We Begin, in the Past

The Old World (An Ironsworn Tale, Session 0)

In the Kingdom of Lindheimr, an aging Mystic, a Seer, named Kova Leifdottir, was falsely accused of attempting to use foul magic to deceive and manipulate the newly crowned king. As the youngest monarch to ever wear the crown, his majesty, King Yorath, was persuaded by corrupt members of his court to execute the Seer for heresy and witchcraft, and banish her village elders, along with their followers, to the harsh Ironlands in the South.

Shortly thereafter, darkness fell upon the kingdom, as Kova had warned, in the form of a sickness that would deform the land, pollute the sea, taint the air, and kill most of the inhabitants of the bygone realms. Yes, there were survivors, if you could call them that. Those banished few fortunate enough to crash upon the Ironlands in cursed ships, and the depraved souls and denizens left behind in the wake of the Old World’s destruction.

That, The Great Plague, The Scourge of the North, was some two hundred years ago. Some still loyal to the crown say that to live with symptoms of the plague is to be reminded of the Seer’s deception towards the King. Most true Ironlanders however, believe that it was Kova’s selfless act that saved them. Stories told throughout generations speak of Kova’s oneness with the Gods, and her ability to foresee the oncoming apocalypse. Believing the Ironlands to be a supernatural realm and sacred place that would limit her people’s exposure, Kova intentionally informed the King of the impending plague, in hopes that he would listen, but ultimately knowing that it would result in her death and her people being exiled, thus saving them from the full onslaught of the pandemic.

Whenever an Ironlander, a true Ironlander, seeks to fulfill a personal ambition, encounters a wrong that must be made right, or gives their word to serve others, they will touch a piece of iron and swear an iron vow to the Seer, and to the land that received them. In gratitude for Kova’s guidance through the darkness, her earthly blessing from the divine, and her gift of life. In this, the Ironlander attempts to walk the path of the Seer, and live their absolute truth.

One such Ironlander is Elstan Yuda — his path begins… today.