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“Stories really start rolling when you mess up”**
In Ironsworn, a solo-focused TTRPG with no GM, the unique Oracle system lets the story go in completely unexpected directions—often far beyond what the player intended.
In this series, I’ll show you what it’s like to actually play through that experience.
Also, to really lean into what makes this game special, I’m using a slightly unhinged method:
rolling dice in real time while writing the article.
Feel free to enjoy the chaos along with me—confusion, panic, and all.
If you’re wondering “What even is Ironsworn?”, I’ve got an intro article as well—check that out first if you’d like.
And if you want to start from character creation, you can jump in from there too.
So—let’s begin.
This is the story of Kiah, an apprentice folklorist trying to survive in the harsh land of Ironland.
Quick Character Intro
Kiah
Our protagonist. Apprentice folklorist living in a settlement within the massive hill known as the “Giants’ Graveyard”.
Combat ability? Let’s just say… not her strong suit.
Somewhere along the way she turned into a foul-mouthed gremlin.
Jicchan
A talking owl. Technically named Gran, but nobody calls him that.
Has somehow become the party’s emergency brake. Thank goodness.
Otaan
A retired giant adventurer looking for a place to settle down.
Kiah used to pester him for stories all the time.
His exile from the village is what kicks off Kiah’s journey.
Narrative role: basically a “princess in distress,” but a big dude.
I really want him to stay relevant, but depending on the dice… he might just vanish from the story entirely. Terrifying.
Elder of the Giants
The one who declared that humans would be used as food in a ritual.
Originally meant to be a dignified figure, but thanks to some wild dice rolls… yeah, that didn’t happen.
Recap
Kiah lives in a settlement within the land known as the “Giants’ Graveyard,” surrounded by cliffs and mountains.
One day, she learns that Otaan—a giant she trusted—is being exiled.
While investigating the reason, she discovers a planned attack on humans by the giants.
And now that she knows too much…
they’re coming for her.
Advancing the Quest
First, let’s handle the system stuff.
We’ll use Reach a Milestone to mark quest progress.
This move is triggered whenever the player feels like “yeah, that pushed the story forward.”
There’s no strict condition—just whether it feels like meaningful progress.
The rulebook suggests examples like:
- Gaining important information
- Overcoming a major obstacle
- Recruiting an ally
- Obtaining a key item
- Defeating a strong enemy
We just uncovered some pretty big info, so yeah—progress time.
“When in doubt, run.”
Jicchan
Kiah! Break through before they surround us!
Kiah
Got it! Leave it to me!!
Yeah… we kinda stumbled into a really bad situation.
Let’s try to escape using Face Danger.
This move is honestly one of the most unique parts of Ironsworn:
Any stat can be used, as long as it fits the narrative.
Climbing walls, bluffing, throwing knives—if it helps you escape danger, it works.
Jicchan
Do you have a plan?!
Kiah
I scoped out the weak points in their patrol before coming here!
If we hit those, we can slip right through!
Jicchan
You sly little—!
Alright, rolling with Wits.
→ Miss.
Kiah
…Why do I fail everything?
Miss → Pay the Price
We decide she misremembered and ran straight into a heavily guarded area.
Guard Giant
There! Over there! Surround her!
Jicchan
So not “sly,” just “sloppy,” huh.
Kiah
HAHAHA!!!
Nice one! You get a cushion!
Jicchan
You fool!
Kiah
…yeah, sorry.
Momentum -2
Desperate Move
Kiah
Damn it… fine.
Guess we’re doing this the hard way.
Jicchan
Don’t tell me—you’re doing a ritual here?!
Kiah
What, you got a better idea?!
We don’t have time!
I need you on this, Jicchan!
Jicchan
You really don’t think things through…
…Fine. I’ll back you up.
Kiah’s using INVOKE.
It’s a two-step thing:
build power, then spend it to create an illusion.
First, we charge.
Wits roll.
1d6 → 6
Stat 3
+1 from Jicchan’s support
Total 10
Challenge dice → 4 and 5
Strong hit.
Finally.
First strong hit of the run, and it’s on the panic button. Perfect.
Kiah
Focus… compress… inhale—!!
Full charge.
Maximum.
Guard Giant
Give it up, human!
Kiah
(Almost there…)
Guard Giant
Are you even listening?!
Alright. Time to spend it.
Instead of using a stat, we can use the charge value itself.
Charge is 6.
Which is huge.
Fake Giant
Emergency! The Elder’s chamber is under attack!
Guard Giant
What?!
Fake Giant
Too many enemies! I’ll handle this one—go!
They take the bait.
Jicchan
That was close…
Kiah
Yeah… this spell’s gonna give me a heart attack someday…
We get out.
Momentum goes up.
We’re alive.
Somehow.
Naming the Village (finally)
They somehow make it out.
Barely.
Jicchan
So. What now?
Kiah
What do you mean “what now”?
We warn the village and get everyone out.
That’s the only move we’ve got.
…No way I’m running off alone after hearing all that.
Jicchan
That’s what I like to hear!
Kiah
Hey—cut it out—stop flying circles around me, you’re annoying!
Alright, before we go any further—
we never actually named the village.
