It was a rare thing for Briar to be out this late, especially on her own, but as the sun was beginning to set she suddenly realized they were out of fresh berries that she had been planning on using for their breakfast the next day. With so many growing pups around it was no wonder that they were constantly out of one ingredient or another. Luckily the wild berry grove was right down the hill so with her assurances to Artorias that she would be right back after a quick trip to their other territory, she hurried out of the castle with a basket in tow. She didn't even bother to find Marigold to bring with her to help carry her harvest. The antlered fox was likely already tucked in and she knew how grumpy her companion could be if roused from her sleep. She made it down to the cluster of trees in record time and started rummaging through the familiar bushes that were absolutely littered with berries as they made their way through the Auster summer months. As she moved from one bush to another, however, a bit of movement from the corner of her eye made her paws, turning her head to look through the shadowed trees that made the grove mostly dark save for a few patches of growing moonlight between the leaf cover. She didn't allow herself to be worried just yet since she was well within pack territory and it was entirely possible that any one of their pack members could still be out and about, but it did at least put her on alert.

"Briar Carpathius"

Three wolfish borzoi stand before you, shifting with anticipation. Their glowing green eyes flitter and dance with an ethereal excitement. To your left, a pale and excitable wolf beckons, their tail wagging fervently behind them. In the center, a mournful wolf who's coat is such a pure slate, it seems as if she's tinged blue. To your right stands a dark abrasive looking wolf who's eyes are barely visible under his furrowed brow as he impatiently awaits your decision. In fact, it seems they are all waiting for you to make a choice between the three.

Who do you choose?

Easy Route: The Gleeful Guide

This route poses minimal risk, but also lesser rewards.
Risks: Scarring, small loss of gems/skill points

Medium Route: The Sorrowful Guide

This route poses some risk and moderate rewards.
Risks: Scarring, cosmetic disfigurement, temporary disabilities, moderate loss of gems/skill points

Hard Route: The Irascible Guide

This route poses the most risk and greater rewards.
Risks: Scarring, cosmetic disfigurement, permanent disabilities, higher loss of gems/skill points

As she stood there in the shadows of the trees, she realized the movement she had noticed in the forest hadn't been a trick of the light at all. Three figures emerged from the trees, making her immediately turn toward them and abandon her gathering for the moment. She didn't recognize any of them and to find them in the pack's territory was of course concerning, but as they looked at each other for a long moment none of them seemed to be malicious or intent on attacking her. "Hello there," she said tentatively, moving a bit closer to the trio of unusual, wolfish canines. Each of them had a vastly different expression and reaction to her–one seemingly happy to be here, one looking terribly sad, and the last seemingly irritated by the whole thing. While she was concerned about the fact that any of them were here, the mother in her couldn't help but worry the most about the slate one that seemed as blue as her fur. "Are you alright?" she asked quietly to the middle wolf, stepping closer while still keeping an eye out to see if there were more where they came from.

ooc: Picking medium route!

"Briar Carpathius"

The tearful wolf seems almost surprised you chose her, giving her head a half-shake, as if in response. After sniffling back some tears, she turns and motions for you to follow.

Quietly, the woman leads you into a perpetual fog. Your senses are blocked and it is impossible to know where you are going. Your only lead is the salty scent of the woman you follow and the brief grey blue flash of her tail in front of you, her body obscured by the mists.

When the shroud thins, you find yourself in a small clearing surrounded by the largest weeping willows you have ever seen. In the center of the clearing, a mirror-like pond awaits, completely still except for a small swirling whirlpool in the middle. A thin path of stepping stones trail towards the center of the lake then stop. The sad wolf sits, and motions you towards the lake, tear-filled eyes brimming with anticipation.

What do you do?

Strength: Swim into the whirlpool.

You're probably stronger than some water, right? You can just swim over and see what's up.

Charisma: Ask the guide for a hint.

The guide seems nice enough. Maybe she will help you.

Dexterity: Use the stepping stones.

There are perfectly good stepping stones here for you to use!

Wisdom: Inspect the water.

