He hadn't been back here since the Pirates became the Raiders and they moved over to the island. But he had returned to grab a few things he had forgotten. He stepped into the cavern, ears twitching as he caught nothing but the sound of the tide and the breeze that passed through the tunnels. It was...eerie...being here alone. Without the pack filling it with their boisterous laughter and obnoxious partying, there was a night and day difference. He moved further in, crimson gaze searching the walls and slate shelves that lay even dustier and overgrown with moss. Places where the wolves once slept no longer looked like comforting places to sleep, and it even looked like marine birds had decided to take over in the absence of the pack. Wrinkling his nose, he headed further in, wondering if his things had been plundered, or if they were where he'd left them. Then again...was here really here for such insignificant things? There was a whole other part of the cavern he hadn't explored, and now that his father wasn't skulking around and always giving him shit, who was going to stop him from further investigating? Surely his father had some goodies hiding in here. "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 young male made his way down a path he hadn't taken before, and before he knew it, he was face to face with three wolves he'd never met before. The pale wolf appeared to be...way too excited. Ugh. The second one he saw seemed...sad? Ew, feelings. He turned away from them as he looked at the third one, and as he observed the dark figure, he narrowed his eyes. He looked...not very happy. Then again, was he himself ever happy? "What's your deal?" He questioned. "Are they that annoying?" Fuck...why was he drawn to the grumpy guy? It was like a less fucked up version of his father, maybe...or at least, that's what his subconscious felt, anyway. Diablo chooses The Irascible Guide "Speech"

The grumpy wolf's brow relaxes just slightly when you choose him, though his nose wrinkles in response to your probing words. 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 gray wolf didn't answer and instead wrinkled his nose at him. Well, he was getting started on the right foot, wasn't he? The other two didn't exactly seem to be his cup of tea, but after a moment's consideration, he shrugged and followed him. As he followed, a thick fog rolled in and his eyes started to water. He coughed a few times, squinting in an effort to try and keep the guy in his sights. He nearly lost him a time or two, but as it started to clear, he felt himself being pulled back before he stepped over an edge he didn't realize was there. He grunted thanks and shook his head to try and clear his eyes. He surveyed the room they were now in, peering over the ledge he nearly stepped off of to find that lava bubbled below. He studied the wooden bridge that spanned the chasm, and he sighed as he looked at his guide. "I'm supposed to cross that?" He asked in disbelief. Well, fuck. It didn't look safe...but sometimes, looks could be deceiving. He sighed as he tapped his claws on the ground, then made his decision. "Well, tough guy. It was your idea to lead me down here, so it's only fair that you take the lead." Diablo chooses Charisma "Speech"

You ask - no, demand - that the guide to go first and he doesn't budge, not even an inch. For a long while there is silence, then he is behind you. He pushes you forward, onto the bridge and blocking your way out. The bridge swings and creaks awfully. He pushes you across, scruffing you and dragging you if he must before he deposits you on the other side of the bridge and walks into the cave, not waiting for you to follow.

In the struggle, you scrape your left shoulder. 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 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.

For what felt like an eternity, his guide just stood there in silence. He didn't say a word, nor did he move an inch. "Hello! Did you hear m-" Before he knew it, the guide was behind him and shoved him onto the bridge. Diablo was unprepared and so he stumbled and practically fell a few times as the bridge swung beneath his feet and the guide pushed and shoved and had to pick him up by his scruff a time or two until he was on the other side. "What the fuck!" He had not expected that, but he supposed he deserved it...maybe. He stood up, wincing as he felt an irritating pain on his shoulder and noticed the scratch there. Well...could've been worse, right? He turned to face the guide, but the guy had already gone on ahead without him. "Jerk..." He muttered under his breath. Then again...maybe something he respected. After all, he knew he could be an asshole, too. In the next room, he takes in the scenery, gaze moving from one potential path to the next as he tries to figure out what to do. After several long moments, he decides. Diablo chooses Wisdom "Speech"

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 the right side of your jaw. 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

So far, so good. He was making good progress across the bridge that he had decided to take, though it was still sort of...questionable. Questionable was probably an understatement, however. One plank suddenly broke out from under him, and he barely had time to gasp before he started scrambling to save himself, luckily, sourpuss decided to help him, too. But unluckily for him, the lava popped and he snarled as it splattered on his jaw, and he could feel the searing pain as it burned into his skin. He shook his head, fighting the intense urge he had to wipe it off with his paw, knowing it would burn his leg too if he did so. His adrenaline was pumping now, and the searing pain would remain for a time until it started to dull, but he could still very much feel it. He'd have to see Rivin or something if he made it out of here alive... After making it to the other side, he finds a flat, smooth stone in the center of even more lava, and he had half a mind to back out and go home...but looking back, it didn't look like he'd be able to get back the way he came. Shit. No matter where he looked, it didn't seem like there was an obvious path out of here...so he felt he had no choice here. He couldn't stay stuck here forever, either...and he wasn't so sure that the guy would help him out yet again. Frustrated, and unwilling to get burned again, he decided the safer thing to do this time would be to try and make a bridge from the materials behind him. Diablo chooses Wisdom "Speech"

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 lies across your right brow, that will leave an impressive scar (about 6 inches long). You feel less knowledgeable at having gone on that adventure as well, losing 89 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...

• Nothing, lol.
  
  
  
  You Lost These Along the Way...
  • Minor injury - left shoulder
    
  • Medium scar - right jaw
    
  • Major injury right brow, -89 fight
    
  • -89 Fight skill points
    
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