Event run time is from 10/5/24-11/30/24 It will end when it is no longer 11/30/24 anywhere in the world.

Shirefolk from around the System have been getting invitations to both the planets of Armondis and Redoa. Both planets are known to throw large celebrations this time of year with warm drinks, good food, and creepy displays.

You tap the first invitation and see a small informational video pop up explaining the significance of this event.

“You are cordially invited to join in the ‘Spirit trail celebration”. On Armondis the Alfiens gather this time of year pay respects to the spirits that have long passed and celebrate to keep dark spirits at bay. The alignment of the moons orbiting Armondis are said to open a door to the spirit realm and thus allows dark spirits to take more shape, gain a true voice, and even interact with the living. Vivid colors, costumes, and parades are made with detail and care because in the Alfien culture it is said that dark spirits will not come to towns that are already filled with spirits or dark beasts and will instead seek a home to possess in places that are quiet with less competition.

While most Alfien’s refuse to entertain these spirits there are those that will embrace them, speak with them, and keep them as companions. The Witches that reside in the Abyssal Forest are a mysterious and reclusive bunch that have close ties with spirits. Also known as “Spirit Speakers” they commune with the dead as well as spirits from the past, present, and future. It is not really known how they are able to avoid direct harm from the dark spirits they communicate with but older Alfien’s say they have a set of trials they must endure to gain such power.

Over a thousand years ago it was said that the Witches would perform great rituals to protect the Alfien people from spirits and dark beasts sent by World Eaters trying to gain control of their world. Some see these witches on rare occasions but they don’t often leave the forest in which they live, and those that try to visit the forest are often sent running by large beasts that seem to guard the forests boarders.”

As the video finishes you swear you can hear whispering voices urging you to go to Armondis and seek out the Abyssal Forest. Wow the video must have really gotten to you if you are hearing things……

You shake your head and scroll down to the next invitation, this one is for the planet Redoa. After you tap it, a message with a video opens and begins to play.

“The royal Krestor family has extended an invitation to you. Planet Redoa will be hosting their annual celebration and memorial to their God Solaris. After Solaris was wounded and split into three different beings, the degils we know now were formed from their injuries. Each year Degils from all over Redoa gather, dress in their finest costumes, and take to the streets to participate in grand parties and parades. This is their way of showing off their prosperity and the beauty of each subtype.

The parades feature the different Degil deities that formed from Solaris. Dragon degils show off their flashy scales given to them by Solia while common degils flaunt their shimmering horns, Manta and Fairy degils put their wings and fins on display in honor of Astren, finally the royal family and any other Demi-God degils will reveal their grand forms for all to see and to bring joy to the eyes of Lunock.”

The cheery music and images of the city cuts out briefly and you see a pale degil staring back at you.

“The Demi-Gods were not the only beings born from the blood of Lunock. We still prosper under the night sky…if you wish to taste the blood of the Gods seek me out.” With that an encrypted message was sent to your communicator with some coordinates that take you to a remote part of Redoa….

Before you can fully comprehend what has just happened the regular video springs back to life like nothing happened.

“The celebrations will last for an entire month and we encourage tourists and visitors to dress up and partake in the celebration hosted in our grand city of Rezin. We can’t wait to see you there!” A member of the royal family was waving goodbye as the video fades to black.

Despite watching the video back several times the pale Degil was no longer part of the message…..if you didn’t still have the coordinates in your communicator you would have thought you imagined it.

With both of these invitations in your hands what will you do? Seek out one of these strange things from these messages? Or maybe both?

There are two sets of prompts for you to choose from. Once you start on a prompt set, you must complete all prompts with that character to gain the prize.

It is important to note that the prize earned with go to the specific Shirefolk used during these prompts. The magic earned from this event can not be swapped, replaced, or given to other characters.

You may enter this event up to 4 different times. This allows you to give one of these magics to up to 4 different Shirefolk characters you own OR give two Shirefolk both earnable magic types.

Once you enter a prompt with a Shirefolk it is locked in and can not be changed to another Shirefolk so choose carefully.

Rules:

-You must have an account on the Https://Cheshirespecies.com website.

-All submissions must follow Section:5 Art Rules

-All submissions must follow Section:6 Activity Rules

-You must complete all prompts with the same Shirefolk for them to gain the desired magic.

-You may enter the event up to four times total. This allows up to four shirefolk you own to gain one of these magics.

-You may enter the same Shirefolk in both questlines and earn two magic types for one Shirefolk if you like. This does count towards the four total times you can enter the event however so please be aware of this.

-If doing an art piece for your entry please put the corresponding number for the prompt you are entering for in the bottom right hand corner of your piece. If you are doing a written entry, put the corresponding prompt number at the top of your writing.

