Descensum and the surrounding lands of Emerald Valley, Illusions Oasis, Barren Dunes, Redwater Rocks, and Traveller’s Lake are all affected by a magical autumn. Additionally, each land seems to be cloaked in swirls of sun-kissed mists that confuse the senses and seem to lead you where you did not intend to go, and the maze-like caverns and twisting trails often lead to dead ends, sometimes in dangerous pits and crevasses, and oftentimes in trying navigate the lands you inexplicably find yourself right back where you started. In the open area outside the caverns, you find a statue:

A statue, smaller than the others, emerges from the foliage in a startlingly sudden display of water opal carved in the shape of a dancing wolf. The statue is of a slim, androgynous wolf, youthful in its slender figure and seemingly playful with its grinning maw and whirling form. The grinning wolf presides over a deceptively simple altar of black opal that matches the short pillar the statue is mounted upon. The translucent nature of the water opal the statue is carved of makes it more difficult to see the statue’s features clearly, but the wild colors that flicker through the opals change as the viewer moves to highlight different parts of the carving, making it seem alive, and constantly shifting…

Ferret familiars loaf lazily at the altar between bouts of manic motion. Magpies and jays perch in the vegetation around the statue to offer cackling commentary and raucous riddles even as slender foxes with sly smiles encourage you to add to the decorations on the altar itself.

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Make an IC post in this thread of your character decorating the altar or statue found in Descensum. 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

Kite was on a trip with he father, and was very excited for the chance to explore and spend time with he dad. Even if any outing with him turned into a lesson. He constantly made her think. Asking her questions like What creature would leave a track like that as they journeyed. As they made their way to the West, they started to hear about the statues and the familiars. She weedled and begged her father until at last the old Warlord agreed, and helped her fashion a necklace of the most vibrant and colourful features she could gather.

With this necklace in hand, she approached the statue and placed it gently around the colourful statue’s neck. She liked the pretty stone, and the small wolf. She stepped back to admire her handiwork as the feathers splayed lightly across the statue's chest. Her strange crystalline eyes catching at the colors.  This done, she pranced back to her fathers waiting arms.

"Kite"

NPC:

A fox cocks his head to the side, staring quizzically at your contribution. "Are you sure that's what you want to decorate the altar with?" he asks skeptically. "Well, all right, I guess. Here, take this with you when you go." He pushes a droopy looking bag of something at you before fussing with the decorations to try to make your items blend in a little better.

You have received:
104 Gems & Small Companion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

The animals here seem in good spirits and interestingly are speaking in ways the wolves understand.  Foxes suggested they leave the statue as decoration and Rudy imagined that was a good plan.  A decoration?  Well, they had of course found some fun items along their travels to take home.

Rudy pondered before ducking his head to let out a makeshift sort of bag roll off his neck.  It was nothing more than some giant tree leaves from Ibis island that had been stitched together with a bit of vine to keep around his neck.  There were souvenirs on the island they had wanted and so far the make-shift bag had lasted to carry them home.  Rudy gently pawed out several bright feathers that came from the large parrots on Ibis isle.  Now, Rudy quickly had a problem.  He had decided exactly what would look great in his mind but making it was another matter.

“Excuse me,” he offers with cheery politeness to the magpie and jays as he finds some twigs and leaves to move back to where he’d dropped his feathers.  The bag he made gets a thoughtful look before he puts a paw on the sack and breaks part of the vine of his sack.  Looks like he’d be having to just hold the sack in his teeth for a while after this.

Rudy’s finished project was a trio of large feathers, a bright red, vivid blue and emerald green, held in place between some twigs that were attached to the vine.  Rudy set the feathers to be on top of the head, like a small feathery crest for the wolf's forehead, using the vine to wrap under the muzzle to hold it in place.

“Celebrate my future pups with us, friend.  If you are going to dance, do it in style!”  Rudyard grinned admiring his handiwork.  Looking at Fern to see what she might have made the statue.

"Speech"

NPC:

A fox cocks his head to the side, staring quizzically at your contribution. "Are you sure that's what you want to decorate the altar with?" he asks skeptically. "Well, all right, I guess. Here, take this with you when you go." He pushes a droopy looking bag of something at you before fussing with the decorations to try to make your items blend in a little better.