We got so hung up on “Giants’ Graveyard” that the place itself never got a name.
Fixing that now.
Oracle time.
Quick Settlement Name Generator.
1d100 ×2 → 5 (Green), 64 (cairn)
Green Cairn.
Apparently, a cairn is a pile of stones used as a marker or a grave sign.
…That’s a very on-the-nose name, all things considered.
I like it.
Side Quest: Get the People of Green Cairn Out
Alright… before we talk to the chief—
there’s something I need to do.
She grips her sword’s sheath.
I swear it.
I’ll get the people of Green Cairn out of here.
Swear an Iron Vow.
Heart 2.
1d6 → 1
Yeah, that’s not great.
Total 3.
This is how runs die.
Challenge dice → 2, 4
Weak hit.
Barely.
Okay. We live.
Momentum goes up.
We’ll call this quest Dangerous.
Weak hit means:
you’ve made the vow, but you don’t actually know how you’re going to pull it off yet.
Which… yeah. Sounds about right.
Jicchan
Got a plan?
Kiah
Yeah. I’ve read about situations like this.
When things get bad, you—
We’re using Secure an Advantage.
Same idea as Face Danger:
if it makes sense, you can use any stat.
This time, we’re leaning on knowledge.
Wits roll.
1d6 → 1
Oh no.
+1 from Lorekeeper
Total 5
That feels bad.
Challenge dice → 5, 6
Miss.
Of course.
Kiah
Yeah. I got nothing.
Jicchan
Incredible.
Alright. Pay the Price.
No idea what to do, so we roll for it.
1d100 → 9
“A person or community you care about is exposed to danger.”
…That’s a little too perfect.
Otaan
There you are, Kiah! I’ve been looking everywhere!
Kiah
otaan?!
What—what happened?
Otaan
Listen carefully.
Green Cairn’s been attacked.
Jicchan
We’re too late.
Kiah
…You’re kidding me.
Yeah.
Yeah, that tracks.
Aftermath
They find the survivors in the forest.
What’s left of them.
Kiah
This is… everyone?
Otaan
…It’s all I could find.
I did what I could.
Jicchan
You’ve done enough.
But are you sure about this?
You’ve chosen the humans’ side.
Your own kind will hunt you for that.
Otaan
I was already an exile.
Doesn’t change much.
Kiah
…Hey.
There’s something I need to tell you.
She explains everything.
The notes.
The ritual.
The elder.All of it.
Otaan
…So that’s what was going on.
Kiah
If I’d gotten back sooner—
if I’d just—
She stops.
Hands shaking.
Kiah
…Sorry.
Otaan
Funny, isn’t it.
We keep apologizing to each other.
Jicchan
Enough of that.
You both did what you could.
Now move.
…Yeah.
You’re right.
They regroup.
They decide on a destination.
West.
A farm.
Windhaven.
Apparently the village chief knows someone there.
Good enough.
We’re going with it.
The Escape
otaan takes point.
Kiah backs him up.
Kiah
Alright.
Round two.
Let’s not screw this one up.
Otaan
You recover fast.
Kiah
What can I say?
Otaan
That wasn’t a compliment.
Kiah
I’ll take it anyway!
Kid
You can do it!!
Kiah
Yeah! Leave it to me!
Jicchan
You’re way too confident.
Alright.
We’re traveling.
Undertake a Journey
Wits roll.
1d6 → 2
+1 (bonded land bonus)
Total 6
Challenge dice → 8, 8
Miss.
And a match.
Of course it is.
Match means something big happens.
Time for the twist oracle.
1d100 → 3
It was all a diversion.
…oh, that’s bad.
That’s really bad.
We roll more.
Action → Risk
Theme → Idea
Pay the Price → New danger appears
…yeah, I don’t like where this is going.
Otaan
…This is as far as I go.
Kiah
What?
We barely even started—
otaan steps closer.
Another step.
Otaan
Did it never occur to you what happens when the only person here who can actually fight…
walks away from the group?
Kiah
…Wait.
No, hold on—
Otaan
About now, my people should be reaching your camp.
Jicchan
Kiah! MOVE!
Kiah
Kiah
What—why would we—
Otaan
You really didn’t see it.
A pause.
Otaan
You were bait.
From the start.
Kiah
…What?
Otaan
I’ll make it quick.
The giant, “Otaan”, attacks!!
To be continued–
Closing Thoughts
Okay.
I might have twisted this a little too hard.
But come on—
you get “it was all a diversion,”
then “a new enemy shows up,”
you know where that’s going.
…no, wait.
Yeah, no, this is a lot.
Where is this even going?
Anyway.
I’ll keep updating this actual play journal weekly (more or less).
Enjoy your gaming life!!
And thanks for reading all the way to the end!
If this made you curious, check out An Introduction to Ironsworn – You Can Play Alone! No GM Required! A Free TTRPG!! – Kaburanai Games
Ironsworn Hub page of my blog – Kaburanai Games
Over on X, I post updates and yell about whatever I’m playing.
It’s about 1.3 times louder than the blog. (Highly scientific.)
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This work is based on Ironsworn (found at www.ironswornrpg.com), created by Shawn Tomkin, and licensed for our use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
