She had been trying so hard, but it had happened again. Meeting a wolf who pushed her to the point of anger - Rivin had only meant to defend herself, nothing more! When the woman came to the man was gurgling on his own blood, her antler covered in gore. She had impaled him. No… was it her? Rivin fled. She was afraid. Her mind whirled, and somewhere along the way she had pulled something in her back. Her body hurt, but she didn’t stop. She didn’t turn back. Her ears were pinned. The idea of death had never bothered her before. What bothered her was the blanks in her memory. How easy something else took over. She was breathing hard by the time she came to a stop. She swallowed hard and tried to get her bearings. Somewhere along the way the ground got softer… mucky with the snow. Rivin grunted, allowing herself to continue on at a more leisurely pace now… or at least one that allowed her to kind of ignore the fact her back was on fire. Push through the pain… she needed to find a way to keep her anger at bay. If she could. Maybe… maybe there was no saving her. Another grunt. No matter what, she couldn’t let that side hurt those she cared about. She wouldn’t. She had to keep fighting. Even if she was fighting “herself”.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

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

But, as Rivin proceeded to move forward, her gaze would fall on not one, not two, but three unfamiliar figures. They seemed to be waiting for her, waiting for her to choose one of them. She felt her stomach turn. Who were they? What did they want? One was just so… happy, almost eager to lead her somewhere. The middle one, she could barely her gaze. There was something about it that made Rivin’s mind reel, and she didn’t want to acknowledge the sorrow the woman held. Instead she would push on towards the dark one, ears flicking back as she tilted her head slightly as she examined him. He looked… impatient. She couldn’t really see his eyes… hell, could he even see under his brows? Rivin frowns, but she chooses not to speak. If they wish for her to know why they are here, then surely they would say something… right?

"Speech," 'Thought.'

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 man gives her a chance to reconsider but Rivin made her choice. He seemed the most able to hold his own if something shifted… did they not even acknowledge the gore on her antler? It was for the better. Rivin would trail after him, preferring the silence. But things around them would shift. Burning smoke… she squinted through it, determined not to lose her guide. But nothing would prepare her for what he lead her to. Well wasn't this fantastic…

The smell of sulfur… a questionable bridge over lava. Robin blinks away the tears in her eyes and frowns. He seems to be waiting… Rivin looks at him. He wants her to go? Fine. She steps onto the first plank. Most of them seem stable enough. Balance would be key here.

----------

Choosing…. Dexterity
Balance lightly between the planks evenly as you go.

You gingerly step onto the bridge, balancing your weight. The bridge creaks and sways slightly. You inch your way down the bridge, but one paw lands too heavy and the plank below it crumbles, sending your body tumbling into the weakened structure. The guide is fast behind you, scruffing you and shoving 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.

In the struggle, you scrape your snout. It bleeds a little, but will heal just fine.

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.

Shit… the bridge gave out anyway. Rivin tries to catch herself but the guide is faster to save her. Rivin grunts, scraping her snout on the way into the cave. But at least she was alive. But… this wasn't much better. Rivin looks around the room. Lava… bridges…Bridges we're a no go, fuck that shit. But to continue on her journey she needed to get through. There is a ledge but she isn't exactly small. Then her gaze shifts to the stepping stones. Alright, let's do this! She charges and leaps, going for the first stone. Fortune favored the bold after all!

---------------------

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 right back inner 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

One stone, another, and well… “Son of a BITCH!” The snarl rips from Rivin and she almost loses her balance and goes right into the lava as she gets burned. Thankfully the guide helps out, and she makes it through without any further injury. That could have very easily been a leg or even her end. Rivin glances back the way they came. Alright, pushing through was a shit decision. The bridges were kind of weakened by existing here… and now… Oh goodie, don’t fall into more lava and make it to the flat stone in the middle. Alright, risking the stone was the shittier decision, and her guide hadn’t said anything thus far. No, this time she was going to use her damn head and try to make a safer way across. Turning around, Rivin went to gather some materials to try and build herself a bridge. If she tested the materials ahead of time, hopefully she’d proceed without another fucking burn.

------------------

Choosing... Wisdom
Build a bridge with the materials from the other room.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

You decide trying to cross the gap as-is is just too dangerous, and you get to gathering materials from the other room to begin building a bridge across. After a long period of building and ensuring your bridge is safe, you begin to cross and your guide follows, seeming impressed with your work despite his stoic demeanor. Though you make it across, a sound behind you catches your interest, and you turn to see what it could be...

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 Jack. 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.

