Welcome back to the eighth part of my HârnMaster solo campaign. After the last part, I decided to do a character sheet for Moire, because I thought that a second character would come in handy and balance out Essryd’s skills a little. With both now as the protagonists, I have a good mix of melee and ranged combat but also someone who is really good at survival, trecking and … cooking.
I don’t really know where or when I will end their journey and call that place their new home. In the article about Moire’s character, I said that Býria would be a nice destination for them. This was largely a joke, but the idea of a Grand Tour—a road movie so to say—is very tempting.
But for now, I will enjoy the trip through Hârn step-by-step and I hope you do to.
Scene #24 – Clothes make people
8 Kelén 720 TR
Upon reaching Heroth, Essryd secures lodging at a local inn with Moire in tow. Recognizing the necessity for practical attire given their upcoming endeavors, she suggests purchasing new clothing for Moire. Despite Moire’s initial resistance, rooted in the modesty typical of her slave status and the inclination to conserve resources for more critical expenditures, Essryd insists. She reasons that blending seamlessly into their surroundings was imperative for their safety and mission’s success. More poignantly, Essryd reminds Moire of her newly obtained freedom from any formal obligations to her or House Gehwær.
Observing a visible distress in Moire’s demeanor, Essryd gently redirects her face with a tender touch under the chin, seeking to understand the source of her tears. After a moment’s hesitation, Moire discloses her profound sense of disorientation and fear. Liberated from duties that once defined her purpose, she confesses an overwhelming uncertainty about her future and voiced her apprehension of being forsaken.
In response, Essryd embraces Moire warmly, reiterating her promise to provide security and companionship. She proposes a hybrid arrangement where they could maintain a supportive relationship, transcending the traditional master-servant dynamic towards one of mutual respect and friendship.
After contemplating, Moire accepts Essryd’s offer, and they step into Heroth’s bustling streets, their mission clear: finding suitable attire. As they pass a charming pastry stand, Essryd pauses, purchases an assortment of delectable treats, and inquires from the amicable elderly vendor about the nearest clothier. Upon receiving the directions with gratitude, she waves goodbye to the woman.
Essryd hands one of the pastries to Moire, whose wide-eyed fascination betrays her unfamiliarity with such indulgences. She takes a tentative bite, savoring an experience entirely new to her palate. Noticing Moire’s enchantment, Essryd smiles and urges her forward. Together they navigate through the town’s lively atmosphere until reaching the recommended clothier.
Within the clothier’s establishment, Essryd engages the vendor in a thoughtful discussion, specifying requirements for two distinct outfits for Moire: an everyday ensemble comfortable for travel and a refined dress appropriate for social engagements. She also outlines the necessity for a pair of riding boots and sandals to complement her selections.
As Moire tries on each garment with a mixture of awe and gratitude, Essryd’s thoughtful choices reflect their practical yet dignified needs. As dusk approaches, they finalize their purchases, wrapping Moire’s new clothes in a bundle of linen that she immediately praises for its utility—an ingenious solution fitting her resourceful nature.
Carrying the carefully packaged attire, Moire shares her insight with Essryd on potential uses for the linen wrap, underscoring her practical mindset and readiness to adapt to their circumstances.
Back at their inn, Essryd arranges for a bath to be set up in their room, which the accommodating innkeeper promptly agrees to facilitate. While Moire enjoys her bath, Essryd opens the backpack she entrusted to Moire before their hurried departure from Nurien.
A noticeable chuckle escapes her as she pulls out a silk dress, playfully questioning whether such an attire was truly intended for their harrowing escape from the King of Rethem’s grasp. Moire blushes, stammering that she hadn’t anticipated the urgency or the specifics of their flight when packing hastily.
With good-natured reassurance, Essryd acknowledges the wisdom behind Moire’s thoughtful choice and gently returns the dress to its place in the backpack. Once both are refreshed, they descend to the taproom for a well-deserved meal.
The dining experience impresses Essryd; the hearty fare includes Roasted Nectarine and Chicken cooked in a luxurious butter sauce enhanced with celery, alongside Boiled Sturgeon accompanied by a robust horseradish-flavored sauce. They complement their feast with a satisfying ale, creating an enjoyable dining experience.
As evening settles, Essryd poses a pivotal question: where should their next destination lie? Moire, visibly embarrassed by her limited experience beyond the manor’s confines, admits her uncertainty, likening today’s journey to an extended odyssey through uncharted lands.
