Inside the gate, Alena and the elderly patrol healer work over Traver’s fevered wound. A distant howl rolls across the hills, and every horse answers in panic.
Frost spiders over the waystation stones, whitening the gate threshold and climbing the walls. Belron remains outside with the armed riders as something massive strikes the outer wall.
The Patrol Captain
Bar the gate! Get the prisoner away from the entrance. No one opens it, whatever you hear.
The riders shove the wooden crossbar into place. Beyond it, Belron stands separated from Alena, while the wall groans under another heavy impact.
Alena Knight
Traver’s fever is worsening. He cannot be moved quickly, and the cold is spreading through the stones.
Patrol Healer
Keep pressure on the wound. Captain, that howl was no wolf. Something is testing the walls.
A shadow passes over the battlements, too tall and distorted to identify. Inside the gate, Alena braces beside Traver as the first assault closes around the waystation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Alena and Traver behind a defensible barrier
Director's note
Belron charges forward and with inhuman agility leaps up on top of the wall. His eyes turning yellow. He knows he can not fully transform here in front of everyone and Alena. He charges toward the Wendigo.
The wall shudders again. Belron launches forward, crossing the frozen yard with inhuman speed before the startled riders can close around him.
He plants one foot against the outer stones and vaults to the battlements. His eyes burn yellow as he lands above the gate, coat snapping in the bitter wind.
The Patrol Captain
Stop! Get back here, stranger! You will bring the creature down on all of us!
Belron does not transform. He surges along the wall toward the looming silhouette, keeping his human shape while every heightened sense fixes on the wendigo’s position.
The wendigo, a towering, gaunt adult wendigo with elongated limbs, gray-brown hide, a skull-like face, and ragged dark hide strips, rises beyond the battlement, unnaturally tall against the whitening sky. Its attention shifts from the waystation to Belron as he closes the distance.
Alena Knight
Belron! Do not let it draw you away from the wall!
Inside the gate, Alena keeps pressure on Traver’s wound while the healer calls for more cloth. Outside, Belron reaches the corner as the creature lunges through the frost.
✓ Quest Accepted
Defeat the wendigo
− Scene Quest Removed
Secure Alena and Traver behind a defensible barrier
Director's note
Belron leaps from the wall pulling a dagger from his belt.
Director's note
He stabs the creature as he lands and for good measure allows his left hand to morph into a werewolf claw before slashing it across its chest.
“"Take this you bastard!"”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +0)
Belron Valerion
Take this, you bastard!
Belron launches from the battlement, dagger drawn. He drops through the freezing air toward the wendigo, yellow eyes fixed on its skull-like face.
He drives the dagger into the wendigo as he lands, then his left hand reshapes into a werewolf claw. The slash tears across its chest, forcing the towering creature backward.
The wendigo recoils with a furious howl, its limbs buckling against the outer stones. Belron lands between it and the gate, his claw already drawing back toward human form.
The Patrol Captain
By the old crowns... What are you?
Inside the waystation, the horses scream and strain against their reins. Alena looks through the barred gate while keeping one hand pressed firmly over Traver’s wound.
Alena Knight
Belron, get back inside! Traver needs me, and that thing is not finished!
Director's notewhole tale
Belron throws the dagger at the wendigo striking it in its stomach
“"I can't do that Alena. I won't risk this thing getting inside and hurting you. Captain please, we can kill this thing, but I need your help!"”
FAILURE (Mediocre Persuasion, rolled -3)
Belron Valerion
I cannot do that, Alena. I will not risk this thing getting inside and hurting you. Captain, we can kill it, but I need your help!
Belron holds his ground between the wendigo and the gate, dagger low and claw retracting. The captain sees the inhuman hand before it fully becomes human again.
The Patrol Captain
You brought the monster here, and now you reveal yourself as another one. Riders, seize him. Do not open the gate.
Two riders rush along the battlement toward Belron instead of facing the wendigo. Their swords rise, forcing him away from the creature as it regains its balance below.
Alena Knight
Captain, stop! He is protecting us. If your men turn on Belron, the wendigo will reach the wall!
The wendigo lunges at the momentary gap, its elongated hands striking the gate. The timber bows inward, and frost bursts from the hinges as Traver cries out inside.
The Patrol Captain
Hold the gate! Keep that creature out, and keep the werewolf away from the prisoner!
Director's note
Belron didn't want Alena to know what he was. He just wanted to protect her.
Director's note
Belrons bones snap and crack as his body contorts and twist until finally he transforms in his werewolf form.
“"If you won't help then I have no choice, but to face it alone."”
FAILURE (Mediocre Persuasion, rolled +2)
Belron Valerion
If you will not help, then I have no choice but to face it alone.
Belron breaks from the gate and throws his dagger into the wendigo’s stomach. The blade sinks deep, but the creature barely staggers before ripping it free.
He charges across the frozen yard, vaults onto the wall with inhuman agility, and lands above the gate. His eyes burn yellow as he races toward the wounded creature.
Belron leaps from the battlement, drawing another dagger. He drives it into the wendigo as he lands, then his left hand twists into a werewolf claw and slashes across its chest.
The wendigo reels, its reach opening a narrow gap between it and the gate. Belron’s attack has exposed a vulnerable point beneath its ribs, but his fall leaves him sprawled within its grasp.
The Patrol Captain
Do not open that gate! Riders, keep the werewolf down while the creature is hurt!
As riders descend on Belron, the wendigo falters and clutches its bleeding side. Its exposed ribs offer a clear target, but the soldiers now block Belron’s path.
Director's notewhole tale
Belron fully transforms with a loud roar and charges the wendigo. Slashing and biting and it's exposed ribs
The riders close around Belron on the battlement, swords raised. Below them, the wendigo staggers beside the wall, its exposed ribs briefly unguarded.
The Patrol Captain
Keep him down! The creature is wounded. Do not let either monster reach the gate.
Belron tenses, forcing the yellow from his eyes. His claws remain human as he twists between the riders, refusing to transform before Alena and the patrol.
Alena Knight
Captain, your men are blocking the only person who can stop it! Open the gate, or move them aside!
The wendigo surges toward the battlement. Its shadow spills over the stones, and the riders falter as the wall shudders beneath its weight.
The Patrol Captain
Riders, face the creature! Werewolf, if you can understand me, strike now!
The opening comes at last. Belron springs past the startled soldiers, dagger flashing, and drives toward the wendigo’s exposed side while the gate holds behind him.
Director's note
Belron rips the wendigos heart out
“"Game over."”
Belron’s dagger drives into the wendigo’s exposed side, forcing the creature back from the battlement. The impact breaks its charge and sends frost scattering across the stones.
He remains in human form, yellow eyes blazing as he holds the wounded creature away from the gate. The riders stare, swords lowered between fear and awe.
The Patrol Captain
Hold your positions. The creature is weakened. Do not fire your blades blindly.
Below, the wendigo retreats into the whitening wilderness, leaving the waystation wall trembling behind it. Its shadow thins among the frozen trees.
Alena Knight
Belron, come back. Traver is alive, and the creature is gone.
Belron lowers the dagger and steps away from the edge. Behind the barred gate, Alena keeps one hand over Traver’s bandage while the dawn settles over the silent road.