The party withdraws from Vahlheim’s exposed outer road into a concealed stand of trees. Beneath the branches, they build a small shielded fire and settle out of sight of the defenses.
The Lone Wanderer presses a stimpak against his bruised forearm. Cool medicine closes the swelling and drains the pain, leaving the arm steady enough for careful work.
Ettel spreads a scavenged map across a flat stone and weighs its corners with pebbles. Patrol paths, gate roads, and repeated supply marks converge on a fortified staging ground inside Vahlheim.
Ettel
We should avoid the outer gate. If we follow this service road, we can reach the staging ground before the next supply movement and disrupt the machinery feeding their army.
The Silent Hunter
The road has patrols, but the trees conceal its northern bend. I will scout ahead.
Bingus Brown
A fortified camp full of enemy supplies? Excellent. We sneak in, break their war machine, and leave before anyone knows what happened.
Ash
Once we choose the route, shall we move before nightfall?
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach the fortified staging ground
✓ Quest Accepted
Disrupt Vahlheim’s war-supply operation
“I say we wait until nightfall. That way we rest first, and the darkness will cover our approach.”
The Lone Wanderer
We wait until nightfall. We can rest first, and the darkness will cover our approach.
Ettel
Agreed. We will use the time to study the service road, and get enough rest. That way we can be fully prepared for a fight.
The decision settles the group beneath the trees. Ettel folds the map, the silent hunter chooses a watch position, and Bingus lowers himself beside the shielded fire.
Ash
Then I will help prepare a quiet meal and make certain the fire stays hidden. Rest will make the approach safer for everyone.
Ash gathers dry branches while Bingus checks the packs and Ettel marks the patrol intervals from memory. The concealed camp remains still beneath the darkening branches.
Hours pass without interruption. Night settles over Vahlheim, the distant defenses become silhouettes, and the party finishes its rest with weapons and supplies ready for the approach.
The Lone Wanderer leaves concealed stand of trees outside Vahlheim behind and arrives at the staging ground inside Vahlheim.
“Travel to the staging ground.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)
The party reaches Vahlheim’s fortified staging ground beneath a moonless sky. Floodlamps flicker over stacked crates, fuel drums, and a fenced motor pool hidden between ruined warehouses.
Beyond the fence, Vahlheim soldiers move between trucks and canvas shelters. A service gate hangs open, revealing a command building and a row of loaded vehicles ready for departure.
The Silent Hunter
We are inside. No alarm has sounded. The next convoy is being prepared now.
Ettel
We need their orders, their destination, and a way to stop these supplies reaching the border.
The Lone Wanderer spots a ledger on a crate beside the open gate, its pages held down by a brass insignia. Nearby, a bell rope leads from the command building to the guard posts.
Bingus Brown
There is the war machine. Let us take the ledger, break the trucks, and make these soldiers regret leaving the gate open.
Ash
We could do this stealthily or charge in.
Quest Complete
Reach the fortified staging ground
“Give bombs to everyone and tell them to sneakily plant them on the trucks while I search the command building.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -2)
The Lone Wanderer
Take one bomb each. Sneak to the trucks, plant them beneath the engines, and return without raising an alarm.
The Lone Wanderer distributes the bombs to Ettel, Ash, Bingus, and the silent hunter, then watches them slip between crates and shadows toward the motor pool. Vahlheim Soldiers continue their rounds, unaware.
Ettel
Understood. We will place them carefully and come straight back.
The Lone Wanderer crosses to the command building and slips inside. Maps, fuel tallies, and dispatch sheets cover the walls; a coded order identifies tonight’s trucks as bound for Honorhold’s western corridor.
The Lone Wanderer
The route is confirmed, but the code leaves the exact departure time uncertain.
He copies the destination and staging marks into his notes, spending precious minutes checking the cipher against the fuel ledger. Outside, the patrol rhythm shifts before he can determine when the convoy will move.
One by one, Ettel, Ash, Bingus, and the silent hunter return from the motor pool. The bombs are planted beneath the loaded trucks, and the staging ground remains unaware of the sabotage.
Director's note
Suddenly, Mason walks in, leader of the invading Capital Wasteland force. He's wearing full T-45 power armor.
“(Suddenly, Mason walks in, leader of the invading Capital Wasteland force. He's wearing full T-45 power armor.)”
