The night was dark, but Silas was out exploring. He was trying so hard to be brave like his father was. He was exploring his home more and trying to get to know the place he lived. He felt so ashamed of barely being able to leave the family wing of the castle that he had finally made his way outside tonight. With the assurance that if he called out someone would find him Silas made his way through the castle gardens.

It was not the bright daylit garden he was used to either, the moon shone brightly upon the mists that began to eek into the courtyard. Silas timidly made his way through the paths, uncertain what such a spooky night might reveal to him.

"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

Silas wasn’t used to seeing strangers in his home, as the not quite wolves appeared from the mist confusion settled over his innocent features. His vivid turquoise eyes revealed curiosity but his expression remained a blank slate. What was this? Each one looked to him like he was supposed to make a decision between the three of them. He very nearly chose the dark coated man because of how similar he looked to his father. The dark fur was similar but his features weren’t near as trustworthy.

His gaze shifted to the second wolf like creature in the middle, with a very sad looking face that drew him in. Silas kind of felt sorry for her, so the young boy timidly walked up to her, choosing the slate colored woman.

Silas chooses medium route: the sorrowful guide.

"Speech"

The tearful wolf seems almost surprised you chose her. After sniffling back some tears, she turns and motions for you to follow.

Quietly, the woman leads you into a perpetual fog. Your senses are blocked and it is impossible to know where you are going. Your only lead is the salty scent of the woman you follow and the brief grey blue flash of her tail in front of you, her body obscured by the mists.

When the shroud thins, you find yourself in a small clearing surrounded by the largest weeping willows you have ever seen. In the center of the clearing, a mirror-like pond awaits, completely still except for a small swirling whirlpool in the middle. A thin path of stepping stones trail towards the center of the lake then stop. The sad wolf sits, and motions you towards the lake, tear-filled eyes brimming with anticipation.

What do you do?

Strength: Swim into the whirlpool.

You're probably stronger than some water, right? You can just swim over and see what's up.

Charisma: Ask the guide for a hint.

The guide seems nice enough. Maybe she will help you.

Dexterity: Use the stepping stones.

There are perfectly good stepping stones here for you to use!

Wisdom: Inspect the water.

Something is amiss with the water... Maybe you can figure out what.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Silas truly wasn’t sure what to think as the sad she wolf looked at him in surprise as he cautiously made his way to her. He still wasn’t even sure what he was doing. Surely he was going to get lost or worse if he followed right? Still, he wanted to be brave like his sire, so he took in a deep breath and followed her.

The mists were so thick he was sure he was going to perish here, but the guide did her job well and the pup did not lose her. Eventually the boy could see again, the fog cleared to reveal trees just as sad as his guide and a mystical pool of water. Silas tilted his head curiously as she motioned for him to proceed. Carefully the aurora marked boy headed for the stepping stones. Still timid in his movements.

Silas chooses dexterity: use the stepping stones.
"Speech"

You ready yourself and jump to the first rock, then the next. So far so good. On your third jump, your paw slips, but you are able to recover. The last step is an easy one and as you go to stick the landing, the rock dissolves into 50 gems. You slide down the whirlpool in one thrilling swoop, the guide jumping in after you looking unworried by your descent.

Under the whirlpool, a waterfall floats you into an underground lake. As you pull yourself from the frigid pool, an icy palace opens before your eyes. Thick layers of ice coat the cave's interior and ornate carvings decorate the walls. Your guide stands on the shore, shaking out her fur.  She inspects the surroundings, and you do the same. You realize there is no discernible exit, though some of the ice looks thin and even cracked in some spots along the walls.

What do you do?

Strength: Break through one of the weak spots.

The ice looks thin enough, and you feel strong enough to burst through.

Charisma: Ask the guide where to go.

The room seems directionless... Maybe the guide knows something.

Dexterity: Try to squeeze through one of the larger cracks.

Some of the cracks and cervices look large enough for you to squeeze through.

Wisdom: Inspect the drawings on the wall.

The drawings are intricate, they must mean something.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

For a moment there the aurora marked boy was certain he was going to make it without getting wet, but his paws slipped and down down they went. Suxha strange experience as the whirlpool suxked them in and revealed them to be in a complete different place. The walls were covered with ice, and even without his sharp shape he would have had a difficult time in deciefer anythinf new thay would be valuable enenough.

There was one trinket he had. Deep desire to give his chossn trinket to his new best friend. With a small sigh and deep breathhe looked up to take in the Palace as it was intended. The whole structure reminded Him of his castle home. The carvings even were similar to the paintings that decorated the Hallowed halls. They distracted him enough it took a long moment to realize there was no exit. Was he doomed to be stuck here forever? He tried not to think about it as he took a.closer look at the intricate carvings.

