CORPSEGHOUL SWAMPLANDS and WITCHES HOLLOW

You may choose up to one companion and one accessory to take through the swamp. There is great risk involved to all that you bring along as well as your chosen character, though you may find there will also be equally great benefit.

Any rewards gained in your adventure will be account bound and therefore not tradeable. A handful of the benefits will be for the character you bring only.

Your choice in character, companion, and accessory will impact your story. Different attributes and aspects of your character, companion, and accessory will provide risks or benefits depending on the various encounters, and where one wolf would fail a situation another wolf might pass it with ease.

As the story progresses, encounters will become riskier though you can choose to abandon the adventure at any time. If you choose to remain, you do so understanding the risks!

Magnus has the option to choose one of his companions and one of his accessories, please mention in your reply what you may be bringing along.
Lets begin!

CORPSEGHOUL SWAMPLANDS - The Beginning

You enter through the low hanging fog into the Corpseghoul Swamplands. Ahead of you lies a large pond surrounded on all sides by boggy and mucky terrain. Frogs in the distance occasionally bellow out an ominous croak (and if you listen closely it sounds a little like "muuuuuurDER." Creepy.)

To move onward towards the Witches Hollow you must go deeper, but how will you overcome the swamp?

1. The pond appears to be deep, and the water is so murky that you can’t tell what lies in wait beneath. There’s gross foliage that might make swimming it difficult, though a larger wolf may be lucky enough to be able to touch the bottom. Do you choose to brave the water?
   
   
2. The terrain surrounding the water is gross, mucky, and squishy when tested with a paw. There is better visibility through this way, though there is the possibility that the ground may not hold your weight at all. Boggy foliage and obstacles are strewn about, that you’ll need to go around, under, or atop. Will you risk the potentially unsteady ground beneath your paws?
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   

Magnus needed to get away from the pack for a minute. Even if he wasn't very far, he needed some space. Of course it wasn't anything within the Armada that was stressing him, but a change from his chores and duties was all he needed. A break. Some time to think, really. They weren't great thoughts, but he needed to think about them nonetheless if he wanted to move on with his life. Of course his heart ached for Deathbelle, but did hers for him? He couldn't read minds but if he could this whole thing would be a lot easier.

As he entered the swamp and the low hanging fog surrounded him, something ominous made the fur on his nape rise and his nerves gather quickly. With only his hyena companion at his side, the two made eye contact briefly before Magnus reached for the knife secured within his foreleg bracers and held the shaft firmly between his teeth. The ground was sloshy beneath his paws, but seemed safer than treading through the murky water. Despite the thick fog, he figured working his way over the unsteady ground would be his safest bet.

SUCCESS

Your heavy weight brings your body to sink well into the mucky earth, though your toned muscle wins out against the pull of the terrain and you power on through unscathed,  maneuvering around each obstacle with confidence and ease. Nearing the end of this encounter, you discover a shiny pile sitting atop the trunk of one oversized collapsed tree. Luck was with you, it may seem.

[Magnus receives 92 gems]

THE WITCHES HOLLOW

Further into the swamplands sits a decayed, broken down cottage. The roof appears to have collapsed long ago, and it appears as if no one has been here for quite some time. Jars, broken glass, and beakers lay strewn about the floor covered in a thick layer of dust and grime. Only three items within the hut appear to have been disturbed recently, and your attention is drawn inexplicably towards them.

In the far corner of the room is a package of fresh, aromatic meat. Upon a hook on the wall beside you a gourd full of paint hangs from a thin string. Lastly, a mysterious corked vial of a crystal clear liquid sits alone in a tray on a nearby shelf. Beside the door you see as a small pouch that can fit one item snugly.

The cottage is eerily silent and outside the sun is beginning to set. You cannot stay long, though you have time to take something on your way out.

Your response at this part of the adventure will have great potential impact later in the story. It is not multiple choice, though multiple choices lay before you. Make your choice in character and write your wolf attempting their exit.

As he pushed himself through the muck, the hyena forced himself ahead for safety. Magnus didn't complain of course, allowing the crocuta to push ahead in the face of danger. With the knife secured tightly in his jaws, his eyes flicked around watching for anything that might have moved. Before long, a hut appeared before him and they both stopped with their eyes on the dilapidated construction. With another quick glance between them, Magnus offered the hyena a nod and set off ahead of them and through the eerie doorway.

The place was a mess, covered in dust and other things, yet a few things seemed recently placed. Covered in little to no dust, his eyes scanned the meat, gourd, and vile. The hyena, pressing into his side now, grunted softly to get his attention and motioned towards the satchel. With one last precautionary glance around the hut, Magnus reached for the bag before taking a few slow steps inside the cottage.

While the meat smelled good, it seemed suspicious. Who would leave a pile of fresh meat? It probably meant someone was close, too. After a bit of further investigation, the gourd with paint seemed a bit messy and although he was tempted to take it, the vile of mysterious liquid caught his attention a bit more. Magnus wasn't one to steal, but snatching the vile seemed like a good idea and quickly he placed the vile into the bag before retracing his steps back towards the exit as quickly as he could before whoever put these here returned.

