kingdom is threatened by this menace.

At the centre of this peril stands a black building. It is said that the architect of this evil resides within, plotting an escalating series of calamities. Their identity is unknown, but what is known is that they must be stopped.

None have able to approach the tower and survive, all who have attempted have died. It is as if the structure is shielded with some kind of magic defence that denies all entry. Perhaps there is a text in your collection that might hold the answer to these wards?

I know that you are extremely protective of your charges, and with good reason for it is the greatest collection of arcane works in the land. There is none better than yourself to protect them, being a weaver of magics with no equal. I trust that you will see fit to share your knowledge in this matter.

Hilde Ironhand.

Guhlo didn't reply to the letter, Hilde's handwriting was too illegible and her flattery too overt. She ventured to Swanvale nonetheless and fought off some of the malevolent symptoms. She couldn't address the cause but she gave the villagers some respite. When she returned home she calculated that she'd made a small profit.

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.