Skorgek moves about the ground and cracks. Her eyes focused on the many small moving crabs. Her tail swishing back and forth as she would jump forward her teeth biting cautiously into several hermit crabs who had been shifting to a larger shell. Her tail flicking as she slowly gathered the corpses of the crabs as well as the shells. She figured no point letting any of it go to waste so she would store the shells in her bag before starting her meal. Having pulled the pile of hermit crabs to the side she would sit down where fewer were occupying. Her tail swishing eagerly as she began to eat the crabs. Her ears perked as she tore the shell open and began to eat the unusual flesh of the crab. It was a meat she was actually quite fond of next to rabbit since both were fairly easy targets to hunt. And honestly she didn't mind the mealy nature of the hermit crab meat. Even though it took alot to fill up they were like ants so no matter how many she ate it was unlikely they would run out. However something caught her attention. Her eyes looking up as a claw hung from her muzzle. Looking to see what was approaching.

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

Skorgek stares to the three wolves her ears lowered as she felt something different about them. Her tongue darting out to scoop up the crab meat hanging from her muzzle before she approached the dark foreboding wolf. Her eyes looking up as she approached slowly. Her tail brushing back and forth slowly as she made her movement. Soon staring up to the thick browed canine. She slowly circled before sitting down, "Follow?" her eyes looked up questioning as if she made her choice to follow the dark furred wolf. Her ears lowered as she waited to see what would come of this dangerous encounter.

The grumpy wolf's brow relaxes just slightly when you choose him. He seems to give you a moment to reconsider. After a moment, the tough looking wolf grunts in approval and turns to lead.

As you follow, a thick smoke rolls in and masks sight and smell. Through watery eyes, you are barely able to follow the guide, but eventually the smoke begins to clear and you are hit with the strong smell of Sulphur. You take a step forward and the guide pulls you back slightly. Blinking the rest of the tears out of your eyes, you realize you're on the edge of a steep chasm- a chasm filled with bubbling lava. One wrong move and it's over.

The guide motions to a wobbly wooden bridge that connects down into a cave on the other side of the canyon.

What do you do?

Strength: Dash across before the bridge can collapse.

If you're fast, the bridge won't have a chance to collapse!

Charisma: Make the guide go first.

This was his idea, so make him go first.

Dexterity: Balance lightly between the planks evenly as you go.

Most of the planks seem stable enough. If you balance evenly, surely none of them will break.

Wisdom: Evaluate the safest planks to walk on.

If you take your time, you can pick out the safest planks.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Skorgek pauses as her ghostly expression is softly lit by the embers and warmth of the cavern. A rather drastic change from earlier where she was staring down at the water and the crabs now if she was holding any crabs they were likely being cooked while she stood there. She approached the bridge cautiously not taking any steps and examining the planks. She was not the run first type meaning she would be unlikely to try and recklessly rush through the bridge. Instead standing at the end and looking over each plank. Individually figuring which ones were the safest to stand on. She laid flat for a moment to get the best view of the planks from an angle wanting to see which ones were the thickest and most stable which ones didn't have cracks or holes. She needed to be absolutely certain as falling in would be the end.
[Wisdom]

You kick off, launching yourself down the shaky bridge. You can hear the guide grunt in surprise behind you. Your paws dance across the warm, dry wood and before you know it, you've dashed your way to the other side and into the shelter of the cave. You also find 171 Gems.

Inside the cave, warm lava lights the way. Small pools bubble and small streams flow from tiny cracks in the walls. Several boulders act as stepping stones across larger gaps, and small wooden bridges span other areas. Around the walls of the room, a thin edge navigates above any threat of lava. It is clear you need to get to the end of this room if you wish to continue your journey.

What do you do?

Strength: Take the stepping stones.

The stepping stones look sturdy and all you have to do it jump a little.

Charisma: Ask the guide to lead the way.

The guide should know the way through the pass.

Dexterity: Take the thin edge.

Creeping on the thin edge keeps you above and away from danger.

Wisdom: Take the bridges.