Something is amiss with the water... Maybe you can figure out what.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Briar frowned with concern at the clearly saddened and unusual wolf in front of her. She was still unsure as the slate canine gestured for her to follow, but she was worried about them enough to at least want to see if this would give her more answers. Stepping forward, she moved through a thickening mist, her ears flicking back with growing unease. "Where are you taking me?" she questioned, but by this point she could hardly even see a foot in front of her and if it wasn't for the occasional flash of her guide's tail she probably would have lost her way. It wasn't until the mist began to thin that she realized just how far they had traveled. At least, that's what she assumed. How else did she end up in such an unknown place when she was just in their own territory? She looked around at the massive willow trees with a mix of awe and confusion before finally focusing on the pool ahead of her. She glanced over at her guide, expecting some sort of explanation, but instead she was simply directed toward the water with some sort of expectation from the slate canine. Briar had no idea what she was here for or what she was supposed to do, but she moved closer to the water regardless, standing at the edge and peering out toward the whirlpool at its center. The stepping stones seemed like an obvious path, but she couldn't quite decide if it was wise to go out there at all just yet. She took a moment longer, watching the water and the swirling movement at its center, trying to figure out why this place felt so out of place and what about the water was so odd.

ooc: picking wisdom!

"Briar Carpathius"

You inspect the water, but see nothing there. Maybe a closer look will do. You approach the silvery surface of the water and lean in close. You think you can make something out at the bottom and lean in closer, and closer, and- oops! Your paw slips, sending you clamoring into the lake where your struggles against the currents are for naught. The last thing you remember is going around and around and around and then... down.

As you fall, you scratch your left front outer leg.

Under the whirlpool, a waterfall floats you into an underground lake. As you pull yourself from the frigid pool, an icy palace opens before your eyes. Thick layers of ice coat the cave's interior and ornate carvings decorate the walls. Your guide stands on the shore, shaking out her fur.  She inspects the surroundings, and you do the same. You realize there is no discernible exit, though some of the ice looks thin and even cracked in some spots along the walls.

What do you do?

Strength: Break through one of the weak spots.

The ice looks thin enough, and you feel strong enough to burst through.

Charisma: Ask the guide where to go.

The room seems directionless... Maybe the guide knows something.

Dexterity: Try to squeeze through one of the larger cracks.

Some of the cracks and cervices look large enough for you to squeeze through.

Wisdom: Inspect the drawings on the wall.

The drawings are intricate, they must mean something.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

It was so difficult to get a good look at the center of the pool and she thought she had a good enough footing to lean closer to get a better look, but apparently she over estimated how sure that footing was. She went tumbling forward with a hard gasp, immediately trying to paddle against the current and get herself back to shore. It swept her away so quickly that she hardly had time to react, her vision swirling as she was spun and tossed by the swirling water. She pulled in a breath and held it as she was tugged further in and down into the water, swallowing her up before she could really even process what was happening.

At some point in her descent the sting of pain as something scratched her foreleg, but that was hardly a concern compared to the water surrounding her as she was brought down and down further still. At some point right as she was beginning to think she might drown, she crashed into another pool at the bottom of the waterfall she had traveled down, landing in frigid water that shocked her system even further. She bobbed to the surface with a sputtering gasp, flailing a bit as she regained her bearings and swam quickly to the shore. Pulling herself onto the hard floor of the cave, she shook herself off as best as she could and looked around as she shivered lightly, noticing the wolf that had guided her here doing the same. She would have thought that all of this was malicious somehow with this slate wolf guiding her knowing this would happen, but with the way she was looking around she wasn't sure if that was true.

Of course the first thing she looked for was a path out of here or some kind of exit, but all she saw was walls of ice. She stepped closer to them, looking at the carvings and drawings and hoping that they might lead her to something useful. While the carvings themselves were difficult to follow and decipher, her examinations did make her notice a crack in the ice. She wasn't the smallest wolf she knew, but she was certainly on the smaller side and slender so perhaps she might be able to slip though if there was something on the other side. She peered in, trying to see if this was actually an opening or not, but with no other alternatives obvious to her she glanced back to see if her guide was following and then began to try and carefully squeeze through the gap.

ooc: Picking the dexterity option!

"Briar Carpathius"

You try to squeeze through and almost make it. You can see the other room! One problem being... you're stuck. It takes the guide several moments before she's able to push you through, a sharp piece of ice scraping into your right cheek as you plop out the other side, leaving a small scar.

On the other side of the ice wall, what was once a neat hallway has been utterly destroyed. Carved pillars lay broken and elaborate art shattered.

The tunnel ahead looks a little unstable, and proceeding further may be very dangerous. You know if you go on now, you may not return in the same condition you entered.

What do you do?

