Soulless Forest and the surrounding lands of Stylianos Crypt, Buffalo Knolls, The Orchard, The Rio Grande, and Traveller’s Pitfall are all affected by a magical autumn, additionally, each land seems to have manifested rotting corpses, pools of dried blood, partial sets of various skeletons as well as the occasional ethereal whisper heard through the fog. Where the fog is thickest, you find a statue:

A massive three-headed wolf is seated upon a thick marble slab. The middle face is entirely skeletal, while the left and right most heads seem only partially flayed. On each skeletal side of the outermost wolves, the eyes are mere sockets. A firefly is nested inside that rather than glowing, seems to absorb all light. Their expressions are harsh and judgemental, and the fireflies in place of the eyes seem to move to follow you. At the statue’s base on the slab before it are two stone candles, both unlit, and between them a single, small crow.

Idling around the stone cerberus are various species of familiars. Bats, crows and cats work tirelessly to clean off debris and lead wolves with decorations to the statue's paws. They beckon you forward with a friendly smile, encouraging you to assist in the preparations with a decoration of your choice.

---

Make an IC post in this thread of your character decorating the altar or statue found in Soulless Forest. Each character may only decorate one altar. Each player may only participate in six total events this week. Note: For the purpose of not making people read and memorize every single post, you can assume the familiars are actively shuffling things around to make more room, and it’s totally fine to say that you put down flowers on the same area where someone else just put a pelt. Collaboration and discussion between site members is not required, though it is allowed!

Deadline for decorating: October 23rd 9PM PST

All submissions must be posted by the deadline with no exceptions

News of strange statues appearing in different lands have reached the ears of the Ashen wolves. Seere had eagerly sought out the one closest to their land and found a strange, three-headed wolf staring back at her. Although it is made entirely of stone, the young girl cannot help but feel as if it is alive. Perhaps it is the fireflies that suck in the light and seem make the eye sockets glow, or the raven that stands guard at their paws; its stone gaze seemingly following her wherever she goes.

Whatever the reason, the monochrome girl had left its presence feeling a mixture of awe and skin-crawling horror. Death seems to be this statue’s domain and Seere tasked herself with gathering something to give the stone guardian. It had taken her time and persistent effort but, in the end, the girl is able to gather the necessary material to make what she wants. It did not take long for her to dry the herbs and even less to find a subtle dagger. A wandering merchant sold her a sharp, silver weapon with a dark brown scabbard along with a thin piece of cloth that rounded out her materials.

Now, the small Ashen healer trots back to the soulless forest, paws avoiding the pools of dried blood, rotting corpses, and skeletons that seem to leer back at her. Mismatched eyes roam over the scene, ears twitching as whispers tickle her senses, setting her on edge as she approaches the huge, daunting statue. A crow beckons her forward with a friendly smile and Seere moves up, gift clutched in her jaws. Stopping at the statue’s paws, the girl offers up her decoration for the taking.

A bundle of dried valerian root, chamomile flowers, lavender, and nightshade are bound together with a thin strip of cloth. The dagger, housed in its sheath has been centered in the bundle, the hilt glittering brightly in what light there is. Finally, a thin veil is wrapped and tied around the offering which is deposited at the statue’s paws. The crow ushers her away and Seere is quick to follow as she silently hopes that the contents are understood.

Each part had been carefully picked, the herbs to offer sweet dreams which many (her included) believe is the bridge between this realm and the afterlife. The nightshade and dagger represent death while the veil shows how thin the cloth is between this life and the next. Casting a glance back, Seere hopes that the gift is acceptable.


"Seere Abraxas-Destruction"

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Seere’s decoration.

One crow cups its beak beneath the medicinal herbs almost reverently to reposition and spread the flowers and stems. Two rats chatter and screech at each other at the other side of the altar, tugging back and forth upon the nightshade and, clearly arguing about whether it should be included at all. A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand, smiling a soft smile and pushing the gift against your paw. She encourages you to move on, but gently and at your own pace.

You have received:
196 Gems & Companion Accessory

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

The unusual change in some of their near by territories certainly didn't go unnoticed by her, but it was her companions that had alerted her to the statue in question. Apparently her and Avacyn's various ravens had been in contact with some of the crows that lingered around this place and had spread word about this strange place and their request for help in decorating it. After the slightly traumatizing events of the long night she was apprehensive about approaching anything seemingly mystic in nature, but it did feel worth it to at least get a closer look and see what exactly was going on. In the midst of gathering some supplies at the recombination of her ravens, Avacyn and Fia found her and asked to accompany her. Bringing her children into this made her even more uncertain, especially with the illness that Avacyn had suffered last time, but she had relented and allowed them to help her.

