The mountain trail narrows between a slate wall and a steep drop. Wind combs the sparse pines, carrying the sharp scent of snow and hungry animals.
Four gray wolves occupy the bend ahead, lean-bodied and watchful. One stands over the torn bundle, jaws clamped around a ration sack, while the others spread across the path.
Beau
The bundle is within reach, but the wolves have the better ground.
The largest wolf lowers its head and shifts sideways, keeping the food behind its shoulder. Its yellow eyes remain fixed on Beau, measuring her armor, weapon, and balance.
A second wolf pads closer, paws silent on the grit. It bares its teeth without committing, while a third circles toward the cliffside and the fourth guards the trail behind them.
The stolen gear scrapes over stone as the largest wolf tugs it farther from the bend. A gust tears loose a strip of cloth and sends it fluttering into the ravine.
For one suspended moment, no creature moves. Then the nearest wolf gives a low warning growl, and the pack tightens its formation around the narrow passage.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover the stolen ration sack
“Beau understands animals like wolves to the extent of, if you’re bigger and seem meaner than them, they’re smart enough to back off. She raises her arms and the axe in her hand and takes a strong step forward, baring her teeth in a low shout that carries sharply through the trail. “Get! I’ll put my axe between your eyes if you raise those teeth to me again you dumb mutts.””
SUCCESS (Good Intimidation, rolled +1)
Beau raises both arms, axe lifted high, and plants a powerful step on the narrow trail. Her shoulders fill the passage as her teeth flash.
Beau
Get! I’ll put my axe between your eyes if you raise those teeth to me again, you dumb mutts.
Her low shout cracks against the slate and rolls into the ravine. The nearest wolf flinches, ears flattening as the pack’s certainty breaks.
The largest wolf gives a short, uneasy bark and releases the ration sack.
The second wolf backs away first, then the circling wolf abandons the cliffside. The fourth turns uphill, opening the trail behind Beau.
The largest wolf retreats after them, head lowered and tail rigid. The four animals withdraw around the bend, leaving the torn bundle on the stone.
Wind rushes through the sudden space. The ration sack lies within reach, scraped and dusty but no longer guarded.
“Beau adjusts her shoulders and takes measured steps towards the abandoned bundle. She’s keeping her eyes open for anything in the nearby brush as she reaches down and picks up the sack, investigating what items are inside.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +2)
Beau settles her shoulders and advances in measured steps, axe still ready. Her remaining eye tracks the brush, the stones, and the empty bend for any returning movement.
Nothing stirs among the sparse pines except wind-shaken needles and a few drifting flakes. The wolves’ tracks lead uphill, clear and fresh, with no second set hidden beside them.
She reaches the bundle, crouches, and lifts the ration sack from the grit. Its canvas is torn along one seam, but the contents remain contained.
Beau loosens the drawstring and searches by touch first: hard biscuit, smoked strips of meat, a wrapped wedge of yellow cheese, and a stoppered flask.
Under the food, her fingers find a small leather purse and a folded scrap of oilskin. The purse holds several copper coins and a single silver piece.
The oilskin protects a rough trail sketch marking a mountain shrine beyond the next ridge. No name identifies its owner, but the supplies were packed for several days.
Quest Complete
Recover the stolen ration sack
Skill Upgrade: Intimidation Good→Great
+ New Item Acquired
Ration sack