Kiliaen didn’t much fancy heading down into the dark and confined space of Hallucination Caves. However, with winter in full swing, her personal stock of remedies was running low. A lot of things wouldn’t grow back until spring, but she had a hunch that perhaps she could find some fungi to substitute her go-to supplies. Spring Waxcaps were what she had in mind- they would make an adequate painkiller in the event one was needed. They were very distinct to look at- bright orange in color- and even shrouded in darkness, she hoped that they would be a relatively easy find. She just wasn’t sure how long she was committed to searching, or what else she would find along the way.
"Kiliaen Ward."

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

It had been easy to lose track of time while wandering in the intricate labyrinth of Hallucination Caves. It seemed that she had been searching for hours, yet she never hit a dead end- never found anything of interest other than the dimly lit pools of condensed fluid that emitted only what she could describe to be a suspicious vapor. Though as if they had been waiting for her, three ethereal guides stood out against the shadows. However, she was immediately drawn to the rigid posture of the male. His impatience was a demand, and she felt the draw to answer. “Is there something you want to tell me?” Kiliaen asked softly.

"Kiliaen Ward."
OOC. Kiliaen has chosen the difficult path.

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.

She wasn’t sure if the guide she had chosen hesitated for the decision she had made, or if he lacked faith in her as a whole. Regardless, he seemed to come to terms with the course that she had selected and moved to lead. As quietly as he was, she moved to follow the obsidian brute. He didn’t flinch when the smoke moved in to claim them, though it certainly left her apprehensive. The wave of a putrid scent gradually grew to overwhelm, distracting her to the point where she hadn’t paid attention to where she was stepping. The guide pulled her back to safer ground, allowing her the opportunity just what lay below. Lava.

Kiliaen looked with clear uncertainty toward the brute, though he seemed confident in his gesture to indicate that she should cross the wooden bridge. Swallowing her anxiety, she moved forward slowly, trying to spread her weight evenly over all four limbs- doing her best to test the integrity of each board before committing to stepping on it.

"Kiliaen Ward."
OOC. Kiliaen has chosen Dexterity.

You gingerly step onto the bridge, balancing your weight. The bridge creaks and sways slightly. You inch your way down the bridge, but one paw lands too heavy and the plank below it crumbles, 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 snout. 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 is 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.

As it turned out, the rickety bridge was every bit of perilous as it looked. While she had gamed some foot confidence in the beginning. It all came crashing down- literally. Though as the guide grabbed her by her scruff to offer stability, her life nearly flashed before her eyes. Once they reached the opposite side, Kiliaen took a deep breath- the sting in her snout a reminder of just how real the danger was. Shaking it off to to the best of her ability, Kiliaen began to tread forward, feeling the heat of being in close proximity to lava seep through her paw pads. And as stiff as he seemed to be, she was deeply appreciative for the company of her guide.

Figuring out a way to advance through the room wasn't an easy task, but eventually, she decided to try and traverse the ledge. It would be difficult ... but she certainly wasn't going to trust the bridge after the first one.

"Kiliaen Ward."
OOC. Kiliaen has chosen Dexterity.

You traverse the thin, crumbling edge around the room. To no one's surprise, it cracks, and your paw slips. 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 your left front outer leg. 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

Kiliaen knew that crossing this room without endangering herself further was going to take some creative thinking. Searching around, she couldn't help but wonder if the previous room they passed through had a few materials left in it that she could use to build her own bridge. Perhaps she could build enough of a makeshift bridge to safely traverse the lava-filled room and reach the flat stone piece? That is ... if there were any materials large enough left in the ruins. She quickly ran back into the previous room and began searching for anything useful, amber gaze quickly scanning her surroundings in an effort to come up with a solution.


"Kiliaen Ward."
OOC. Kiliaen has chosen Wisdom.

You decide that building a bridge across is your best bet. Gathering materials from the other room, you get to building, only stopping once you're sure the bridge is sturdy.

