CORPSEGHOUL SWAMPLANDS and WITCHES HOLLOW

You may choose up to one companion and one accessory to take through the swamp. There is great risk involved to all that you bring along as well as your chosen character, though you may find there will also be equally great benefit.

Any rewards gained in your adventure will be account bound and therefore not tradeable. A handful of the benefits will be for the character you bring only.

Your choice in character, companion, and accessory will impact your story. Different attributes and aspects of your character, companion, and accessory will provide risks or benefits depending on the various encounters, and where one wolf would fail a situation another wolf might pass it with ease.

As the story progresses, encounters will become riskier though you can choose to abandon the adventure at any time. If you choose to remain, you do so understanding the risks!

Sedna has the option to choose one of her companions and one of her accessories, please mention in your reply what you may be bringing along.
Lets begin!

CORPSEGHOUL SWAMPLANDS - The Beginning

You enter through the low hanging fog into the Corpseghoul Swamplands. Ahead of you lies a large pond surrounded on all sides by boggy and mucky terrain. Frogs in the distance occasionally bellow out an ominous croak (and if you listen closely it sounds a little like "muuuuuurDER." Creepy.)

To move onward towards the Witches Hollow you must go deeper, but how will you overcome the swamp?

1. The pond appears to be deep, and the water is so murky that you can’t tell what lies in wait beneath. There’s gross foliage that might make swimming it difficult, though a larger wolf may be lucky enough to be able to touch the bottom. Do you choose to brave the water?
   
   
2. The terrain surrounding the water is gross, mucky, and squishy when tested with a paw. There is better visibility through this way, though there is the possibility that the ground may not hold your weight at all. Boggy foliage and obstacles are strewn about, that you’ll need to go around, under, or atop. Will you risk the potentially unsteady ground beneath your paws?
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   

The Archer-Lyall flicked her tail in irritation, the now familiar weight of her tail-blade adding some extra satisfaction to the movement. Otis had refused to come along, so instead, Chips - her ibis companion had joined her. She wasn’t even sure why she was here, surely there were better places to find some hawthorn, but this soil did seem perfect. The swamp lands kinda reminded her of home, and that only fuelled some of her trepidation about the choice that faced her now. Sure, she could go around - but what if she stepped in a sink hole and was sucked into the mud up to her chest? But then, she wasn’t quite sure how deep the water was, and she knew just how large some of the creatures that lived in Pookastone’s lagoon were... Why, the big ol’ sturgeon could probably swallow her head whole if he wanted to...

With a muttered grumble about bloody foolishness, or something similar, she flicked her head to Chips, sending the Ibis up into the air. At least he had that luxury, but Sedna? Well, she was going to have to brave the water and just hope whatever might be lurking beneath had the sense to steer clear of her. She was still in a mood.

"speech".

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

SUCCESS

In a surprising turn of events, the pond's depth is unable to reach high enough past your shoulders to force you to swim it after all. You are able to carefully make your way through with your paws upon the ground, feeling creatures brushing past your legs but free from the sting of their bite. As you're nearing the shore, something catches upon your paw from the bottom of the pond. Upon closer inspection, you've found something.

[Sedna has found a small companion accessory!]

THE WITCHES HOLLOW

Further into the swamplands sits a decayed, broken down cottage. The roof appears to have collapsed long ago, and it appears as if no one has been here for quite some time. Jars, broken glass, and beakers lay strewn about the floor covered in a thick layer of dust and grime. Only three items within the hut appear to have been disturbed recently, and your attention is drawn inexplicably towards them.

In the far corner of the room is a package of fresh, aromatic meat. Upon a hook on the wall beside you a gourd full of paint hangs from a thin string. Lastly, a mysterious corked vial of a crystal clear liquid sits alone in a tray on a nearby shelf. Beside the door you see as a small pouch that can fit one item snugly.

The cottage is eerily silent and outside the sun is beginning to set. You cannot stay long, though you have time to take something on your way out.

Your response at this part of the adventure will have great potential impact later in the story. It is not multiple choice, though multiple choices lay before you. Make your choice in character and write your wolf attempting their exit.

The Archer-Lyall paused when the trinket snagged her foot, only stopping long enough to register that it was something worth keeping before she continued on with a nod to Chips to pick it up. He managed to slip the golden trinket right over his head, and it hung snugly around his base of his neck like a well fitted collar, mud covered gems dull in the muted swampland light. She managed a smirk and a "Very fancy..." before she hauled herself up onto the opposite bank.

Finally free of the water, she shook out her sodden coat on the steps of the small hut. Her ears folded warily against her skull and head held down between her shoulders. She wasn’t fond of the strange dwellings that were not caves. Never mind that this one smelled particularly nasty. Usually she would have turned right on by and kept walking, but an underlying scent in the air pulled her forward.

