It was hard to wrap his head around his own age, not from like a logical standpoint but rather a grieving one. Crux couldn't seem to really believe that soon he'd be 2 and he'd have to accept that he'd already lived more of his life without his mother than with. He carried the emotional scars of her death with him everywhere and it was strange to realize he'd hardly known her at all... The hole in his heart certainly felt like she ought to have been more. He understood logically that he'd been too young to properly process his grief and that was a part of it but there was also the low hum of guilt. On some level he knew he couldn't be blamed for his mother's illness but he also couldn't help but worry deep down that he'd been to blame, him and his sisters. They'd not been born "right." Even though Crux would have fought anyone who said as much out loud. He wouldn't let his disability stop him but he couldn't help but worry that the crystals had hurt her...

Crux sighed and shook out his thoughts, trying to turn his attention to the task at hand. The moon was just starting to crest the horizon not that it was visible from where he was, the towering trees letting only the tiniest dregs of it's cold light filter through and Crux shivered, with Riya back at home he had only himself for warmth. He was out looking for herbs, his stores were woefully low and he was growing a little desperate honestly. Maybe it was more than that though, some part of him wanted to find something, anything, that might help Cryptis. He was hesitant to go see her right away, Medusa hadn't exactly seemed pleased to see him but he still felt responsible for what had happened to her. That was it, he definitely didn't want to see her for any other reasons at all. What a liar.

"Speech"

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

They had moved in so quietly and Crux who considered his ability to watch and see things, his perception, one of his stronger skills had to admit he jumped a bit as he realized there were three canine shapes in the trees, their unsettling eyes on him. A feeling settled over him, he had been only a child the last time Boreas had been in the throes of something strange and while as far as Crux could tell these strange canines seemed unremarkable aside from their eyes he could still feel his skin prickling, the fur along his spine lifting instinctually. He'd not even been born yet when the crystals and mushrooms had taken over the continent, ones he'd since learned resembled those that cuffed his leg, or seemed to make up his sister's eyes. He'd lost his mother last time, and now it felt like he was facing down whatever this phenomena was himself. Was this going to be his life? Marked by it and chased down by it forever?

Crux swallowed the lump in his throat, noticing the three figured almost seemed to be waiting for him... To do what? To approach? Crux swung steel blues between the three. Well... Might as well pick one right? Crux settled his gaze on his right, the irritated looking one. Somehow that felt more right to him, he set his jaw and moved his way over to that figure, his movements slow but determined. He didn't say anything, instead tilting his head back slightly as if in defiance, as if daring the canine to turn him away.

(Crux has chosen The Irascible Guide/Hard Route)

"Speech"

The grumpy wolf's brow relaxes just slightly when you choose him. He seems to give you a moment to reconsider. After a moment, the tough looking wolf grunts in approval and turns to lead.

As you follow, a thick smoke rolls in and masks sight and smell. Through watery eyes, you are barely able to follow the guide, but eventually the smoke begins to clear and you are hit with the strong smell of Sulphur. You take a step forward and the guide pulls you back slightly. Blinking the rest of the tears out of your eyes, you realize you're on the edge of a steep chasm- a chasm filled with bubbling lava. One wrong move and it's over.

The guide motions to a wobbly wooden bridge that connects down into a cave on the other side of the canyon.

What do you do?

Strength: Dash across before the bridge can collapse.

If you're fast, the bridge won't have a chance to collapse!

Charisma: Make the guide go first.

This was his idea, so make him go first.

Dexterity: Balance lightly between the planks evenly as you go.

Most of the planks seem stable enough. If you balance evenly, surely none of them will break.

Wisdom: Evaluate the safest planks to walk on.

If you take your time, you can pick out the safest planks.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Well that went... Well? Crux didn't know. Still it seemed he'd earned whatever approval the other canine could offer and he followed after him, feeling the strain in his hips as he refused to let himself fall behind. Especially as he found himself losing sight of his guide, the last thing he wanted was to get lost for who knew how long! His senses felt nearly useless and Crux wondered if this was how Kite felt? But she at least still had scent to help guide her and he couldn't really say the same for his current predicament. When the smoke before his eyes started to clear Crux felt his stomach drop. Sulfur thick in the air and heat pushed against his skin. Well... Fuck. He thought to himself as he stared down at the boiling death that waited hungrily for a single slip of his paws, more likely than he wanted to admit.

Swallowing the lump forming in his throat Crux looked incredulously at the bridge his guide had just gestured towards. Good, just what he needed... Something he was already going to struggle to balance on, because balance was something he was so good at. He took a few deep breathes, trying to calm his nerves even if a little bit. Before he nodded, making a point to observe the wooden planks carefully, he'd need safe places to put his paws if he was going to make his way across. Better start there.

(Crux has chosen the wisdom option.)

"Speech"

You observe the planks one by one. Some are well worn, some are charred. You do your best to pick the most solid looking ones, but some are not to obvious. You choose one, but it cracks and splinters under your weight, sending your body tumbling into the weakened structure. The guide is fast behind you, scruffing you and shoving you down the bridge one step at a time. At the end, he releases you and ushers you quickly into the cave with an eyeroll.

In the struggle, you scrape the skin around your left eye. It bleeds a little, but will heal just fine.