Essryd contemplates their best course, suggesting they maximize distance from Rethem. She recounts a trade route known for its association with salt caravans, originating in the Coranan and extending east into the Kingdom of Kaldor. Drawing on fragmented recollections, Essryd mentions Kath clans she overheard her father discussing—hints that offer a potential path forward.
Gently probing Moire’s thoughts on seeking out family connections or any possible trails, Essryd notices Moire’s palpable discomfort, masked by feigned uncertainty and indignation. Recognizing this unease, she deftly shifts the conversation. She assures Moire of their likely arrival at Coranan Bridge the following day if they opt for the eastern route towards Kaldor.
She seeks Moire’s consent to proceed eastward along the Salt Route, offering a reassuring nod towards the journey ahead without pressing on sensitive personal matters for now.
Scene #25 – These woods are where silence has come to lick its wounds
9 Kelén 720 TR
The morning dawns clear and dry, a favorable change in weather setting an auspicious tone for their departure from Heroth. After a hearty breakfast, Essryd and Moire prepare to embark eastward towards Coranan, aiming to reach the pivotal junction within hours.
Mindful of security, Essryd contemplates the potential advantage of joining a caravan for safer travel but remains undecided as they start their journey. Their initial progress is swift, covering the first leg of the path efficiently and reaching the borderlands of the Republic of Tharda sooner than expected. The distant peaks of Norear to the south serve as a natural marker, aligning with the innkeeper’s earlier guidance. Crossing the Elgyn river confirms their entry into Thardan territory, signaling the commencement of their traversal through this new region.
Reaching the Elgyn River, which serves as an essential waypoint halfway to Coranan, Essryd decides it’s prudent for them to pause and replenish their supplies. As they rest by the waterside, Moire, captivated by her reflection in the rippling stream, notices a shimmering stone on the riverbed. This iridescent gem fascinates her, and she reaches down, plucking it from its aquatic sanctuary.
Immediately upon removing the stone from water’s embrace, a faint blue haze emerges, swirling around Moire’s head before enveloping it entirely and vanishing within her. Essryd, alerted by this strange occurrence, turns to witness the phenomenon and quickly approaches Moire, who remains unresponsive with wide-eyed fixation.
Concerned, she gently shakes Moire’s shoulders but gets no reaction. Observing cold sweat forming on Moire’s forehead and a rising heat akin to feverishness, Essryd swiftly tends to her, using wetted cloths dipped in the cool river water to alleviate the apparent affliction.
Within Moire’s consciousness, a tempestuous vision unfolds: it relives the harrowing attack on Nurien, her childhood abduction, and a prophetic glimpse—a storm-tossed ship with Essryd and herself battling to remain aboard. Essryd’s voice pierces through this spectral nightmare, rousing Moire from her trance-like state with a faint, startled cry.
Essryd’s eyes meet Moire’s, noting how the ethereal haze departs and dissipates downstream. Recognizing the signature of an Asîr—an air sprite often spoken of in her mother’s tales—a sudden clarity dawns on Essryd regarding Moire’s ordeal. Still visibly shaken, Moire’s apathy makes it clear that she requires immediate care.
Acting decisively, Essryd helps Moire onto their horse to prevent any further distress from physical collapse during travel. Holding the reins with one hand and securing Moire with the other, they advance more cautiously than before but manage to reach Kuseme by dusk’s onset. Positioned opposite Coranan on the Thard River’s banks, Essryd swiftly arranges for lodging at a nearby inn, ensuring both find sanctuary for the night amidst their extraordinary experiences.
Scene #26 – Before all else, be armed
10 Kelén 720 TR
With morning light, Essryd’s vigilance pays off as Moire shows signs of recovery from the Asîr’s influence, though her strength remains fragile. Grateful for her improvement, Essryd descends to the taproom and engages with Terba, the inn’s affable proprietor, arranging a nourishing breakfast.
Returning to their room, Essryd gently informs Moire of her plan to visit the nearby caravan station, aiming to secure safe passage for them within the coming week. Recognizing the need for Moire to regain full vigor before any further travel, she insists on going alone. Despite Moire’s insistence to accompany her, Essryd firmly but kindly persuades Moire to rest while she tends to their next steps.
