Enter the station
Walt descends into Deep Warren Station. No roll. Entrance visible and unguarded. Escalator stopped. Dead leaves. Plaque: "Deep Warren Station — All Trains Delayed Indefinitely." Walt steps through.
Light flare, scan platform
Walt lights a flare and scans the platform. No roll. Platform empty. Lights flicker — organic, not electrical. Stain patterns on the wall spell "PAY."
Examine ticket booth (DEX check, DC 10)
Walt examines the driver's timetable in the ticket booth. Roll d20 ≤ DEX (10). Result: 6 — success. Last entry: "The passengers paid their debt. They were transferred." Walt: 1 shilling. Debt: 1,000. No leverage.
Take the debt notice seriously (WIL check, DC 9)
Walt considers the debt notice. Roll d20 ≤ WIL (9). Result: 12 — failure. Walt ignores the hint. Pockets timetable. Heads toward tracks.
Descend to tracks
Walt descends to the tracks. Deprivation: Water +1 (1/3). Tracks dry. Tunnel into dark. Flare sputters — one left.
Encounter ghost-train (STR check, DC 7)
Walt stands ground as ghost-train screams through. Ledger-books instead of faces. "DEBT OWED. DEBT OWED." Debt notice vibrates. Roll d20 ≤ STR (7). Result: 4 — success. Walt stands firm.
Negotiate with ghosts (WIL check, DC 9)
Walt opens his hand: "I have one shilling." Roll d20 ≤ WIL (9). Result: 9 — success. Ghosts: "ACCEPTED AS GOOD FAITH. THE REST REMAINS." They fade. Platform lighter.
Search conductor cab
No roll. Walt finds brass mechanism, bag of old coins (3 shillings value), note: "If you paid, they will let you leave."
Examine mechanism (DEX check, DC 10)
Walt examines the mechanism. Roll d20 ≤ DEX (10). Result: 15 — failure. No insight — but Walt notices: coins stamped with Bastion Finance logos. Debt tokens, not currency.
Leave station
No roll. Station clock reads 11:47 — same as entry. Ghosts made time irrelevant. Debt notice: "DEBT: 999 shillings. Partial payment accepted." Walt walks out: 4 shillings richer, 999 shillings poorer.