You have received:
106 Gems & Date Night Kit

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He’d been made aware of the strange altar hidden within a cave near Valhalla’s lands, and the activity around it. Ferrets, magpies and foxes, all working to decorate the opal-carved dancer. Lyr had finally convinced him to indulge his own curiosity, and since gifts and offerings appeared to be desired, he pondered as he went. His paws stuttered as he drew near to the mouth of the cave, and realized the autumnal changes around him… it wasn’t that close to the season, was it? After a moment, he pressed onward into the cave, following the sounds although his path wouldn’t have erred on this day. As he reached the altar, and the dancing statue, he sat for a long moment, gazing at the figure, taking in the glitter of color in its form. Finally, he rose on his haunches, forepaws lifting to unwind feathers from his mane and tail, adding beads before he snicked through a length of his own hair toward the base of the lock at his tail. Once his tail was shaken out, the short section wouldn’t show. Deftly, he wove the lock of hair into a tight, blazing braid, adding the beads and feathers at intervals, before nicking a pad of one digit and running the bleeding cut over the braid to prolong the light as it died in the hairs. Resting the glittering, golden ichor-touched accessory to drape over the statue’s tail, he murmured a soft prayer that the seasons ahead would bring peace and joy to his people. And that if there should be storms ahead, Valhalla would stand together and persevere. Stepping back, he lowered his head in a deep nod of respect. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

NPC:

A fox cocks his head to the side, staring quizzically at your contribution. "Are you sure that's what you want to decorate the altar with?" he asks skeptically. "Well, all right, I guess. Here, take this with you when you go." He pushes a droopy looking bag of something at you before fussing with the decorations to try to make your items blend in a little better.

You have received:
173 Gems & Date Night Kit

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Compared to other lands, her recently claimed oasis seemed to be near the thick of it. When she had awoken to find the sudden change in the landscape with the swirling fog curling around her limbs, the call from the statues about their altars and a coming feast beckoned her. Trying her best to keep her wits about her and not get lost in the haziness that appeared to be this magical autumn, Celeste followed the sounds toward Descensum. She had only been here once before and had been overly cautious about entering the dark cave with its trickling sounds. Even here, autumn was more in effect and as she hung back for a moment, she rested her eyes upon the dazzling statue. Surrounding by vibrant red foliage and whispering trees that would soon lose their leaves, Celeste clung to the beautifully woven scarf around her neck. Her eyes would move from the ferrets that loafed, the magpies and jays that riddled, and lingered even on the foxes that whispered quietly beneath their breaths. Unsure if this were merely a trick of the mind or if this was all really happening, the petite Mistress approached the altar. Looming over her as its opal colors fragmented in the light, she glanced once more at the familiars. Being small in stature, she wondered if it would be rude of her to climb the altar. As the foxes urged her that it would do the statue no harm if she did, Celeste finished her approach and climbed as best as she could to get close to the statue. Holding on tightly, she pulled the elegant emerald green and plum purple scarf from around her neck to place it over the wolf's muzzle and finish draping it over its shoulder. Nearly losing her hold as she finished, she scrambled down from the statue to admire it. Appearing almost gypsy-like in the way that it stood with her scarf now held lightly over its face and shoulders, Celeste smiled. With one paw extended, Celeste bowed to the statue before turning to leave.

NPC:

A jay lands on the altar and pokes your contribution cheekily. "This'll do a'ight! Bit uv a shock really but guess a broken clock's right twice a day an' all! Hahahaha a'ight well have fun wit' these then!" He drops a brightly colored cloth purse next to you as a ferret playfully cavorts over to admire your decoration.

You have received:
181 Gems & Grow Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Zoey wasn't certain if Celeste asked her to tag along on an adventure - but nonetheless, the eager girl was willing to explore the lands surrounding the oasis, particularly the cavernous structure that lay on the other side of their home. Goggles secure on her head, the girl made the most of the journey, following Cel's scent so she wouldn't get lost. Or, too lost, anyways - the swirling mists and unfurling whisps of strange wind tempted her in different directions, even more so due to her distractable nature. Zoey nearly ran herself off the path she'd stayed on, curiously led by what felt like unseen forces. Tempting her, swaying her, this way and that - even the young explorer and human ruin finder was getting a bit turned around. Shaking her head as if ridding herself of her distraction, she willed herself to continue onwards, barely seeing her leader's form ahead. She'd picked up the most gorgeous of natural artifacts along the way, something in her gut telling her she might need it. It was a preserved dragonfly in a stone of amber. Ancient, really - had to be from way before her time. Tossing it absently in one paw, she took time to observe the bug forever preserved within, wings frozen in its final flight. A grin spread across her lips as she reached the mouth of the cave, carefully trekking into its beckoning maw to find the ferrets, magpies and other creatures settlin themselves around a statue. Zoey tilted her head back to see the statue in its entirety, marveling at its colorful sheen, opal stand and the wolf's frozen grin, merged in some strange dance. She was curious, questions about the statue's origins swirling endlessly in her mind. Still, she smiled at Celeste as she watched her leave, padding forwards to the statue and placing her amber stone offering at the altar's base with the other items. She copied what Cel did, bowing respectfully to the statue before rising, drinking in the altar's unique pose before turning and leaving the cave - hoping she'd find some more cool relics on her way back to the oasis. ”Speech”  ‘Think’

