The humid night air that hung around the swampland gave the winter chill a whole other level of intensity. Wet cold was far worse than dry cold, and Geist felt a wave of shivers crawl down his spine. He had underestimated the complexity of the terrain here, he had decided to pass through to save time instead of going around it. It was a rather foolish error and it had definitely cost him. Painful cold had seeped into his paws from treading through the wet muddy ground. His once white foot markings were splattered with mud and debris. Geist huffed irritably, unaware of the ominous fog that had begun to creep in as the night grew longer green lights, almost like eyes seemed to watch him but he seemed oblivious to their gaze. A root jutting up from the ground was shrouded in mist and Geist was completely oblivious to it until his front paw caught on it. He fell face first into the wet boggy earth with a thud. He growled in frustration and pain as he lifted his head and wiped the mud off of his now sore muzzle. ”God damn this place..” he grumbled as he picked himself up. Cold wind ruffled his fur, and the now wet patch on his chest, front legs, and belly burned with an icy chill. This was miserable. He regretted coming this way, and had half a mind to turn back now. He had come so far already though, maybe it would be better to stay here until day when he would have better light to see by. Geist continued walking now, in search of some dry ground. G E I S T

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 fog grew even more dense as he wandered onward, the moon hardly penetrating the thick white mask that surrounded him. He noticed a set of several paw steps splashing quickly in his direction. He paws froze to the spot, he hoped they were unaware of his presence and simply ran past him. But to his dismay, the splashing slowed and stopped. He could see three sets of green orbs glowing through the mist in front of him. Geist’s lip curled back and a rough growl escaped his maw as he lowered himself to the wet boggy earth. ”Stay back!”The figures gave no response and approached him. Geist braced himself, but instead of something big and scary, he saw three lanky and curly furred wolf-creatures staring back at him. One was a rather angry looking dark furred wolf, one was a sorrowful looking blue tinged wolf, and the last one was a gleeful looking blonde wolf. He eyed them suspiciously as he stood slowly up to his full height again. They weren’t attacking, but he still didn’t trust them. ”What do you want?” he scowled at them. The darkest one met his look with a displeased frown of his own and with equally fierce green eyes. The white and black male averted his gaze uncomfortably, his eyes flickering briefly from the sad one, to the excitable one with a wagging tail. The blonde female looked hopeful, and seemed to hold his attention the most as she was the least threatening. They still did not speak. ”Are you going to show me the way out of here or what?” The blue furred wolf and the darker male both disappeared into the mist, leaving just the one blonde female alone with him looking quite pleased. [Geist chose the Easy route] G E I S T

The welcoming and charming borzoi flashes you a bright smile when you choose them. They do not respond to your banter, but 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.

Turning her back to him she began to prance off into the mist, her blonde fur beginning to seem brighter than her surroundings. Geist cautiously followed, noticing that she often looked behind her to make sure he was keeping up. Her bright smile confused him, but it was also oddly reassuring. Perhaps she was actually leading him out of the swamp. The light surrounding her grew brighter and brighter until it was nearly blinding, and the dampness under his paws gave way to soft grass. A warm breeze now tugged gently on his coat, and as the light subsided he blinked his vision clear. They definitely weren’t in the swamp anymore. Rather confused by the drastically different location and the time of day, he was now convinced he had fallen asleep and this was obviously a dream. The wolf he had followed here ran up to the massive pine tree that stood before them. She sat beside it with her tail waving wildly and green eyes brimming with excitement as she motioned at the tree as if he was supposed to do something. He slowly ambled up to it, feeling quite small beside the massive tree. ”What am I supposed to do?” he asked her shaking his head. ”I don’t even know where we are.” This was one heck of a dream, not like ones he typically had. Usually he dreamt of a hoard shiny beautiful things that were all for him and lots of well seasoned sea food too. So then, maybe this wasn’t a dream? [Geist chose to roll for Charisma] G E I S T

You ask for help. Smart, really, considering they seem to know the place. Your guide nods, how could you know what to do here? With a soft smile, though they refuse to answer you aloud, your guide walks ahead of you and pushes in some bark to reveal a door, and 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.

Skeptically, Geist watched as the happy golden female simply strolled up to the tree and pressed on its bark to reveal a door that he hadn’t noticed before. ”Right. A door in the tree…” he muttered. Unenthusiastically he followed her inside, and in his head he continued to mull over the question of whether this was still a dream or not. Inside of the tree seemed to be even larger than the outside somehow! The walls were covered in lots of foliage in the form of Turkey Mushrooms and vines. Small creatures skittered in the shadows never to meet his searching blue eyes. His guide bounced eagerly from side to side, motioning from him to the top of the tree with desperation. It was clear to him that she wanted him to take her up there, but why? What was up there that she couldn’t just go get herself? He huffed, irritation began to burn in his white paws. He definitely didn’t want to climb up there for nothing, and the only way up from where they were looked to be difficult. ”Im not doing that.” Geist began to turn away. He was not about to climb up vines or parkour over mushrooms, surely there had to be an easier way. [Geist chose to roll for Wisdom!] G E I S T

You inspect the room carefully. Many creatures scurry around, some using the vines, some using the mushrooms, but many wait their turn at... something in the back - a wooden plank held aloft by vines. You realize after a moment that this is an elevator. Your guide nods and joins you on this elevator as it takes you to the top. You also find 59 Gems.

