I took a day off*, and now I'm ready to get started making my character for Ironsworn: Starforged.

^{*I still agonized over potential Paths for a bit.}

When I'm playing TTRPGs in groups I usually have an easy time making characters. But making a character for a solo game is so much more pressure! I'm basically flagging interests and setting the shape of this story all by myself! Ahh!

I'd better roll on the character inspiration table to calm me down.

Character Inspiration Roll: 70 - Prophet

OK yeah, this is the part where Starforged campaign prep can really start to feel like homework. I thought about skipping sector prep and jumping right into the first quest, but since Adne is a Navigator it would seem to be valuable to know where they will be navigating to. And I'm really trying to fully meet Starforged on its own terms, so... let's go!

Oh, this map was made with Stargazer, by the way! It's a really cool online character/campaign keeper for Ironsworn: Starforged.

Starting Region: Outlands

Scattered settlements surrounded by uncharted and perilous navigational paths.

All we need to do now is define what's going to send Adne and Buzzard into action. Let's use that idea about a corporate ship getting caught in a balefire (even though I ended up taking a Sidekick instead of a Grappler module). The ship's experimental black iron escape pod deployed successfully but is running low on life support.

Trip Ambly gave us the job, with promises that if we can deliver results he'll send a good word along to Selfra HQ. I think Selfra's legal research department is headed by a pioneer in the field of weaving contracts, so that would get Adne one step closer to their goal of finding out how to break NDA. Time to roll our first Move of One Move a Night!

Swear an Iron Vow: Strong Hit!

Action Score 9 (rolled 5 + 3 Heart + 1 for Connection) versus Challenge Dice 3 and 1.

Adne pokes their index finger at a blank spot in the local chart. "There," they say.

Buzzard tries to tug down the collar of her new EVA suit to look, then gives up and bends at the waist. "Keeps dropping out, but yeah. I guess that must be the point of origin."

"Mmhm. It's close to the edge. As long as we move at the right moment, getting to that pod will be like walking through an open door."

The balefire twists and lurches in space before them, scattering the sickly green rays of the nearby star.

Face Danger: Strong Hit!

Action Score 8 (rolled 6 + 2 Wits) versus Challenge Dice 1 and 3

Buzzard has been peering through a viewport on the starboard side for about 30 seconds. She finishes some internal math and shouts back toward the cockpit: "There's too much ship left to maneuver in with suit thrusters. We'll need to ride a tension line in then climb to the pod."

Adne's voice bounces hesitantly back: "Ride an attention line?"

"No, a tension --- nevermind, I'll find one," Buzzard shouts back. "This is a mistake. I'm making a mistake," she mutters.

Check Your Gear: Weak Hit!

Action Score 8 (Rolled 3 + 5 Supply) versus Challenge Dice 3 and 8

REJECT TRUTH

The words seem to shape themselves out of the negative space in the balefire's scintillating starlight, leaving a legible blind spot in Adne's vision. They screw their eyes shut and shake their head, clunking their EVA helmet against Buzzard's armored shoulder.

"You alright?" Buzzard says through contact comms, not removing their gaze from the hand-engraved sights of the tension line launcher.

"Yeah. Yeah, go ahead, I'm holding on."

Face Danger: Strong Hit!

Action Score 6 (rolled 5 + 1 Edge) versus Challenge Dice 3 and 4

Another Strong Hit on Face Danger means another point of Momentum, bringing us up to 7!

And I think that's literal momentum in this case. Buzzard lines up the perfect shot and the launcher's gear engages. The camera pulls back to frame the ragged void between the two ships as Buzzard and Adne reel from one to the other. From this far away they look like a highwire act at a deep-space flea circus.

The launcher's brakes glide the pair to a smooth halt. Buzzard grabs the prototype ship's black iron exoskeleton with her free hand. "Put some slack in the tether. We'll need to maneuver around from here."

Adne presses the release on their harness and spools out a few meters of line. "OK. Climb fast, I'll keep up," they say, trying to sight the edges of the balefire as it flits across the middle distance. No obvious changes to its course. They will just have to stick to the plan.

Reach a Milestone: Bring the stranded Selfra exec to safety

⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