She barely had time to register the paint or the vial. There was something about that aromatic meat that caught her attention. Perhaps it was the healer in her that was so drawn to the unfamiliar, was it a cure? What was that scent?

Spying the pouch she quickly snatched it up, stuffing the meat inside. She didn’t want to be caught cornered and gawking at what could potentially be someone else's dinner. She raced towards the exit, meaning to examine it closer and figure out if it could prove useful once she was somewhere less creepy. Besides, there were plenty of injured wolves back home, and if it wasn’t poisoned, well, maybe it had the potential to heal a broken bone or stitch torn skin.

"speech".

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

SUCCESS

Your logic is sound and thoughtful, and you realize perhaps that you're an even better healer then you give yourself credit for. In fact, you feel that this very encounter has made you better at your chosen profession - how odd. The remainder of your time in the cottage is uneventful, though you can feel a mysterious presence watching you as you head out further into the swamp.

[Sedna has been awarded 5 Healing Skill Points!]

THE FOUNTAIN

Deeper through the marshes you notice a faint glowing, and are inexplicably compelled to follow it. The trees and reeds open up to a pool of clean, clear water that seems out of place in the gross boggy swamp. Bathing within it are tadpoles, hatchling snakes, and other various baby animals.

You may stop for a moment and investigate, though you cannot stay long and must continue forward before the night grows too dark.

1. Your thirst is calling to you. There are many other bodies of water to satiate it nearby, though something about the strange water is enticing. Do you take the chance to drink from the fountain?
   
   
2. You would not be the first wolf to worry about ingesting something so odd and unnatural, though some part of you knows the water’s importance. Do you take a moment to soak in the fountain rather than drink from it?
   
   
3. If you are exceptionally cautious you might decide against having anything to do with the unnatural pond. You may leave without any part of it touching you, if that is what you wish.
   
   
4. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   

The feeling of eyes burning a hole in her back was enough to quicken Sedna’s steps. Now she wasn’t one to usually go wandering off towards strange lights, but in her birth pack they all held the belief that this time of year came with a thinning of the veil between this life and those that were gone. Perhaps it was her grandmother guiding her? (it could just as easily be something sinister, she supposed but there didn’t seem to be any malice to the light).

As silver eyes fell on the small things, the new things that made their home in the clear water, the corners of her lips pulled down. She was sure her father had told her tales of a spring somewhere beyond the ends of the earth (and if this wasn’t beyond the ends of her world, well she’d never get there)... but how did it go again? Fountain of youth? Well the critters kicking around in the water were all impossibly young. She hadn’t seen a grown creature since leaving the mucky water that still clung to her fur.

A rinse off couldn’t hurt, right? but then again, the water looked so clean, and maybe these creatures needed it to stay clear to survive. The muck on her coat would surely destroy the clarity.

She watched as Chips landed on a nearby tree, his head tilting with a worried Rawk! She’d been travelling for a while now, and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. If only she could remember how the story went!

Nevermind, it was just another fairy tale she was sure. Lowering her head to ease some of her sudden thirst, she drank from the clear water, hoping it would taste as sweet as it looked.

"speech".

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

FAILURE

The multitude of animals watch carefully as you begin to lap at the water, but as soon as your tongue touches it's surface it begins to change in both color and taste. A thick black pitch spreads from the disturbed surface, and the group of creatures all begin to scream at you in heated anger. The monkeys begin throwing piles of mud in your direction, the snakes hissing at you and displaying their fangs. A knot begins to form in your stomach, and your stomach begins to churn. Something is wrong, though it's impossible to define what has been done to you as of yet.

[Sedna received a [REDACTED] punishment, to be revealed and inflicted on adventure's end or early abandonment!]

NOT SUNFLOWERS NOR DAISIES

Journeying deeper, you encounter a bog of all types of sentient plants as wide as the eye can see. Their herbaceous mouths hang open, and they appear to be waiting for an unaware creature to brush by and fall victim to its fast-shutting clasp. You watch in awe as one particularly large one snaps an unaware eagle right out of the air. You must get past them, but how?

1. These dudes look hungry and unlike anything you’ve ever seen but you need to get past them somehow. If you are quiet and appear unappetizing, perhaps you can wander carefully by without drawing their attention.
   
