Wrecker took a walk. Their ears twitched as they walked through the standing stones, drawing close to look at each one, peering at the features. She didn't understand them.

The stones were ... intriguing, to say the least.

Wrecker wound their way through them, tail twitching slowly as they peered at rocks that looked older than they were, older than their family. Perhaps Beauregard would like to hear about these, oddities that they were. Or more likely he knew about them already.

They glanced up to the sky, taking in stars, watching as clouds rolled in.

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

Wrecker's ears flicked forward as they spotted the... strange trio before them. They stepped closer, circling them for a moment, taking in the faces of each of the borzoi. This was... something! But they weren't going to let it ruin their night. They were going to embrace it and keep moving forward. Sure, the three were unexpected, but-- Wrecker approached the most dour of them, the black-coated male who looked rather sour, and gave him a bow, flashing her teeth his way. That was an easy sort of choice, wasn't it? He had a ... well. He looked to be... amusing. And who wasn't in the mood for a little danger, eh? She was more than comfortable getting into trouble. Always had been. [ wrecker chooses the hard route! ] "Speech"

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.

Wrecker quirked their ears forward. They trotted after the strange man with little complaint at first. As they crossed into the area, and Wrecker saw the lava, their brow points rose.

This looked... exceptionally dangerous. Wrecker placed a paw upon the plank, withdrew it, glanced at their guide. He didn't seem particularly keen to help, and Wrecker couldn't help but bristle up just a little bit. They eased forward slowly, balancing their weight just-so. The plan. Yes. They had a plan. Slow and steady. Balance right.

They knew they weren't particularly heavy.

It ought to be alright. Right? Absolutely. Their tongue lashed at their nose as they made their way across.

Wrecker uses DEXTERITY

You gingerly step onto the bridge, balancing your weight. The bridge creaks and sways slightly. You inch your way across and the guide follows you. After what seems like eons, you make it across the bridge and the guide leads you into the shelter of the cave ahead. You also scoop up 143 Gems along the way!

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.

Hoo! Alright. Wrecker swallowed as they finished easing along the bridges, having scooped up Gems along the way. Once again, they come to a room of lava, and fear, and -- Wrecker's ears flick forward.

They glance towards their guide, before slinking forward. There are bridges for a reason, after all. Wrecker is smart enough to know that a bridge is an object that must be made, and so they're not entirely concerned about using them. With a careful step, Wrecker picks their way across the second series of bridges, not bothering to check the guide to make sure that they're doing things right. After all... the man seems dour enough that he'd rather push them into the lava than help.

So Wrecker isn't going to put themselves in harms way, like that.

Wrecker uses WISDOM.

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 right ear. The lava singes through your fur, leaving a deep burn across most of your ear. 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

Oh, ow! Ow oof ouchie!

Wrecker hisses in a pained breath as heat singes their ear; they lower their head and tremble for a moment at the pain of it as they pass through the bridges.

After a moment of quiet collection, they turn to the guide and regard him with a wary but grateful expression. "Oy, listen..." Wrecker mutters, tail tucking. "Could you -- like. Uh... show me?" She gestures over her shoulder. Fuck. Their ear stings-- the pain is deep.

That fucking sucked.

Wrecker uses CHARISMA

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.

You already tried this.

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...

Honestly, they weren't too surprised, all things considered. The guy looked dour.

Wrecker flicked their ears back for a moment and then turned to regard the lava, trying to decide on the best route across. There were options. Taking a deep breath, they shook their head and began to jog in place for a moment--

And then they darted forward, tail up, judging the jumps as best as they could before lurching to land on a stalagmite.

The worst stepping stones.

Wrecker uses dexterity!

You decide to use the stalagmites as stepping stones. At first it seems like a solid plan as you begin to make your way across, but then suddenly the one you're standing on begins to crack and splinter, giving out completely beneath your paws.

Somehow you manage to scramble almost all the way across, but as you make the final leap to the edge of solid ground you feel yourself begin to fall...

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. You feel a deep wound on your underbelly left ribs that will, without a doubt, turn to a large scar (about 6 inches across), and you feel less skilled for having gone on such a journey, losing 10 intellect 30 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. x2.

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...

• 143 Gems
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Medium scar - right ear
  
• Major injury- left ribs
  
• -30 Navigation skill points