IRONBOUND
Welcome IRON BASTARD
You are a Prisoner of Flesh within a realm of Magic. It hates you, eats at your cells, your weakness. Bound in IRON you are, in irony and mockery. The Goddess of Iron does not take well to the arrogance of the God of Magic. She blesses your wrists with scalding heat, BLACKIRON taking the place of the weaker metal, encasing your arms and gifting you Violence.
Bound by a new IRON, you are given one duty – to defeat the arrogant Mage who imprisoned you here. Then, perhaps, freedom will you know.
Yet you know the terms of the deal you have struck. And how foolish such a thought is now.
Ever the IRON BASTARD, ever the foe, by spell or blade, all you will know is woe.
IRONBOUND is a one page pocketmod TTRPG dungeon crawler of a desperate prisoner within a Mage's twisted tower trying to break free. Striking a deal with the uncaring Goddess of Iron, gifted the curse of violence to enact her will, you will climb through the Mage's Tower to slay them in Her name. But who are you... and who is this mysterious Mage? What connections are there between you?
This game is definitely a broken, cryptic little thing. It was made for the always fun and awesome One-Page RPG Jam 2024. Tons of other sick games to check out too, so you should give them a look!
All you'll need is a printer (or a local library with one!) to print the game (or just download the PNG and rotate it!), a pair of d6s (different colours), something to write with, a healthy amount of iron in your blood, and probably like 20-30 minutes.
It's quite likely I've spelt something wrong or was stupid and made it impossible to actually kill the Mage or something. I'll try to iron (heh) out those kinks a bit more, but if you spot anything, let me know!
Credits
Super rad art by the ever talented Perplexing Ruins, compliments of his Super Rad Patreon.
Heavily Inspired by Dungeons of Blood and Dreams by Lori Vornoy and this sick metal song, Iron Shackles by Luzifer. If any of this resonates even remotely, check them both out. Or just check them out, they're both rad as hell.
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- Digital Friendly File + small editsAug 28, 2024
Comments
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I awake in a library
I am swiftly slain by a silver homuncli
The GODDESS rases me again
I REMEMBER my past
I was called Lach, a knight sent out to deal with petty theves
My IRON arm aches as I grip my longsword and head back in
I enter the ruins of a workshop
A BURNING goblin attacks, My IRON cuts them down
I enter a shabby laboratory, it's crystal goblin stops working as I am noticed
They are shattered without a thought
I search the laboratory closet and find a LIVING wooden golem
we trade blows before it is splintered
I made it back to the shabby library
The marbled homuncli greets me smugly
the weight of my IRON destroys them
I search the library's archives
it is guarded by a crystal homuncli
Their crystal cuts deep
The GODDESS rases me again
I must escape, I must see HER again
My LOVE D----!
My IRON leg scrapes against the stone of my cell as I head back in
I push my way into a organized reagent closet, it's flaming puppet fights back
we trade blows before they are snuffed
I find the ruins of the laboratory
A wood slime has taken up residence
we trade blows before I can crush it
I enter the ruins of a workshop, a marble goblin blocks the way out
They are shattered without stopping
I find a section of the workshop that is still functional
A wooden puppet is here still
I cut it's strings
I find myself in a large empty room with a BURNING golem at it's center
I must be close to THE MAGE
I trade blows with the flame before ending its flailing
Finally at the top of the tower I see The MAGE
They wound me but I take their LEFT ARM
They try and escape but I take BOTH LEGS
Before I can finish them a spell BURNS through my chest
The GODDESS rases me again
THE MAGE... I knew her once
We fought side by side, were put in chains together as well
Who were we before The GODDESS...
I struggle to lift my IRON LEGS as I head back in
This shitty library again, the silver golem rises to greet me
We both fall down the stairs in the struggle
my IRON is stronger
through to the ruins of the laboratory
A small crystal puppet ambushes me as I push through the rubble
We struggle to find footing in the debris
The IRON shatters what is left
I stumble across a ruined Dining area
This place is falling apart around me
a goblin with a wooden club makes its last stand
My ARM seems to move on its own, crushing them
I enter a grand room, this is where I saw THE MAGE last time
In their place stands a burning puppet
I watch as they burn to ash
A marble slime blocks my way into a new library
We both move at a blinding speed, but I stand tall
THE MAGE they stand against THE IRON BASTARD I HAVE BECOME
I SEVER BOTH ARMS as they try and cast
we trade blows, before I take back THEIR LEG
Their flame singes what skin I have left, but I take their LAST LIMB
I hardly cling to life as I manage to DESTROY THEIR HEAD
THE MAGE can finally DIE and be free of this place
THE GODDESS owns much of my body, a BLACKIRON BASTARD I shall remain
but my heart and mind are my own again
at last I am free...
I loved this game.
By the way, I'm a Mexican youtuber who reviews board games and other stuff. In my next video, I would like to talk about Ironbound, teach the mechanics, and show the gameplay.
Before releasing the video, I think it would be a good idea to translate it into my language. This would allow us to reach more people.
Would you be interested in a free translation into Spanish?
If you accept, how would we work?
Can I publish the translation in my Itch.io profile (giving you credit, obviously) or would you prefer me to send you the plain text so you can add it to this page?
Stay tuned, greetings.
Highly recommend throwing a black metal album on when playing!
Quick and brutal. Fantastic game!
i love this game!!!