The child was eager, bounding back into the lands outside the Hallows as he peeked over his shoulder. Dusk had followed him last time, and while the puppy had been glad she’d come, she almost got hurt because of him! That bear was taught a lesson, but Gavroche didn’t want his idol hurt. Dusk was awesome, and had the type of bravery that Gavroche himself wanted. So once he verified she hadn’t trailed after him the boy darted into the locale of the garden. It was starting to grow dark, the setting sun bathing the land in a warm orange glow. His ears were perked forward, nose twitching as he saw small tiny lights in the sky. Fireflies? He peered up at them, fluffing up his wings as his maw fell open. “Hello little friends~” He told them, so focused on the insects above him as he took each step.

"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

The bugs drifted onward and, when the boy shifted his gaze, it landed on three canines he had never seen before. They seemed wolf like, waiting for him, one even seeming to beckon the boy forth, but his attention was focused on one in particular. The slate one… they seemed so sad. Gavroche's brow furrowed and a soft whine left his lips. "You don't need to be sad." He told them. "Will you tell me about it? Maybe talking will help you feel better." The winged lad had no idea the importance of these canines, or the medium route he would take with his sorrowful guide.

----------

OoC: Medium route please and thank.[/u]

The tearful wolf seems almost surprised you chose her. She smiles softly at your question, but does not answer. 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.

The woman before him does not answer, but smiles through her tears as she turns, motioning for the boy to follow. Gavroche whines softly as he pads after her. How is he supposed to help her dry her tears if she won’t tell him why she is crying? But Gavroche does not give up on the blue lady, following after her even as the weather takes a shift. Gavroche feels anxieties stir, the fog closing in quickly, blocking out his sight completely. He can’t hear anything either, save for the drumming of his heartbeat in his ears. This fog was intense… but he could still smell the lady walking ahead of him. He wants to make her smile… no one should be sad, so if following what she wanted him to do would help, then he’d do so. When the fog around them finally begins to fade, he is somewhere new. Gavroche blinks with surprise and looks around. Where did the garden and all the plants go? The boy’s look becomes thoughtful, ears perked as he looks at the huge trees that dwarf him. His green gaze shifts to the woman, and she motions him toward the lake. He can see stepping stones, but the movement in the water has him cautious. Gaze flicks to the stones, ears swiveling toward the whirlpool. Hmm… she wants him to go towards the lake, so surely the stones will be safe, right? He glanced down at his dexterous paws. If he is careful, and takes his time, he shouldn’t slip even though they will be wet in spots. The winged child moves towards the stones, taking the first step onto them as he spreads his wings for balance. Just slow and steady… -------------------------- Choosing 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 64 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 discernable 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.

The first rock is taken easily. Thankfully his dexterous paws were a boon in this task. Gavroche felt his heart soar seeing how easy it was. He took another jump - another successful one. A third jump and the lad slips but he manages to catch himself. His wings help him there, beating to help stabilize him. Phew! The boy checks over his shoulder at the guide and offers her a smile.Then it's the last jump… only the rock dissolves under his paws and into the water he goes. Gavroche feels his heart flutter as he braces himself. Down he goes into the whirlpool, and is quickly followed by the guide.

The whirlpool shifts into a waterfall that descends down to an underground pool. The water is freezing - and as Gavroche pulls himself from it he sees why. He shakes out his coat and begins looking around. Ice… thick.. And carvings on the walls. There is no clear exit, though there are some crevices he might be able to squeeze through. No, he can't seem to see all the way through (at least at a glance) and this time his dexterity feels more risky. This time the boy decides to take his time and observe the area more carefully. He walks toward a wall, shivering as he looks up at the markings…

Did they mean anything?

-----------------------

Choosing… Wisdom
The drawings are intricate, they must mean something.

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

The markings are decorative, but more than that, as Gavroche follows them with his gaze, he realizes there is a difference to them. He moves to where they arc and gives a strong push. It gives and breaks before him and he is able to reveal a way through. He looks back at the guide and beams at her. "We did it, miss!" He was happy, his chest swelling with pride. There is even a bag to investigate later, awesome! But what lay beyond looks even more precarious than before… Gav frowns. He was more confident before, but the hallway looks rough. His green gaze turns to the guide and his pupils go wide as his ears fall. "Miss… I want to help dry your tears… and you knew the way to the pond… You trusted the whirlpool… please, if you know a safe way through here, show me." But would she help him now?

---------------

Choosing… Charisma
Convince your guide to lead the way.

The weeping woman nods at you and turns her attention to the tunnel ahead. One step, then another, she turns to check on you. You follow in her pawsteps.

As you tip toe through the tunnel, you find a bag ties neatly with a ribbon - you'll have to open this later.

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.

