Hi all,

The cold, whispering winds of leaf-bare are long gone, finally vanquished by new-leaf's warmth. The sun is shining more frequently now, and the island is springing to life, teeming with new flowers and fresh greenery. Tranquility rests in the rippling of crystalline pools—except not everything appears as it seems. Evil is lurking in the tunnels…

Dun dun dun!

As we round out the final month of new-leaf, we're continuing with our spring cleaning contest—giving you a longer chance to close up those dusty threads—and releasing a few new site updates. This includes the LichenClan deputy announcement, updates to our faction change requests, posting the character activity check, and the results from our plotting survey! It was slower last month (we're all booked 'n busy), so we'll also continue working on our current patrols—with a few additions!

UPDATES ---

• Spring cleaning
• Staff Picks
• OTS nominations (discord)
  
• LC deputy and open council seat
  
• Faction change request update
• Plotting survey results
• Character activity checks (discord)
  
• Monthly patrols
• Plot updates

SPRING CLEANING 2024 ---

Hello sweet spring participants! We’ve had a month of cleaning and after reviewing the plot survey and doing additional polling, we've determined we need another month to continue dusting off and wiping down our threads. Hey, why not!? All we see is a spotless forum ✨ . If you want a refresher on the rules, visit the April Announcements. Otherwise, to compensate for an extended time we DID add another tier because who doesn't love pixels hehe

With the extension, the event will now run from April 1 to May 31, and we'll announce who earned which tiers and award prizes on June 1. We'll also keep the April Announcements unlocked and unarchived so you can continue to track your points there!

PRIZE TIERS

Tier 1 - 10 pts

• Wheel spin

Tier 2 - 15 pts

• Retired Cat Thread
• Wheel spin

Tier 3 - 20 pts

• Rare trait OR extra character slot
• Retired Cat Thread
• Wheel spin

Tier 4 - 40 pts

• Extra coveted limited edition *surprise* pixel
  
• Rare trait OR extra character slot
• Retired Cat Thread
• Wheel spin
  

Members participating in the event will receive a limited edition Spring Cleaning pixel! If you're also pursuing the Moon Path from our New Year's event, Spring Cleaning is the perfect opportunity to jump-start and/or catch up on that goal! If you have any questions, please contact a staff member via DM or the #questions-for-staff channel.

NEW-LEAF GATHERING ---

We're on the third and final moon of our New-leaf Gathering. You have until May 31 to create a thread participating in the special prompt: In the middle of the gathering, the clouds engulf the moon and envelop the scene in a hazy and ominous glow. How will your characters react? Bonus points if your RedwoodClanner throws paws with a ThistleClan foe.

The annual raffle will be drawn on September 1, 2024 during our 5-year anniversary, and one lucky winner will win an assortment of goodies! If you want to volunteer art for the raffle, please dm maxx on the discord!

wish recommends "Surfing for Dummies." After escaping the rogues, Snailpaw and Pipitpaw fight like hell to return home. Together, they endure the swirling waters post-flood and rely on one another to reach the Vale—only to discover ThistleClan is gone. Her favorite quote: “I thought I was going to die, that we were going to die."



rain recommends "I'll make a man out of you." Woodfrost doesn’t show any special treatment when training Parsleypaw. But as weak as Woodfrost sees him, it’s a pleasant surprise when Woodfrost finds his patience. Not to mention! Parsleypaw is adorable! Their favorite quote: "I hope I can lead become like that when I reach my father's age."



Bandit recommends "Four toms walk into a bar..." Looking to make friends, Smokestorm's hunting expedition turns from a fast food haul into a bad bird brawl in a quest for delectable mallard eggs. Watch out for duck shit! His favorite quote: "Let's get out of here before they turn us all into duck food."



maxx recommends "The Glass Starts to Crack.” Icesong makes contact with mysterious voices trying to communicate with her. Their intentions are vague and ambiguous. How could this all be connected? Her favorite quote: "But how do I know when it’ll be enough? When can I stop? When will the island finally be at peace?”



sloth recommends "90 Day Free Trial." Cressclaw faces the tough decision to either stay with RedwoodClan or return to a LichenClan. Waspsong gives him the courage to make the best decision for himself while reminding him that no matter what, they’d always be friends. Her favorite quote: "Don’t be afraid to follow your heart.”