Silas chooses wisdom: inspect the drawings on the wall.

You observe the markings. They decorate the top and bottom of the room you are in like trim. In one area, instead of going straight across, it juts up, over, and back down in an arc. You realize there the ice is very thin and with a small push, you are able to make it through.

On the other side you find a bag containing an item! Can't wait to open this later.

On the other side of the ice wall, what was once a neat hallway has been utterly destroyed. Carved pillars lay broken and elaborate art shattered.

The tunnel ahead looks a little unstable, and proceeding further may be very dangerous. You know if you go on now, you may not return in the same condition you entered.

What do you do?

Strength: Charge through the tunnel.

If you're plenty quick, the tunnel won't have a chance to collapse!

Charisma: Convince your guide to lead the way.

One wrong step could lead to the tunnel failing. Perhaps the guide knows a better way.

Dexterity: Carefully tread down the hallway.

If you go slow and carefully, you can leave the tunnel undisturbed.

Wisdom: Study the cave and find the safest path.

If you look closely, you can see where the cracks and freshly broken ice are.

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, temporary disabilities, moderate loss of gems/skill points

To his surprise Silas inspections led to him finding an old iced over entryway. He pressed lightly ans nearly jumped out of his skin when the ice crashed down at his touch. His bright eyes wide as large dark paws timidly shuffled forward, hyper alert as his guide faded into the background. Lowering his head and hunching his shoulders while inching forward into the hallway. Again the devastation has him wondering if he will ever find his way out of all of this.

Summoning his courage Silas knew he had to do something or he would really be trapped for all eternity. So as he took in a deep breath and lifted his head bravely the boy carefully went forward into the unknown.

Silas chooses Wisdom

You look for the safest path, prodding here and there with your paw. As you take your time, water drips from the top of the cave, landing on your nose. How long have you been standing here? With a rumble, you realize too long as the cave begins to crumble around you.

As the tunnel behind you begins to collapse, you find yourself  getting battered and bruised by a multitude of ice shards, their blades cutting through your fur and smashing onto the ground below. You begin to falter, but with a final push from your guide, you make it to a more stable part of the tunnel.

You realize after you make it, that your left back ankle has been sliced deep enough that it is bleeding freely and will likely leave a minor scar.

At the end of the collapsed tunnel, what appears to have once been an elaborate shrine at some point in time lays demolished. A part of the wall carves out and opens to an open room full of jagged ice floating in deathly waters. In the center, a large, flat expanse is frozen, and on the other side, what look like daylight shines through a small opening.

What do you do?

Strength: Break through the jagged ice to the exit.

The ice doesn't look so tough, you can probably break through the tips and clear a path.

Charisma: Convince your guide to lead the way.

The guide may know how to get through the treacherous cave.

Dexterity: Jump from jagged peak to peak towards the exit.

If you time your jumps just right, you think you'll be able to use them as stepping stones.

Wisdom: Look for the safest path to the exit.

Looking ahead, there has to be one safe path... if only you can spot it.

His caution seems to be working in his favor as he moves forward extremely slowly. Every movement is made with three thoughts before being made, this slow methodical advancement eventually taking far too long. With another careful step forward a drip of water falls upon his dark nose, bringing his attention up once more as he realizes that the tunnel is starting to melt all around him. His heart jumped out of his chest and into his throat as the tunnel began to collapse behind him. The time for careful movement was over as his form was suddenly pelted and barraged with ice. He cried out as he was bruised and cut with sharp pointed icicles. Silas ran, but even at full tilt he wasn't going to make it. The Carpathian didn't even realize how badly he was cut when his guide pushed him, hard, away from danger.

Sprawled on the floor from the last jump and breathing hard from the adrenaline he eventually pushed himself from the ground. Uncertain if they were truly out of danger as he surveyed their new surroundings. What looked like a long abandoned shrine and further, daylight. They were nearly through, still realing from the tunnel but unable to stop and think he charged forward.

Silas chooses dexterity

You jump to the first peak and your adept paws grip the surface. After the second or third jump, your paws feel numb. A few more jumps and you slip, the icy peak beneath you racing to meet your flesh. Above you, now spinning, you see the streaks of your own blood melting down the broken and jagged ice. As your vision tunnels, the guide runs to your side and all you can think about is how warm her tears are.

You awaken out by the lake, battered and beaten and so. so cold. 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 ache, but you will heal fine; you can tell somehow by the way the fireflies buzz around you.

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.

You've made it out alive, though not without injury. You notice a deep wound on the back of your neck, which will no doubt turn into a noticeable scar (about 6 inches long). Likewise you feel you've lost some knowledge along the way. Any items you've found lay beside you, and 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...

• 50 Gems
  
• Extra Breeding Pass
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor Scar - left back ankle
  
• Major injury - back of neck