They approached the quite intimidating statue with a bit of apprehension, Manea's aqua gaze glancing over the various animals that seemed to already be hard at work adorning this place with all sorts of decorations, bits, and bobs. She tried to stop one of the crows to ask what kind of things they wanted on their statue, but they were entirely unhelpful. All of the attendants seemed pleasant enough, but she had no idea if what they brought was suitable or not. She glanced to her daughters with a small shrug before stepping forward to place a wreath she had woven out of fragrant pine and cedar branches from their island, the needle-laden boughs decorated with interwoven ribbons of various shades of blue, purple, red, and black. She placed it around the feet of the three headed wolf before stepping back, letting Fia and Ava take their turns.

Manea | Temno | Ciemny

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Manea’s decoration.

Dutifully a rat saunters across the altar to inspect and if necessary, adjust the positioning of the decoration. As it comes into view he gives a loud and clearly distressed squeak, clutching his tiny paw to his chest. After a moment of pause he seemingly recovers, moving forward to shuffle the decoration to a free place but touching it only with the very tips of his elongated teeth. A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand, giving you an apologetic smile but sweeping her gaze across your coat with concern and apprehension. She presses the gift against your paw and ushers you to hurry onward and away.

You have received:
155 Gems & Grow Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Fia was with Avacyn when they had met at cross roads with their mother who was heading out to one of these strange statues born from the storm's lightning that they had heard about. They quickly gathered whatever supplies they had thought of bringing before heading outside of Elysium lands and into the eerie autumn fogs that the statues spread. It was a strange occurrence sure, but it was how they stayed in tune with the world around them she supposed. With her family here, she wouldn't expect anything too harsh.

When they arrived Fia looked around at the other wolves who had gathered for similar purposes, and of course she was drawn to the animals that called themselves familiars. She looked at her mother briefly as she presented her own item, and Avacyn too. She had something a little different in mind she supposed. Going around the right side of the statue itself, she drew out a brush and red paint she had brought along. She looked at a crow that happened to hop next to her and watch what she was doing, but it didn't seem bothered by her plans or at least for now. She painted red flames on only one side of the Cerberus statue, it only seemed fitting from her. It was artsy of course, but only the best she could do in a quick time while others were here to present their own offerings and decorations.

"Fiametta"

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Fiametta’s decoration.

The familiars look on in a mixture of awe and shock as the pup approaches to deface their precious statue, their ceaseless idle chatter grinding to a halt as the pup works. As Fiametta steps away a half dozen rats spill out from the trees to get a closer look, their expressions unreadable. One cracks out a squeaky, hysterical laugh that is quieted only by the thunk of another’s tiny paw upon the back of his head. In the end they shrug their shoulders, relatively unphased if not a tad confused, and return to their duties. A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand, eyeing the bright red pup with suspicion. She presses the gift against your paw and ushers you to hurry onward and away.

You have received:
190 Gems & Shrink Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Used in Prezzies for Players 2022 - nyx

Her memories of the long night were vague and hazy, the illness she had suffered feeling more like a distant, bad feeling rather than a clear memory of anything. Still, her mother's concern and apprehension about going to something so unusual and seemingly magical did make her pause for a moment and reconsider whether it was wise for them to go. In the end she decided she would rather be with her mother if anything happened and she wouldn't deny her little sister a chance to experience something she was curious about. She went through some of the projects and pieces she had already been working on in her studio and found one that she thought would work perfectly for what she had heard the statue was like and then they headed out, finding their way down to the soulless forest. Passing through the fog, they eventually found themselves at the base of an imposing statue.

Their mother went first, placing the garland she had brought at its feet, and with a glance toward Fiametta Avacyn walked forward with a slightly nervous swallow to present what she brought. The statue was taller than she had anticipated so she looked up to signal for her ravens, one of them flying down from the near by trees to help her. Louqi grasped her offering in his diamond talons and flew up to place a silver crown on the head of the middle, skeletal wolf head. The crown was fairly large with a random selection of amethysts, topazes, opals, and rubies forming a mosaic of designs across the surface. She had been worried that it wouldn't fit right on such a large statue, but to her surprise it seemed to fit perfectly—almost as if it had been made for this specific purpose. It was almost unsettling how well it fit the creepy statue and she was pretty quick to step back to rejoin her family once Louqi was done and flew off.

