How Ken had managed to slip away without one of his siblings on his heels was one of the great mysteries of the week. Now he was here in the mangroves, squelching frigid mud between his oversized paws that apparently, he'd probably grow into one day, some of the shine of the adventure had worn off. At least if Wake was here, he'd have someone to talk to, or if Cal was here he'd have someone to tussle with...

The boy sighed heavily, until something glimmery caught his eye tangled up in the roots of one of the mangroves, was it a fish or was it treasure?! There was only one way to find out!

“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 icy water made Ken's toes numb, and it turned out the glimmer was just a little fish after all. He climbed from the water, stomping his feet to try and get the feeling back in his toes. Honestly, it took him more than a minute to realise he wasn't alone.

Golden eyes lit up though when they fell upon his company, his dark and light tipped tail thrashed about and he bowed down to try and entice the wolfish-not-wolves to play. At least one of them looked like they might indulge him, but he couldn't shake the feeling this was something important, and he should probably take it seriously, like that darker guy off to the side. Slowly his wiggles subsided, and he stepped forward, towards the darker canine expectantly. Were they gonna speak at all?

“Speech”

-choosing the irascible guide-

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.

The silence continued and the pup trotted along blindly at the big guys heels, the smoke and the smell made his face scrunch up and his eyes squeeze shut, it was only the backwards yank that convinced him to try and blink his vision clear. He bought his paws up to cover his nose. That smelled worse than the worst fart one of his brothers had ever let rip, even worse than the ones his dad's wolverine loosed. He gagged on the air, trying to not vomit all over the big guys paws, but it was just too bad! And maybe, just maybe he could try and swing this to his favour? As the big guy gestured towards the bridge, the pup stumbled pitifully forward, turning back with a canted head. Did he really think the kid could do it on his own? There was such a big gap between the boards, what was a kid to do?

“Speech”

Trying: charisma! make the guide go first.

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 also find 184 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 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.

It didn't seem like it was gonna work, and Ken even allowed crocodile tears to start to gather at the back of his eyes before the big stranger scooped him up and carried him across the bridge. His grin only grew wider and toothier when he got dropped next to a big ol' pile of gems! Sweet! Taking in the next room, he thought to try his luck again, but then thought better of it. He should probably try and at least do some of the leg work, save his simping for when he really needed it or something... Moving towards the rocks, he took his first leap, trying to get across the room by jumping from one to the next.

“Speech”

Choosing: strength! take the stepping stones.

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 left front 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

He thought he'd been doing pretty well, that was until the rock cracked beneath his paws and the falling stone made lava splash up onto his leg. The boy shrieked despite the obvious pressure around his neck as the guide scooped him up and dropped him on the cool smooth stone of the other side. For a moment, his face scrunched between the tears and the pain and he just wanted to go home but he also had a terrible case of FOMO and decided finding out what this big dark guy was all about was more important.

Despite the way his leg throbbed, he tucked it up against his chest protectively and did his best to see how they were gonna move forward. Maybe it was all a bit much with his injury. The big guy had helped him out the first time, maybe he'd help him again? Turning tearful eyes towards his guide he did his best head cant, hoping for a hint.

“Speech”

Choc-chip muffin tries 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...

It seemed his simpering wouldn't get him far this time. The burning in his leg made his eyes water and he didn't think he could manage a jump, but maybe those bridges from the other room would help? He went back to the other room and gathered some planks, trying to test them for sturdiness before aiming them at the flatter points of the stalagmites and rocking them from side to side to test their stability. One tumbled into the lava below and the boy swallowed down a lump that was forming in his throat. He thought he stood a pretty good chance of making it across if he took his time... and maybe if he held his breath, his legs would stop trembling.

“Speech”

Choosing: Wisdom! build a bridge with the materials from the other room.

You decide that building a bridge across is your best bet. Gathering materials from the other room, you get to building, only stopping once you're sure the bridge is sturdy.

You begin to make your way across, though when you're nearly at the other side you feel the materials begin to splinter and crack beneath you. You try to scramble to the other side, but you feel yourself 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 runs down your chin, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 74 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...

• 184 Gems
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Medium scar - left front outer leg
  
• Major scar - chin
  
• -74 Fight skill points