She hadn't been down these parts for quite a while. In fact, as close as it was to Insomnia, this appeared to be practically new to her! That wouldn't do. Absolutely not! She padded down into the gorge to investigate, sniffing around here and there as she descended into this new (to her) terrain. This would be a good place for Insomnia...sure, she loved the tar pits, but it didn't quite have that charm about it anymore. For years she loved it. It reminded her of her childhood...but did she really love it? Or was she just clinging to a past long gone? Her thoughts were interrupted when her belly twitched. Rumbled. Felt like something was wiggling around in there. She narrowed her eyes when she looked at herself, but she ignored it and carried on. Maybe she'd consider staking a claim on this place in the near future! But for now, she delved deeper into its depths to see what all it had to offer! She went down one passageway, the cavern growing darker as she left the light of day behind her. What treasures would she find? What dangers? She was never one to shy away from the unknown or the mysteries of the world! "Medusa"

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

She sauntered along down the passageway, fur brushing one side of the wall as the tunnel opened up to a small cavern. It was still dim and pretty dark, her eyes taking a bit to adjust. However, as her vision adjusted better to the dimness of the cave, she spotted three creatures, no. Three...wolves? Her head tilted as she studied them. Wolf...dogs? Interested, she looked from one to the next, her expression changing to mimic their expressions. Her tail wagged with the first one, drooped with the second, and then slow wagged with the dark male. "Hello!" She greeted before approaching the dark male. What was he all about? Maybe she could get him to not look so grr! Medusa chooses the hard route "Medusa"

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.

The dark grumpy male sure was quiet! He didn't say much, which made her even more curious about him! He seemed to relax a bit, however, before he grunted at her and turned to lead the way. Medusa happily followed him, eager to see where he was leading her. As she did so, a thick fog rolled in and suddenly she was struggling with her senses. She narrowed her eyes to a squint as they watered and stung, and she struggled to follow him. Eventually, the smoke cleared and she was hit with the smell of sulphur. "Hey, it smells like Medusa's tar pits!" she exclaimed, almost forgetting that this was very probably not the tar pits and her grumpy guide pulled her back a bit before she went walking over the side. Coughing a bit, she blinked her eyes a few times and wiped her face to try and clear her vision. When she was better able to see, she realized she was on the edge of a very steep chasm. These definitely weren't the tar pits! Instead of tar, there was lava bubbling beneath her feet. "Whoa, thank you! Medusa could've fallen in!" She looked to him as he motioned toward a rickety old bridge. Medusa approached it, head tilting as she looks from bridge, to guide, and back again. It definitely wouldn't be a good thing if she fell into the lava...she knew she wouldn't survive that. She had been in precarious situations before, but this one took the cake on them all. While she was quick on her feet, she didn't trust that this bridge would hold stomping feet no matter how quick she ran across, so she opted to evaluate the safest planks to walk on. instead. Medusa chooses Wisdom "Medusa"

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 right front ankle. 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.

She took a quick, deep breath before stepping forward. She took a look at each one before stepping on the ones that seemed the safest, but even she couldn't determine which were the best to walk on. As she pressed her weight down on one of the planks, it cracked under her weight and all of a sudden she lurched forward, losing her footing, and started falling. Her eyes went wide and no sound came from her as she started to fall. Luckily for her, her guide managed to grab her by the scruff and move her forward. She scrambled along with him until they were safely on the other side where she clung to the ground for a few moments to catch her breath. "Thanks! Medusa almost got cooked!" That woulda been pretty bad. Who would show her kids how to be little terrors if she had drowned in the lava!? When she stood up, she winced and noticed a small scrape on her forepaw, but it was nothing compared to what could've been, so she shook it off and ignored it before turning her attention to the cave Mr. Grumpy Pants had gotten them to. This way seemed...pretty dangerous. And she was used to dangerous, but this!? More lava? She was hesitant, but she had already made it this far and while sure, she did have a choice of turning around and going back home, curiosity was luring the cat. She glanced at Grumpy Guy to see if there was any indication of where to go, buuuuuttt....there was none. Oh well! She didn't feel like taking another tumble from some bridges again, so she launched herself toward the stepping stones to take that path instead. Medusa chooses strength "Medusa"

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 small box - surely there's something inside, and you decide to 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

One foot in front of the other. She bounded from one stone to the next, focused for once as she kept her eyes on the other side and dared not look at the lava that bubbled beneath her. It was hot down here! And she was sure that if she could sweat, she'd be drenched! When she did make it to the other side, she did a little dance and tippy-tapped her paws with excitement and glee. She happily grinned at Mr. Grumpy Pants before finally calming down. "Tee-hee! Medusa is glad she did not fall in, and also glad you did not, either!" She beamed at him before turning her attention to the new lava-filled room she found herself entering. She eyed the smooth, flat stone. Noting how it looked pretty worn down. She looked at the stalagmites that jutted out from the lava, too. Yeah, that didn't look very appealing. She looked back the way she had come, but it didn't look like she would be able to return. Did she even want to go back? Not really. Curiosity was dragging her forward, so onward she would go. Taking a deep breath, she turned to her Guide. "Medusa doesn't know what to do. And she does not want to fall in! Does he know where to go? Can he help Medusa?" She asked nicely, of course. He had saved her skin earlier, she would gladly do the same for him! He was nice! Medusa chooses Charisma "Medusa"

The guide shakes his head, unamused by your antics. 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.

He has nothing to say.

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

She frowned at him. Welp, didn't seem like this guy was gonna be of any help, so why did he bring her here then!? "Weeellll fine then Mr. Grumps! Medusa will decide!" She flashed him a teasing grin before turning back to the matter at hand. Okay...she needed to cross this. But how? She could try to jump across...she was light and fit enough, surely she'd make it, right? But also those stalagmites looked dangerously fun! But also...she looked back the way she came. There were things there she could probably use, but it would take time to move things from there to here, and she wouldn't count on Mr. Grumps to help her. Clicking her tongue, she decided on an impulse decision. Abruptly, she shot forward, taking a running start before kicking off the very edge of the ledge she was on and decided to try her chances by jumping over the gap! Medusa chooses strength "Medusa"

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 neckchin, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 75 Hunting 66 Fighting 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...

• Mushroom Based Acid
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor injury - right front ankle
  
• Major wound - back of neck,
  
• -66 fight skill points