Raven~ recommends "The stars show us nothing as we continue to stumble." With war finally behind them, Icesong and Oaktalon reflect on a lifetime of battle and what their parents would think of them now - a tender moment of sibling camaraderie. Her favorite quote: "I always hated them, but in the end, I became exactly what they wished I was.”

LC DEPUTY AUDITIONS ---

*drumroll please and blast the trumpets* After spending some much needed time in the deliberation chamber, we're happy to announce that Emberscorch is the new deputy of LichenClan. After Yarrowstar and Briarfall's mysterious disappearance, Quickstrike needs a second-in-command more than ever! It was a tough decision, but we're excited to appoint Emberscorch to LichenClan's ranks. After seasons of hard work, both mentally and physically (and spiritually!), we're thrilled to see Emberscorch in the role and Silverfire in an HP position! There's nobody more fitting and deserving. Please give Silver (and miss Ember) a round of applause!

As always, please continue to apply for upcoming positions! Ranks and HPs will continue to change as characters reach the conclusion of their arcs, and new exciting plots unfold. Hurrah!

LICHENCLAN COUNCIL SEAT --

After electing Emberscorch as his deputy, Quickstrike is in search of another warrior to to sit in on the LichenClan council. If you're interested in applying, please see the TA Canon & Plot Adopts for more information! This role will be a Plot Adopt, and unlike the last posted council position, your character can come from a neutral, former rebel, or former loyalist/traditionalist background.

We want to see a variety of voices represented on the council, and currently we have Quickstrike, Emberscorch, Lilacmist, and Deadeye! So if you're character has an interesting perspective to share, or if they just like voicing their opinion, please check it out! The position will remain open until May 17.

PS. The LichenClan tunnel cat representative is still open if you're on the hunt for a new plot.

FACTION CHANGE REQUEST UPDATE -

After rolling out Faction Change Requests last summer, we've evaluated the process and noticed a few complications. While serving its purpose to help us track faction changes and ensuring there are IC-threads related to the change, we've noticed some hurdles in completing the requests due to the amount of required threads.

So we're issuing the following changes to hopefully make the request easier to complete:

a. As a reminder, before requesting to join a new faction, you must submit a Complex Plotting Request form, detailing the faction change. Staff will then coordinate with you and the HPs to get you into the new faction!

b. After completing the request form, you are only required to finish one thread instead of two.

c. The thread must be completed with an HP character, demonstrating their entry into the new faction. This includes medicine cats (if applicable) and provides a variety of scenarios to show their entry into the faction.

d. Instead of requiring a thread demonstrating why the character left their current faction, you can simply fill out the form attached to the request and give an OOC explanation.

We hope that by cutting down the required threads and spreading out the available threading options, you'll be able to complete the request at a faster rate! If you have any questions about the change, please contact wish .

PLOT & PACING SURVEY RESULTS --

Thank you to everyone who filled out the Plot & Pacing Survey and provided their feedback! The data from the survey will help us make better, member-centered decisions regarding the site and its updates. We've compiled the survey results into a user-friendly power-point report for anyone who is interested! The report contains the data from the multiple choice questions, and summarizations of the short-answer portions, highlighting common plot concerns—while ensuring member confidentiality and anonymity.

CHARACTER ACTIVITY CHECK --

Another character activity check is upon us as new-leaf comes to a close! As a reminder, character activity checks occur in the #character-activity-check in the Discord. Your character is only required to post once during the entire season to remain active. If your character does not have a post, please use this as an opportunity to evaluate your current roster and either make an archival request or put out a #looking-for. We've seen a lot of character archivals over the last month, so use this as an opportunity to go through your own roster as well! Let's clean up the forum 👏👏

SEASONAL PROMPTS & PATROLS---

As a reminder, please see and use the New-leaf Writing Prompts to engage with the plot and create new threads.

Please check out the May Patrols!

