Since the flood and subsequent illness, Andy has had to spend time working at fully regaining her strength. In order to gain stamina, the purple girl often takes long walks and tonight is no different. Clouds cover the sky, dampening the moon’s silver rays and shrouding the land in an ethereal, almost spooky glow. Paws carefully pick their way across the snow-covered ground, the subtle crunch of the powder as she applies pressure with each step is the only sound that can be found in the strange, silent night.

The gray stones that make up the crumbling wall seem to warp and shift as weird, ghostly shadows dance underneath the shifting, cloudy sky. Andromeda adds to the display, her slender form sending shadows skittering across the blank face of the wall as she slowly wanders through the land. There is much on the girl’s mind and she allows herself to delve more deeply into those concerns as she walks, her thoughts far from the dark night that surrounds her.

Suddenly, a flash of light out of the corner of her eye stops the girl dead in her tracks and Andy turns her pale blue eyes in the direction of the source, seeking to try and pinpoint exactly what had caused the sudden spark on this gloomy yet, mysterious, night.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

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 darkness dances around Andy, taunting her while also beckoning the girl deeper into the strange night. Her eyes find no answer for the bright burst of light that had caught her attention but, as she returns her gaze to the land ahead of her, she suddenly finds that there are three pairs of glowing green eyes. With a violent start, she instinctively takes a couple backwards as the eyes slowly reveal three different borzois in her path.

No words are offered as the peculiar specters stand there, gazing at the purple girl with some kind of silent expectation. An ethereal glow seems to gently radiate off of the three, chasing away the skittering shadows around them and helping to aid Andromeda’s eyes as she quietly assesses them. It seems that they each wish show her something but she can only choose one.

Pale blue gaze lingers on each one for a long moment, weighing them on a scale in her mind. Finally, Andy slowly moves forward until she comes to stand before the pale, excited wolf on the left. With a gentle dip of her head in greeting and her tail slowly wagging behind her, she quietly awaits to see what they have to show her.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

The welcoming and charming borzoi flashes you a bright smile when you choose them. They greet you readily and turn, eager for you to follow.

The cheerful wolf prances off, turning every so often with a smile to make sure you're still following. The sun seems to shine brighter around this wolf, and after a while it becomes almost blinding. When you are finally able to focus again, you find you are in a lush meadow with a gentle breeze causing the flowers to bow to you in greeting. In the center of this meadow, there is an impossibly large pine tree. Your companion sits, motioning towards the tree enthusiastically.

What do you do?

Strength: Push on the tree

You decide to push on the tree. Maybe it will yield to your sheer power.

Charisma: Ask the guide what to do.

You turn to the guide, asking them for advice.

Dexterity: Climb up the tree.

You size up the tree, deciding to climb it.

Wisdom: Inspect the tree.

You decide to get a closer look at this tree.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

As Andy approaches the excited wolf-ish Borzoi, they greet the girl with bright smile. A warm, friendly smile is offered in return and the way they readily greet her has her offering a gentle giggle. Something about them is charming and warm and, to her dismay, immediately puts the purple girl at ease. They eagerly bid her to follow as they turn away and Andromeda readies to depart with them. Casting a quick glance over to where the other two Borzoi had been, she finds that they have seemingly melted back into the night since they are nowhere to be found.

Befuddled by their mysterious arrival, and now disappearance, the girl is left much time to ponder it as she finds that her guide is quickly pulling away. With a few, long lopes, Andy falls in behind her guide and quickly settles into the pace that the wolf sets. Whenever they cast their glowing green gaze back her way, the purple girl offers them a warm, encouraging smile and small dip of her head, showing that she is still there and has not run away.

Light begins to build around the pale creature as if they are slowly becoming the sun itself and the horned wolf’s steps falter for a moment. Truly, the sight is magnificent, if not wholly unexpected and the girl’s jaw suddenly goes slack with wonder. Suddenly, a bright flash steals her sight, causing afterimages to burn into her eyes as Andy is forced to squint against the strange harshness in an effort to not to lose her guide.

As her surroundings resolve, the girl sucks in a breath, completely in shock at the change in her surroundings. A lush meadow has replaced the crumbling wall and it seems the sun has even risen here too. For a moment, she worries that she has died but, as she watches the flowers that bow to her with the help of a gentle breeze with reverence, Andy cannot help but feel somewhat safe here. In the very center of this rich, green meadow stands an impossibly huge pine tree.

