Dead brownish black branches and vines crowded every inch of space the eye could see. Some areas were so thick that snow had accumulated on top of it. Varushka had initially tried climbing over the vast expanse of dense brush, but it easily collapsed under her weight and tangled her beautiful brown fur in stickers and twigs. As she crawled through the undergrowth she could occasionally see through the less plant infested areas where light trickled through between the gaps in the snow above. She could have sworn she was green glowing eyes watching her, but she shrugged them off to be birds or maybe even opossums disturbed by her presence. Her intrusion seemed to be startling some of the birds that had made their winter homes here. When she would sneak too close one would let out a loud alarm call and other birds would thrash about between the brambles. Most would dart out with a cacophony of upset twittering. Frustration bubbled in her belly, but she kept going as quietly as she could. The tall dead grasses tickled her nose and belly as she walked. Occasionally the old seed pods would make her sneeze, which alerted more birds. Goodness, this place was annoyingly difficult to traverse. Everything within several meters would know she was there long before she reached them.

After some time, Varu had reached a small area where the thicket didn’t cover she sky but the grasses were just very tall. She had a small path she had broken down behind her, and she could only barely see in front of her without getting up on her hind legs to peek over. The day light was running out, and she still hadn’t managed to catch the pheasant. It was the task given to her by her leader, she needed pheasant feathers in particular for a craft and it would also give her good hunting experience. However, Varushka’s tracking skills seemed to also leave more to be desired. With a disheartened huff, she sat down. A sharp twig poking her rump as she did so. This resulted in her leaping up with a surprised yelp, that she only managed to stifle half way. But no birds made a noise or even so much as batted a wing. Weird. Varushka sat back down again to rest for a moment before she would continue on her search.

"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

After a long silence, the flitter of birds returned to the area along with their relaxed chirping. Varushka rose from her haunches, sniffing the air only to notice the scent of birds. The glowing green eyes watched her through the long dry grasses. It was time they revealed themselves to her. Three lanky, curly furred, and wolf-like creatures emerged from the long brown grass stems leaving them quivering in their wake. The three stared at her with their oddly similar green and almost glowing gazes. One, a pale and excitable creature wagged its tail as it smiled at her. A rather melancholic looking one with blue tinged fur dipped its head slowly and blinked at Varushka. Lastly, a dark and abrasive one with an unenthusiastic look and furrowed brow.

Having been quite startled by their sudden appearance and all together put off by their lack of explanation and general creepiness, Varushka hesitated. Yellow eyes round with alarm and uncertainty. What did they need her help with? The three just continued to watch Varushka, if she took a step back they took a step toward her. Their green gaze burned into her, and she wanted to run away. Yet, something in the mournful gaze of the blueish wolf creature made her feel sorry for it. Maybe it was something innocent and she was the only one they could find nearby to help them? Varushka stepped forward, her new found interest in the situation urging her on. ”Who are you?” she asked the three of them. None of the, replied. Varushka turned to the sorrowful guide, ”You seem the most distraught, while all three of you are so different, yet you also share an aura of excitement. What do you need me to do?” Varushka wasn’t really one to help strangers, but perhaps this was something her alpha had planned on her coming across when she was sent here to hunt pheasants. Maybe it’s a test? Even if it was just a coincidence, she couldn’t deny the sad look on its face. Now she was determined to help.

[Varushka chose the Medium Route]

"Speech"

The tearful wolf seems almost surprised you chose her. She doesn't respond to your questions nor your comments, though her expressions shifts slightly to something you can't place. 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 sorrowful green eyes of the blue she wolf seemed to see something Varushka could not. She yearned to know what it was, but the wolf did not respond to her and instead she turned whilst motioning for her to follow. The other two curly furred wolves stood where they were and watched them go. The earthen woman waded through the tall dry grass in close pursuit of her chosen guide. It was not long before a fog began to shroud their path, she could only occasionally see the swish of the other’s blue grey tail in front of her leading them onward. Soon she could hear the sound of water, had they gone back toward Valta’s territory? She couldn’t smell their scent, but as the fog began to lift and huge willow trees loomed around them she was sure this wasn’t Valta’s territory.

The sad stranger made her way to the edge of the pool, sitting beside it and motioning for Varu to come closer. Her tearful eyes brimmed with anticipation, it seemed Varushka had another decision to make. A whirlpool spun on indefinitely at the center of the pool, and some smooth stepping stones lead up to it. Tilting her head, varushka peered into the water as she came closer. Lowering her slender muzzle she sniffed at the water, she was still unsure of why the other female had brought her here. The blueish woman had not spoken to answer any of her queries, so maybe she just had to figure it out on her own. The earthen fae did not feel immediately in danger so surely an inspection of the water was in order to figure this out.

