It's time to begin my second (and final) week of choosing Truths for a solo Ironsworn: Starforged game! Rolling for one a night is letting me stew on each of these truths without feeling like I'm getting too mired in the details. It feels like a little treat to look forward to each night instead of a big homework assignment to slog through (in my experience, doing all 14 all in one go can feel like a lot).
I think this extended approach could work at least as well in a group setting. Scheduling, like, 14 half-hour sessions 14 nights in a row would be next to impossible for many groups, but it would be very play-by-post friendly; you pick a set time each day to roll the next Truth on your Discord server or whatever, then it serves as a focal point for discussion and ideation until the next one drops.
Speaking of discussion, let's roll on the table!
Communication and Data Roll: 71
"In settled domains, a network of data hubs called the Weave allow near-instantaneous communication and data-sharing between ships and outposts."
I'm tired tonight. But I just won't be able to sleep until I know what Medicine is like in the Forge.
Medicine Roll: 61
"To help offset a scarcity of medical supplies and knowledge, the resourceful technicians we call riggers create basic organ and limb replacements."
Had a good session of Girl By Moonlight with my group tonight so I'm gonna try to motor on through this Truth. I'm a little nervous to see if things keep meshing so well!
Artificial Intelligence Roll: 32
"We no longer have access to advanced computer systems. Instead, we must rely on the seers we call Adepts."
This is something I haven't thought about much so far, since I've been picturing conflict between members of the Covenant as backbiting and boardroom dealings. But more open warfare could totally work too. Let's see!
War Roll: 51
"Professional soldiers defend or expand the holdings of those who are able to pay. The rest of us are on our own."
I have a stomach ache :(
But the Truths of this strange galaxy still call to me. The rolls must go on!
Lifeforms Roll: 33
"This is a perilous and often inhospitable galaxy, but life finds a way."
Alien animals! This is fun! It's also the one option that doesn't come with any big, narrative-reframing plot hooks, compared to hostile "forgespawn" overrunning the galaxy or "essentia" who seed life like unknowable gods. Honestly, I'm OK with that. We have a lot cooking around here as is.
The flavor text notes that "life in the Forge is diverse" and planets are often filled with all kinds of creatures. This makes a ton of sense given the Forge's omnipresent, low-level chaotic disruption. Life just springs up and branches out faster here (and yes, I imagine that's totally happening to humans too, even if the official story is that Paragons only come from exposure to balefires).
I'm already looking forward to the weird critters I'll get to frame in the backgrounds of scenes. Maybe the foregrounds too? Will a gang of gibbongulls steal my character's cargo when I fail a simple Fulfill Your Vow roll? We will simply have to wait and see.
Just two truths left to go! Tomorrow, we'll fill in some solid details about the Precursors who (presumably) left those Exodus gates behind.