Mouth continues to hang open as she turns her gazes to it, neck craning backward as she attempts to find the top. Andy is forced to stop this endeavor as a wave of dizziness suddenly overtakes her and she returns her eyes to her companion. They seats them self on the ground and gesture toward this mammoth of tree with immense enthusiasm. Disbelief ripples across her features as she glances from tree to Borzoi and back again.

Andy’s brow knits in confusion as she tries to figure out exactly what they wish her do. Flicking them another, uncertain glance, she offers a small smile and nod before stepping toward the huge tree. Carefully, she attempts to inspect the tree in the hopes that she might find some answer to the riddle that has posed to her. Suddenly, Andromeda realizes that she does not wish to let her guide down and the girl redoubles her efforts to find the secret that has been laid before her.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

You can tell it's a tree because of the way it is. How neat is that? That's pretty neat.

After a few moments too long of staring at the tree, your guide walks ahead of you and pushes in some bark to reveal a door. With a chuckle and an eye roll, they lead you into the tree.

Inside, the tree somehow seems even bigger, the inside carved out to reveal multiple floors. Some are connected with large turkey mushrooms, others with vines, and some not at all. Many inhabitants seem to skitter in the shadows, but never clearly in your vision. Your guide motions to the top of the tree almost desperately. Something is there, something they want and need you to help them with.

What do you do?

Strength: Climb up the mushrooms.

The turkey mushrooms have a wide surface and a solid base, they should be easy enough to climb.

Charisma: Call out to the other inhabitants.

The others in the tree seem to know the way around. Maybe they'll share their secrets.

Dexterity: Weave your way up the vines.

With a little flexibility, you think you could maneuver your way up the vines that climb the side of the tree.

Wisdom: Look around for an easier way up.

Trees and mushrooms and asking for advice are all good and well, but there has got to be an easier way.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

As Andy inspects the tree closely, eyes squinting in an attempt to find any hidden… thing, the girl comes to one, unequivocal conclusion; it is most definitely a tree. Turning to look at her happy guide, the lavender girl’s mouth ticks up into a smile as she proudly states, “That is a beautiful tree.” Suddenly, the pale Brozoi strides forward, a slender paw reaching up to push in some of the bark to reveal a hidden door. Pale blue eyes widen slightly as the girl softly breathes out, “Okay… that is pretty cool.”

The pale creature rolls its eyes and chuckles at her and Andy feels heat flood her face as she offers a gentle shrug as if to say, ‘how was I supposed to know’? She does not hesitate to follow the guide inside and is greeted by an incredible sight. She moves into the center and allows her gaze to drink it all in as she slowly rotates around in a circle. There seems to be others in here but she cannot seem to get a clear view of them so she looks back to her guide for answers.

They gesture upward, motioning with a kind of desperation toward the top and the girl glances upward before looking back at her guide. Nodding slowly, Andy softly says, “Okay.” And turns toward the huge turkey mushrooms that connect to several of the floors. Without hesitating, the girl attempts to leap from mushroom to mushroom so that she can climb to the top of the tree.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

You hop onto the lowest mushroom you can find. It feels spongy under your paws, but holds fast. This works for the next one too. At some point, just when you begin to feel confident, a mushroom crumbles beneath your feet and you tumble to the ground.

The guide laughs and tries to cover it by coughing as they lead you to a wooden platform hanging by vines in the back of the room. They invite you on and the small wooden platform lifts you to the top.

At the top of the tree, there is a large spider web with an even larger spider on top. It's legs titter angrily on the threads of the web. It seems agitated. In it's state, its web has fallen into disrepair and you see a family of the tree's inhabitants stuck in the webbing just behind the spider.

What do you do?

Strength: Fight the spider.

The spider has trapped that poor family! As an adversary, you must defeat her!

Charisma: Calm the spider down.

The spider's obviously bothered by something. Maybe you can calm her down.

Dexterity: Tiptoe to sneakily save the family.

If you're extra cautious, then you can save the family without ever alerting the spider.

Wisdom: Figure out what's agitating the spider.

There must be more to the story than is going on, if only you could figure out what...