"Avacyn Medacium"

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Avacyn’s decoration.

A pair of ravens fly up to inspect the carefully crafted crown, circling the decoration slowly three times. At one point they reach forward with their beaks to see how pliable the material is, perhaps as if considering shaping the offering into something distinctly different. A third interrupts them, tapping his beaks upon the gemstones in a gentle gesture toward the arguing birds and eventually chasing them from the decoration entirely before they could risk damaging it. A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand and a smile on her maw, though the pleased expression falters as she rakes her gaze across your coat. She presses the gift against your paw and ushers you to hurry onward and away.

You have received:
195 Gems & Two-Round Skill Pass

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Used on Deimos 12/19/22 - nyx

Saia had seen her sister heading off and she was sure it was because of the strange statues and odd changes to the land that they brought. She was quick to follow after her even while she was mostly a homebody. She was trying to do better for her family and her aunt, and following Seere seemed to be one of the best ways to grow out of old habits.

She was only a little afraid of what came over their neighboring lands, but she'd never show that of course. It was unsettling and not natural, but she supposed they should listen to the creatures that drew them here. Surely if they did what they were told, and were kind to the statues then everything should work out fine, right?

Saia approaches the three headed statue with mysterious, glowing eyes. She was nearly hypnotized or so she felt. Going to the alter of the statue, she dumps out a cup of some sort to reveal a number of different crystal-like rocks. She did have an affinity for jewels and things of that nature. For now she spread out her wide variety of pale crystal stones in an L shape at the corner of the alter. The more she looked at the rocks though the more they seemed to lose what light and shine they would have had in real light. Hopefully that wouldn't make her offering unworthy.

"Saia"

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Saia’s decoration.

The familiars don’t say much, simply giving the girl a thankful smile as they shuffle the crystal stones in their placed formation off to the side to make room for the next. The rats whisper to each other as they carry them carefully, nodding. A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand. She takes a moment to look you up and down, shrugs her shoulders and pushes the gift against your paw with a reminder not to hover too long.

You have received:
179 Gems & Grow Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed
Transferred to Skelle 1/6/23 ~ Beau-tifullyWritten

Venom escorted a couple of the young wolves of Ashen, though the girls were old enough to leave the pack’s borders when they desired. It was no surprise they were drawn to this place. As the Empress approached she first saw the wolves of Elysium that came before her and then she sunset eyes fell on the statue that they were brought to. It felt unnatural and otherworldly, just like the points of unnatural weather.

It's dark marble surface, and unseeing gaze pierced deep within her heart as she approached with offering she had brought. A cape of white dove feathers rested over her back, and she was aided by the bats and the crow to adorn the shoulders of the statue before her. Venom stood back to look at their handiwork before nodding in approval and joining her young nieces.

"Venom"

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Venom’s decoration.

Almost immediately the rats are scurrying up the statue, running their small paws over the dove feathers and chattering amongst themselves. One seems to try and sneakily pull a feather right from the cape, but as he’s noticed by his brethren he’s forced to abandon the attempt. Huffing, he gives a single kick to the cape (and one last gentle touch to the feather) before following the rest of the familiars back down to the altar to continue their duties. A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand, smiling a soft smile and pushing a gift up against your paw. She encourages you to move on, but gently, and at your own pace.

You have received:
120 Gems & Grow Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Used for Prezzies for players 2022 - nyx

News of statues appearing across the lands did not escape her ears. The skeletal marked woman despite her growing belly from forces unknown to her did not deter the woman from traveling around to check each of them out. This one, of course, seemed to call to her the most. She arrived to find a number of wolves there already, each of them offering something to the statue. She walked a circle around it, peering at each and every angle through the eyes of the skull she wore on her head. Like her, this magnificent beast of a statue displayed its darkest parts proudly. The flayed face of all three heads exposed themselves to the world as she noted their skulls were exposed.

They reminded her of...well...herself...in a way. They were exposed, much like she often felt. Probably judged by the world for their differences. And so they stared back with a judgmental eye and probably told them all to fuck off. Approaching the front of the stature, she slipped the wolf's skull off of her head and handed it to the familiars that worked tirelessly around it. They took the skull, moving to place it on the head of the head in the center. She had several skulls at this point in her collection, and she felt that offering one that held personal meaning to her was the best choice. After all, the statue embodied what she didn't know how to express.


