It was one of the fewer moments Balthier was sober, or soberish. Mostly hungover. When he woke up in the morning. Surprisingly not on the raft. Pulling his head up he looked towards the shore at least spotting the the sail in the distance. Good he didn’t need to go on another long venture, replace another destroyed sail.

Every limb on his body was heavy, but that was just because of his inappropriate condition. Well, maybe inappropriate to most. Maybe. He was able to stand and shake the dirt off, squinting at the sight of the sun beyond the shade of the rock he had been laying under. He’d have to make his way back to the raft though maybe he should make sure there would be nothing left behind here first.

"Balthier"

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 he got his bearing together and looked around on the dirt and gravel around the runestones, three wolves seemed to appear out of nowhere. A fever dream maybe... that was easy to explain to himself. His lip twinge a little as he stood before them a little wobbly. If they were sentient then they may have had high judgement of him. Though maybe that's what they were here for anyways. As he took a step forward, his pace pushed him into the darker scowling wolf. And without making a real decision it seemed things would change for him. Maybe it would be for the better of him, or maybe for the worst.

Balthier chooses the hard route

"Balthier"

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.

As the guide moved forward everything seemed to change as if he were in a dream, or still completely drunk. Balthier looked below at the lava, and forward again at the rickety bridge before him. His eyes focused down at the wooden planks, it was all a dream after all. A test... a challenge... something else life would throw at him. A silly show to put him through. What would be at the end of this dream...

His paws moved forward and took a carful step onto the bridge, his leg wobbling slightly as he picked up another and tried to find his balance. He had plenty of practice after all. Not even a glance back to the man who led him here.

Balthier chooses dexterity

"Balthier"

You gingerly step onto the bridge, balancing your weight. The bridge creaks and sways slightly. You inch your way across and the guide follows you. After what seems like eons, you make it across the bridge and the guide leads you into the shelter of the cave ahead. You somehow find 181 Gems along the way.

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.

Without much trouble he seemed to make it across the bridge even with his head spinning. Man a drink would make this easier... or at least better to him. The guide would make way to the cave but Balthier was also in the same path without asking. Straight forward and he wouldn't ask any questions.

As they made their way into the room with many paths, Balthier would really only go for the most obvious or the first path he had seen. Without much thought or looking over to the grey man who led him here he would jump forward onto the stepping stones. Maybe not the best for his condition but he seemed to manage okay at least at first.

Balthier chooses strength

"Balthier"

You coil yourself and jump from one stone to the next. Hey! This isn't too hard. The warm, smooth stone holds steady and after a few jumps you find a satchel containing an item - you decide to grab it and check it out later. After just a few more jumps, you find yourself on the edge of a new lava 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

Picking up something along the way, Balthier somehow made it across the stepping stones without much error. Maybe doing this without a drink was better off for him... not that he would think so. As he looked ahead he saw and open area that seemed to be where he needed to land next. He waited just a few seconds before making the split decision, again not really looking around at his options around the room. He still wouldn't notice if the guide was still nearby him, his mind on one goal to get to the end of the path, or the end of the dream in his mind. He'd go for the leap, nothing bad that was real could happen to him anyways.

Balthier chooses strength

"Balthier"

You kick off with all your strength, hoping your back legs are strong enough to propel you over the gap. Fortunately they are, and you land hard on the other side, feeling the impact of your jump ripple through you.

Though you make it to the other side, a low roar behind you gets your attention, and you spin around...

A giant, glowing worm erupts from the molten chasm below, lava sputtering onto the ground before you. It screeches, towering over the stage and you immediately recognize its name as Tony. The guide growls, his stance rigid and wide. This is an enemy that must be dealt with if you wish to escape with your life.

What do you do?

Strength: Find a way to attack the worm.

With the way the worm's head begins to lower toward you, surely you can find time to strike...

Charisma: Convince the guide to deal with the worm.

Surely he has a better idea how to deal with this than you do, right?

Dexterity: Try to dodge the worm and stay out of its range.

Surely there's got to be a way to escape this worm, if you're just quick enough!

Wisdom: Study the worm to figure out how to deal with it.

You've never seen anything quite like this, so maybe acting too rashly isn't the best idea. You decide to study it inside and see what information you can gather.

Was this a test of his strength somehow... this dream. As if he knew he wasn't in reality, was this not reality? He didn't flinch or cower in the slightest. Maybe the heat from the lava made him sweat out the rest of the hangover... maybe. His paws did spring around however to greet this giant glowing worm creature, and he was as ready as he would ever be. For this odd situation that was.

The guide seemed willing to fight or at least alert. Easy to notice the worm as a threat either way. A lifetime of training to protect his family was enough to throw him forward. If he had gone down another way of life like his father maybe things would be different. Or maybe that was all in his head. Brawn, only brawn. At least these days.

Balthier chooses strength

"Balthier"

As the worm lowers, you attack. Your teeth meet a piece of steaming hot flesh that gushes a bitter liquid when pierced. As the worm rears, you jump back to the stage. You notice a shiny item nearby as well, making a note to grab it later, once you're less preoccupied.

The worm rolls and screeches, diving into the lava, then into the air, over the stage, and back into the lava. Hot globs of molten rock splash over the stage. Your guide grunts and dodges, his teeth barred in frustration. He glances to you, a silent invitation to take the lead. The worm emerges again. This is it. The final stand!

What do you do?

Strength: Attack as soon as the worm emerges.

You decide to strike at the soonest opportunity.

Charisma: Tell the guide to take the lead..

You think the guide would know best what to do.

Dexterity: Attack at the highest point in the worm's jump

You decide to wait until the worm's head is furthest from you to strike.

Wisdom: Wait for the perfect point over the stage to attack

You choose to observe the worm, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

His bite lands, and he had tasted worse things. Letting go as the giant worm sprung upwards, Balthier found his footing back under him somehow. He was feeling much more alive than the start of this endeavor. Lava splashes up and around as the worm rages around, Balthier barely caught the sight of the guide motioning for him to take the lead, but he didn't expect the guy to help him anyway. Keeping his eyes on the jumping worm he didn't wait too long to take the strike again. When he saw the opportunity, he went for it. Leaping forward with little care of the lava slinging around the arena.

Balthier chooses strength

You attack, the worm just emerging from the lava. As the rivulets of lava begin to separate, you launch, biting into the hard, hot underbelly of the lava worm. You latch on, but your grip doesn't hold. The lava spills around you, searing your flesh as your jaws lose their hold and you tumble down.

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, a deep, ugly wound that lies across your right back inner leg, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 95 hunting 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.

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...

• 181 Gems
  
• Scar Remover
  
• Firefly's Favor
  
• Deluxe Immortality Pass
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• major injury - right back inner leg
  
• -95 Hunting skill points