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Carefully, Andy puts her plan into action and climbs onto the lowest of the large mushrooms before pointing her body toward where the next lays. Muscles coil as she lowers her body, gauging the distance from the first on to the next before launching herself across the gap. The springy fungus trembles with her landing but holds firm and the young woman nods in silent agreement to herself. Following the same strategy, the lavender wolf jumps to the next of the large mushroom and is given the same results.

Even the next also holds her weight and, just when she is confident that this was the right choice, her paws land on the top of one large turkey mushroom and it promptly crumbles way. Eyes widen as thin air greets her eager paws and the young woman is sent tumbling back to the ground. Rolling with gravity, Andy is able to avoid hurting herself and comes to rest in discombobulated heap at the paws of her guide. Blinking away her confusion, the girl offers her coughing (or is it laughing?) guide a half-grin and says, “Oops.”

Working quickly to untangle herself, the joyful young woman trots after the happy Borzoi as it reveals a small wooden lift. Heat floods her cheeks as a sheepish grin crosses her maw and she murmurs, “Oh. Well, that does make things easier.” Ducking her head, she joins her guide and rides the lift to the top of the tree. As she stops off, Andy is greeted by the sight of a large spider web and the huge spider that owns it. Its legs titter in agitation as the angry creature guards its impressive work and there, just behind its big body is a family of the tree’s inhabitants, stuck in the delicate webbing.

A frown pulls her lips down as she darts a glance to her guide, mulling over what the best way to approach this situation is. Taking a deep breath, the lavender youth takes a confident step forward and softly says, “Hello there. My name is Andromeda Fatalis. I can’t help but notice that something seems to be bothering you and I would like to help.” She offers the arachnid a warm, friendly smile and her countenance remains gentle while she gazes up at the angry creature.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

You engage with the spider, asking what is wrong. You don't know what you expected, but surely not a shrill voice calling, "The vibrations! The tremors! Food everywhere and nowhere in my web!" It seems that there is some sort of vibration causing her to become confused and attack anything that wanders too near.

While you discuss with the spider, the guide frees the family and makes it back to safety. After you finish talking to her, you join the guide in a safe place.

The inhabitants tell you of something causing the tree to vibrate, which is making the spider's web give her false signals. This has become confusing for her, and the once guardian of the tree has been blindly attacking anything she finds in her web. They explain the vibration comes from underground and show you to a hatch in the floor that leads to a cave.

The cave is small and seems fairly fresh, with loamy soil still clinging to the roof and walls like a newly dug den. It is dark, but your eyes adjust and you see a series of paths you can choose to take.

What do you do?

Strength: Take the straightforward path.

Stop wasting time and just go until you find something.

Charisma: Call out to the void.

Why try to find the source of the vibration, when you can let the source of the vibration find you?

Dexterity: Squeeze through the newest tunnel.

The freshest tunnel should lead to the one digging it, right?

Wisdom: Follow the vibration.

If you feel through your paws, you can distinguish where the vibrations are the strongest and follow those there.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

As Andy questions the spider, the young woman doesn’t really know what to expect but the shrill voice and the fact that the creature can actually talk certainly wasn’t on her list. Eyes widen slightly as she listens to the poor distressed being, nodding sympathetically as it speaks about the tremors that are disturbing and the girl flicks her pale blue eyes back to where her guide is releasing the trapped family. Returning her gaze to the spider, the lavender wolf calmly says, “I will try to figure out what is causing the tremors and do my best to see that they are stopped. Thank you for your time.”

With a gentle, friendly smile, she excuses herself from the creature’s presence and rejoins the guide with the nearly freed inhabitants. A warm smile is given to them all as she joins the group just in time to hear about what is causing the tree to vibrate. Brows draw together as Andromeda considers the information and she is quick to join them at the hatch that leads down to cave. Before she descends, the girl bids the family farewell and shares her hope that they will be able stop the tremors. With that a smile dip of her head, she follows her guide, down into a small dark cave.

The scent of freshly tilled earth fills her nostrils as Andy realizes that the loamy soil appears to be have been freshly dug and it takes several moments for her eyes to adjust to darkness. When they finally do, the area around her sharpens, she is able to spies a series of paths that lead out from this room. Pale blue gazes sweeps across them, landing on the tunnel that seems to be the freshest of them all. Glancing at the guide, she offers them a warm smile before moving and attempting to squeeze her way into the newest tunnel.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

You look for the freshest tunnel, the one with the loamiest and dampest soil. You find one and follow it as fresh grit and partially sliced worms drop onto the path ahead. On the way, you find a a silky sack with an item inside - you make a mental note to inspect it later, taking it with you. Eventually you come into an opening where something writhes in the back of a large room.