This prompt features Terris as the NPC

You have traveled to Armondis and it is clear the ‘Spirit Trail Celebration’ is in full swing. Alfiens and other Shirefolk are fully dressed up in costumes and make up. The scent of treats and good fills the crisp air and despite there being chatter all around you feel a chill up your back as a strange voice whispers in your ear.

The sound of this whispering is leading you away from the main crowds and down a small forest path. Despite your better judgement telling you to turn around and go back to the main festivities you almost feel like you are in a trance….

You travel deeper and deeper into the forest and a thick fog now blankets the forest floor, making it impossible to see your feet, and yet, you never seem to go off the trail.

The trees seem to have darker bark the deeper you go, reaching an almost purple color and reaching heights so tall you cannot see the tops of the forest canopy. Strange birds call in the distance and their cries echo between the massive trees.

As you near a wall of these dark trees you see a large cave to your left and continue to follow the whispers as they guide you to it. Just as you go to step inside of the cave a voice rings out.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” An Alfien dressed in dark clothing approaches you and taps you on your shoulder. As soon as her paw touches you the trance you had been in breaks and your head swims a bit. You realize that the ‘cave’ you were about to step inside of was the open ‘mouth’ of a large carnivorous plant.

“What a funny sense of humor fate has, bringing you here to me tonight. Could it be that the spirits lured you here to be more than just a snack for the plant?” She hummed to herself a bit while she thought. As you took at closer look at her you notice mist like creatures dancing and swirling in the air around her. The Alfien took notice of you seeing these creatures.

A moment passed before her eyes softened and a gentle smile. “Ah so you can see them as well? It is rare I meet others outside the forest that are inclined to the spirits. Perhaps you would care to learn how to speak with them from me? I am The High Priestess Terris.”

“These forests hold in them some of the deepest and most ancient magic on Armondis. Such primal magic requires you to prove yourself through several trials. If you fail the spirits will likely consume you. But if you succeed you will be able to freely speak with them, ask questions, and in some cases touch them. Do you think you can manage this?” She gives you a sly smile and a wink while you think it over.

Prompt 1

-Draw/write your Shirefolk discovering a ‘grounding point’. Terris has informed you that a ‘grounding point’ is something that will anchor your Shirefolk to the living world and will help prevent them from becoming ‘charmed’ or ‘possessed’. This ‘grounding point’ can be a person, place, thing, memory, or anything that strongly ties the Shirefolk to the living world and that they can focus on. Eveyone’s ‘grounding point’ is unique to and very personal.

Art Requirements: Full body, lined, clean color. No shading or BG required. Or 500 words if written.

Rewards: Unlocks prompt 2

Can be entered: Once per character. (See rules above for specifics)

Prompt 2

-Draw/write your Shirefolk experiencing the spirits starting to swarm and show themselves to your Shirefolk. Terris has said some words in a language you don’t understand and it has summoned the spirits around you. She has told you that you will need to hold your ground and show as little fear as possible as it is what the spirits feed on.

Requirements: Full body, lined, clean color. No shading or BG required. Or 500 words if written

Reward: Unlocks prompt 3

Can be entered: Once per character. (See rules above for specifics)

Prompt 3

–Draw/write your Shirefolk facing a ghost from their past, present, or future. Spirits will often take the shape of a Shirefolk’s fears or something that they struggle with. How does your Shirefolk handle this and avoid being consumed by the spirits tricks? Do they learn to forgive their past? Have new determination to change their future? Or find a way to handle something that is in their present life? Terris has told you this is the final trial and if you can pass it the spirits will be willing to communicate with you.

Requirements: Full body Shirefolk and a spirit of some sorts, lined, clean colored, with a background. No shading required. (The Spirit can be ghost like, Shirefolk like, monster like, ect. as long as it is relevant to their story.) Or 800 words if written.

Reward:

Spirit Speak Magic has been unlocked for the Shirefolk that has completed the trials.

Can be entered: Once per character. (See rules above for specifics)

(Warning, this quest line features blood, and the drinking of blood. Please be aware of this when entering.)

This prompt features Damian as the NPC

You have traveled to Redoa and arrived in the city of Rezin where the royal family has colorful parades of Degils proudly strutting through the streets and celebrating their diversity. The festivities tempt you but there is something more pressing on your mind….where will those coordinates that were sent to your communicator take you? And who is that pale faced Degil that sent them?

Based on the GPS in your communicator it looks like the location will be take a while to get to and you grab some supplies in Rezin before starting your journey towards the little blinking dot on your map.

