Event·Wasteland

The Wounded Stranger

A man sits propped against a rock beside the trail, pressing a blood-soaked rag to his left arm. He sees you and raises his right hand - palm out, universal sign for 'not a threat.'

"Cut myself on scrap metal two hours ago. Bleeding stopped, but it's deep and I can't reach it to clean it properly. I just need help with the bandage. That's all."

Choices

1
Help him bandage the wound. It's a simple ask.
no requirement
Success
You clean the cut with water from your flask and wrap it tight with a fresh strip of cloth. The wound is ugly but clean - no signs of infection yet. He thanks you quietly, tests his grip, and stands. "Heading to the next settlement. I'll make it now. Thank you."
Failure
You help wrap the wound, but the gash is deeper than it looked. Blood seeps through the first bandage immediately. You wrap a second layer, tighter. It holds, but you've used most of your bandage supply and his confidence is shaken. He thanks you, but his face is pale.
2
Decline. Strangers with injuries in the waste are a classic ambush setup.
no requirement
Success
You keep your distance and shake your head. "Sorry, friend." He nods - no anger, no argument. He's heard 'no' before. You walk past with your hand on your weapon and your eyes on the scrub. Nothing happens. Maybe he was genuine. You'll never know.
Failure
3
That wound - the edges tell you it's not from scrap metal. You can tell what actually cut him.
Sharp Melee Specialisation lv 2
Success
The wound is too clean and too deep for jagged scrap - this is a blade wound. Smooth edges, consistent depth, slight curve to the cut. Someone slashed him with a knife. You help him bandage it, but you ask directly: "Who did this?" He hesitates, then tells you - a robber, three miles back on the trail, working alone. You take a description and a location. That information is worth something to a Ranger patrol.
Failure
You examine the wound and declare it a blade cut, not scrap metal. The man stiffens. "It was scrap," he says, harder this time. Maybe you're right and he's hiding something. Maybe you're wrong and you just accused an injured man of lying. Either way, the trust is gone. He wraps the wound himself and walks away without another word.

UUID