SUCCESS

As the sun begins to set outside the cottage, a bright beam of light shines in through the pane-less window and into a small, broken drawer. While it's had originally been hidden among the rest of the clutter, it is as if the gods themselves are pointing it out towards you now. Surely while your paws are full, your companion can still hold it for you.

[Magnus received a small companion accessory]

THE FOUNTAIN

Deeper through the marshes you notice a faint glowing, and are inexplicably compelled to follow it. The trees and reeds open up to a pool of clean, clear water that seems out of place in the gross boggy swamp. Bathing within it are tadpoles, hatchling snakes, and other various baby animals.

(UNLOCKED) The vial in your sack glows brightly as you approach, and the cluster of critters turn to gape in awe. One juvenile monkey springs out from the fountain and before you have time to react, steals the vial from under your nose. He flees back to the water and unceremoniously upends the vial into the water, bringing a chorus of cheers from the animals who have made it their home.

You may stop for a moment and investigate, though you cannot stay long and must continue forward before the night grows too dark.

1. Your thirst is calling to you. There are many other bodies of water to satiate it nearby, though something about the strange water is enticing. Do you take the chance to drink from the fountain?
   
   
2. You would not be the first wolf to worry about ingesting something so odd and unnatural, though some part of you knows the water’s importance. Do you take a moment to soak in the fountain rather than drink from it?
   
   
3. If you are exceptionally cautious you might decide against having anything to do with the unnatural pond. You may leave without any part of it touching you, if that is what you wish.
   
   
4. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   

As he left the cottage, he noticed an interesting glowing that he felt compelled to follow. Having not noticed the glowing before, he was confused and a bit curious. Despite the uncertain look across the hyena's face, he chose to follow after it anyway and came upon a pool of clean water. Strange, the rest of the water around here was nasty looking and definitely not safe to drink. While he wasn't paying much attention and looking at all the juvenile animals, a sneaky monkey had appeared and snatched the vile! That damned monkey! He was going to take it back for Iolaire to investigate. She seemed like the perfect wolf for the job, but now the monkey had poured it all into the small pool. A frown settled on his lips as he watched the little animals enjoy the vials contents. Deciding to see for himself what all the fuss was about, Magnus spontaneously decided to walk into the clear water and soak in an attempt to understand this mystical pond, much to his hyena's dismay.

SUCCESS

Mere moments after the water touches your fur, you feel every muscle within your body begin to relax. The temperature is perfect, and it's almost as if herbs of all kinds have been mixed into the crystal clear waters to bring from it a gentle, soothing scent. From the top of your head down to your toes and tail a warmth begins to spread, and while you can't identify anything specific that the fountains have done to you, it's unmistakable that they've had an effect on something.

[Magnus has received two [REDACTED] prizes, both which will be revealed and awarded when the adventure is either completed or abandoned early.]

NOT SUNFLOWERS NOR DAISIES

Journeying deeper, you encounter a bog of all types of sentient plants as wide as the eye can see. Their herbaceous mouths hang open, and they appear to be waiting for an unaware creature to brush by and fall victim to its fast-shutting clasp. You watch in awe as one particularly large one snaps an unaware eagle right out of the air. You must get past them, but how?

1. These dudes look hungry and unlike anything you’ve ever seen but you need to get past them somehow. If you are quiet and appear unappetizing, perhaps you can wander carefully by without drawing their attention.
   
   
2. If you believe you may appear too tantalizing for the carnivorous plants to ignore, you could try your luck with speed instead. As scary as the field of plants may be, they are rooted to the ground and cannot chase you if they miss their first bite.
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   

The soak was nice and invigorating, feeling good on his skin as the warmth ran over him. His hyena still wasn't sure and definitely wasn't keen on jumping in even if Magnus looked relaxed bathing in the clear water. As something caught Magnus' attention, he pushed himself through the water. As he got closer, he noticed a large plant pluck an eagle straight out of the sky! Magnus gave a questioning look back to the hyena, who finally decided to join him over being left in this strange swamp, and shrugged. Running by the large plants seemed hardly like a good idea. He wasn't very fast with his large size and heavy muscle. The best he could do was sneak by the large plants and hope he and his hyena went unnoticed. He prayed something better came along and their attention was grabbed by it instead.

SUCCESS

Low, gurgled breaths follow you as you make your way slowly through the field. Occasionally you draw the attention of a hungry plant, who inspects you for a long and quiet moment before turning away to search the skies for a more appetizing meal. In the end you and your companion were successful in keeping all your limbs intact, though before you can continue onwards something smacks into your rear leg. It appears another creature had been watching you and adopted your strategy to make it's way through the dangerous field. It owes you a life debt, had said creature not had such an intelligent wolf to emulate it surely would have been eaten.