"Speech!"

TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2022

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Medusa’s decoration.

The familiars watch as the skull is unburdened from the wolf and then placed upon the statue, waiting until she’d stepped back and seemingly completed her decoration before sending a crow up to investigate. The bird checks the eye sockets, the shape of the skull, the jaws and the teeth before sending a nod back down to the ground-bound rats. A large feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand. She takes a moment to look you up and down, shrugs her shoulders and pushes the gift against your paw with a reminder not to hover too long.


You have received:
144 Gems & Small Accessory

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Used in Prezzies for Players 2022 - nyx

She needed some time. No she didnt need time. These spirits and familiairs had brought up bad memories as well as good ones. This season had been her first anniverssary of her murder. A wolf with no family or friends, she hadnt even remembered if he gave her his name or not. When the feast began she had told her children they could explore. But! They had to be back by her side before the sun could set. Now that their lives had been taken for a loop perhaps an offering could keep her mind off things. Other wolves had been here already, ashens scent specifically. When the young mother thought about her half sister, it made her happy.

Yet she needed to concentrate. The trinket in front of her was special.  Made of autumn leaves from this strange lands, scattered with bones. She placed lavender spriggs, with red roses among the teeth of the carcassas. Her necklace had been a good refrence point for her. She had heard in old tales macabre crowns like this could be seen. Voodoo approachrd one of the crows cautiously. The creature wisping like black miasma. Placing the crown on the ground in front of the statue. She waited to see for a moment if it would be the familiar to decide if her gift was any good for decorating their diety or not.

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Voodoo’s decoration.

Crows circle overhead and watch as Voodoo places flowers in the maws of the skeletal remains, cawing happily as their circles tighten and eventually begin to spiral downward. One or two touch the rose with their beaks as they fly by, as if to take in the floral scent. They follow the wolf to the altar itself, their joyful caws beginning to die out as she presents her offering. While they do not appear particularly offended, they do peck at the crown’s material as if considering if they could reshape it. Taking the decoration in their talons they lift it up and place it, deciding in the end not to mess with the wolf’s creation.A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand, smiling a soft smile and pressing the gift up against your paw. She encourages you to move on, but gently, and at your own pace.

You have received:
149 Gems & Companion Accessory

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Whereas Manea was apprehensive about the sudden changes to their world, Alastor found his usual macabre glee in the grim and gloom. The fog that crept through the trees was everything he enjoyed, his dark ebony fur blending in with the shifting shadows as he walked with his family toward the shrine her scouting ravens had found, large paws trudging between the decaying corpses as he studied each one as if they were a piece of fine art. When they approached the dark marble statue of the three-headed wolf, Alastor felt bizarrely connected to the entity. Almost as if its patron was waiting for him, calling out to him. Manea, Avacyn, and Fiametta all made their offerings, his youngest daughter's contribution of painting matching flame markings akin to their own on its side drawing a barking laugh from the maddened dire wolf.

Then it was his turn. Alastor approached the effigy, abyssal eyes studying it closely from ear tips to base. The fireflies glowing in its eye sockets that seemed to be watching him menacingly did nothing to intimidate him—if anything, he felt emboldened by the watchful gaze of the entity upon him. A black cat exchanged a wide smile with the wolf, then beckoned him forward to present an offering to the deity. Alastor strode up to the statue, his flowing fur trailing behind him through some dried blood on the grass surrounding the monument. From a black satchel around his neck, Alastor produced an hourglass, about the size of his paw. The glass was made from clear crystal, and was surrounded in a black wooden frame. Contained within was a perfect blend of sheer white and pure black sands that swirled together as they descended from the top bulb to the bottom. Alastor set the glass down on the statue's base between the two stone candles, watching the sand slowly drain down the neck into a gradually growing pile. A symbolic representation of the time every living thing was steadily running out of. "Memento mori," murmured the dire wolf with a grim smile up to the judgmental facade of the patron, then stepped back to rejoin his family.

"Alastor Mendacium"

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Alastor’s decoration.

The rats are enthralled with the offered hourglass and immediately begin fighting over it, flipping it so frequently that the sands have no time to settle. A large crow steps in to intervene, ripping the offering from their tiny paws with a sigh and placing it back upon the altar, a talon held overtop it to ward curious rat paws away. A large black cat steps forward to block your view with a prize in hand. She takes a moment to look you up and down, shrugs her shoulders and pushes the gift against your paw with a reminder not to hover too long.