Before you writhes a large brown worm with markings resembling carved rock. This eyeless creature shrieks at you, revealing a mouth with too many sharp points. For some reason, you immediately understand it's name: Thomas. This must be the source of the vibration! That means it must be dealt with. Your guide nods to you, ready to follow your lead.

What do you do?

Strength: Fight it head on.

You gather your strength, this is going to be a tough battle.

Charisma: Tell the worm it needs to move somewhere else.

If the critters in the tree can talk, maybe this worm can be reasoned with too.

Dexterity: Sneak behind the worm and go for a stealth kill.

The worm is enormous! Better be sneaky about it then off him.

Wisdom:  Find something else to ward away the worm.

You think back. There has to be some herbs or something that can ward off worms...

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Andy finds the newest tunnel easily, the freshly turned grit and partially sliced worms are a dead giveaway. Slowly, carefully, she treks down the path, eyes continuously scanning every inch of the damp soil as she goes. A silky sack catches her eye and the young woman walks over to it curious about what might be inside but something tells her that this isn’t the time or place to inspect it. So, she pockets the item (wait, she has pockets?) and continues on down the path. The tunnel seems endless, stretching on forever as she wanders through the damp soil of a wound cut deep into the earth.

Finally, there is an opening and widens out until it becomes a huge room. Andy pauses and allows her pale blue gaze to sweep over the walls and floor, taking in the area and some of the finer details. Movement catches her attention, drawing it to the back of the large room where a rock seems to be writhing. Curious, she cautiously moves forward, sharp eyes continuing to watch the carved rock and understanding suddenly strikes the dusty lavender girl that what she is looking at is actually a worm. Amazement fills her features as the large, eyeless creature writhes, shrieking its displeasure for all the world to hear.

Thomas. The name fills her mind, pounding into her soul as she realizes that this worm’s name is Thomas. Something happens inside Andy with that revelation and, as she looks over to her guide, she also knows that Thomas must be dealt with. Yet she hesitates to hurt the blind creature, wondering if it even realizes that what is doing is disturbing the inhabits of the tree above. With a dip of her head to the guide, she boldly steps toward the worm and says, “Thomas, you need to stop burrowing here. There is a tree filled with inhabitants that you are disturbing. Now, I don’t wish to harm you so please, move somewhere else. I am sure there are plenty of other, wonderful places that you can call home.”

Her voice falls away and Andy holds her breath, hoping against hope that her words will be heeded by Thomas.



Choosing charisma


"Andromeda Fatalis"

You try to talk to the worm, to ask it to leave. Why would you do that? The worm shrieks and launches at you.

You try your best, but the worm's wrath is too much. The last thing you remember is the swath of worm viscera and the shadows ebbing at the edge of your vision.

You wake up some time later where you first began, the guide next to you injured, but not in any serious way. They seem excited that you are awake, and flash you a smile despite their own pain. Though they haven't suggested it, you know that your mission has failed. You take a moment to look over yourself and besides the raging headache, you notice your throat bleeding, but it seems as though it will heal, leaving a barely noticeable scar. After the guide catches their breath, they nod and bid you farewell, limping away until you blink and they are gone, only a few fireflies buzzing lazily where the guide once was.

Rerolled using Firefly's favor

You try to talk to the worm, to ask it to leave. The guide is ready to back you up, though they look somewhat surprised. After a moment, the worm seems to consider your words and leaves.

You return to the surface and notify the tree's residents, they cheer your praises and patch you up. They adorn you with a flower cape the spider wove for you, asking you to stay for a while. They throw a feast in your honor, and as the sun dips low, you feel it is time to leave.

As you leave the celebration, your guide follows. It is their time to leave as well. They nod and bid you farewell, walking away with a hum until you blink and they are gone, only a few fireflies buzzing lazily where the guide once was.

You receive the following rewards for successfully completing this adventure:
- Dire Wolf Character Pass
- 1 Item reward (to 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...

• Companion Accessory
  
• Albinism Pass
  
• Dire wolf character pass
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Nothing!