# Scoundrel Vows in Ironsworn/Starforged tags: #thoughts #game/rpg/ironsworn #game/rpg/starforged ![[Starforged (cover).jpg|300]] Once again, we have material thoughts appropriate to going into the digital garden because it's certainly interesting from the perspective of someone who tends toward scandalous, scurrilous, scoundrels as characters. I've spent perhaps too much time thinking about how to depict them in various RPGs. Someone has provided me the opportunity to talk about it on Reddit in the context of *[[Ironsworn]]*/*[[Ironsworn - Starforged|Starforged]]*. So let's get that on the table. --- > I want to play *Ironsworn* *Starforged* in a custom setting (I am creating my own with the Perilous Void book) inspired on *Star Wars*. > > My character is going to be a Han-Solo-type mercenary, and I feel like "Iron Vows" would not be a good match for this type of character in terms of flavor. Making a vow feels too altruistic for this type of character. Also "Iron" will not have the same meaning/importance in my setting. > > I was thinking maybe that they could have "contracts and reputation" instead? Then, if they break the contracts they lose reputation. Has anyone come across a similar conundrum before? Any suggestions for tweaks/hacks to the "Swear an Iron Vow" move? -- https://www.reddit.com/r/Ironsworn/comments/1t4j6n1/alternative_to_iron_vows_for_scoundrel_type/ --- I think that you're approaching the idea of a "vow" from way too limited a perspective. The *Starforged* core book is pretty clear on page 154 regarding what vows are. > In the fiction of the *Starforged* setting, those who swear vows are the Ironsworn, and their promises are binding. Vows can be made to yourself, as a solemn representation of your personal commitment, or as a promise to someone else. Some vows might be made grudgingly—out of duty, necessity, or tradition. Others will be made with your whole heart. Vows a scoundrel might make: - *"I'm going to kill that son of a bitch before the week is out."* - *"That's a beautiful farm. Shame if something were to happen to it. (Drive the farmers off their land.)"* - *"Don't worry, I'll have the drugs across the border before the end of the month. Trust me."* - *"35 tons of copper to Eridu. Got it. I'll expect payment on arrival."* -- Ur-Shulgi loves this one. - *"I don't care if the Hutts do run things there. That colony's mine."* - *"Boys, the they're are onto us and we have got to get off planet before they provide us certain Imperial entanglements."* - *"Yes, General, I understand. I'll keep the locals suppressed until you can sweep in and provide a tighter lockdown."* - *"She is beautiful. I'll take her."* - *"Kill the governor? My schedule's open."* Notice that all of these are perfectly reasonable to make the *Swear an Iron Vow* Move trigger as a result of saying them either to yourself or someone else. You won't necessarily know exactly what the next move is sometimes, or you might have to deal with a problem before you can even get started on solving it. That's okay. That adds complexity to the experience. You're probably going to need to make subsidiary vows as you come up with problems to conquer along the way. Playing villainously is certainly well possible within the framework already provided. Honestly, I'm not even sure you technically need a custom setting in terms of changing the mechanics to cover Star Wars, other than an asset here or there, perhaps. Remember, iron doesn't have to be **literal**. It doesn't even have to be a material. It's a fine theme to have attached to your setting to harmonize it with the already extant *Ironsworn* and *Starforged* texts, but it isn't necessary. All you need is intent. As long as the character expresses clear intent to themselves or someone else, you have the makings of a vow. --- ## Post Scriptum It might be worth looking at *[[Starforging the Jedi]]* for more thoughts in this direction.