Inside the cave, warm lava lights the way. Small pools bubble and small streams flow from tiny cracks in the walls. Several boulders act as stepping stones across larger gaps, and small wooden bridges span other areas. Around the walls of the room, a thin edge navigates above any threat of lava. It is clear you need to get to the end of this room if you wish to continue your journey.

What do you do?

Strength: Take the stepping stones.

The stepping stones look sturdy and all you have to do it jump a little.

Charisma: Ask the guide to lead the way.

The guide should know the way through the pass.

Dexterity: Take the thin edge.

Creeping on the thin edge keeps you above and away from danger.

Wisdom: Take the bridges.

The bridges are obviously there for a reason, so use them.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Ow. That hadn't exactly gone as planned. The skin around his eye was stinging but he blinked a few times and satisfied any blood wasn't gonna run into his eye Crux figured he ought to keep things moving. Picking himself up and doing a mental check-list of the rest of his body. Sore from being dragged but nothing he hadn't felt before. The cavern didn't feel any less dangerous. Crux glanced at his guide and grabbing hold of his courage he stepped forward slightly, steel blues scanning the options. Well the boulders were out, he wasn't sure he could manage a landing graceful enough not to just fall face first into a fiery death; he wasn't too keen on that thin stone edge either, his own paws quite large and one with less than great balance. So more bridges! Hooray! What could possibly go wrong?

(Crux is choosing the Wisdom option)

"Speech"

You decide to use the bridges. They seem to have stood the test of time, only being singed here and there. They're easy to cross, and you progress steadily, even finding an iridescent silk bag that you decide to open later along the way. Soon, you find that the bridges end and you are in a vast, lava-filled room.

Across the lava room stands a flat piece of smooth stone, so level and flat, it is as if thousands of paws had worn it over time. It looks cool to the touch and vaguely important. Surrounding it is a mote of lava, separated only by sharp stalagmites that impale it to point towards the open ceiling. There is no discernible path across. You know you must get there one way or another, but you're not sure you'll be able to go back the same way you came if you cross.

What do you do?

Strength: Jump over the gap.

If you push off real hard, you can close the gap... probably.

Charisma: Ask the guide to help.

Maybe just this once...? He's got to know something!

Dexterity: Use the stalagmites as stepping stones.

If you're careful, some of the tips of the stalagmites look wide enough to balance on.

Wisdom: Build a bridge with the materials from the other room.

It'll take a while, but it should work...

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, permanent disabilities, higher loss of gems/skill points

Okay well at least this time the bridges had held out and though slow he made his way to the other side, with a prize for his effort to boot! Now the challenge in front of him? He had no fucking clue. Crux took his time considering his options. No fucking way he was gonna be able to balance on anything to get himself across. Jumping posed the same problem as it always did, his less than stellar balance could betray him at the end, even if he thought he could make that jump. Which he did not. He also didn't love his odds of being able to salvage anything else into a stable enough bridge... That left him with one option...

Crux turned towards his taciturn guide who'd been silent this whole time. So less of a guide really and more of a... presence? "Any suggestions? I'm not loving the odds here... For me. You could probably manage it." He wasn't asking the man to go ahead but maybe he knew of a secret fourth option Crux hadn't spotted or considered? Or maybe he didn't. Either way he figured making it clear he wasn't doubting the man's ability. Just his own. Which was true.

(Crux is choosing Charisma: Ask the guide to help)

"Speech"

The guide shakes his head. This, you must figure out on your own. He will be no help here.

Across the lava room stands a flat piece of smooth stone, so level and flat, it is as if thousands of paws had worn it over time. It looks cool to the touch and vaguely important. Surrounding it is a mote of lava, separated only by sharp stalagmites that impale it to point towards the open ceiling. There is no discernible path across. You know you must get there one way or another, but you're not sure you'll be able to go back the same way you came if you cross.

What do you do?

Strength: Jump over the gap.

If you push off real hard, you can close the gap... probably.

Charisma: Ask the guide to help.

You already tried this.

Dexterity: Use the stalagmites as stepping stones.

If you're careful, some of the tips of the stalagmites look wide enough to balance on.

Wisdom: Build a bridge with the materials from the other room.

It'll take a while, but it should work...

Welp, some guide. Crux grimaced and turned his attention towards the goal at the other end of the pool. He sighed, rocking back on his paws and stretching out his limbs, rolling his joints. He was going to at least give himself the best chance here, he wasn't exactly confident in his strength but he was worried if he tried to build a bridge he was just as likely to fall forward as anything else so might as well just take a running jump right? It was only his body he was putting at risk. Convinced he was sufficiently limbered up he cast a glance at the guide then, wound up.

(Crux is choosing Strength: Jump over the gap)

"Speech"

You decide to kick off hard, hoping to close the gap using your sheer strength. Only when you're almost to the other side do you realize you underestimated the size of the gap, and you feel yourself falling, falling, falling...

All you remember is the hot blazing heat and then... cool darkness. You awake outside of the chasm on a smooth, flat rock.

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 are blindingly painful, but you will live; you can tell somehow by the way the fireflies buzz around you. One in particular will stand out, your right front paw is mangled up to the ankle, maybe missing some toes throat burns and is missing fur, patches of blisters already forming. That will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 45 Navigation 70 Healing skill points.

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.

Firefly Favor used.

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...

• Opaque Sack Of Gems
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor injury - left eye
  
• Major wound/scar - throat
  
• -70 Healing points