It was a quiet evening as Vashou stared up at the glowing rune stones. His paws tracing upon the stone as he looked around them still intent on solving their mystery. He continued to circle the stones in a curious manner nose pressed down and Their tail brushing back and forth against the air. Vashou acknowledged the moss for a small time frame. Vashou's tail swishing back and forth slowly as he felt a presence approach him. Vashou's ears perking up as this wasn't the normal approach of a wolf. Every fiber on his body standing up as he felt nothing normal was coming from this.

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

He looks between the three wolves. His ears lowered as he would begin to pace back and forth. The presence of the three illuminated by the eerie runes. The white and black wolf making him pause for a moment. He examined each pondering which one would be the best option. His ears perked as he watched the white wolf bounce and shift around eagerly. His ears lowered as he turned to the dark furred wolf. The intense stare causing him to shiver softly he approached the slate colored wolf and looked up. "I suppose this is where I follow you?" he questioned as the slate colored fur had him somewhat curious.

The tearful wolf seems almost surprised you chose her. 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.

Vashou paused staring at the somber wolf with a curious glance. Their tail brushed back and forth slowly. They wondered about the water. Soon stopping for a second he looks over to the Somber wolf once more and respectfully asks "Is there something you can show me, I admit I am quite uncertain." he pauses for a moment and looks at her wondering if she is capable of a response. His face mostly hid this question as he didn't wish to offend her. However, he had heard stories of the spirits of the past being relatively silent. He waited in anticipation his earthen appearance seeming somewhat sedentary as he waited for her answer.
[Charisma]

You ask the guide for help and she nods, wiping her tears on the back of her paw. She readies herself and in one fluid motion lifts you by your scruff and takes a massive leap into the center of the whirlpool. On your way down, you find 90 Gems.

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 discernible 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.

(Wisdom, curiosity got Vashou to look at the painting)
Vashou looked around their tails shifting back and forth slowly. His ears perked as he looked around at first he considered breaking through the glass like ice lining the wall. However Vashou noticed a painting on the wall. Their curiosity got the better of them. Vashou made their way to get a better look at the painting curious about what was going on. Vashou stood slowly in front of the painting their tails swishing back and forth. His ears perked as he walked from end to end trying to get a clear view of the painting.

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

(Strength)
Vashou stares at the hallway their eyes curious as Vashou examined the damaged hall. His tail brushing back and forth slowly as they pondered the options. He wanted to weigh his options as this hallway looked completely dangerous. After tucking the item away in his fur. He sighed as he acknowledged the only way to advance. Vashou sighs and braces himself once more. Vashou started to stretch and shook himself out. He made one more glance around hoping any other option worked. Vashou closed his eyes eyes. He either made it across or he didn't there didn't seem to be an inbetween and if there was he wasn't completely comfortable with it. Opening one eye to make sure he didn't hit a wall or broken pillar with his path. Vashou bolted forward as fast as he could moving with his eyes closed as he ran forward. Bracing himself for whatever might happen.

You decide not to risk getting stuck in the unstable tunnel, and charge forward as fast as you possibly can, eyes closed. Though you hear the shifting of stone and ice that suggests an imminent collapse, you make it through unscathed.

As you charge through the tunnel, you find a bag tied 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.

((charisma))
Vashou blinks quietly as he puts the item away. His tail brushing back and forth slowly as they looked around the room for a brief moment. Their tail checking the cold air. He ponders his options for a moment before approaching the guide once more. He knelt forward and lowers his ears. Asking once more, "H-hey um, I dun suppose you can lead me through this one once more." he looks to her with a somewhat embarrassed expression. He had a back up plan however he did hope she had an idea of how to cross. He bows his head respectfully as he hoped for an answer.

Your guide timidly tries to lead the way, but little progress is made. The cave rumbles and you lose your footing. Around you, you see the streaks of your own blood melting down the broken and jagged ice. As your vision tunnels, the guide runs to your side and all you can think about is how warm her tears are.

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. Notably you feel intense pain on the right side of your chest, which will leave a small scar (about 3 inches long). You feel less skilled in general as well, losing 15 hunting 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...

• 90 Gems
  
• 2" Growth Spurt Pass
  
• Mushroom Bath Bomb
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Major injury - wound/scar right chest