The command building’s inner door swings open. Mason enters, an adult man sealed inside battered T-45 power armor, its faded plates scarred and dust-caked from the wasteland. The helmet completely hiding his face.
Mason
Stand down, wastelander. I know what you are trying to do, and I cannot allow you to succeed.
Mason blocks the exit door while holding a laser pistol in one hand.
Mason
It's you, isn't it? The Lone Wanderer. You are a legend back in the Capital Wasteland. Destroyed an entire Enclave base by yourself, restored purified water to the wastes, and even traveled to space?
Mason doesn't move from his position, staring directly at The Lone Wanderer.
Mason
It's a pity you fight for the wrong side. You could've been useful.
“Where did you get that power armor? Are you with the Brotherhood?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -1)
The Lone Wanderer
Where did you get that power armor? Are you with the Brotherhood?
Mason
Was. Lyons' Brotherhood was weak. Believed in helping others before helping themselves.
The commander’s laser pistol remains trained on the Lone Wanderer, but his answer comes without hesitation. The scarred T-45 plates carry Brotherhood markings beneath layers of dust and field repairs.
Mason
Then Elder Maxson took charge and returned the Brotherhood back to its former ways. It was good for a while, but he became obsessed with a bunch of scientists living underground and focused all of our supplies and effort on Boston.
Behind Mason, the planted bombs wait beneath the loaded trucks outside, while his armored silhouette blocks the only door.
Mason
This world is magnificent. For just a little firepower and modern medicine, these fools are willing to give us powerful artifacts and magical weapons. Once my army has enough power and influence, we will take over this world. And reshape it in our image.
Mason shifts his stance, the servos whining softly beneath the battered plates. His answer has exposed both the armor’s origin and his allegiance, but his pistol does not lower.
Director's notewhole tale
Suddenly, the bombs planted on the trucks explode and Mason temporarily loses his balance.
A violent blast erupts outside the command building. The loaded trucks buckle in fire and smoke, and the floor jolts beneath Mason’s armored boots.
Mason staggers sideways as the building shudders. His laser pistol dips for one crucial moment, while alarms and shouted orders rise across the staging ground.
Mason
What have you done? You've destroyed everything!
The smoke-thick doorway clears as Ettel and Ash appear beyond it, weapons ready. Bingus follows through the confusion, while the silent hunter watches the guard posts.
Ettel
Stand down, Mason. Your supplies will not reach Honorhold, and you are surrounded.
Mason
Surrounded? By a bunch of sword wielding peasants? I have beaten greater threats than you.
Outside, Vahlheim soldiers and Capital Wasteland soldiers rush toward the burning trucks, but the silent hunter blocks the clearest approach while Ash and Bingus secure the doorway. Mason’s pistol rises, aimed at Ettel.
Quest Complete
Disrupt Vahlheim’s war-supply operation
Skill Upgrade: Repair Great→Superb
“Disarm Mason and throw him to the ground.”
SUCCESS (Great Melee Combat, rolled +3)
The Lone Wanderer surges forward as Mason’s balance breaks. He knocks the laser pistol from Mason’s gauntlet, catches the armored commander’s momentum, and throws him hard onto the command-room floor.
Mason’s T-45 armor strikes the floor with a heavy clang. His laser pistol skids beneath a desk, out of reach, while smoke and alarm bells shake the ruined staging ground outside.
Mason
Get off me! I will not be defeated by some vault dweller!
The Lone Wanderer pins Mason’s armored shoulder and strips the pistol’s power cell before kicking the weapon farther away. His bruised forearm burns under the strain, but the commander cannot rise.
Ettel
Great! Hold him down, we'll restrain him.
Ettel and Bingus begin restraining Mason while Ash and the silent hunter fight off the guards. Mason remains face-down and controlled beneath the Wanderer’s grip, his command of the staging ground broken.
+ New Item Acquired
Laser Power Cell
“Search for stimpaks around the command building and heal my wounds.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -1)
With Mason secured beneath Ettel and Bingus’s restraints, the Lone Wanderer searches the command building’s desks, wall cabinets, and overturned supply chest. His trained eye finds a medical pouch tucked behind a fuel ledger.
Inside the pouch are two sealed stimpaks, their casing dusty but intact. He pockets one, keeps the other secured, and returns to Mason’s side.
Ettel
Use it now. We can hold him while you recover, and the building is secure enough for a moment.