You begin to make your way across, though when you're nearly at the other side you feel the materials begin to splinter and crack beneath you. You try to scramble to the other side, but you feel yourself 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 where about 6 inches of fur has been singed off - it'll grow back, but will surely leave a scar. You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 64 navigation 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.

Rerolled with Firefly's favor

You decide trying to cross the gap as-is is just too dangerous, and you get to gathering materials from the other room to begin building a bridge across. After a long period of building and ensuring your bridge is safe, you begin to cross and your guide follows, seeming impressed with your work despite his stoic demeanor. Though you make it across, a sound behind you catches your interest, and you turn to see what it could be...

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 Arthur. 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.

Kiliaen, her instincts sharp and senses heightened, observes the colossal worm, Arthur, emerging from the molten chasm. The guide's growl sets the tone for the impending battle, a challenge that must be confronted to secure their escape. With focused determination, Kiliaen locks eyes with the glowing worm as it looms closer. As Arthur's head lowers, Kiliaen seizes the opportunity, a dance of timing and precision. Her agile form weaves through the chaotic atmosphere, conscious of the sputtering lava and anticipating the worm's screeches. The air crackles with tension as Kiliaen positions herself, muscles tensed and ready to strike. In a moment of synchronization, she lunges forward, teeth bared and claws extended.


"Kiliaen Ward."
OOC. Kiliaen has chosen Strength.

You decide to strike as soon as possible as the worm lowers its head toward you, mouth opening to reveal rows upon rows of jagged, ugly teeth. Though you nearly manage to land a bite, the worm is apparently quicker than you are, striking you hard and fast as everything around you abruptly goes dark....

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 upper spine, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 100 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.

Rerolled using firefly's favor and lucky rabbit's foot

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.

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.

Kiliaen maintains her poise, eyes fixed on the colossal worm as it emerges again, the air thick with tension. The molten globs splash around the stage, sizzling as they make contact with the ground. The guide's frustrated grunts echo, his invitation for her to take the lead clear. Kiliaen senses the rhythm of the worm's movements, the ebb and flow of its attacks.

As Arthur's head draws furthest away, Kiliaen seizes the moment. Her muscles coil like tightly wound springs, and with a burst of energy, she dashes forward. The hot gust of air from the worm's movements brushes against her fur as she lunges, teeth bared. In a calculated strike, Kiliaen aims for a vulnerable spot on the worm's neck, aiming to deliver a decisive blow.


"Kiliaen Ward."
OOC. Kiliaen has chosen Dexterity.

At the highest point of the worm's arc, you coil yourself and strike, soaring into the hot, putrid air. As the worm begins to fall, you reach the pinnacle of your own arc, biting into the hard, hot underbelly of the lava worm. The guide follows suit. With this, you are able to peel off a slab of his scale-like armor. It clamors into the lava just seconds before the worm does.

The worm thrashes and sinks into the lava, his bones rising to the surface as shiny as fresh metal. They float, suspended for a bit, before slowly beginning to glow and melt into the pool.

The worm thrashes and sinks into the lava, his bones rising to the surface as shiny as fresh metal. They float, suspended for a bit, before slowly beginning to glow and melt into the pool.



As the worm fades from existence, the lava begins to calm and sink down into the earth. A small land bridge becomes apparent and you are able to safely exit the chasm. On the other side, smoke swaths you once more and you find yourself back where you began, singed, sore, but not too worse for wear.

It is time for goodbye, you can feel it in your soul. You turn to the guide, who looks almost proud of you.

Your guide gives you a curt nod of approval and you blink. When your eyes open, 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: Pyroduct Caves!

You receive: To Hell and Back Bundle:

• Deluxe Open Character Pass
  
• Choice of litter pass (Gay Litter Pass, Ghost Litter Pass, Mystery Litter Pass)
  
• Boosted Worm companion (Regular companion size, named Sebastien, but you may change this, only speaks a language you do not know)
  
• Lucky Rabbits Foot
  
• Firefly's favor
  

Other prizes you collected will be revealed later.

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...

• Dire Wolf Height Pass
  
• Character Redesign Pass
  
• To hell and back bundle
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor injury - snout
  
• Medium scar - left front outer leg