The bridges are obviously there for a reason, so use them.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

Skorgek looked up at the guide then at the stones. Her tail brushing back and forth as she looked to the ledge the stones and the bridge. Her tails shifting back and forth as she tilted her head. She was fairly stumped at the time. The bridges seemed safe enough, however the adrenaline rush from earlier had her sweating and looking up at the dark furred wolf. She paused and approached him before asking, "Wh-what you suggest here? I confused, " she admitted she wasn't sure if he would actually respond but she couldn't lie that she was curious what he would reccomend.
(Charisma. She is curious,)

The guide's demeanor suggests there is no right answer and you need to just choose a path. He will follow.

Inside the cave, warm lava lights the way. Small pools bubble and small streams flow from tiny cracks in the walls. Several boulders act as stepping stones across larger gaps, and small wooden bridges span other areas. Around the walls of the room, a thin edge navigates above any threat of lava. It is clear you need to get to the end of this room if you wish to continue your journey.

What do you do?

Strength: Take the stepping stones.

The stepping stones look sturdy and all you have to do it jump a little.

Charisma: Ask the guide to lead the way.

You have already tried this.

Dexterity: Take the thin edge.

Creeping on the thin edge keeps you above and away from danger.

Wisdom: Take the bridges.

The bridges are obviously there for a reason, so use them.

Leave.

Leave and exit the event.

((Wisdom, she makes her way across the bridge))
Sitting a bit confused as she looked up. She acknowledged the response he showed. Soon pausing and looking at her options once more. She shakes herself off. Muttering quietly to herself she spoke a few more times trying to map out each path. She eventually decides on the bridges. Skorgek sighs as she was not as dexterous as some other wolves and her strength was negligible in most cases. Her tail brushing back and forth slowly as she sighed and walked to the bridges seeing them as the safest of the three options. She Paused and looked it over before making her steps to move across.

You decide to use the bridges. They seem to have stood the test of time, being singed here and there. They're easy to cross, and you progress steadily until one snaps out from under you. You scramble at the surface just enough to save yourself from falling in with a little help of the guide. The lava sputters, splashing you across your right back inner leg The lava singes through your fur, leaving a deep burn about the size of a wolf's paw (5in x 4in). Ouch! that's gonna leave a scar.

Across the lava room stands a flat piece of smooth stone, so level and flat, it is as if thousands of paws had worn it over time. It looks cool to the touch and vaguely important. Surrounding it is a mote of lava, separated only by sharp stalagmites that impale it to point towards the open ceiling. There is no discernible path across. You know you must get there one way or another, but you're not sure you'll be able to go back the same way you came if you cross.

What do you do?

Strength: Jump over the gap.

If you push off real hard, you can close the gap... probably.

Charisma: Ask the guide to help.

Maybe just this once...? He's got to know something!

Dexterity: Use the stalagmites as stepping stones.

If you're careful, some of the tips of the stalagmites look wide enough to balance on.

Wisdom: Build a bridge with the materials from the other room.

It'll take a while, but it should work...

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, permanent disabilities, higher loss of gems/skill points

((strength she took a leap of faith))
Skorgek screams in pain as she was scarred by the splashing lava. The intense burn searing her thigh and leaving the burning patch near her thigh thankfully avoiding her more sensitive areas. Concerningly close though. She waits a moment looking down at her thigh with a whimper she waits for the searing pain to subside mostly. She whimpers and moves forward with an awkward hobble. She was screwed and the pain was certainly going to make things harder. However she was stubborn. She decided to just go for it. Making a few laps on the small platform as she looked forward. Not sure if she was doing the right thing. She runs forward and leaps. looking only at the ledge and not down.

You decide to kick off hard, hoping to close the gap using your sheer strength. Only when you're almost to the other side do you realize you underestimated the size of the gap, and you feel yourself falling, falling, falling...

All you remember is the hot blazing heat and then... cool darkness. You awake outside of the chasm on a smooth, flat rock.

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 are blindingly painful, but you will live; you can tell somehow by the way the fireflies buzz around you. You'll eventually realize your right ear has been partially torn off, and you feel less skilled as well, losing 30 healing points.

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.

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...

• 171 Gems
  

You Lost These Along the Way...

• Medium scar - right back inner leg
  
• Major injury - torn right ear,
  
• -30 Healing skill points