Mistral was out in the swamp, knee deep in much, as he hunted for something with which Cierzo could fill her belly. The woman had suffered enough and he would be sure that she never wanted for anything ever again. There was very little in the world that Mistral cared about aside from his sister. The blush and chocolate fae had been used and abused. Never again would she feel pain at the paws of another. Never. Nose to the air, Mistral scented. Rabbit? Out of the water he moved, droplets sluicing off of his striped pelt as he began to lope in the direction of the scent. Between the trees he caught glimpses of motion, but whatever was moving seemed to always be just out of reach. Frustration was bringing with it the beginnings of a headache, a dull thump behind one eye. He wouldn't feed Cierzo some filthy reptile. She deserved better than that. So, he pushed on, intent on getting her something warm and furry for dinner. "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

Again and again Mistral caught glimpses of movement through the lichen covered trees. It was only when he approached the edge of the swamplands, where the trees were the most thinned out, that he saw what he had been following. Blue and blush eyes rested upon a trio of wolves, only they weren't wolves. There was something else mixed in there. Not that it mattered. There was disappointment in the earthen man. He had been hoping for some sort of food animal, but here they were... not food. Not unless he tried harder, anyway. The canines said nothing, but all seemed to be staring at him expectantly. The bouncy one was too energetic for his tastes so he ignored them completely. The solemn fae in the middle was appealing, but he'd had enough sorrow. In the end, he chose to speak to the angry looking brute. Mistral's tail curled above his spine and his gaze narrowed as he approached the brooding male. "What are you three doing out here?" (Mistral chose the Hard Route!) "Speech"

The grumpy wolf's brow relaxes just slightly when you choose him. He does not answer your question. He does, however, seem 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.

None of the canines answer, but the male beckons him to follow. Mismatched eyes narrowed, Mistral begrudgingly does just that. When the landscape changes, the brutes eyes go wide for a moment and his first thought is of Cierzo. Is she safe? Was she brought here as well? There was no time to consider it further as they came to a bridge. The heat rising from the earth below was stifling. It seemed as though he was supposed to take this bridge. Inspecting it, the pathway looked old and ragged. Mistral thought about having the other man go first, but he didn't trust him. So, the big brute tentatively took the first step onto the bridge, testing the wood before moving further forward. (Mistral chooses Wisdom) "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 your face by your right 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.

A grunt and gasp pull from the earthen man as the bridge gives way. Suddenly there are teeth in the back of his neck and, even though he's in danger, the first instinct is to fight. He struggles a bit, but is deposited on the other side. Spinning around, he catches the eye roll and snarls at the dark brute. Once his temper cools, he'd realize that he'd been saved, but for now, he was glad to be angry. Seeing as how he couldn't exactly murder his guide, Mistral turned and looked about the cavern. There was a flat place beyond and, after looking at the different ways that he might get across, the giant man chose to use the stepping stones and leaped from one to another. (Mistral chooses Strength) "Speech"

You jump rock to rock. They're sturdy and secure. A few jumps in, and one cracks, falling into the lava. You scramble at the surface just enough to save yourself from falling in with a little help of the guide. The lava sputters, splashing you across right hip. The lava singes through your fur, leaving a deep burn about the size of a wolf's paw (5in x 4in). Ouch! That's gonna leave a scar.

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

A guttural snarl ripped from Mistral as a searing burn bit into the back of his leg. He spun, making sure that his fur wasn't on fire. It felt as though it was, but thankfully it wasn't. The brute's tongue lashed out, pulling over the burn for a moment in an attempt to ease some of the pain. That was going to leave a mark. Mismatched eyes scanned the room before him and Mistral gauged the various paths. There was no going back. Only forward. So, forward he would go. Bracing himself, the big man ran, paws planting on the edge of the stone before he leaped through the air, aiming for the platform on the opposite side. (Mistral chooses strength) "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, a deep, ugly wound that lies across the back of your head, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well.

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...

• Diddly-squat!
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor wound Right eye skin scratch
  
• Medium scar- right hip
  
• Major wound - back of head