You pass through thick forests, winding paths, and many Degils who are confused as to why you are not headed towards Rezin for the celebration. Despite several local trying to convince you that the celebration in the city would be more fun you are determined to see this through…something in your mind feels like it is calling to you.

As you approach some hills that are covered in thick dark trees your communicator sends up a message warning you that this area is deemed ‘unsafe’ for travelers and should be avoided. Undeterred you dismiss the message and press on.

As soon as you step between the first set of trees you feel like you are being watched from somewhere nearby. You push this feeling away, and tread carefully forward. Thick spiderwebs hang in the branches around you and the path you are on looks overgrown and abandoned. You begin to think this may have been a bad idea…..

Just as you begin to consider turning back, a cave comes into view and your communicator confirms that this is where you are supposed to be. You put on a brave face and step just inside the mouth of the cave….you can make out something about ten or so feet into the cave. As your eyes adjust you see that it is the same pale faced Degil from the message you saw! Sharp fangs reach down past their jaw and they step towards you with a smirk on their face. You have a feeling that something is not quite right about them but you can’t really place it….

“So you got my message eh? Awfully brave of you to follow those coordinates here. Believe it or not the apell I used help bring you here only reaches out those who seek the raw power that is offered by magic….or those who are like me.” He laughed and showed off his large sharp teeth.

“I don’t want visitors sticking around here so state your business and get on with it. My magic would not have called you here for no reason. And you better have brought something good with you. I don’t offer my help for free….usually…” His tone was grumpy and demanding.

“Tell me what you want or scram. I haven’t got all day!” Damian folds his arms as waits for you to reply.

Prompt 1

-Draw/write your Shirefolk seeking out, finding, and convincing Damian to help them. Do they offer to pay him? Do they want him to infect them so they can become a Blood Feeder? Or are they coming to him pre-infected and seeking mentorship on how to deal with this affliction? Damian is a grumpy guy but can be convinced if you have cool treasures or can pull on his heartstrings enough with why becoming a blood feeder would help you. Just don’t tell anyone that he is secretly a nice guy!

Requirements: Full body, lined, clean color. No shading or BG required. Or 500 words if written

Reward: Unlocks prompt 2

Can be entered: Once per character. (See rules above for specifics)

Prompt 2

-Draw/write your Shirefolk experiencing the venom feeling of the ‘blood feeder venom’ in their body. After convincing him to do so Damian has given your Shirefolk a dose of the venom that will turn your Folk into a Blood Feeder OR agreed to help your pre-infected Shirefolk with their condition. It is up to you on how this venom was given. Some ideas are Damian biting them, injecting the venom by pricking them with an old venom filled tooth he has laying around, or the Folk drinking the venom from a vile. Did they come to Damian already infected and just seeking help? If they have come pre-infected he can help coach them through the pain they feel in their veins. Being at a place where there are lots of blood feeders can make the discomfort more intense for the pre-infected, but Damian can help you get it under control. You can pick other ways as well, have fun! The venom is painful and causes a burning sensation in your veins as it spreads. Sometimes the blood in your Folk’s veins will start to glow as the venom mixes with it.

Requirements: Full body, lined, clean color. No shading or BG required. Or 500 words if written

Reward: Unlocks prompt 3

Can be entered: Once per character. (See rules above for specifics)

Prompt 3

-Draw/write your Shirefolk experiencing their first night as a blood feeder. Damian has warned you that the cravings that you will experience are the worst on the first night. He has also warned you that sometimes you can lose yourself if you fully give into your cravings. Does your shirefolk give into these cravings and feed on someone? Did they thing ahead and bring a blood bag with them to feed on so no one would get hurt? Or did they manage to resist the cravings through sheer will power?

Requirements: Full body Shirefolk and at least one other Shirefolk character, lined, clean colored, with a background. No shading required. (The other character can be yours, a friends, Damien, or any other NPC.) Or 800 words if written.

Reward:

Blood Feeder Magic has been unlocked for the Shirefolk that has completed the trials.

Can be entered: Once per character. (See rules above for specifics)

-Bonus Prompt 1:

-Draw/write your Shirefolk celebrating or enjoying the ‘Spirit Trail Celebration’ that is being hosted on Armondis.

Requirements: Full body, lined, clean color. No shading or BG required. Or 500 words if written

Reward: Spooky Stickit x1 and x1

Can be entered: Once

—-

-Bonus Prompt 2:

-Draw/write your Shirefolk celebrating or enjoying the ‘Celebration of Solaris’ that is being hosted on Redoa.

Requirements: Full body, lined, clean color. No shading or BG required. Or 500 words if written

Reward: Spooder Stickit x1 and x1

Can be entered: Once