[Varushka has chosen to roll for Wisdom!]

"Speech"

You inspect the water and the unnatural whirlpool in the center. You see something gleaming and pick up 75 Gems. As you look closer, you think you see an opening in the middle. The guide is already on her way down, wet but unbothered. You decide to follow.

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.

As the earthen woman gazed into the water, the guide was already wading in toward the center. There seemed to be an opening in the whirlpool which the melancholic fae began to vanish into. Varushka, not wanting to be left behind, splashed into the water after her. Cold water seeped into her soft warm coat, plastering it to her lithe frame. Brisk, but not dangerous water floated them along into a large underground lake. The temperature of the water was so cold it burned, and Varushka was relieved as the guide lead them ashore. Varu shook icy droplets from her pelt upon dragging herself out of the water. Shivers wracked her body both from the cold, and the sudden shock of seeing a huge castle made of ice open up before them. Her golden eyes were round with awe and she did not speak as the pair continued to approached the magnificent nature-defying structure.

The entirety of the cave was far colder than the place they had just come from, she longed to return to the surface where it was warm and dry. Her guide also shook her fur free of the water that clung to it, she couldn’t have looked sadder with those green somber eyes and cold wet fur. She didn’t seem as shocked as the earthen fae, so Varushka assumed this was where she had intended to bring her. Yellow eyes searched for some way in, or out. The only things she could see were unusual carvings on the walls and that some areas of the ice were thinner and even cracked open a bit. Glancing at the guide Varu saw a look of concern on her soft blue face. Surely she wanted to get inside, maybe it was warmer in there and they could build a fire to dry themselves off. Sniffing along the wall, she came across a rather large crack in the ice and began to poke her nose through.

[Varushka wants to roll for Dexterity!]

"Speech"

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. That scrape on your nose is sure to leave a 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

Cold shards of ice separating her from the inside of the castle scraped and bumped her body as she pushed her way through the cracks. She could see the interior of the building now! She had a little further to go but she couldn’t get her lower end through the small gap. The pain was almost enough to stop her advances if it weren’t for the progress she had already made. With a helpful shove from her guide, Varu pushed through the wall and felt a sharp piece of ice scrape her muzzle as she popped out through the other side. Crimson trickled from her wound, dripping off her brown muzzle and onto the icy floor. Wiping the blood away with a paw, she turned to make sure her accomplice was able to follow. Her slender build allowed her easier passage through the tight space and she joined Varushka inside the disheveled hallway. Once elegant pillars lay broken in heaps of debris, and intricate artworks and sculptures were shattered among other wreckage. The hallway began to look more unstable as the two walked along, careful as to not injure themselves on the sharp objects strewn about. They were inside the castle of ice and there was no way she was turning back now. Cautiously they continued with Varushka leading the way. Uncertainty tickled at her belly, but she knew if she watched her step and was attentive with her listening they could make it through unharmed.

[Varushka wants to roll for dexterity!]

"Speech"

You move slowly and carefully through the tunnel. You're cautious of the unstable roof above you, but you manage to make it through unscathed.

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

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.

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.

The guide may know how to get through the treacherous cave.

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.

The two women carefully made their way through the long tunnel and made it to the end unscathed. Their paw steps echoed in the new room as they approached. Varushka marveled at the icy structures that seemed like they must have once been an elaborate shrine. “What happened to this place?” she said under her breath, not expecting a reply. Ahead of them the room opens out and there is more frigid water with jagged ice floating on the surface. Past the water there appears to be a long expanse of ice and some sunlight shining through a small opening that likely leads out of the castle. Another chill ran down her spine at the thought of the ice cold water. She really didn’t want to fall in, she still hadn’t fully dried from their swim earlier. The cold was numbing her extremities but she knew they had to go on. Tilting her head, Varushka considered her options. The ice floats looked as though they could be close enough together to jump from berg to berg. However, if she made a mistake the price to pay could be hypothermia. Glancing to her guide and then back to the icy water, she considered her strategy to get them out of there. Surely she could spot a safe path across. She scanned the water going through the paths in her mind trying to find the safest looking one.

[Varushka wants to roll for wisdom!]

