Event·Settlement

Smoke from the Workshop

A plume of greasy black smoke rises from a crafting workshop across the square. Shouts come from inside, followed by a metallic crash. A moment later, a young apprentice stumbles out coughing, waving people away.

"Crucible cracked! Whole batch of smelting compound spilled onto the forge coals. Don't come in - the fumes will kill you."

Choices

1
Help evacuate the area. Toxic fumes in a settlement are everyone's problem.
no requirement
Success
You help clear the nearby stalls and keep gawkers at a safe distance while the smoke dissipates. The workshop owner finds you afterward and thanks you with a small payment.
Failure
In the confusion, you catch a lungful of something acrid. Your eyes water for the rest of the day and your throat feels like you gargled with sand.
2
Stay clear and wait for the professionals to handle it. You're not a firefighter.
no requirement
Success
The local crew shows up within minutes and handles the situation. Nobody blames you for not risking your lungs. The workshop is back in operation by evening.
Failure
3
You know what smelting compounds do when they burn. You can neutralize the fumes.
Chemistry lv 3
Success
You grab a bucket of alkalite from a nearby stall, tie a wet rag over your face, and toss the neutralizer onto the smoldering mess. The reaction is immediate - the toxic smoke turns to a harmless white vapor. The apprentice stares at you like you just performed a miracle.
Failure
You grab what you think is alkalite from a nearby stall, but the container was mislabeled. The powder hits the coals and the smoke turns from black to an eye-watering yellow. Everyone within thirty meters starts coughing, including you. The apprentice drags you out.

UUID