Her search leading her through the bustling streets, Essryd ultimately encounters Indros of Obyne, reputed as a pillar of Salt Route caravans. Despite her best diplomatic efforts and charismatic appeal, Indros delivers an unyielding message: the recent caravan bound for Tashal departed long before and no others are imminent. His bluntness leaves Essryd slightly deflated but determined.
Returning to their inn with this sobering news, she informs Moire of their constrained options, suggesting they prepare meticulously in Kuseme before embarking on their own journey. Emphasizing strategic planning to mitigate the risks of solo travel, Essryd’s pragmatism resonates with Moire, who contemplates and ultimately agrees that this cautious approach is indeed preferable to prolonged inaction at Kuseme.
13 Kelén 720 TR
Terba’s timely advice offers a promising alternative: acquiring an additional horse from a reputable ostler can significantly expedite their journey to Tashal, reducing travel time from twenty-two days on foot to a more manageable fourteen days.
Grateful for this lead, Essryd consults Moire, who, while still recovering, concurs with the plan. They embark on a short walk across the Kobar Bridge and through its gates, then navigate their way through Rholis and Leru Gate until they reach Eldin outside Coranan’s protective walls. Here, Kistyne of Smath’s establishment promises to provide them with the needed equine companion to aid their journey.
With a practiced eye, Moire quickly connects with a gentle mare, one of Kistyne’s tamest offerings, recommended by her attentive staff. Meanwhile, Essryd negotiates the price adeptly but firmly, securing the horse for 200 pennies after some amiable haggling.
Kistyne’s offer to partake in additional companionship of one or two of her pleasure slaves is politely declined with mutual respect. With a shrug and a business-like handshake, Kistyne finalizes the sale, revealing that the mare’s name is Seren—meaning Star. Deeply content with their new equine companion, Essryd and Moire make their way back to the Kuseme Inn, Seren trotting docilely alongside them.
In the cozy taproom, Essryd and Moire enjoy a delectable meal: pickled wolf fish with devilled chili pepper in plain lemon-flavored sauce, complemented by steamed gurnard in an aromatic lime-infused dish.
Over their repast, Essryd inquires if Moire might prefer to prolong their stay for further recovery post the Asîr incident. Yet, Moire firmly asserts her readiness to continue. Recognizing her resolve, Essryd outlines their immediate strategy: a dedicated day for procuring essentials, including provisions and defensive gear—a bow and requisite supplies for Moire, whose childhood archery skills provide a practical advantage.
Essryd’s financial acumen reveals they possess approximately fifteen pounds—about 3,500 pennies—remaining from their combined resources, ensuring a solid foundation for their venture to Tashal.
15 Kelén 720 TR
As dawn breaks at the fifth hour, Essryd and Moire take their leave from Terba’s hospitable inn, burdening their steeds with packed essentials. A clear morning with temperatures around 10°C prompts them to don heavy cloaks against the brisk breeze, a precaution soon rendered unnecessary by the warming sun.
Their conversation on the road naturally drifts towards future plans in Tashal. While the destination holds promise as a sanctuary beyond Rethem’s reach, neither has fully mapped out their long-term vision; for now, Kaldor represents an open chapter.
The well-paved path to Moleryn winds through lush forests near Giln, offering picturesque scenery and comfortable travel. Aware that the route ahead will likely deteriorate into rugged trails, they savor this stretch of smooth journeying. By evening’s twilight, they arrive in Moleryn, content with their day’s progress. The duo relishes a hearty meal and the soothing embrace of a fine mead to cap off their productive day.
To be continued …
Well, there was this thing with the Asîr that really caught me off guard. When I rolled it as an encounter, I really had no idea what to do with it. With Moire as the highest Aura, the HMK rulebook said that she was the target. I opted for Moire’s fear of being left alone as something the Asîr could inject into her mind and she relived situations where she was or nearly was losing everything she had.
For the next sessions, I want to incorporate something that I read in the latest Mythic Magazine. The article was about a way to play pregenerated adventures in a very clever way where you roll on pages and sections of pages to generate little adventure seeds from the resulting text excerpt. Additionally, I thought about throwing in small adventure locations from Forbidden Lands or even The One Ring 2e.
Let’s see … and I also hope I see you next time!
Sources used:
– HârnMaster Kèthîra (Keléstia Productions Ltd.)
– Kingdom of Kanday (Columbia Games Inc.)
– Republic of Tharda (Columbia Games Inc.)
– The Adventure Crafter (Word Mill Games)
– Mythic GME 2nd Edition (Word Mill Games)