The weeping woman gave a nod, and Gavroche felt gratitude stir in his chest as she moved to lead the way. "Thank you miss. I appreciate you." His words are spoken with kindness as he pads after her. Each pawstep she made was limited by the boy and, as she looks back, Gav offers her a smile. He even found another neat bag to slip into his own! That was two goodies to check on later.

They made their way to the end of the tunnel and what they saw before them was the ruins of a shrine. Gavroche look around… water, jagged ice… another dangerous area. Gav breathes in. This reminds him of the room with markings, just more dangerous. If he is cautious, he can make it through! He sets about to search for the safest way. Scanning with his eyes and listening for clues.

---------------------

Choosing: Wisdom
Look for the safest path to the exit.

You study the room for a long while until you figure out the safest path to the exit. Avoiding the frigid cold waters you find a solid path toward the small opening on the other side of the room, grabbing a carefully bundled item along your way. You make a note to examine it later.

Before you reach the exit, the ice around you cracks and water sputters up until you are left stranded with your guide on a large, floating stage of ice. From the frozen depths, a massive, blue tinted worm bursts forth and shrieks. You understand its name immediately: Henry. You know now that you can not leave until you defeat this menace. Your guide looks to you, ready to go on your command.

What do you do?

Strength: Fight the worm head on.

Use whatever strength you have left to charge forward and fight the worm.

Charisma: Convince the worm to let you pass.

Maybe you can reason with the worm instead of using violence to get your way.

Dexterity: Sneak around and attack the worm from behind.

You think maybe you can use the shards of ice as cover to sneak around and attack from behind.

Wisdom: Find the worm's weak point.

If you hang back and study the worm for awhile, maybe you can figure out how to best defeat it.

Looking for the safest path was the right choice it seemed. The tiny boy studied the room, going over each nook and crevice as he went through each way to make it across. Eventually he chose a way and, calling to his guide, he would lead the way through and avoid the frigid waters. The path was a good one it seemed because he ended up picking up another item. Gavroche couldn’t help but chuckle softly as he did so. At this point he might become too heavy to move if he kept finding all these goodies! He’d cast a look over his shoulder at the guide and kept picking along… only to find the exit cut off as the ice around him and the guide cracks and falls into the waters below. They were left on a large floating patch of ice, but danger seemed to lurk in these waters.

Rising from the depths was a massive, blue tinted worm. Instinctively Gavroche moved before his guide in a protective manner. He caught her eye, knowing she would follow his lead, but Gavroche didn't want to resort to violence first. He is fearless, but not heartless. He can’t explain how he knows the worm’s name, but he hopes that reason can reach it. “Henry…” Gavroche speaks the worm’s name calmly, but with a firm tone. “I will fight you if I gotta, but I would rather us go without blood… yours or ours.” His ears slide down. “Please let us go. I don’t want to have to hurt you… and I don’t want you to hurt us. Can’t we get along?” Maybe Henry would listen. He didn’t attack them first after all.

---------------------------------------------

Choosing... Charisma
Convince the worm to let you pass.

"Speech"

You desperately try to reason with Henry, but it seems he either has little patience for words, or he simply isn't convinced by yours. Just as you finish speaking you hear your guide begin to weep even louder beside you, nearly drowning out the sound of the worm's shriek as its mouth opens and it strikes, hard and fast. You have no time to react, the world around you growing suddenly dark.

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 your left back ankle is broken, an injury that will surely heal but will take quite some time (1 IC season to fully heal). Likewise you feel you've lost some knowledge along the way, losing 30 fighting skill points. The three items you've found lay beside you, and will be revealed later.

FIREFLY'S FAVOR USED

You desperately try to reason with Henry, but it seems he either has little patience for words, or he simply isn't convinced by yours. Just as you finish speaking you hear your guide begin to weep even louder beside you, nearly drowning out the sound of the worm's shriek as its mouth opens and it strikes, hard and fast. You have no time to react, the world around you growing suddenly dark.

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 right side of your chest, which will no doubt turn into a noticeable scar (about 6 inches long). Likewise you feel you've lost some knowledge along the way, losing 23 fighting skill points. The three items you've found lay beside you, and will be revealed later.

You desperately try to reason with the worm, and it screeches in response. It begins to swim around, screeching in an unbearable pitch and volume. It swims endless circles for what feels like eons before it finally dives under the water.

The worm bubbles beneath the icy surface and after a moment, no more bubbles float up. The worm is gone and the guide quickly ushers the two of you outside.



Outside the night seems clear and calm and you realize you are back where the adventure started.

Your guide stops weeping for just a moment and offers a soft, genuine smile. In a flash, she is gone, 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: Crystal Cathedral!

You receive: 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea Bundle:

• Boosted Companion Pass
  
• 3rd companion slot
  

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...

• 64 Gems
  
• Extra Breeding Pass
  
• Full Abnormal Color Pass
  
• Cursed Litter Pass
  
• 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea Bundle
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Nothing!