You have received:
142 Gems & 10% Bonus Fight Score Pass

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Memento Mori had crossed the borders between Auster and Boreas and, for the first time in her life, she was truly exploring another set of lands. But it was with purpose that she came, Rein accompanying her as she made her way toward one land in particular - the Soulless Forest. There had been talk of five statues showing up throughout Boreas and while there were two in Auster Meme had decided this would be an opportunity to come check Boreas out. Her pale gaze was thoughtful as she carried her intended gift in her maw. She wasn’t sure if the doll would be fitting for whatever the offerings were for, yet still, she carried it with pride. When the duo arrived it was easy to see that this particular altar was getting a fair bit of attention. The lands that had been passed through to arrive were… unsettling. Rotting corpses, skeletal remains, dried blood… Rein had suggested that they change their direction, go back the way they had came, but Meme was determined to see this statue with her own eyes. And what a sight it ended up being. The judgemental gaze was the first thing that Memento Mori would notice. She flicked her ears back slightly, yet still she and Rein approached. There were intricate marks all across the statue as well - marks that she could only assume made up scarring or something off the like. The statue appeared to represent both the living and the dead, or perhaps even the undead, its judgemental gaze resting on all those who dare approach. Without a word Meme set the doll down at the altar. It had been made of hide, stuffed with alpaca wool, and tied with twine. Then she backs off, wondering what would come now that these statues were here… "Talk, 'Think.'

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Memento Mori’s decoration.

The familiars don’t say much and in fact don’t seem to notice Memento Mori there at all. They gather up her figurine and place it in an empty spot where it can be seen clearly before continuing on with their work. A large black cat approaches to block your view with a prize in hand, eyeing you with suspicion. She presses the gift against your paw and ushers you to hurry onward and away.

You have received:
198 Gems & Shrink Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Used in Prezzies for Players 2022 - nyx

Tachi had travelled far, his legs felt all sorts of tired and yet he couldn't help but be draw in by this place. The sense of morbidity, death and decay lingered so fierce in the air it felt like it was seeping through his skin. It was quiet here too, but not like the bamboo maze, quiet in a dead sort of way. Making the pup so much more aware of the rate of his breathing, made him tempted to hold it in as to not be felt. Still he approached the statue with a little pouch dangling from between his canine teeth. Gently he poured out the contents and watched them clatter against the altar.

He'd picked them out by chance really, but the moonstones suited the beast's eyes perfectly. Pale and glistening, like his uncle's eyes when he was in the dark.  He stepped away and made room, wondering if he ought to linger or go back to the safety of the bamboo, where friends and family were one and the same. Alive, breathing and bright.

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Tachi’s decoration.

The rats flood across the altar to inspect the moonstones, chittering happily as they grasp them with their tiny paws and rotate them each way to observe the pale coloration. Once their curiosity is sated they replace the stones with care, turn and continue on with their work. A large black cat approaches to block your view with a prize in hand, eyeing you with suspicion. She presses the gift against your paw and ushers you to hurry onward and away.

You have received:
183 Gems & Grow Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyralis strode boldly up to the statue, gazing up at it curiously before propping herself up on her hind legs to stare at the head on the left, the one that had a strange firefly where its left eye would be. She couldn't help but feel drawn to it. One of the most notable markings on her own body was the white patch over her left eye. Anymore she didn't know what to believe. She still wrestled with her families belief that they were descended from gods. Was there any truth to this or was it just madness? Would the statues and the strange happenings have any answers for her?

She didn't know, but she had treasures and goods she was ready to distribute, knowing her time would be short. She turned to the fire cart she had left a bit outside the gathering. Digging in the bag that was left upon it she pulled out a number of fire opals she'd found up north in the Dreamer's Col before it had been claimed by the Armada. The gems had sinew tying them in place to a thin metal chain she'd pilfered from an old human dwelling. With Alkali's help she rested it across the combined neck of the statue.

With that done she hauled the fire cart forward in front of the base of the statue, giving a nod to the crow before she set the wood on the cart alight, to create a bonfire. She stepped back to watch the glow and the way the fireflies nestled in the expose orbits of the statue seemed to devour the light.

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Pyralis’s decoration.

