High Stakes at the Stone Circle
Chapter 7: Olvir's daring ultimatum
Welcome back, friends, to the next stage in the Redemption of Olvir the Forgotten.
Things have been slightly delayed since the previous installment, as I’ve been laid low with a heavy cold this week. But we’re back into Ironsworn today. Check below for more links, and we’ll pick up Olvir’s story as he sets off to find the stone circle and deal with cultists who’ve taken up residence there.
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Olvir sets off to the Cultists’ circle [UNDERTAKE A JOURNEY: Weak Hit.] Reaches a waypoint but loses one supply (reduce to 4). Mark waypoint +2
The waypoint is [ORACLE*] sandstone cliff. Is there anything of note or danger at this place? Unlikely. [ORACLE] No, there is not
The journey continues. [UNDERTAKE A JOURNEY: Strong Hit.] Olvir reaches a [ORACLE*] seaweed-encrusted beach. Mark waypoint +2
Are there any dangers or notable things here? [ORACLE] 50/50. No, there is not.
Onwards towards the destination [UNDERTAKE A JOURNEY Miss] [PAY THE PRICE] An ally is put in danger.
Suddenly, a commotion erupts as Ashencry signals danger. [ORACLE*] A vulture swoops down toward the raven. Quickly drawing his short blade, [FACE DANGER Strong Hit.] Olvir lashes out with blinding speed, landing a glancing blow on the vulture's wing. Squawking in pain, the vulture veers away and soars low, finding shelter in a cleft among the nearby cliffs to rest and recuperate.
Olvir is drawing close to the cultist camp. [REACH YOUR DESTINATION Weak Hit. Burn Momentum to ignore the failed dice. He spots the stone circle, but he has been spotted. How many cultists are there? [ROLL 1d4] There are two, one of whom moves towards Olvir menacingly.
Looking directly at the approaching cultist, [ENTER THE FRAY: Strong Hit] Olvir proposes a solution [COMPEL: Strong Hit]. See the narrative below for how these rolls were resolved.
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Fixing his gaze on the advancing cultist, Olvir stood firm, his voice sharp and unwavering. “Listen closely,” he said, the weight of his words cutting through the tension. “I’m a hired assassin from Highmoor, sent here with a purpose. I don’t want bloodshed, but push me, and I won’t hesitate.” The cultist froze mid-step, his bravado flickering and fading. Visibly rattled, he raised his hands in a placating gesture. “We don’t seek trouble,” he murmured, his tone edged with apprehension. “We only wish to worship our gods in peace.”
Seeing the crack in the cultist’s resolve, Olvir pressed his advantage. “Then let’s find a way to avoid conflict,” he proposed, his voice steady. “Leave this island. Sail to one of the uninhabited islands nearby. You’ll have all the peace you need, and Highmoor can return to its trade without interference.”
The cultist’s hesitation lingered momentarily before giving way to frantic nods. “Agreed,” he said hurriedly, relief washing over his face. “We didn’t even know this settlement existed when we arrived. It wasn’t our intention to disrupt.”
Olvir lowered his voice as Ashencry circled above, observing the exchange. “Good,” Olvir said, his tone heavy with finality. “Leave by sunset, and don’t return. Next time, there will be no negotiation.”
As he watched the cultists retreat, Olvir adjusted his iron pendant, the wind rustling his cloak as he turned back toward Highmoor. One hurdle cleared, but the Ironlands were far from finished testing him.
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It’s time to return to Highmoor. [UNDERTAKE A JOURNEY]. Is the journey uneventful? Very likely [ORACLE] Yes, it is.
Olvir returns to the settlement and shares his success with the village elders and their leaders. He reminds them that he has done what he promised to do. [FULFIL YOUR VOW: Strong Hit] The vow is complete—take +2 experience (for a total of three).
[ROLL on Action/Theme Oracle] 21. “Leave” 73. “Memory.“ The time has come to move on—but we won’t forget his friends in Highmoor…
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But the people of Highmoor wouldn’t let him leave without a proper farewell. They gathered around him, their faces glowing with relief and gratitude, insisting that he stay for one more night.
A feast was in order—a celebration of the cultists’ expulsion and the restoration of trade that now breathed new hope into the hamlet. Food and drink would flow freely, they promised; in the morning, his pack would be refilled, with one of their fishermen carrying him across the waves to the mainland.
Touched by their kindness, Olvir agreed, recognising that this was not merely a delay but a final moment of connection with those whose lives he had changed, no matter how small the act might seem.
As the sun dipped low, casting warm hues over the cliffs of Highmoor, the celebration began. Laughter mingled with the crackle of the fire, and Olvir shared in their joy—a rare feeling amid his often solitary journey.
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NOTES
Oracle rolls marked with * used the Coastal Encounters Random Tables resource from DriveThru RPG. This is a highly recommended resource to flesh out coastal or island locations.
This saw my first attempt at rolling on the Action/Theme table and trying to interpret the results. Fortunately, the dice were kind and gave me something that readily meshed with the story!