NPC:

A jay lands on the altar and pokes your contribution cheekily. "This'll do a'ight! Bit uv a shock really but guess a broken clock's right twice a day an' all! Hahahaha a'ight well have fun wit' these then!" He drops a brightly colored cloth purse next to you as a ferret playfully cavorts over to admire your decoration.

You have received:
103 Gems & Shrink Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

News of the altars had reached his ears, and as his father and new sister took the trip to visit the closest, Azure moved further south through Boreas to the next. He had no interest in being watched by members of his pack as he gave his own decoration, there was no need for whispers of his own beliefs to make their way through the world. Prior to the Long Night the Warlord had no faith to speak of, but the odd firefly god had put a fear deep inside him. His sickness had grown that fear. Now that he was cured and the world was whole, Azure was determined to do his part to please these strange gods rather than antagonize them like last time.

He approached the statue without a word, ignoring the familiars tending to it and focusing his eyes upon the strange milky-looking stone itself. From his borrowed pack he pulled his own contribution - a sort of crown to adorn the statues head, it's material a thin sort of metal bent into a rough circlet. He watched as the familiars placed it upon the statue before turning unceremoniously and beginning the journey home.

"Speech"

NPC:

A magpie flutters down from the tree to openly gawk at your contribution before breaking into hysterical laughter. "This is what you're offering? Oh man, good luck with that hahahaha! Take your goody bag and goody-the-heck out of here." Another magpie drops a rancid smelling sack at your paws before the two of them fly off cackling. You see a fox seemingly embarrassed at your decorative tastes trying unsuccessfully to hide it behind other decorations and casting anxious glances at the statue as it did.

You have received:
139 Gems & Shrink Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Kuroki was unsure what to make of the new mists that had settled within Ethyria's lands. They didn't really bother him and looked harmless enough, but he figured if he wanted it to stay that way he might as well make an offering of sorts. Just a short, hey don't fuck up our newly formed pack, yeah? And he'd managed to scrounge up a nice gift too, an ancient pendant from ruins older than time buried within the desert. He'd thought about giving it to Cel, but decided he didn't want all the gift giving and attention to go to her newly crowned head.

Approaching the altar he placed it down, letting the familiars decide if they wanted to hang it on the statue or not. Either way, the statue looked like a jolly fella, not too serious in a world that...you know, took itself too serious.

"Kuroki Tantō Ōritsu Abraxas"

NPC:

A magpie flutters down from the tree to openly gawk at your contribution before breaking into hysterical laughter. "This is what you're offering? Oh man, good luck with that hahahaha! Take your goody bag and goody-the-heck out of here." Another magpie drops a rancid smelling sack at your paws before the two of them fly off cackling. You see a fox seemingly embarrassed at your decorative tastes trying unsuccessfully to hide it behind other decorations and casting anxious glances at the statue as it did.

You have received:
129 Gems & Small Companion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

The yearling and her companions had been gathering herbs and flowers to bring back to her mother’s new pack, Ethne. She hadn’t seen much of Bae-Syl - it seemed like he was near constantly on the move - but she didn’t worry. He would return in time and, in the meantime, she would be safe within Ethne’s lands. Which, like the lands she was in now, had started to experience autumn despite the season that the land should have been in. She was curious about what could have caused it… her parents didn’t have much of an idea though she suspected it had something to do with the statues that were scattered about. She made her way toward Descensum, the caves that lead into the earth, and sought out the statue there. When she found it others were already making their offerings to it, and, just like them, Lucy stepped forward to make an offering. She couldn’t reach the head of the statue so the flower crown she had crafted was set at the statue’s paws. It seemed almost alive with how the colors shifted within it. It was… strange. Lucy looked up at it and tilted her head to the side. What was the statue’s story? Who did it represent? She backed off with Ink and Rush, wondering what might happen once everyone had made their offerings. "Talk, 'Think.'