The rats are busy happily turning fire opals over in their paws and running their tiny toes over the chain in awe, their glee audible in their squeals and growing louder and louder as more chime in. The only thing to silence their relentless squeaking is the start of a blaze, it’s fire reflecting off the statue and altar and drawing every eye to watch in stunned silence. A rat coughs, blinking slowly. The spell of shocked silence broken, the familiars disperse to continue their duties. A large black cat approaches to block your view with a prize in hand. She takes a moment to look you up and down, shrugs her shoulders and pushes the gift against your paw with a reminder not to hover too long.

You have received:
197 Gems & +4/-4 Inch Height Pass

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

It had been a long time since Incubus had graced the lands of the Souless Forest. It was once a claimed territory of his families pack Ashen. But, as the beast delved deeper into the thick of those alabaster trees he knew he was at the source of the uncharacteristic autumn that was replacing summer in the Knolls. This running theory was only backed by the macabre scenery and rolling mist. As he carried Inc noticed he had to step carefully as there were pools of dried blood littered through the region. There was a moment even he thought to turn back but the fear of missing out would be too much for him to handle. Incubus was clad with a few items to offer. It took a few days of gathering and planning here of there but he was able to make something he felt appropriate as well as gather a last minute addition. A small twinge of the lingering bee sting from this afternoon reminded him of what it took to get it. Wrapped in two thick leaves was two gooey slabs of honeycomb. Incubus carried this carefully between his jaws being very careful not to damage such a lovely prize. But, his true offering was why he was in the haunting forest. A wreath dangled precariously from his mouth and was likely covered in honey and saliva but he was doing the best he could without a satchel. After what felt like an eternity he found the alter. As Incubus got closer the scents got much heavier. Some had twinges of familiarity but others were mostly foreign to him. Incubus waited for a few moments to ensure it was his turn before making his way to the base of the alter. Those flickering fireflies seemed to pour their luminescence into him as he got closer. Delicately the demon set his goodies down on the ground so he could gather himself for a moment. He grabbed the wreath and gently placed it flat on the alter. It was made of five small skinny bones held together by taught rawhide to form the best circle he could. Woven around said bones and secured by the rawhide was a beautiful green vine. His finishing touch was a few sprigs of freshly picked lavender wrapped into the rawhide at the joints of the makeshift circle. - Incubus leaned down once more to grab the honeycomb. He placed it in the center of the wreath resting on the leaf to ensure none of the honey got on anything important. The other leaf was placed on top but he let a third of the honeycomb uncovered so they knew what it was and for aesthetic purposes as well. Pink and blue eyes moved from his display to wander up the alter. He took a moment to study the statue and the various familiars. Incubus really had no clue what to make of any of it. They had to be magical in some way to alter the climate but were they of the godly sort? Religion made the male sick normally but witnessing such wild happenings made him think on things a bit. Inc ripped himself from the base of the alter, timed seemed to slow slightly as he stood there looking at it, and moved to linger around the back of the clearing in silence.

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Incubus’ decoration.

Almost immediately the rats are approaching, huddling first around the flowers adorning the wreath. They speak swiftly and excitedly, but one points out the centrepiece peeking out from beneath the leaf and another gives a soft gasp. Their joy dies on their tongues and one rat begins to not-so-subtly shift the decor. A large black cat steps forward to block your view with a prize in hand, smiling a soft smile and pressing the gift up against your paw. She encourages you gently to move on at your own pace.

You have received:
106 Gems & Shrink Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Used on Verity to 21"

Ryzne had been following the mysterious fog for a white. Moving about as he seemed driven mindlessly towards the deepest fog. His tail.flickimg as he kept.movomg his small.frame making it's way deeper into the dark fog. As he walked he made his waynunder what he through was a low pass. Actually turned out to be a skeleton rib cage. And the top half of a skull his head poking through as he continued walking. Still mindlessly driven until he made it to the altar. Pausing he would slowly begin to remove the skull from his head and place it at the center. Following up by rolling to his back and wiggling until the ribcage came off.his body. The voices seeming to dull as he returned to reality. He began to sniff and explore the statue trying to figure out what about it was so weird.

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Ryzen’s decoration.

The familiars don’t say much and in fact don’t seem to notice Ryzen there at all. They gather up the remains and work to find a suitable location where they can be seen clearly, then move on to continue with their work. A large black feline steps up to block your view with a prize in hand, sweeping her gaze across your coat with concern and apprehension. She presses the gift against your paw and ushers you to hurry onward and away.