[Magnus has received a LARGE COMPANION PASS [Creature of your choice!]
You can come back for him or her later or write him or her accompanying you through the remainder of the adventure, it will not affect your story either way.

THE WITCHES BODYGUARD

An angry, oversized bullfrog with long, serrated claws and glowing red eyes stands in your way and lets out a bellowing, menacing croak. It stands upon a pile of bones three times it’s height and looks prepared to add your skull to it's collection.

1. A bullfrog can’t have been the worst thing you’ve fought or seen others fight, surely it is a winnable battle. You may choose to stand your ground and enter combat with the frog but be warned, he’s a more formidable opponent than he looks.
   
   
2. Sometimes power comes in small packages, and you are not willing to underestimate this particular opponent. While you may not be willing to put tooth and claw against him, there’s always the chance you can outrun him.
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   
   

-----

Having hardly noticed the creature that smacked his leg while he was paying too close attention to the plants, he hurried his way through and let out an audible sigh of relief when he and his hyena made it through alive. The stow-away that was using them as shelter was ignored as a much larger threat stood before them, a giant bullfrog that looks meaner than anything he'd ever seen before.

That didn't scare him though, even with the large pile of bones. Magnus was strong, and he hoped strong enough to bypass this massive frog! He certainly knew that he wasn't fast, so maybe he'd have a better chance at fighting the giant frog instead. His hyena thought less of the idea, but snarled along with him to make them seem much worse than they looked.

SUCCESS

You and your companion advance on the frog ready to do battle. He digs his claws into the pile of bones and bellows a load threatening croak, preparing to spring. Suddenly he pauses, looking up at the sky and looking like he's listening to someone.. or something. He lets out a quiet croak of argument that is cut off as he poofs into smoke. It appears the witch has need of her bodyguard for something else, and you've been spared the pain of facing off against him. Upon inspection of the now absent frog's pile of bones, you see a small potion resting in the eye socket of a skull.

[Magnus has received a [GROWTH POTION (2 inches)]]

THE WITCH HERSELF

In a flash of sizzling smoke and mist, an old crone apparates. Stooped in posture, she outstretches an arm in your direction, pointing a knobby finger right at you. "You stole my vial and bathed in my bathwater!" She accuses, spittle flinging from her dry, thin lips. Her speech continues in a language unintelligible to you, though it occurs to you that it sounds a heck of a lot like a curse!

1. You have only a few moments before her chanting is complete, and without any idea what exactly the witch has in store for you, perhaps you should take this opportunity to run for it!
   
   
2. For all you know her curse doesn’t require line-of-sight, you might not be free from it even if you flee successfully. Would you like to instead try to explain yourself, reason with her and apologize?
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED PATH UNLOCKED: Your life of combat has prepared you for this moment, and this witch is not the only scary beast you've encountered. You may attempt instead to battle her, though be warned she may be the hardest foe you've ever faced!
   

Magnus was ready to battle the frog, but luck seemed to be on his side when it seemed they had other things to do and poofed into thin air. A vile was left behind in a skull and Magnus quickly sent the hyena to fetch it while he moved on, curious about what was even going on. Never before had he heard of something this strange happening in the swamplands, and he lived close enough to know.

A witch quickly appeared, jeering at him with a crooked finger and accusatory words, though the seemed to rattle on with something he couldn't understand. Were curses real? What even was a witch, anyway!? Magnus didn't like this anymore and decided to test his luck with the witch as he had the frog. Maybe this time he'll get to battle, though he wouldn't be too upset if they poofed too.

FAILURE

The witch sneers at your pathetic attempt at an attack, lifting her boney hand towards you in retaliation. The pain starts instantaneously and you're unable to escape the feeling of her hands clenching down inside your skull. As quickly as the migraine comes on, it ends, and in it's place is blindness. You hear her taunting cackles, and her parting words. "Better luck next time, dog. Now get out of my swamp!" A soft 'poof' sounds before you, and you know you're alone.

[Magnus has received a REDACTED reward, to be revealed later!]
AND
[Magnus has received [TEMPORARY BLINDNESS] to heal on the 1st of Winter]

THANKS FOR PLAYING!

Magnus received a total of 7 rewards and 1 punishments.
1 punishment is a temporary blindness (this will give you a fight disability, and will heal on season change to Winter!)
1 reward is 92 gems
1 reward is a small companion accessory
1 reward is a large companion pass
1 reward is a growth potion
1 reward is REDACTED and to keep things mysterious for other players still deciding their paths, will be revealed closer to the adventure deadline.
1 reward is REDACTED and to keep things mysterious for other players still deciding their paths, will be revealed closer to the adventure deadline.
1 reward is REDACTED and to keep things mysterious for other players still deciding their paths, will be revealed closer to the adventure deadline.

Stay tuned for REDACTED reveal!

Thank you for your participation!
- Your Event Staff writer

NOTE: ALL PRIZES FOR THIS EVENT REDEEMED HERE!!!!!