NPC:

A fox cocks his head to the side, staring quizzically at your contribution. "Are you sure that's what you want to decorate the altar with?" he asks skeptically. "Well, all right, I guess. Here, take this with you when you go." He pushes a droopy looking bag of something at you before fussing with the decorations to try to make your items blend in a little better.

You have received:
194 Gems & Companion Accessory

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Used in Prezzies for Players 2022 - nyx

Zakuma must not have realized where he was going. His eyes watching where. He had ended up. He was use to Beau being on his back but they must have separated at some.point. He paused for a minute as he found his attention drawn to he dancing statue. Sokewhst distracted he thought for a moment as the other foxes seemed to beckon him.to assist with the decorations. He thought for a moment wondering how the season was affecting him he noticed his fur was indeed loose having readied for the season. He started to nose and push at his fur starting to push it off. The brown fur underneath being revealed as he worked through his fur getting g the pure white furr off his body and into a pile that he would shuffle towards the statue. Curious if they could use the snow white fur to decorate the statue. He blinks as he looked around the area wondering if Beau had entered the maze he began to slowly make his way towards it.

NPC:

A magpie flutters down from the tree to openly gawk at your contribution before breaking into hysterical laughter. "This is what you're offering? Oh man, good luck with that hahahaha! Take your goody bag and goody-the-heck out of here." Another magpie drops a rancid smelling sack at your paws before the two of them fly off cackling. You see a fox seemingly embarrassed at your decorative tastes trying unsuccessfully to hide it behind other decorations and casting anxious glances at the statue as it did.

You have received:
179 Gems & Shrink Potion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: Transferred to Beau

She had tried to find direction after the dissolution of Abaven and failed miserably. With little inspiration left, Fable had thrown herself into brewing some strange, thick tonics. They were like meads and alcohol... but also not. Maybe of them had varied herbal ingredients that were intended to evoke some kind of emotion or feeling. Some of them tasted foul, some almost too sweet to tolerate, and others left barely a passing impression on the palate. If nothing else, the way the light caught on some of the thin glass vials was quite pretty. She was ready to leave this practice behind soon and finally begin to think of her future, but that was when the storms had erupted across the land. Talks of the statues had intrigued her and she'd gathered up a collection of her brews and headed south. Maybe a new land to explore, new ingredients to seek out, would awaken something in her. All she felt was hollow. Fable followed the procession of wolves that seemed to lead into the cavern. When it was her turn, she produced a half dozen vials of liquid from a satchel. Some glowed eerily in the dark while others were so unctuous they seemed to stain the containers they were in. She arranged them in what she thought was a pleasing manner around the base of the statue and watched as they were shuffled in among other decorations. "Careful, careful!" she cautioned the ferrets, but they still dropped one of the vials that glowed most brightly. It exploded at the dancing figure's feet, glowing brilliantly at first before settling in to shine faintly. Fable groaned and turned to leave - why would anything work out the way it was supposed to, anyhow?

NPC:

A jay lands on the altar and pokes your contribution cheekily. "This'll do a'ight! Bit uv a shock really but guess a broken clock's right twice a day an' all! Hahahaha a'ight well have fun wit' these then!" He drops a brightly colored cloth purse next to you as a ferret playfully cavorts over to admire your decoration.

You have received:
126 Gems & Companion Accessory

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

It'd been a good while since Kaija had ventured away from the north, settling into a fine routine there that mostly involved orbiting the Armada's lands like she was a moon orbiting a planet. It wasn't like she was just waiting for Ophie to have time to spend with her, not completely, even though that was absolutely part of the reason. She'd also just gotten used to the more desolate lands in the northern regions of Boreas and found she quite liked spending time there, though most regions seemed more desolate and it was rare she came across anyone to join her temporarily. But oh well - she'd survive.

That slight bit of loneliness was why she'd headed back near her homelands, and as soon as she heard talk of a festival and strange statues that had seemingly appeared overnight she found herself intrigued. They were supposed to be decorated, the creatures tending to them said - and who was she to deny them? She wasn't really the crafty sort so she knew whatever she came up with might not be super intricate but she had to try, right? She'd managed to find a couple normal-looking rocks and the best she could do was color them using crushed-up berries. Rain would probably wash away the color, but also maybe not? Who could say.