Building a bridge was the smarter choice. It took a while, but this time after plenty of testing they were making it across without further injury. Only this time…? A noise catches Rivin’s attention and she spins. What in the fuck was that?! A name comes to her mind, but fuck a name. There is no way in hell this thing is going to respond to any sort of reasoning, name or no name. The guide shows a fighting stance, and Rivin is going to take that as the only sign she needs that to survive she is going to have to fight her way out. The red streaked woman flashes her teeth. She has never seen something like this before, and considering it just came up out of lava merely attacking it could get her burned. So her first action is to focus on dodging and studying this thing. If she can discover a weak point, maybe she can injure it or drive it off. Either way, she knows she needs to stay away from the sides of this stage, otherwise she is going to be burnt to a crisp. Fur on end, the whisper of that voice within her… maybe she should let her other side deal with it…

--------------------------------------------

Choosing… Wisdom
Study the worm to figure out how to deal with it.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Instead of acting too quickly, you hang back and study the worm, watching the methodical way it moves its head up and down, almost cyclically. Its movements seem more predictable to you the more you watch. You continue to study it, noting an unfamiliar object near you as well, which you decide to grab later.

The worm rolls and screeches, diving into the lava, then into the air, over the stage, and back into the lava. Hot globs of molten rock splash over the stage. Your guide grunts and dodges, his teeth barred in frustration. He glances to you, a silent invitation to take the lead. The worm emerges again. This is it. The final stand!

What do you do?

Strength: Attack as soon as the worm emerges.

You decide to strike at the soonest opportunity.

Charisma: Tell the guide to take the lead..

You think the guide would know best what to do.

Dexterity: Attack at the highest point in the worm's jump

You decide to wait until the worm's head is furthest from you to strike.

Wisdom: Wait for the perfect point over the stage to attack

You choose to observe the worm, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

Rivin watches the beast, seeing the methodical way it does. There is an item she snatches for later, a prize for this dangerous endeavor, but with lava coming up to their platform she can't get too distracted. She had the worm's movements down. Now she just needed to wait for that perfect opportunity. The guide beside her is growing frustrated, and Rivin keeps guarded. "Don't rush. As it first comes out it brings lava back with it. Wait for me to move, and attack without hesitation." She was focused. She was ready. Just had to wait for it… and…! Her muscles tensed, ready to move when it presented her opening.

---------------------

Choosing... Wisdom
Wait for the perfect point over the stage to attack

You wait, observing the worm. Its jump, its arc, every detail important. You're patient, but is patience enough for such a creature? Just when you think you've got its movements down, it surprises you, its body extending and lashing out in your direction before you're able to react. You feel pain, and then everything 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. The right side of your neck Your Inner front left leg hurts the most, you realize, as you become acutely aware of the gaping wound fractured bone there - you think you need to find a healer, and fast. It's sure to leave a scar (roughly 5 inches long). You feel less skilled now as well, losing 96 66 fighting 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.

Rolled 1 Favor

You wait, observing the worm. Its jump, its arc, every detail important. As soon as you find the perfect spot, you wait for his next attack. Then he launches, and so do you, biting into the hard, hot underbelly of the lava worm. The guide follows suit. With this, you are able to peel off a slab of his scale-like armor. It clamors into the lava just seconds before the worm does.

The worm thrashes and sinks into the lava, his bones rising to the surface as shiny as fresh metal. They float, suspended for a bit, before slowly beginning to glow and melt into the pool.



As the worm fades from existence, the lava begins to calm and sink down into the earth. A small land bridge becomes apparent and you are able to safely exit the chasm. On the other side, smoke swaths you once more and you find yourself back where you began, singed, sore, but not too worse for wear.

It is time for goodbye, you can feel it in your soul. You turn to the guide, who looks almost proud of you.

Your guide gives you a curt nod of approval and you blink. When your eyes open, only a few fireflies buzzing lazily where the guide once was.

The cave, now peaceful, stands to be explored by any who come across it. Maybe you can remember your way back sometime.

You have unlocked a new site land: Pyroduct Caves!

You receive: To Hell and Back Bundle:

• Deluxe Open Character Pass
  
• Choice of litter pass (Gay Litter Pass, Ghost Litter Pass, Mystery Litter Pass)
  
• Boosted Worm companion (Regular companion size, named Ethel Jr., but you may change this, only speaks a language you do not know)
  
• Lucky Rabbits Foot
  [*]Firefly's favor (Used)
  

Other prizes you collected will be revealed later.

Rolled With a Favor

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...

• Elixir Of Agility
  
• Post Acceptance Dire Wolf Height Pass
  
• To Hell and Back Bundle
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor injury - snout
  
• Medium scar - right back inner leg