Since meeting her brother, Cináed, Zenith has wandered far and wide in search of… something. It is strange, not knowing where she came from or who she was before she woke up and the woman struggles to find her place in the world. Snow blankets the ground, crunching softly under the weight of her paws as she winds her way through a cluster of small pine trees. Sun filters through their branches, breaking up the light as it makes its way to floor.

Warmth comes and goes as shadows dance across her form but the woman seems to be far from this place and does not notice any of it. She is so lost in thought that, if someone stepped into her path, the brooding fae would most likely slam into them before she even registered that someone was there. A bug suddenly buzzes near one of ears and Zenith tries to flick it away in irritation as she attempts to rid herself of the stupid pest. After all, she has much better things to think about then some tiny, flying insect.


"Zenith Praetor"

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 bug continues to buzz near her ear, taunting the woman with its tiny, itchy wings. Finally, Zenith is forced to stop and shake out her coat because… fuck that bug. She shakes herself hard and with enough force that her eyes snap closed. Every muscle moves up and down her body, thoroughly ridding her coat of any snow might have been in it while also sending the stupid insect fleeing.

As her russet eyes reopen, Zen freezes in place because, quite suddenly, she is no longer alone in the middle of the sparse pine trees. Gaze roams over the three wolfish Borzoi as she wonders where they came from and why she did not hear their approach. There are no pawprints in the snow to show which direction they came from and there is something in the air and that feels almost… magical.

Zenith gives up trying to figure out where they came from and decides to just go with the flow. The woman in the middle seems so sad that even her coat seems to be tinged with the color of sorrow. Quickly, Zen moves toward the middle, mournful guide and dips her head in greeting, showing that she is ready to follow the sad woman where ever she may lead.


"Zenith Praetor"

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.

The mournful Borzoi almost seems surprised when Zenith approaches her and the wolf watches as the creature sniffles back some tears before turning to lead the way. With that, the pair move, the red-hued woman keeping close to her guides tail as she is lead into a perpetual fog. Everything loses meaning here as her eyes and ears are all but blinded by this unnatural mist. The salty scent of her guide leads the woman on and she spies flashes of blue out ahead of her.

Finally, the fog thins out and Zen stops to cast her gaze around to find that she is in a small clearing that is surrounded by the largest weeping willows she has ever seen. Mouth drops open in awe as she continues to looks around, taking in beauty that this strange place offers. Her eyes are drawn to pond in the center of the clearing and she slowly moves toward the water with its mirror like surface. Peeking into the waters, she sees her surprised features staring back her and she shrinks back for moment because it is so surreal.

Yet, as the woman’s gaze moves out over the pond, she finds a swirling whirl-pool some distance away. Eyes turn back to her guide and she watches the blue woman sit and motion out toward the lake in expectation and Zenith nods her understanding. Turning back to the task at hand, she takes a deep breath and plunges into the water depths. Ripples mar pristine the surface for a moment as she disappears underneath but the woman quickly reappears. With strong, even strokes, she attempts to swim out to the whirlpool in the middle of the lake.


"Zenith Praetor"

You muster your strength and swim into the lake. You push against the current that threatens to pull you under at any moment. As you reach the center, you can see something in the middle of the whirlpool where the water opens up into a small circle. Is that... a room? Too late to ponder now, you're drawn in, falling into the area below. On the way down you find 85 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.

The red wolf swims out to the middle of the lake where the whirlpool lays and, as she approaches, Zenith could swear that she see that there is a room in the middle. However, she barely has time to register the very idea of something inside the whirlpool before she is being drawn toward the middle and falls down into pool in an area below the swirling water. She hits the frigid waters below and quickly swims to edge of the pool so she can pull her soaking frame from the water.

Fat drops of water fall from her form as she attempts to shake herself dry and water sprays every which way but her body does begin to feel lighter. As she finishes, the woman’s red gaze spies her guide doing the same thing and she smiles to the guide before the mournful woman turns her attention to the icy cave around them… and Zenith does the same. She spies the ornate cravings that decorate the thick walls ice and marvels at them for a time before looking and finding what also appear to be thin and even cracked spots in the icy walls and Zen suddenly realizes that she has to make a choice.

Eyes flash over to the blue Borzoi woman before the red wolf takes a deep breath. Then Zen moves to where some of the cracks and cervices look large enough for her to squeeze through and attempts to do just that in the hopes of finding a path through.


"Zenith Praetor"

You try to squeeze through and almost make it. You can see the other room! One problem being... you're stuck. It takes the guide several moments before she's able to push you through, a sharp piece of ice scraping into your flesh as you plop out the other side. You feel a stinging sensation on your right brow- that'll surely leave a small scar!

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

The crack that Zenith had boldly shoved her body into had seemed big enough to fit her when she saw it and, for the most part, it is. Except, just as she spies a room on the other side of the wall of ice, the reddish woman realizes that she is no longer making any forward progress. Whoops. Wiggling around, she figures out just how stuck she is and she comes to the resounding conclusion; she is really stuck. Suddenly, her guide is behind her, shoving at her rump with all her might as Zen works to shimmy and shake herself free.