Slowly she made her way toward the statue, made easier to find by the sheer amount of wolves that had gathered here. The tusked wolf cast a glance around the group before moving to approach, laying down the colored stones she'd gathered at the statue's base. The familiars who were busying themselves decorating the thing and properly arranging the items offered would likely have a much better idea of where they should go than she did.

NPC:

A fox cocks his head to the side, staring quizzically at your contribution. "Are you sure that's what you want to decorate the altar with?" he asks skeptically. "Well, all right, I guess. Here, take this with you when you go." He pushes a droopy looking bag of something at you before fussing with the decorations to try to make your items blend in a little better.

You have received:
158 Gems & Small Companion

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

Curiosity got the better of her, the young Abraxas wasn't totally sure what to make of everything that had happened, her mother didn't often talk about the events that had led up to the circumstances of her birth but she'd managed to piece together bits and pieces of things based on talking to the older wolves and she couldn't help but feel a little nervous... And connected to the current changes affecting the lands. Maybe it was because of everything that had happened previous that she'd been born as she had been.

Maybe that was the reason she sought out one of the altars the familiars had spoken of. She brought with her a precious bundle and when it was indicated it was her time to approach she did so with caution, she'd managed to get herself lost more than a few times and she could sense there was something less than natural about it and she was dealing with limited vision already without the dimness of the cave, still, she managed to make her way to the altar and lowered her precious gift, she'd brought with her a few mushrooms much like the one growing from her eye, they were bright and should be safe to eat just in case though she  meant them to be decorations.

"Speech!"

TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2021

NPC:

A magpie flutters down from the tree to openly gawk at your contribution before breaking into hysterical laughter. "This is what you're offering? Oh man, good luck with that hahahaha! Take your goody bag and goody-the-heck out of here." Another magpie drops a rancid smelling sack at your paws before the two of them fly off cackling. You see a fox seemingly embarrassed at your decorative tastes trying unsuccessfully to hide it behind other decorations and casting anxious glances at the statue as it did.

You have received:
113 Gems & Date Night Kit

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed

There it was! After spending the better part of the day roaming around in the bright, sunny mists and winding up turned around more often than not, she'd finally found it! Satira gave a doggish bark of glee as she bounded up to the statue of the dancing wolf, practically bouncing with each step she took. Her fluffy tail wagged with nothing short of sheer excitement to gaze upon the simple yet mystical beauty of the statue in the golden rays of sunlight. Watching the ferret familiars practically dancing about with there graceful, lithe movements was equally as exciting, and almost put the wolf-dog lass in the mood to join them in their revelry. Already, the effigy was dressed in a number of gifts, most of them glistening pieces of jewelry, and even a crown to boot! The statue looked so ornate, Tira didn't think any more beauty could be added to it! So instead, she had brought things to decorate the base with—useful, decorative things.

As a healer, Tira had taken a fancy to the more... recreational variety of plants and herbs. Seeing the mirthful and flamboyant nature of the statue called to her, made her feel connected to the deity it represented in some ways. She was different too—a half-breed, smaller than others, just like the statue, unique but also strange. Drugs had become a fun and interesting way to experiment with escaping reality into realms of delight, places that she felt certain this fabulous entity had come from. Pulling off her small leather satchel from around her neck, Tira handed off a variety of plants to the ferrets to garnish and wrap around the base of the statue. Freshly picked marijuana leaves, the bright green leaves of coca plants from Auster, the vivid reds of the poppy flowers, and the stark white blossoms of jimson weed. Now it was a real party! Giggling to herself as she looked up at the statue again, Satira rose up on her hind legs and tried to imitate the pose of the entity, dancing about on her hind legs for a few moments with giddy laughter. When it was time for her to leave, she smiled to each of the ferrets before turning to find her way out through the mists. "Thank you, friends! Enjoy your party!"

"Satira"

NPC:

A ferret bounds up excitedly to check out your contribution. "Hahahaha nice, he'll like that one. Here, this is for you! Enjoy!" He shoves a fun party pouch of stuff at you before bouncing off to adjust the decorations to be even more perfect.

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

Gemstones added to credit.

Staff: note when claimed