You have received:
112 Gems & Half Word-Count Seasonal Pass

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Transferred to Beau

He and his brother had been young when the Long Night had appeared. To their benefit, they had been granted nice gifts so when the seasons changed abruptly, a sense of happiness flowed through the pale boy. Fog rolled around him as he followed the breathy whispers toward the altar. Having spent the time to collect fallen teeth from his own companions and the kills that would soon be taxidermy for his brother, Ghoul was pleased with his offering. A wide smile spread across his lips as he approached with Macabre. "This statue is amazing," Ghoul whispered to his brother as his ruby gaze flashed up to the state standing before them. Already, multiple gifts were spread out, but he hoped the familiars would take what he had to offer. Pulling it off from around his neck, Ghoul set down a twine necklace strung with teeth of varying sizes that would be large enough to settle around the statue's neck. Bowing his own head out of respect as he backed away, he waited for Macabre to present his own.

G H O U L

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Ghoul’s decoration.

The familiars don’t say much and in fact don’t seem to notice Ghoul there at all. They have a quiet contemplative moment looking upon the offering, somehow both critical and appreciative, before shrugging their shoulders and continuing with their duties. A large black cat steps forward to block your view with a prize in hand, smiling a soft smile and pressing the gift up against your paw. She encourages you gently to move on at your own pace.

You have received:
176 Gems & Half Word-Count Seasonal Pass

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

It was a bit difficult to adjust to life with one working eye, but Macabre managed. He and Ghoul were thick as thieves, continuously searching for more adventures together. The strange phenomena they’d encountered in the regions around them were strangr, but not something they were wholly unaccustomed to. After all, the boys were born under the cursed moon of the Long Night. They opened their eyes to mushrooms and crystals, took their first steps among dark shadowy groves of twinkling fireflies. Back then, nothing seemed amiss. Such sentiments still rang true as the half-blind yearling approached the altar with his brother. The rose-pelted male made a habit to stand at Mac’s blind side, helping be his guide when the regions they’d passed became rough or treacherous. What a blessing of a brother he had. Such a big help. A wide grin etched its permanent place upon his lips. He always smiled now, except maybe when he slept. In his maw was his own gift - a taxidermy deer hoof, stuffed with scented herbs and painted with a luxurious golden sheen. It looked gilded, rich and masterful. Mac never did lose his touch with taxidermy craft - the loss of one eye meant he just relied morr on the other. After Ghoul presented his offering, Mac slowly made his way up to the altar - a grotesque yet beautiful relic of a three-headed wolf - and placed his offering next to his brother’s. Offering a soft bow of his head, the half-blind boy turned around and made his way back to Ghoul’s side, where they would proceed onwards to more adventures yet to come. ”Speech”  ’Thought’

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Macabre’s decoration.

A single crow flies down to examine the offering, carefully sliding his beak past the scented herbs to the hoof beneath. The remains itself garnered little attention (positive or negative) though he did seem to have something to say about the gold sheen. With his beak he scratched off a small portion, but seemed to give up before editing the decoration any further. A large black cat steps forward to block your view with a prize in hand, smiling a soft smile and pressing the gift up against your paw. She encourages you gently to move on at your own pace.

You have received:
138 Gems & Grow Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Swollen with puppies and darkness, Widow left the private dwelling she'd locked herself away in. This had been the only time she left the den, moving robotically  towards the forest covered in a thick fog. A satchel carried various things on her hip, mostly herbs or vials that did little to help her near constant nausea. Small snacks weren't left behind either, tucked away neatly next to a few... skulls?

She'd done more that night at the crypt than welcome a boy in. Collecting small animal bones had been her primary reason, wanting to collect the parts in use for tools and jewelry. Already she had the parts together to craft herself a small crown from the skull of a coyote, but within her satchel she contained a few smaller animal skulls crafted into other jewelries.

Widow hadn't been in the forest long before the scent of others traveling caught her attention and she followed the trail to a strange structure. A canid with three heads stop a stand adorned with gifts arranged by the animals flying around it. Widow blinked up at the altar, studying it for a moment before digging around in the satchel. Pulling out three necklaces, each with their own different skull (bird, rat, coyote pup), she sat them down at the base of the altar with the larger, coyote pup skull necklace centered as if it was for the center head of the altar. Widow looked back up at the altar and smiled despite her stomach (or uterus?) twisting and turning. She bowed for a moment before smiling at the altar again and turning to leave.

"Speech!"

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Widow’s decoration.