The Lone Wanderer presses the injector against his bruised forearm. The mechanism clicks, and cool medicine spreads through the strained muscles beneath his sleeve.
The swelling recedes and the pain drains away, leaving his arm steady and usable again. Outside, alarms continue, but no guard reaches the command room.
Bingus Brown
There! Back on your feet. Now we can decide what to do with this armored schemer.
The Lone Wanderer's injuries are instantly healed.
+ New Item Acquired
Stimpak
“Who is in charge of this whole operation?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +2)
Mason’s helmet tilts as he struggles beneath the restraints. Ettel keeps one knee braced against his armor while Bingus watches the doorway and Ash scans the smoke-filled yard.
The Lone Wanderer
Who is in charge of this whole operation?
Mason
Me, and Vahlheim's king. He wants control over Honorhold. I was only cooperating with him until I had enough power to seize control of all the surrounding kingdoms.
He shifts against the restraints, servos whining beneath the battered T-45 plates. Outside, burning trucks and alarm bells reveal how thoroughly his staging ground has been disrupted.
Mason
The crews, the shipments, and the soldiers all answer to me. Vahlheim gets modern weapons, and I get magical powers in return.
Ettel
Then we will stop that king.
Mason
I doubt it. With magical powers and modern firepower, he and his kingdom will be unstoppable.
“Leave Mason chained up and regroup to make a plan.”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled -1)
The Lone Wanderer leaves Mason chained to the command-room support beam, his T-45 armor pinned and his stripped laser pistol out of reach. Ettel checks each restraint twice.
Ettel
He stays here while we make our plan. No one touches him, and no one enters this room alone.
Ash drags a fallen desk across the doorway, while Bingus gathers the surviving maps and dispatches from the smoke-stained floor. The staging ground remains disrupted, but its command structure is broken.
Ash
We should regroup outside the command room. The trucks are destroyed, and the soldiers have retreated.
The Lone Wanderer joins Ettel, Ash, Bingus, and the silent hunter behind the warehouse wall. They spread the recovered papers over a crate and read all the plans.
The Silent Hunter
The Vahlheim king will no doubt be at the palace. Now the only problem will be the tens of thousands of soldiers armed with laser guns.
“We need to create a portal to bring Judge's army here.”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +2)
The Lone Wanderer studies the relay plans, Mason’s dispatches, and the scorched portal ring. He rewires the failing controls, matching the anchor marks to Honorhold’s military signal.
The work consumes the remaining quiet minutes. By the time he completes the sequence, the exact duration of the opening remains uncertain, and the relay’s charge is dangerously low.
Ettel
The circle is forming. Everyone clear the equipment and prepare to receive the army.
Violet light rises from the scorched ring, widening into a stable portal. Through it appears Honorhold’s western road, where Judge and a disciplined column of soldiers wait beside their wagons.
Judge
You have opened the way. Hold this position, and my army will secure Vahlheim’s staging ground.
Judge leads the army through the violet portal into Vahlheim. Soldiers spread around the warehouses, surrounding the remaining staging ground before its scattered defenders can regroup.
The portal continues humming behind the advancing troops, its unstable edge shedding violet sparks. Honorhold’s army is here, but the opening’s remaining life cannot yet be trusted.
Director's notewhole tale
Ettel's party comes through the portal, ready to assist.
Logan, Leonard, and Mari walk through the portal beside Judge's army. They happily regroup with Ettel.
Judge sends his forces marching to Vahlheim's main city, ready to reach the king.
✓ Quest Accepted
March to Vahlheim’s palace with the army
“Join the army's advance with Ettel, her party, Ash, Bingus, and the hunter.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
The Lone Wanderer joins Judge’s advance through Vahlheim, moving beside Ettel, Ash, Bingus Brown, and the silent hunter as Honorhold’s soldiers spread across the ruined streets. The army presses toward the main city.
Logan, Leonard, and Mari follow in behind them.
Ettel
Stay together. We move with the army and keep the road clear for Judge.
Together they enter Vahlheim's capital city, where the king resides. The two armies begin clashing, fighting with guns, swords, and explosions.
There are many power armored soldiers that are fighting beside Vahlheim's forces.
Bingus Brown
Haha! I love a challenge!
The group charges forward without fear, working together to fight and overwhelm Vahlheim's defenses.