A Mother's Duty: Session 1
To Stiltsfield
Setara stands at the stern of a trader's boat and looks back at Greywatch. Soon, only the smoke pillars remain visible in the misty morning sky.
Before searching for further clues about Jaggar's raiders, Setara decides to pay a visit to her father's last resting place.
🔮 Descriptor + Focus
65 Raided
10 Rendezvous
On the well traveled path between Razorbill Harbour and Stiltsfield, Setara encounters a broken down cart off the road. There is one man amidst the debris, clearly hurt. He is disoriented but at least conscious.
🗣
Setara: "What happened? Do you need help?" she asks, as she leaves the path to walk over to the wagon.
Man: He flinches in surprise and quickly grabs a rock off the ground, ready to defend himself. As he sees Setara's relaxed stance, he slowly lowers his defense. "I...was attacked by a bunch of raiders...Pushed me into the bushes and trees, then took most of the supplies I wanted delivering to Stiltsfield." he explains.
Setara: "I'm also heading for Stiltsfield. Let me help you getting that cart there." Setara suggests and extends her hand.
Tristan: "Thank you...that's really helpful..." he grabs Setara's hand. "I'm Tristan."
With Setara's help, Tristan manages to get the cart back on the path and to Stiltsfield. She learns, that Tristan is from Razorbill Harbour and was wanting to trade goods there. But the raiders took almost everything, including his mule. It's not the first time, that raiders targeted the trade routes around Razorbill Harbour.
At the longhouse
Arriving in Stiltsfield at the evening, Tristan and Setara head directly to the longhouse. Tristan is welcomed and promised treatment for his wounds.
As Setara watches Tristan getting fed, a familiar face approaches her. She knows Tio, a man about her age, since her childhood.
🗣 Recognition
Tio: "Setara? Is that you?"
Setara: "Tio..." she smiles softly and nods.
Tio: "I thought I would never see you again. Where did you go? Why are you back? What..." his eyes wander over Setara's body.
The warmth inside the longhouse made her traveling wardrobe no longer necessary, and the light tunic can't hide the change in physique Setara underwent in the past years.
Tio: "...were you doing?" Tio finishes his sentence after a short moment.
Setara: "Family matters." she answers briefly
Tio: sighs "The others weren't pleased by your departure, you know them...I think I'm the only one not seeing you as a traitor to the settlement."
Setara: smiles knowingly and shrugs "Of course I know them and I didn't expect any hospitality when I come here. I just want to pay my father's grave a visit and then continue on my journey."
Tio: "I wished you had other intentions. After seeing you I hoped you could help us."
Setara: "Stiltsfield doesn't want my help, you know that. So even if I wanted to, what should I do?" she answers with another shrug.
Tio: "When did you become so indifferent?" Tio asks with slight anger in his voice.
Setara: looks at him with furrowed brows "Really? You really have to ask? Years ago, when my heart broke, that's when!" she hisses.
Tio: The man's face turns pale, as he understands. "I...I'm sorry...of course..." he answers ashamed, starting to turn away.
Setara: looks to the fireplace "What problem should I be able to help with, anyways?" Setara asks, suddenly calm and resolved again.
Tio remains silent for a moment before telling Setara about a group of raiders demanding tribute and attacking traders.
Setara: "Tristan told me about the attacks on traders. So it's directed at Stiltsfield directly?"
Tio affirms Setara's thoughts.
Tio: "The raiders don't just take what they need, it seems. I heard them talking about sending loot north. As if they are working for some other person."
Setara: She thinks for a moment and connects the dots with what she learned from Morgan. Looking directly at Tio, she says determined: "I will help you. Whether the others want it or not."
Setara agrees with Tio upon meeting the next morning. Then she leaves the longhouse, heading for the graveyard.
The next morning
Setara already awaits Tio at the collapsed bridge that once connected the settlement to the rocky beach.
With the settlement above them, Tio tells Setara where he suspects the raiders' hideout.
🔮 Overland Landmark
63 Lake
It's most likely the raiders made camp at a lake not far inlands.
Setara draws her sword from the scabbard, placing her free hand on the cold blade.
🩶 Vow
"I swear to find the raiders and stop them from terrorising Stiltsfield."
Swear an Iron Vow
🎲 4 + 3(Heart) + 1(bond) = 8 vs 10|4
Weak Hit
📈 Momentum +1 (2 > 3)
🩶 Find and Stop the Stiltsfield raiders
(Dangerous)
🗣 Goodbye
Tio gets pale as Setara swears on the black iron blade.
Tio: "You're Ironsworn?! Setara..."
Setara: "I am." she answers with a look cutting off whatever Tio wants to say about that. "How do I find this lake?"
Tio: sighs "Follow the stream that crosses the road to Razorbill Harbour. It originates from the lake. I think the raiders use a different route, as following the stream on horse is nearly impossible. But I don't now this route."
Setara: nods understanding "Alright...Then I won't waste more time and leave. Take care...and it was good to see a familiar face after all that time. Even though I may made you feeling otherwise."