The thousand drums
[ halloween event ]
![](/images/events/halloween2023/WitchyWolves.png)
Risks: Scarring, small loss of gems/skill points
Risks: Scarring, cosmetic disfigurement, temporary disabilities, moderate loss of gems/skill points
Risks: Scarring, cosmetic disfigurement, permanent disabilities, higher loss of gems/skill points
It took them a moment to realize that they were expected to choose. When that became clear, Lefty took to peering at the faces again. Examining the brows and eyes.
After a moment's hesitation, Lefty stepped forward before the center wolf. "So, ah... hello?"
Whatever they were meant to do, they hoped this was it.
Lefty has chosen the MEDIUM path!
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
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.
As they approached the water, Lefty examined the whirlpool from a distance. Hmn. This was ... challenging, to say the least. Still, Lefty braced themselves.
They knew they were strong.
The whirlpool didn't appear to be too bad, but Lefty didn't trust it. They turned to their guide, and spoke: "Surely you know the safe way, here. How strong is that water?"
lefty chooses CHARISMA
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
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.
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
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.
At least not on purpose.
As they realize that the writing doesn't mean anything to them, they turn their head towards the guide and their ears flick forward. Lefty clears their throat and speaks:
"I know I've already asked for your help, but you seem to know what's what about here..."
Their smile is somewhat sheepish. It is somewhat embarrassing to have to ask for help again.
LEFTY USES CHARISMA
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
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.
Oh, no. No no no.
The dog wolf is crying. Not just little tears but just full on sobbing. Lefty grimaced and fluffy up their coat and turns away because oh thats actually incredibly awkward.
Ahh,
Shit. Shit shit shit, where --
There, okay. Lefty clears their throat and starts to rapidly smack their paws against the thinned ice, trying to just. Quickly get through it because this is fucking unbearable and they can't be here. Absolutely not.
lefty uses strength!! God help her
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
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.
Risks: Scarring, cosmetic disfigurement, temporary disabilities, moderate loss of gems/skill points
Before her, the cavern looks ruined. Shattered. Lefty huffs quietly and turns her head to the guide, wanting to ask, but knowing better now.
Instead, Lefty studies the path before her. The guide found the way last time. Lefty has full faith she can find it this time, or at least can try.
Lefty uses WISDOM.
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
As the tunnel behind you begins to collapse, you find yourself getting battered and bruised by a multitude of ice shards, their blades cutting through your fur and smashing onto the ground below. Somehow your right ear gets nicked, and will eventually scar - just another to add to your growing pile of injuries you've accumulated here. You begin to falter, but with a final push from your guide, you make it to a more stable part of the tunnel.
At the end of the collapsed tunnel, what appears to have once been an elaborate shrine at some point in time lays demolished. A part of the wall carves out and opens to an open room full of jagged ice floating in deathly waters. In the center, a large, flat expanse is frozen, and on the other side, what look like daylight shines through a small opening.
Lefty pauses; their head tilts, and they watch... ah.
The cave.
It doesn't look good.
Lefty purses their lips, glances towards the guide, and tries-- maybe? Maybe it'll work this time? Please don't cry, they think, before clearing their throat and raising their voice just a little: "Ah. You wouldn't have to know your way around here, would you...?" They're almost tense, though, expecting the wolf to just break out into hysterical sobs again. What a mess, all things considered. What a damn mess. At least Lefty hasn't somehow been swept out of the cave, though, so that's a small sort of victory.
Lefty chooses Charisma.
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
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: Doug. You know now that you can not leave until you defeat this menace. Your guide looks to you, ready to go on your command.
Lefty is, simply,
a warrior.
And so they look once to the guide, and they dip their head, and then they charge Doug. Lefty is a heavy-built wolf, and they charge with an immediate and ferocious confidence; their teeth snap, their fur bristles, and they snarl. The move is simple: charge and leap, to try and snag the worm on the face, the jaw, whatever it is that they can reach. A simple move.
They do not try to put up a front of strength. Their motion is practiced, relaxed in a sense, a primitive sort of simplicity; they are used to this, and they do not shy from it. Battle has been beaten into them.
That's all it is.
Battle.
Lefty uses STRENGTH.
![](/images/events/halloween2023/SadWolf.png)
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 on the outer side of your back left leg, which will no doubt turn into a noticeable scar (about 6 inches long). Likewise you feel you've lost some knowledge along the way, losing 28 intellect skill points. Any items you've found lay beside you, and will be revealed later.
![](/images/events/halloween2023/WitchyWolves.png)
Look forward to peeks into the event, hiccups, and maybe some hints into the next adventure!
- 91 Gems
- Glittering Concoction
- Minor scar - throat
- Minor scar - right ear
- Major injury - left back outer leg,
- -28 Intellect skill points
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1. | The thousand drums | Dreamer's Col | 02:46 AM, 10-17-2023 | 03:09 PM, 03-31-2024 |