Shale surveys the Wet Market using a d8. A 5 — the clear path is identified. Three routes: blood-soaked, static, and nothing. No trap. Clear path found.

Shale moves through the static corridor, listening for danger. A hidden stairwell is found — rusted but accessible. Clear route confirmed.

Shale attempts to quietly force the stairwell hinges. The hinges scream in the crowded market. Something below shifts.

Shale spends stress to resist the fear. The Cleaver bonus applies. The fear holds at bay. The market above empties — residents know what lives below.

Shale finds a hidden cache: old rations, a compass, and a sealed iron box. The box hums with old magic. Something wants out.

Shale examines the iron box using a d6 arcane risk die. A 2 — triggers a response. Mind track marked +1. A whisper: "We ate the city. Now we eat you." The Echo is awake.

Shale spends stress to suppress the whisper. Roll Resolve with Cleaver bonus. The Echo track marks +2 — now at 3/4. A shadow with teeth manifests in the stairwell.

Shale attempts to escape via the static route. Roll d8 — a 3. Partial. The route partially collapses. Shale makes it through but the sealed box is left behind. The Echo grows louder.

At 3 Echo marks, one more failure triggers the Confused condition. Shale rolls Insight — two dice, full success. Echo track drops to 1 mark. The shadow retreats.

Shale anchors in memory of sunlight. She crawls out of the Wet Market edge — alive, empty-handed, knowing what lives below. Stress spent: 2. Mind: 1 mark remaining. All Fallout conditions successfully avoided.