   
2. If you believe you may appear too tantalizing for the carnivorous plants to ignore, you could try your luck with speed instead. As scary as the field of plants may be, they are rooted to the ground and cannot chase you if they miss their first bite.
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   

Sedna drew back in horror as the water began to change colour. The raucous screaming that filled her ears was enough to drive her off, the mud being flung at her by the monkeys above only adding fuel to her retreat, ears folded back and tail tucked like some terrified pup. She couldn’t stop the way her stomach heaved, but despite her best attempts, she couldn’t bring the water back up either. She doubted sweet grass would be enough to settle whatever damage that drink had caused, but she tried to keep her anxiety down. She still hadn’t found any hawthorn yet, and even though the soil was perfect for it, there was no ginger either. Was the ground here just too poor to support anything useful?

Again the foliage that surrounded her was changing, and her ibis joined her, concern lit clearly in his beady black eyes. Her own silver orbs narrowed as one of the plants seemed to turn, it’s wide open petals clamping shut on a bird that was foolish enough to land on it’s top. A single feather floated to the ground and all was silent again. Chips looked like he was about to ruffle his feathers in fright, but Sedna placed a paw on his back She wasn’t sure if they were drawn to sound or movement, though they had no eyes that she could see. Indicating to her companion that they needed to move quietly, she allowed the bird to perch on her shoulders, folding his legs beneath himself to make himself small. One set of feet would be easier to place silently than two. Spreading the webbing between her paws she carefully crept by, careful to keep downwind, just in case they could smell.

"speech".

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

SUCCESS

Low, gurgled breaths follow you as you make your way slowly through the field. Occasionally you draw the attention of a hungry plant, who inspects you for a long and quiet moment before turning away to search the skies for a more appetizing meal. In the end you and your companion were successful in keeping all your limbs intact, though before you can continue onwards something smacks into your rear leg. It appears another creature had been watching you and adopted your strategy to make it's way through the dangerous field. It owes you a life debt, had said creature not had such an intelligent wolf to emulate it surely would have been eaten.

[Sedna has received a LARGE COMPANION PASS [Creature of your choice!]
You can come back for him or her later or write him or her accompanying you through the remainder of the adventure, it will not affect your story either way.

THE WITCHES BODYGUARD

An angry, oversized bullfrog with long, serrated claws and glowing red eyes stands in your way and lets out a bellowing, menacing croak. It stands upon a pile of bones three times it’s height and looks prepared to add your skull to it's collection.

1. A bullfrog can’t have been the worst thing you’ve fought or seen others fight, surely it is a winnable battle. You may choose to stand your ground and enter combat with the frog but be warned, he’s a more formidable opponent than he looks.
   
   
2. Sometimes power comes in small packages, and you are not willing to underestimate this particular opponent. While you may not be willing to put tooth and claw against him, there’s always the chance you can outrun him.
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED: You do not meet the requirements for this path.
   
   

-----

Sedna slowly exhaled, Chips flapping down from her back once they were clear of the strange plants. The Archer-Lyall shook out her monochrome coat, her ibis ruffling his feathers to shake off some of the same tension she had felt. A creature collided with her back leg and she looked back, eyes narrowing in question. She’d never quite seen anything like it in her life, but it seemed harmless enough for now and intent on following them, so she shrugged and turned her attention forward again. No hawthorn or ginger, not even devil’s bite. She was beginning to think this whole journey was almost a lost cause, well, except maybe for the strangely spiced meat that still hung around her neck in the pilfered pouch. It still didn’t seem to be the best time to stop and examine it.

She was pulled from her frustrated musings by a deep bellied croak. Taking in the long claws of the beast, she regretted leaving her cougar skin armour at home. Surely they were nearly free of the swamplands now? Nearer to the end than the beginning for sure, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to face those strange plants again. She had seen how click frogs were with their tongue when hunting a bug and she didn’t feel much bigger than one staring this beast down, but the Archer-Lyall wasn’t about to back down now. Gritting her teeth, she sized her opponent up, Chips taking to the sky to give her a second perspective. They hadn’t had a chance to put their practice to the test yet, but she wasn’t going to back down. She would fight him if she had to.

"speech".

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

SUCCESS

You and your companion advance on the frog ready to do battle. He digs his claws into the pile of bones and bellows a load threatening croak, preparing to spring. Suddenly he pauses, looking up at the sky and it seems like he's listening to someone.. or something. He lets out a quiet croak of argument that is cut off as he poofs into smoke. It appears the witch has need of her bodyguard for something else, and you've been spared the pain of facing off against him. Upon inspection of the now absent frog's pile of bones, you see a small potion, marked with a label that looks oddly like an ibis resting in the eye socket of a skull.

[Sedna's white ibis companion has been [boosted!]]

THE WITCH HERSELF

In a flash of sizzling smoke and mist, an old crone apparates. Stooped in posture, she outstretches an arm in your direction, pointing a knobby finger right at you. "You stole my meatand drank my bathwater!" She accuses, spittle flinging from her dry, thin lips. Her speech continues in a language unintelligible to you, though it occurs to you that it sounds a heck of a lot like a curse!