Strength: Charge through the tunnel.

If you're plenty quick, the tunnel won't have a chance to collapse!

Charisma: Convince your guide to lead the way.

One wrong step could lead to the tunnel failing. Perhaps the guide knows a better way.

Dexterity: Carefully tread down the hallway.

If you go slow and carefully, you can leave the tunnel undisturbed.

Wisdom: Study the cave and find the safest path.

If you look closely, you can see where the cracks and freshly broken ice are.

LAST CHANCE TO LEAVE.

If you proceed further, you will not be able to leave. Abandoned threads may result in failed rolls.
Risks: Scarring, cosmetic disfigurement, temporary disabilities, moderate loss of gems/skill points

Briar's breath caught in her chest as panic started to set in when she realized that she was suddenly stuck fast in the narrow gap she had attempted to squeeze through. She wiggled and tried to free herself with a whine, but eventually the slate wolf came to her rescue and helped push her through, though not without feeling a sharp sting across her cheek as a particularly sharp piece of ice scraped across her face. That felt like a small price to pay to get unstuck and out to the other side. Once she was freed she gave herself a shake and took a deep breath, letting out a slow sigh. Gods, why was she doing this?!

Looking ahead, the path didn't look any better than what she had just come through–if anything it looked significantly worse. Her ears flicked uncertainly as she let her gaze trail across the broken, crumbling tunnel ahead of them. Every scenario that she ran through her head didn't seem like it would end well, but surely this canine had to have brought her here for a purpose, right? She turned her attention down to the slate wolf, looking to them with concern and confusion. "Do you know how to get through here?" she asked as she glanced between her guide and the path ahead. "Is there a better way to get where we're going?"

ooc: Picking charisma!

"Briar Carpathius"

The weeping woman nods at you and turns her attention to the tunnel ahead. One step, then another, she turns to check on you. You follow in her pawsteps.

As you tip toe through the tunnel, you find a bag tied neatly with a ribbon - you'll have to open this later.

At the end of the collapsed tunnel, what appears to have once been an elaborate shrine at some point in time lays demolished. A part of the wall carves out and opens to an open room full of jagged ice floating in deathly waters. In the center, a large, flat expanse is frozen, and on the other side, what look like daylight shines through a small opening.

What do you do?

Strength: Break through the jagged ice to the exit.

The ice doesn't look so tough, you can probably break through the tips and clear a path.

Charisma: Convince your guide to lead the way.

The guide may know how to get through the treacherous cave.

Dexterity: Jump from jagged peak to peak towards the exit.

If you time your jumps just right, you think you'll be able to use them as stepping stones.

Wisdom: Look for the safest path to the exit.

Looking ahead, there has to be one safe path... if only you can spot it.

Briar breathed a small sigh of relief as her guide agreed silently that she knew a path. Well, at least one of them knew where they were going. The slate wolf took the lead and began taking a very particular path. When her guide glanced back at her she gave a small nod in return. She was already mapping out the path she was taking and following very closely behind her, hardly taking a breath as she made sure to match it step for step. She spotted a little something out of the corner of her eye and without really pausing to see what it was she snatched the little bag right next to their path, hardly looking at it out of fear that she might miss something that her guide did.

Once they were finally on the other side she let out a heavy sigh even though she knew they weren't completely in the clear just yet. Still, it felt like progress and that was something. Once she had a moment to catch her breath, she began to look around and access what was ahead of her. What this place could have been at one point had her curious, but given the circumstances the bit of sunlight she saw through a small opening on the other side made her far more excited than the curious ruins. With so many treacherous things between her and there she didn't want to rush into anything and as she stepped closer to the jagged ice she decided to follow the inspiration of her guide and take things carefully. She started studying the landscape and tried to pin point a safe path, taking slow and careful steps as she felt it out.

ooc: picking wisdom!

"Briar Carpathius"

You think you've chosen the safest path. You navigate carefully, your eyes scanning for the best route. You didn't choose right, you realize as you look over and see a flatter path. Your distraction costs you, and you slip into the icy spikes below. Above you, now spinning, you see the streaks of your own blood melting down the broken and jagged ice. As your vision tunnels, the guide runs to your side and all you can think about is how warm her tears are.

You awaken out by the lake, battered and beaten and so. so cold. A familiar form kneels beside you, tending your wounds. It takes several blurry moments to realize this is not your guide, but a cluster of fireflies in a cloak the same color as your guide's fur. Your injuries ache, but you will heal fine; you can tell somehow by the way the fireflies buzz around you.

