Kotori had only recently returned to his pack a short time ago after more than a season of exploring and getting to know Ochi.  The horned wolf had been in a good mood as of late.  The perfect dream he’d created for himself years ago was getting closer to reality.  It had taken seemingly forever to find a woman to be a worthy mate for him.  The large wolf’s mail swayed slowly as he imagined the future they would have.

It was for his future and his pack’s future that Kotori would again explore all the land surrounding his pack, watching for any sign of trouble or promise. Today would be another good day, he could feel it.

"Kotori Fatalis"

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

Kotori paused his motion on spotting the three wolfdogs. The excitable and mournful one only got a second glance before he looked to the more stoic dark individual. Happy antics among strangers suggested a lack of wisdom until you knew the wolf better. The mournful one clearly was feeling emotional at the moment and Kotori wasn’t interested in a sad story unless it affected his pack or family.

“Well,” Kotori spoke to the black canine, “I’m Kotori Fatalis. What brings you here?” They didn’t smell of the neighboring packs so it was three loners and presumedly a family due to their looks. Interesting.

(Choosing black wolf)


"Kotori Fatalis"

The grumpy wolf's brow relaxes just slightly when you choose him, though he remains silent, making no effort to answer your question. He seems to give you a moment to reconsider as well. 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.

Kotori followed the dog ears flicking back in distaste at the smoke fowling up his vision, and even his sense of smell.  As the smoke starts to clear familiar scent reaches him.  Kotori moves cautiously, making sure he’s fully confident in his returning senses and wondering about the wisdom in following the stranger through that sudden bout of smoke.  It was an unnatural thing but he had the impression the dog-wolf wasn’t surprised at all.

The black companion pulls Kotori back half a step and the horned wolf widens his eyes in obvious surprise at the scenery.  There was no explanation to this of the natural sort.  Was their land cursed to experience unexplained events so frequently?  Kotori recalled the other strange events that had occurred in his life.  Well, the statues had changed the appearance of an area also and had crazy familiars at them.  So, was this really so much worse?  Ehhh, yet now where the hell was he?  

With a resigned sigh, Kotori acknowledged he probably wasn’t going to understand no matter how much he thought it over.  As the guide waved his paw towards a bridge Kotori acknowledged he wouldn’t be satisfied without knowing what this was about.  Besides, most likely he wouldn’t be the only wolf facing this sort of thing.

The bridge got his focus and Kotori thought of the options.  How strong was the bridge?  Take your time and risk the planks giving away when the weight lasts to long? He could make this guy go first but what if it could only handle one of them?  No matter what he chose there would be risks. “Well, I don’t feel like overthinking it.”

Kotori’s muscles bunched up and then he ran straight to the bridge, aiming for speed.  If it did collapse he’d have to find another way to leave later also.  Magic or spirits or some such got him here and Kotori wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing could get him out, whether or not a bridge stood.  Hell of a gamble.

Choosing strength – dash across bridge

"Kotori Fatalis"

You kick off, launching yourself down the shaky bridge. You can hear the guide grunt in surprise behind you. Your paws dance across the warm, dry wood and before you know it, you've dashed your way to the other side and into the shelter of the cave.

As you enter, you find 163 gems!

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 is 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.

Kotori glanced at the bridge behind him glad to see it had held out.  It appeared he could still go back the way he’d come if Kotori chose to do so.  To the quiet companion he gave a small smug smile.  Looking back ahead of him Kotori considered the new terrain.  

Had they traveled as far east s hells cavern somehow in that fog?  It didn’t make sense but neither did a place like this existing where he had been.  Magic and spirits or something devilish was involved in all of it and Kotori was damned curious.  Honestly, if magic had sped him quickly to the terrain he knew it would be the most boring of possibilities he could imagine.  

Kotori made his way to where the boulders waited.  He looked from one to the next and considered the distance and size of each one.  That should do it.  “How about you?” Would talking to the silent one ever get him to talk?  Who was this guy?

Regardless, Kotori wasn’t waiting.  He hopped straight for the first boulder with the intent to make his way to the back end of the cavernous room.

(Kotori chooses strength - stepping stone boulders)

"Kotori Fatalis"

You jump rock to rock. They're sturdy and secure. A few jumps in, and one cracks, falling into the lava. 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 abdomen. 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

Kotori moved from boulder to boulder with arrogant grace.  Then a rock cracked below him and Kotori picked up his pace, his grace destroyed.  A splash of lava strikes his abdomen and Kotori snarls in pain.  Once he’s on solid ground again he gives the guide a quiet considering look.  Why was he following this guy anyway?  Still, there was a sense of adventure and curiosity in this.  The injury hurt like hell but Kotori accepted the injury as a reminder that he’d screwed up.  A bad misstep here can get you killed and help keep you sharp.

Kotori looked down the path and across a gap in the solid floor.  Once more lava was in his way.  Well, enough with misteps.  Kotori took long strides to the edge on his side before leaping towards the smooth surface across from him.  He would not, absolutely not, let the stranger realize how much pain he was in from the lava.  Kotori Fatalis could put up with anything.

Choosing strength – jump the gap

"Kotori Fatalis"

You decide to kick off hard, hoping to close the gap using your sheer strength. Only when you're almost to the other side do you realize you underestimated the size of the gap, and you feel yourself falling, falling, falling...

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 left front outer leg, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 100 Fighting skill points. (Editor's note: OOF)

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...

• 163 gems
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Medium Scar - right abdomen
  
• major scar - left front outer leg,
  
• -100 Fight skill points