As the decoration had many parts, many familiars approached to begin their examination. Each skull was carefully turned over and checked for depth of orbital socket, shape of jaw, length of teeth - perhaps an attempt at identification. They hung the coyote skull with care and even the rats remained composed as they helped to hoist the skull of their brethren. It was not until the avian remains drew the familiar’s eyes that their moods seemed to shift. A large black cat steps forward to block your view with a prize in hand, her gaze flickering back and forth between your face and swollen belly with a smile. She presses the gift up against your paw and thanks you audibly for your contribution, encouraging you to rest here as long as you need before returning home.

You have received:
107 Gems & Shrink Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Word of the these funky statues had spread like wildfire, and as an appreciator of the arts, Siobhan felt drawn to them. She'd waffled on which one she'd visit, but ultimately chose the path of least resistance and selected the one she was closest to at the time of their arrival. She fell in line with the other wolves that approached, trembling with excitement so much so that she worried her limbs would lock and she would hit the ground before her turn arrived. Sio was toting an elaborate artwork that she had brought once she'd learned wolves were leaving things behind to decorate the statues. Collaborative art was always exciting, unpredictable - she was thrilled to be part of it all. When the wolves ahead cleared away, Siobhan unrolled the item she had brought: it was a massive polar bear pelt. The fur was preserved well enough, not as stark white as it could have been, but the real work lay on the tanned hide beneath. Painted in the bear's own blood with some ochre and marigold accents was an intricate depiction of many different kinds of flowers. Sio had found the carcass and saved as much of the skin as she could before gathering pots of the congealed blood and later creating the painting after the hide had tanned. The art was then covered in a thin layer of beeswax, blurring the lines dreamily and preserving the work at the same time. It was her most ambitious piece to date and she left it behind with a bowed head. Ah, to be part of such creation!

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Siobhan’s decoration.

The crows began by grasping the pelt, cawing happily at the sight of the soft fur so skillfully tanned. It is not until they collectively turn it over to display it that a few gasps ring out through the crowd of familiars. One rat faints at the sight, landing upon the soft form of a shocked brother and taking them both to the ground. The crows quickly realise their mistake, turning the pelt back around to hide the painting behind. It looks like they are beginning to scrape something off with their talons, but your view is blocked by the approaching form of a large black cat with a prize in hand. She gives a small panicked chuckle and apologizes heavily, pushing the gift up into your paw. She encourages you gently to move on at your own pace, and while you linger, works hard to make sure her body is kept between you and the hard-at-work-editing crows.

You have received:
150 Gems & Small Accessory

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Tomie's short life had been subject to much upheaval already and it left her feeling rather lost if she wasn't moored to her mother, so she'd gotten quite used to trotting in Voodoo's shadow. The mists that rolled through the forest and warmed it a great source of curiosity for the young girl but she could tell her mother was on edge so kept her questions to herself, instead just wandering after her mother with wide eyes. Which was probably good anyways since her mouth was full of her own little offering. There were many wolves here and it took her some pushing through paws and legs to get herself up to the altar, blinking at the bat that squeaked at her that it'd help her place her little prize.

The girl nodded and eagerly moved to place her offering, it was the very first little bird she'd managed to catch all by herself, a songbird who'd not been nearly as alter on the ground as it should have been. She gently tucked the little bird corpse at the base of the statue, way too small to put it anywhere else.

"Tomie"

Image by xALTUMSILENTIUMx

NPC:

As the decoration is laid, the familiars move to begin their investigation. They pick through the pieces of the offering as carefully as possible as to not disturb the layout the wolf has chosen. Speaking amongst themselves in hushed whispers too soft for prying ears, the familiars are clearly discussing what their God might think of Tomie’s decoration.

It is a simple offering and the familiar’s response is simple in turn. The rats seem almost tearful at the sight of the small bird corpse, cradling it extra gently in their small paws as they work in a group of six to shift it to make room for the next. The crows have stopped their work entirely, flocking as an inky black murder upon the statue’s three heads. Twenty pairs of eyes glare down at you as you retreat, their bodies perfectly still aside from the occasional annoyed ruffling of their feathers. A large black cat steps forward to block your view, a prize in hand. She gives you a very apologetic look, pushing the gift up into your paw. She encourages you gently to move on at your own pace, something whizzes by your ear, and she shoots a dagger-like stares over her shoulder toward the offended murder.

You have received:
145 Gems & Half Word-Count Seasonal Pass

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed