Well would you look at this place? Tiny pale paws sank down into the blackest sand that Siduri had ever seen. It felt fun between her toes so she played  for a while, digging her paws in then wiggling them and pulling them free. This became quite boring after a while though, so Sid continued on down the beach. The attention of the adults in the Raiders was pretty lax and so it was easy to sneak off and go to different places. The danger that might be lurking occurred in the girl's mind, but it never really mattered. The moon shone brightly overhead, illuminating the dark sand almost as though it were daytime. Sid shone brighter still, her snowy pelt eating up the light from above. Up ahead, a little crab scuttled across the sand and her attention was caught. Bounce, bounce, bounce, across the sand she went, hippity hoppitying after the little pincher. "Oi, oi! What're you?!" It looked different than the crabs back home. Siduri

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 girl practically jumped out of her skin as a trio of wolf... things appeared before her. Mismatched eyes went wide for a moment before she remembered who and what she was. The girl's pale pelt bristled and, to make up for her scare, she stalked towards the three canines on stiff legs. By the time she made it to them, her ego had been soothed and curiosity won out. Her tail wagged ferociously as she stood before the three differently colored wolves. Siduri inspected them. Not only were their coats different colors, but their demeanors seemed to be different as well. She felt as though she was supposed to talk to them, but all of them at the same time? It made sense to choose one, right? The dark, grumpy looking guy was the most appealing to the adventurous girl, so she chose him. "You look grumpy like my dad. What are you guys doin' out here?" A little head tilt was given as she waited for an answer. (Sid chooses the hard route!) Siduri

The grumpy wolf's brow relaxes just slightly when you choose him. He does not answer your question. He does, however, seem 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.

Like a trooper, Sid pranced off after the quiet man like he had candy and a van waiting somewhere. The scenery changing didn't mean much since everything was new to someone as young as she was. When they came to the bridge, Sid looked down over the edge. Red water bubbled and churned below and she could feel heat rising from it. Picking up a rock, Siduri chucked it down into the stew and watched it get eaten immediately. Looking back to the grumpy guy, Siduri watched as he motioned her towards the bridge. The pale girl frowned and gave her head a tilt. "Shouldn't you go first? I'm just a baby!" She was indeed just a baby, but she wanted to see where he placed his paws so that she could do the same. Just like following her dad's paws in the sand. (Sid Chooses Charisma!) Siduri

You ask the guide to go first. He refuses at first, but after a moment he huffs and you can see you've won. In a blink, the guide is fast behind you, scruffing you and carrying 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, but maybe also a slight smile?

You realize he dropped you off right next to 113 Gems. Sweet!

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.

Peals of laughter ripped from the girl as she was scooped up and ushered across the bridge. It was like flying and she spread her little forelegs as though they were wings. When she was deposited on the other side, Sid turned just quickly enough to see the barest smile on the man's lips. The tiny girl flashed him a smile, her tail wagging like mad, then moved to inspect the lava. The cave was hot but Siduri didn't complain. She didn't complain about much, actually, deciding instead to make the best of every situation. Her little pink nose worked, testing the air as her swirled eyes scanned the cave. She noted the various choices. Her legs were too short for the stepping stones. Hanging above lava didn't seem like a good idea. Asking the dark wolf to show her the way seemed like pushing it so... she placed one paw on the bridge, testing its solidity. (Sid chooses Wisdom!) Siduri

You decide to use the bridges. They seem to have stood the test of time, being singed here and there. They're easy to cross, and you progress steadily until one snaps out from under you. 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 back 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

Hey, this was easy. She could totally do this! Siduri pranced across the bridge, believing that her minuscule weight wouldn't hamper her progress on the path. Boy, was she wrong. The bridge crumbled and, with a yip of alarm, Sid dove towards the stone bank. Suddenly a searing pain bit into her like a thousand tearing teeth. A scream tore from the pale girl's throat and she spun, looking at the burning fur and seared skin. Tears instantly filled her tri-colored eyes, flowing down pastel cheeks. She'd been bitten and pushed off of things, punched in the face, but it was nothing compared to this. Siduri was confident, but she was still very much a puppy. This pain was seen as a betrayal from the quiet man. Eyes still welling with tears, Sid sniffled, flashing the brute a dejected look. "Why didn't you help me? Maybe he wasn't like her dad afterall. "Will you help me now? My legs are too short to jump across." Not to mention the wound hurt to move. Even walking was difficult. If he didn't help her, Sid didn't know what she was going to do. (Sid chooses Charisma!) Siduri

The guide shakes his head. 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.

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...

The guide refused to help and Siduri growled at him with all of her puppy might. "What good are you then?! Just go!" She would do this herself. The girl moved back to the other room and began scrounging around, grabbing various items that she could use to get across. Sid was able to collect a few things, but as she sat there and looked at them, the girl growled in frustration. How was any of this crap even going to stick together?! After sitting there a moment longer, the pale pup rose and made her way towards the very back of the room. She was going to need a damn good running jump for this. Her leg hurt and she winced with each step, but she couldn't stay down here forever, so what choice did she have? Inhaling deeply, Siduri began to run. She ran hard and fast and when her paws were at the very edge of the lava, she leaped, soaring across the pool towards the bank on the other side. (Sid chooses Strength!) Siduri

You kick off with all your strength, hoping your back legs are strong enough to propel you over the gap. Fortunately they are, and you land hard on the other side, feeling the impact of your jump ripple through you.

Though you make it to the other side, a low roar behind you gets your attention, and you spin around...

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 Stan. 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.

Sid hit the other side of the lava, just barely, and thudded to the ground with a roll and an audible OOF! Just as she was getting back to her paws, a loud sound from behind her caused the girl to spin quickly. Multi-hued eyes stare up at a massive worm. A worm? A little giggle erupts from Siduri. She killed worms all the time! This was going to be easy. ...Right? "Batten down the hatches, ye filthy guttersnipe!" As the worm began to lower it's head, Siduri jumped up, her little jaws wide, and aimed to place a big bite to its face. She had killed an anaconda. She could kill this thing too! "GET BENT, STAN!" (Sid chooses Strength) Siduri

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 right front inner leg, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 30 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...

• 113 Gems
  
• Coat Hanger
  
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Medium scar - left back outer leg
  
• Major injury - right front inner leg,
  
• -30 Fight skill points