CURRENT ONGOING PATROLS

• The Mythical Wisconsin Cactus (Tribe)
• A Light in the Deepest Shadow (Unknown)
• no talk me angy (Tunnel cats & TC)
• Through the Ghost (LC)
• you may have killed me but im not dead (RWC)
• fallin' too fast to prepare for this (LC)
• Sinking deeper (Tunnel cats)
  

PLOT UPDATES---

REDWOODCLAN NEWS:

• After losing another life and returning from their loss at the stones, Finchstar calls a Clan meeting and tensions rise as he proposes finding their own allies in this war. He listens to his Clan concerns and promises to not make this decision lightly.
• During the meeting, Tigerpool voices his concerns regarding the rogues after the attack, spiking tension within the Clan. Anti- and pro-rogue sentiments rise. He decides to take a patrol out to hunt down the rogues.
  
• Border relations remain amicable with LichenClan and the Tribe. Border relations are actively hostile with ThistleClan.
• Asterstorm prepares to meet Lilacmist at the MoonCave during the half-moon.
• Blossomstep sets out on her own to meet with Meadowshine at the lagoon for the half-moon.
  

THISTLECLAN NEWS:

• Suspicious about their "too-easy" win against RedwoodClan, Stagstar confronts Firfoot after the battle.
• ThistleClan returns to the Bear Stones and establishes their post-flood borders.
• Border relations remain tense with LichenClan and the Tribe. Borders are openly hostile with RedwoodClan.
• After another moon of searching for her mentor, Meadowshine journeys to the lagoon to meet with the other medicine cats during the half-moon.
• Shadepool remains mysteriously missing.
  

LICHENCLAN NEWS:

• Quickstrike establishes guards at the MoonCave and tunnel entrances, advising extreme caution to his den-mates after Yarrowstar's unsettling disappearance. 
• Warriors are not forbidden from going to the MoonCave, but the posted guards unsettle the loyalists and infringe upon their right to prayer in peace.
• After a moon without any trace of Yarrowstar, Quickstrike travels to the lagoon to see if StarClan will grant him 9 lives or not. Emberscorch tags along for support.
  
• Border relations remain amicable with RedwoodClan and the Tribe. Tensions continue with ThistleClan.
• Lilacmist plans to meet with Asterstorm at the MoonCave during the half-moon, but a familiar voice summons her instead…
  

TRIBE NEWS:

• Fog and the heads continue training Foxtail.
• Foxtail receives a mysterious vision from her ancestors, summoning her to the Estuary…
• Fog continues to issue caution to his tribe-mates regarding the estuary, and Talon begins ordering his guards to build traps and bramble walls to keep the Clan cats and rogues at bay.
• As the land continues to flourish, Sunrise rallies her hunters and begins evaluating the prey populations for the upcoming green-leaf. Talon sends out his guards to help with usual spring repairs.
  

TUNNEL CAT NEWS:

• Icesong leads a patrol to try and find the mysterious rocks at Vega's urging, despite the growing unnerving presence among the tunnels.
• Dapplepaw, Pantherpaw, and Pebble continue to train with the tunnel cats, so they can learn about diplomacy, stars, and healing techniques.
  

CELANDINE NEWS:

• Following her deal with Firfoot, Celandine continues to hunt and train on ThistleClan's periphery territory.
• Led by Tigerpool, a RedwoodClan patrol attempts to make contact with the rogues following the attack.
• Poppy and Honeybun welcome four kits: Weevil, Lacewing, Springtail, and Grasshopper.
  

AGEING ---

Characters will age one moon this month. Staff will update the allegiances, while members are responsible for their own character biographies. Characters that were created or born in the last week do not have to age and can wait for the next month.

Remember if you have apprentices reaching warrior age check out the requirements and ensure you meet them before putting in a ceremony request.

Note:

Wood x Heather kits are five moons old.
Owl x Cherry kit is five moons old.
Poppy x Honeybun kits are one moon old.
Sorrel x Night kits become playable at one moon old on June 1.

FUTURE UPDATES ---

We hope you're able to take a moment and breathe this month! It sounds like everyone needs some much needed R&R (rest and relaxation…ritalin and rum…ratatouille and ratatouille), and a break from crawling around on all fours, pretending to be a cat (or several). Once you're back in the groove and ready to go full feral, we hope to see you back here meowing and yowling!

Best,
The Apostles Staff