You realize loosely how little sense that makes and you wonder if this is real, but a warm force closes your eyes and bids you to think of home, of safety. When you awake next, you are in a safe place, one which you might have imagined.

You've made it out alive, though not without injury. You notice a deep wound on the throat, which will no doubt turn into a noticeable scar (about 6 inches long). Likewise you feel you've lost some knowledge along the way, losing 23 Intellect skill points. Any items you've found lay beside you, and will be revealed later.

You study the room for a long while until you figure out the safest path to the exit. Avoiding the frigid cold waters, you find a solid path toward the small opening on the other side of the room, grabbing a carefully bundled item along your way. You make a note to examine it later.

Before you reach the exit, the ice around you cracks and water sputters up until you are left stranded with your guide on a large, floating stage of ice. From the frozen depths, a massive, blue tinted worm bursts forth and shrieks. You understand its name immediately: Beauregard. You know now that you can not leave until you defeat this menace. Your guide looks to you, ready to go on your command.

What do you do?

Strength: Fight the worm head on.

Use whatever strength you have left to charge forward and fight the worm.

Charisma: Convince the worm to let you pass.

Maybe you can reason with the worm instead of using violence to get your way.

Dexterity: Sneak around and attack the worm from behind.

You think maybe you can use the shards of ice as cover to sneak around and attack from behind.

Wisdom: Find the worm's weak point.

If you hang back and study the worm for awhile, maybe you can figure out how to best defeat it.



Rerolled using firefly's favor

A keen eye finally picked out a solid path and it boosted her confidence as she walked the path forward, glancing back once to make sure her guide was close behind. Even though the unusual slate wolf was the reason she was here to begin with, she wasn't about to leave without the canine in tow. Her temporary confidence was quickly shaken, however, when the ice around them suddenly began to shake and crack, making her gasp as her claws gripped desperately to the surface of the ice to try and hold herself steady.

They ended up on a solitary chunk of ice, but that very quickly became the least of her concerns with a huge, blue-hued worm burst out from beneath the surface of the icy water. Her eyes widened with disbelief and shock, her mouth agape as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. Beauregard. Where that name came from, she didn't know, but somehow she just knew that's what its name was. This whole thing was becoming more and more unbelievable by the moment. Glancing at her companion, she saw the guide looking to her, waiting for her next move. She had to get them out of here, she didn't have another choice.

With a quick, resolute nod she looked back to the worm. Trying to fight such a thing made no logical sense. It was massive and if they fell in the water they were done for–whether it be because of freezing to death or drowning or being eaten by the worm she didn't know, but none of it sounded good. She didn't know if this creature could understand language or not, but she felt like it was at least worth a shot. She took a step toward it, calling out, "Beauregard! Please, let us pass. We did not mean to intrude on your home. Allow us to pass and we will leave you be." Just in case it couldn't understand her words, she lowered her head to show that she was not planning to attack it, hoping that would put it more at ease.

ooc: picking charisma!

"Briar Carpathius"

You desperately try to reason with the worm, and it screeches in response. It begins to swim around, screeching in an unbearable pitch and volume. It swims endless circles for what feels like eons before it finally dives under the water.

The worm bubbles beneath the icy surface and after a moment, no more bubbles float up. The worm is gone and the guide quickly ushers the two of you outside.



Outside the night seems clear and calm and you realize you are back where the adventure started.

Your guide stops weeping for just a moment and offers a soft, genuine smile. In a flash, she is gone, only a few fireflies buzzing lazily where the guide once was.

The cave, now peaceful, stands to be explored by any who come across it. Maybe you can remember your way back sometime.

You have unlocked a new site land: Crystal Cathedral!

You receive: 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea Bundle:

• Boosted Companion Pass
  
• 3rd companion slot
  

Three wolfish borzoi bow their heads in appreciation. Thank you for playing the Halloween 2023 event! All is calm as you look out, but there's no telling what's on the horizon... or perhaps even under it...

Look forward to peeks into the event, hiccups, and maybe some hints into the next adventure!

You Gained This Along the Way...

• Xtra Grow Potion
  
• 2" Deluxe Growth Spurt Pass
  
• 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea Bundle
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• minor injury - left front outer leg
  
• medium scar - right cheek