1. You have only a few moments before her chanting is complete, and without any idea what exactly the witch has in store for you, perhaps you should take this opportunity to run for it!
   
   
2. For all you know her curse doesn’t require line-of-sight, you might not be free from it even if you flee successfully. Would you like to instead try to explain yourself, reason with her and apologize?
   
   
3. SKILL LOCKED PATH UNLOCKED: Your life of combat has prepared you for this moment, and this witch is not the only scary beast you've encountered. You may attempt instead to battle her, though be warned she may be the hardest foe you've ever faced!
   

When the giant frog seemed to dissipate into fog, Sedna almost went crosseyed. She moved closer to snatch up the vial, wondering at the scratchy picture drawn on the label then looking to her ibis who had landed with an equally confused look, pecking at the glass like he wanted to drink it. Now was not the time or place however, after what happened with that clear pool, she wasn’t about to risk it until they were somewhere much safer, like back home.

It couldn’t be much further now, but as if to taunt her just one last time there was a flash and a sound like burning fat. As the old woman made her accusations Sedna’s ears folded against her skull. Shit! Tilly was better at this sort of thing than she was! At least she had enough standing to call the old crone sister, but despite her age, Sedna felt she would only get madder if she used a more customary ‘Granny’ greeting. She had to explain herself and fast!

"Wise one!" She began, her ears turned back and tail tucked, body folding in on itself in remorse. "My apologies! I only came t’ yer swamp in search o’ herbs ter aid my troubled pack mates." She dipped her head lower until the satchel around her neck could be removed with ease, gathering up the cords in her teeth to crawl forward and gently place the bundle with the stolen meat at the old crone’s feet before sliding back to allow her to address the old woman’s toes. "There’s a child in m’ pack with a broken leg, an’ another with a great big gash in ‘is shoulder, I was searchin’ fer somethin’ ter aid ‘em. Please forgive my trespass.

She couldn’t do much about drinking the bath water, she would screw her face up over that one later, but the meat... "I thought yer meat might ‘ave healin’ properties an’ just wanted ter look a bit closer where m’ nose would find it easier, m’ apologies again." But in her mother’s pack, words were wind, and she knew she would have to do better than that. "I am still just a student when it come’s ter healin’. Would yer allow me ter return with an’ offerin’ of herbs from my stores ter atone fer m’ drinkin’ o’ yer bathwater?" She held no expectation that her apology would be enough, but perhaps if she could meet the woman again on better terms, she might be willing to share some of her knowledge with the younger woman. Everyone knew witches had the best cures.

Her ears were still flat against her skull, tail tucked low, but she wouldn’t flee, not yet. She chanced a glance at the witches face, hoping to gauge whether her words had had any effect.  

"speech".

we wear red so they don’t see us bleed

-Option 2-

SUCCESS

The witch listens quietly to your explanation, looking rather unconvinced but at least her chanting has stopped. She sits in silence for minutes longer, staring you down with her suspicious squinting eyes before rolling her shoulders and letting out an exhausted sigh. "Very well." She concedes, her hand moving to scratch at her hairy chin. Her fingers begin to glow, and when she directs her crooked pointer back towards you there's a flash of light that consumes the meat still left in your bag. "I'm taking that back, and you may go free. Besides.... It appears my bathwater has harmed you enough already." A wide cruel grin splits across her lips, and the witch begins to cackle.

Some part of her must pity you, for she isn't quite done yet. She stabs her finger towards you suddenly once more, and you feel an ache begin within your skull. "As for your packmate's... predicaments, I will give you the knowledge you need." The headache is sudden and piercing, but a moment later it vanishes as quickly as it came on. You feel smarter, more confident. "Now leave here before I decide to take it all back!" With a loud 'poof' the witch vanishes before your eyes, though you feel her eyes upon you while you begin to venture out.

[Sedna has received 30 Healing Points!]

THANKS FOR PLAYING!

SEDNA received a total of 5 rewards and 1 punishments.
1 punishment is REDACTED and to keep things mysterious for other players still deciding their paths, will be revealed closer to the adventure deadline.
1 reward is SMALL COMPANION ACCESSORY
1 reward is LARGE COMPANION PASS
1 reward is 5 HEALING SKILL POINTS
1 reward is BOOST TO COMPANION (IBIS)
1 reward is 30 HEALING SKILL POINTS

Stay tuned for REDACTED reveal!

Thank you for your participation!
- Your Event Staff writer

NOTE: ALL PRIZES FOR THIS EVENT REDEEMED HERE!!!!!