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.

Tail briskly swishing with satisfaction, the black and white male climbed onto the makeshift elevator. His accomplice joined beside him and together they were hoisted along toward the top of the tree. The mushrooms and vines slowly passing by as they went brighter and higher. Surely everything in life had an easier way and that was just the way he liked it. A gecko of some kind scurried along the vine that held up the elevator at Geist’s side and licked its eyeball as it watched him with an unknowing stare before carrying on. It was not long before they made it to the sunlight and fresh air waiting for them atop the huge tree. Immediately Geist noticed the massive spider web and even more massive spider on it. The spider was tapping its legs in agitation and it seemed to be trapping a family of geckos behind the disheveled web. He wasn’t afraid of spiders, however this was the largest one he had personally ever seen. He glanced at the golden woman, a look of distress was painted on her face. She was obviously afraid of the spider and it was clear she had only brought him here to help the little critters trapped in its ugly web. He sighed. ”Fine. I’ll help your weird little friends. If that’s what it will take for you to leave me alone.” he growled and lowered himself to a fighting stance, ready to leap at the spider. [Geist chose to roll for Strength!] G E I S T

You ready yourself to fight the spider. It seems improbable, impossible even, given the venom and size of the spider. No matter, you launch your attack and the spider seems surprised. After a quick tussle, the spider evades you and flees impossibly high into the tree.

During your struggle, your guide was able to free the family and they wait for you on safer ground.

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.

A growl tore out of his throat at the dissatisfaction of the spider fleeing from him, but no matter. He had accomplished what he set out to do which was free the geckos. The happy go lucky gal who had brought him here had successfully freed the trapped critters during his fight. It was explained to him that the reason for the spider’s actions was caused by vibrations coming from underground. They led him to a hatch that led down into the earth and smelled rather musky or rather earthy. Peering into the cave he noticed multiple tunnels leading to who knows what. ”I don’t know about this. I already saved the critters like you asked me to. Now you want me to go into a hole and find the cause of the vibrations? Haven’t I done enough?” he glared at them, but upon looking at the usually happy golden gal his eyes met her emerald pools and he found immense disappointment there. Rolling his eyes he groaned and dipped into the cave with her hot on his heels. He couldn’t lie, he did find her rather cute and he felt as though he didn’t want to let her down. Plus, she had gotten him out of the swamp after all. Maybe there would be an even greater prize if he solved their problem? Or, maybe the pretty golden girl would award him with a kiss, that would suffice. Shaking his head of the intrusive thoughts he lowered his head to the ground and waited a moment. Surely if he was still enough he could sense the vibrations that would lead him down the right path. Plus what could be scarier than a giant spider? That thing was a wuss, he was sure he could take on whatever lay at the end of the tunnels. [Geist chose to roll for wisdom!] G E I S T

You close your eyes, honing in on the vibrations at your paws. Shuffling forward, you can feel them emanating from one particular tunnel and decide to follow. On the way, you find a small bag, you can open this later. 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: Grampy. 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.

Stillness stretched on for what seemed like forever, until a sudden tremor reverberated across the cave. It came from the center tunnel but was still rather faint. Blue eyes snapped open and Geist shuffled forward with a certainty that whatever was causing the tremors lay at the end of his chosen path. Darkness pressed in all around him and the damp soil seeped cold into his paws. He could feel the breath of the golden woman on his haunches as she followed close behind him. After a while of following the vibrations that had increased in intensity, the tunnel opened up into a large room. Dim light filtered through large rocks and roots in the ceiling. Something wiggly and brownish writhed in the back of the room. It was a huge worm! But.. why did he know its name was Grampy? Geist growled at the giant worm as it approached them with an awful screech. Its mouth was lined with sharp teeth like structures and its body was covered in markings that resembled rock. This worm was really angry, but Geist was not backing down. His accomplice skipped up beside him, flashing him a determined look. They would take it down together then. He nodded at her, and charged head-on with her at his side. [Geist chose to roll for Strength!] G E I S T

You launch at the beast, the guide at your side. The two of you struggle and fight the monstrosity.

You try your best, but the worm's wrath is too much. The last thing you remember is the swath or 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 a wound around the upper area of your spine is 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.

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...

• 59 Gems
  
• Extra Pup Pass
  
• Two Round Skill Pass
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor scar - upper spine