What Is Ironsworn?

A cinematic, vow-driven RPG for solo, co-op, or guided play, Ironsworn blends low-fantasy grit with narrative freedom. Here’s your complete guide to what it is, how it works, and why it stands apart in the TTRPG landscape.

What Is Ironsworn?

Tomkins Press' Ironsworn is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) of perilous quests set in the harsh, myth-tinged realm of the Ironlands. Unlike many RPGs where characters take on random jobs or hunt for treasure, Ironsworn is built around personal oaths: solemn vows sworn upon iron that shape every decision you make.

The game is designed for three modes of play (solo, cooperative, or guided) and supports all of them equally well. Whether you’re playing alone or with friends, the Ironlands reacts to your choices, and the consequences feel earned.

Core Concepts of Ironsworn

Sworn Vows

Your character’s sworn vows are the beating heart of Ironsworn. These are meaningful promises bound by ritual and iron, tracked mechanically, and serving as the driving force behind your story.

Moves and Outcomes

Instead of rigid turn-based structures, Ironsworn uses “moves” that trigger when fiction demands it. Whether you face danger, forge a bond, or undertake a journey.

• Roll 1d6 Action Die + relevant stat (Edge, Heart, Iron, Shadow, Wits) + bonuses.

• Roll 2d10 Challenge Dice.

• Compare:

• Beat both challenge dice → Strong Hit (success)

• Beat one → Weak Hit (success with a cost)

• Beat none → Miss (complications and trouble)

Progress and Momentum

Progress tracks your advancement toward goals. Momentum represents narrative flow; successes build it, failures sap it. Momentum can be spent to turn failure into success, but it’s a limited and fragile resource.

The World of Ironsworn: The Ironlands

The game takes place in a grim, myth-tinged frontier called the Ironlands. It is a land of scattered settlements, long winters, and deep superstition. You won’t find high fantasy kingdoms or sprawling cities here. Instead, the setting is defined by isolation, mystery, and hard choices.

You shape the world during character creation. Each player contributes to the Ironlands’ history, beliefs, and dangers. Do the Firstborn (giants, elves, trolls) still walk among the wilds, or are they only stories? Do mystics truly speak to ancient powers, or are they frauds? The answers are up to the group.

Ways to Play Ironsworn

Solo Mode

No group? No problem. Oracles (tables of prompts and random events) generate challenges, scenes, and twists on the fly.

Co-Op Mode

Two or more players share storytelling duties with no Game Master. The group alternates framing scenes, interpreting results, and advancing the story together.

Guided Mode

One player acts as Game Master, presenting the world, portraying NPCs, and guiding events—ideal for groups that prefer a traditional RPG format.

No matter your choice, Ironsworn’s mechanics ensure the story keeps moving.

Why Ironsworn Is Different

• Self-Driven Play: Designed for solo and Game Master-less play without losing depth.

• Vow-Based Motivation: Your character is defined by promises, not levels or loot.

• Dynamic Worldbuilding: The Ironlands grow with every choice you make.

• Narrative Mechanics: Progress and Momentum focus on story stakes, not just stats.

Character advancement is tied to fulfilling vows and surviving challenges, not grinding for XP. Gear lists are short; survival, bonds, and reputation matter most.

Getting Started

You can begin playing Ironsworn at no cost. The System Reference Document (SRD) is available as a free addition to your Quest Portal under the Creative Commons license. Everything you need to create characters, build the world, and start your journey is included.

Ready to become Ironsworn?

• Ironsworn no-code Character Sheet Template: Build a hero in minutes

• Ironsworn SRD (System Reference Document): Read the rules and mechanics

TL;DR

• Ironsworn is a low-fantasy RPG driven by oaths, consequences, and collaborative storytelling.

• Play solo, co-op, or guided with equal mechanical support.

• Core mechanics use progress, momentum, and narrative moves for organic play.

• The Ironlands are grim, player-shaped, and full of hard choices.

• The Ironsworn SRD is available free on the Quest Portal Marketplace.

FAQ

Q: Can I really play Ironsworn alone?

A: Yes. The game is designed from the ground up for solo play using Oracles for inspiration.

Q: Is Ironsworn beginner-friendly?

A: Absolutely. The rules are streamlined, and the SRD includes examples to guide you through your first moves.

Q: Do I need a Game Master to play as a group?

A: Not at all. You can play Game Master-less with friends or alone, though the guided mode works perfectly for a traditional RPG setup.

Q: How long do campaigns last?

A: As long as you want. Ironsworn works for short one-shots or long-form campaigns.

Q: Is there combat in Ironsworn?

A: Yes, but it’s narrative-driven. Success or failure shapes the story as much as the outcome of the fight.