After several, stressful minutes, she manages to make it through and a sharp piece of ice that she had not seen sticking down, scrapes across her face. With a sigh of relief, she plops out into a new room and allows herself to sit there for a moment. A strong stinging sensation on her right brow has her sucking in a breath as she lifts a paw to it, only for it to come away bloody. Looking at the crimson on her pad, the woman frowns as she lifts it back to her brow to try and stop the flow of blood, already knowing that is will leave a small scar.

However, as her mournful guide appears, Zen cannot help but offer her a warm, heartfelt, “Thank you.” And smile for all the help she given her. As she sits there, right paw pressed into the slowly seeping wound on her brow, the reddish woman casts her gaze around the area, taking it all in. The place appears to be destroyed, carved pillars laying broken and scattered as the elaborate art that had once adorned them lay shattered over the ground. Sadness stirs in her chest at the scene of carnage while she tries to figure out a safe way to get across.

With a small sigh, she looks to her guide, brows slowly ligting, which causes her injured one to sting even more and ooze just a bit more as she asks, “Well, you have been so helpful during this whole journey and I really am thankful for that. Plus, I bet you know a better way to go than I could think of. How about you lead the way? Just this once... Please?” Hopefully, her guide will take pity on her… hopefully.


"Zenith Praetor"

The guide herself seems unsure, though looks at you apologetically, seemingly more upset that she has no way to help you here. You get the feeling you'll have to lead this one...

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: 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.

You've already tried this.

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.

As Zenith questions if the guide knows the way out, the forlorn blue wolf shakes her head in the negative and the russet fae cannot stop the sigh that falls from her lips. Trying her best offer a reassure smiling, she gently says, “That is okay. I will figure this out.” With that she turns her attention back to room as she takes time to try to begin study the area around them. Eyes flit over tumbled pillars, jagged racks, and stalagmites in an attempt to determine the safest route out of this place. Zen takes as much time as needed to study everything since she does not wish to rush the process and miss the only viable exit from this hallway. It may take some time but she would rather be safe than sorry.

"Zenith Praetor"

You scan the treacherous tunnel ahead, finding hints that indicate which sections of ice have been standing for a long time, and which are fresher, and likely more unstable. You're cautious as you begin to creep through.

As you tip toe through the tunnel, you find a bag tied neatly with a ribbon - you'll have to open this later.

Before you reach the exit, the ice around you cracks and water sputters up until you are left stranded with your guide on a large, floating stage of ice. From the frozen depths, a massive, blue tinted worm bursts forth and shrieks. You understand its name immediately: Galahad. You know now that you can not leave until you defeat this menace. Your guide looks to you, ready to go on your command.

What do you do?

Strength: Fight the worm head on.

Use whatever strength you have left to charge forward and fight the worm.

Charisma: Convince the worm to let you pass.

Maybe you can reason with the worm instead of using violence to get your way.

Dexterity: Sneak around and attack the worm from behind.

You think maybe you can use the shards of ice as cover to sneak around and attack from behind.

Wisdom: Find the worm's weak point.

If you hang back and study the worm for awhile, maybe you can figure out how to best defeat it.

Scanning the hallway, Zenith takes her time and gathers information, realizing that are some newer, fresher, and probably more unstable sections of ice. So, the red women carefully creeps along, making sure to keep to the safer areas as the pair goes. It takes some time but, with her cautious tiptoeing, the woman and her guide are able to safely navigate the treacherous hallway. As an extra, added bonus for taking her time, it seems that whatever strange forces that govern this place, deem it fit to reward her efforts as she finds a bag with a pretty ribbon tied neatly around it that she is quick pocket along the way.

Just as Zenith nears the exit, the ice around the pair wolves cracks and she stumbles toward the mournful wolf and the red woman braces herself as water sputters up through the cracks. The noise is deafening as the ice splinters and the gushing water pushes away the sheets of ice until it just the guide and her on stage of floating ice. The water froths them as suddenly, from the icy reaches below a huge, writhing, blue tinted worm emerges, shrieking out at them and a name suddenly emblazes itself in her mind; Galahad. It is a strong name for a worthy adversary.

Taking a deep breath, Zen looks to her guide and gives a small dip of her head as she couchs low to the ground. Carefully, Zenith attempts to lead the way around huge shards of ice in the hopes of confusing the worm so that the pair can sneak up and attack it from behind. One way or another, this ends now.





OOC: Using the Lucky Rabbits Foot on my (Hermes) OOC account for this roll. Thank you for all the fun! <3


"Zenith Praetor"

You crouch behind the ice shards to sneak around. You think it might be working when the ground starts rumbling viciously. A shadow blocks the light shining through the ice and it shatters, a thousand shards shotting to spear your skin. You close your eyes, bracing for the impact when everything goes dark.

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.

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.

You've made it out alive, though not without injury. You notice a deep wound in the place where your left ear used to be, but now is not. Likewise you feel you've lost some knowledge along the way, losing 30 Hunting skill points. Any items you've found lay beside you, and will be revealed later.

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...

• 85 Gems
  
• Xtra Shrink Potion
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor scar - right brow
  
• major injury - left ear,
  
• -30 Hunting skill points