"Speech"

You study the room for a long while until you figure out the safest path to the exit. Avoiding the frigid cold waters, you find a solid path toward the small opening on the other side of the room, grabbing a carefully bundled item along your way. You make a note to examine it 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: Francis. 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.

Leaping from ice flow to ice flow Varushka lead the two of them safely across the freezing water. With a sigh of relief she turned to the blue furred female to make sure she had joined her safely on the other side. She was grateful to have found a safe way across, but worry began to gnaw at her stomach once more. The terrain was getting rougher now, how many more obstacles still stood in their way? What reason could the mysteriously quiet she wolf have for taking them here? Scanning the room, she set her eyes on the light coming from a gap not far from them now. Hopefully that would be the end of this cold dark place. Before they got much further, what Varu had thought was sturdy ice beneath their paws began to crack and water sputtered up from below. The girls braced themselves as the ice broke apart more violently, nearly sending them overboard into the cold dark water. A heartbeat of silent stillness swept over them and the brown female wondered what had caused the sudden breaking of their path to freedom? Varushka neared the edge of their large ice raft, and peered over the edge into the depths. Spotting movement below, she backed up in alarm barking a warning to her accomplice who only seemed to look at her with anxiety but not surprise like she herself felt. Suddenly, a large blue worm-like creature breached the water with an ear piercing shriek. Somehow she knew it’s name was Francis and that it was her job to defeat him. Now the question of how would she defeat such a creature? Varushka felt rather small to take on such a large and powerful looking foe. Not being particularly strong or smart, she was average and knew her best bet would be to find its weak point. Maybe with a solid plan and the help of the blue woman beside her, together they could bring Francis down and put and end to his havoc.

[Varushka chose to roll for Wisdom!]

"Speech"

You hang back, looking for the best possible time to strike. The worm writhes and shrieks and eventually... loses interest in whatever had enraged it.

As it turns its attention elsewhere, the guide motions and kicks off. Together, you are able to overpower the worm, its gore spreading before its able to haul itself back into the water, becoming a blur of viscera as it sinks.

The worm bubbles beneath the icy surface and after a moment, no more bubbles float up. The worm is gone and the guide quickly ushers the two of you outside.



Outside the night seems clear and calm and you realize you are back where the adventure started.

Your guide stops weeping for just a moment and offers a soft, genuine smile. In a flash, she is gone, only a few fireflies buzzing lazily where the guide once was.

The cave, now peaceful, stands to be explored by any who come across it. Maybe you can remember your way back sometime.

You have unlocked a new site land: Crystal Cathedral!

You receive: 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea Bundle:

• Boosted Companion Pass
  
• 3rd companion slot
  

Hiding behind shattered ice piled around the large float, Varushka and her guide managed to evade the worm long enough for it to lose interest. Yellow and green eyes watched from the shadows as Francis the massive blue tinted worm monster fussed about losing sight of them. Before he could retreat back to the icy depths, the girls made their move. Kicking off the ice as they leapt at him from behind. Their combined weights toppling him over as they tore through his wet hide. The slippery monster managed to wriggle back to the edge of the ice and slip in, but not without losing most of its fluids and sustaining severe injuries. Its body writhed and became  masked by a blur of viscera leaking from it and tainting the water with its colors. Bubbles rising to the surface began to subside as did its cadaveric spasming. Francis was dead. The melancholy guide quickly led the two across some stray icebergs and out toward the gap where outside light filtered in.

Fresh air and warmer temperatures greeted them after having finally escaped from the frozen castle. The adrenaline finally subsided enough for her to realize what a feat they had just accomplished. Varushka was also keenly aware now that they somehow ended up in the same place where they had started. Glancing at the blue furred woman, she found her looking back with such knowing green eyes. Instead of tears and somberness, her features hosted a soft smile of gratitude. But before Varu could speak to the guide, she vanished. Staring bewildered at the fireflies that marked where her comrade had been. Varushka did not move or speak for a while as the recent events of her journey sank in. The blood on her muzzle had scabbed over, and her fur was still lightly damp from their swim. Francis must have been what she was meant to defeat, he was the test. And she had passed. Pride flooded through her chest and she looked around her. Appreciating her surroundings, she gazed about the cave and it sparkled in a way she must have missed the first time. This place was very beautiful. Maybe she could remember the way back and share it with her pack mates. Surely now that she had ensured it was safe they could find some use of it.

~fade~

"Speech"

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...

• 75 Gems
  
• Scar Remover
  
• 2" Deluxe Growth Spurt Pass
  
• 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea Bundle
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Minor scar - nose