1. For the 2023 Green-leaf Gathering, all characters are welcome to attend and create Gathering threads if they meet the following criteria:

a. They are a Clan or Tunnel cat

b. They thread with a character they have never threaded with before (E.g. Tigerpool has never threaded with Bramblepaw, so they can create a Gathering thread and interact).

c. Since all characters are invited, please try to keep your threads manageable and realistic! We don't want to Samplepaw in a 100 separate threads.

2. As a reminder, we will not have 1 universal and shared Gathering thread. You are free to create your own individual Gathering threads! Threads must include [Green-leaf Gathering] or some variation in the title.

3. All new-leaf Gathering threads must be created from June 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023. They cannot be created after May 31.

4. There is no deadline to finish the Gathering threads. However, come September 1, a new Gathering will be posted. So try to finish them in a timely manner.

5. For every Gathering thread you create, you and your thread partner earn 1 raffle ticket once they respond!

a. For example, Wish and Maxx create a thread with Tigerpool and Bramblepaw. Maxx starts. When Wish replies, they both can turn in the starter & reply to #contest-submissions in the Discord  for 1 raffle ticket each!

b. 1 thread = 1 raffle ticket per member (it is not per post)

6. You and your thread partner can earn an additional bonus raffle ticket if you've never roleplayed together period!

a. For example, Wish and Gene have never threaded together (fuck u Gene!), so if they create a Gathering starter & reply, they can both earn a BONUS raffle ticket. That's 2 each for 1 starter! Wow!

7. Staff will keep track of each raffle ticket you earn, and on September 1, we'll do the BIG draw and 1 lucky member will win a bunch of tasty prizes! Check em' out in the Prizes tab above : )

The current prizes include:

• Set of 3 action dice reroll
  
• Rare trait or extra character slot
• Art from maxx
• Art from wish
• Art from cootie
• Art from tuckerbird
• Art from blitzen
• Perler bead from Wolfie
• Art from spotty
• Art from grasshopper
• A sketch/bust/medallion from Tausune
• An AU One-shot from Kazuko
  
• Art from other volunteering artists (contact maxx to participate!)

With the falls under a layer of murky, standing water and the creek practically impassable, the Clan cats gather under the full moon on RedwoodClan territory, west of the bear stones and north of the birch forest. Above the archaic canopy, the full moon glistens silver. Very few clouds litter the night sky. Warm green-leaf winds gently caress the tree-line. It is a peaceful night, despite the recent flood.

Coming from roughly the same distance, the three Clans, including the tunnel cats, arrive at the same time. RedwoodClan and LichenClan are notably friendly with one another after sharing resources and patrols since the flood, save for the remaining LichenClan loyalists and warmongering RedwoodClan warriors. Gathering on his land, Finchstar will check in on the other leaders after arriving, a newfound strength evident in his pleasant yet domineering ease of conversation.

Stagstar will be notably cold and blunt, greatly displeased by ThistleClan's position since the flood. Though he will remain stoic and strong, refusing to let his anger evident. Yarrowstar will be gracious to Finchstar, thanking him for their hospitality. The two leaders  happily chat. Yarrowstar may request more assistance as they have many queens. While Finchstar will be pleased to help, grateful to be in a position of strength.

As the leaders situate themselves, their deputies take place nearby. Icesong will be quiet as she watches the clans mingle. She'll make small talk with the tunnel cats and Quickstrike, but her eyes never stray far from her clan-mates, searching for a cat who might be a suitable replacement. Quickstrike is equally observant, attentive to whispers from within the crowd. Firfoot will be maintaining the appearance of a strong, united front, though he seems visibly tired. Despite this, there will be an almost palpable tension between himself and his leader.

A few fox-lengths away, the medicine cats greet one another, having only met a few weeks before. Orchidshade will be very standoffish and focused on training Asterstorm. She's harboring some guilt from not wanting to help the other Clans during the flood, and she is still troubled by her prophecy. Beside her, Asterstorm will be fairly reserved but polite. She is still fairly new to her position and does not wish to overstep. Shadepool and Meadowpaw join them. They are both on the look out for any tension among their Clan, and play therapist and lend a listening ear to the chattering Lilacpaw.

Briarfall sits with the other medicine cats. Despite Lilacpaws chatter, she has little to share herself. She is cordial when addressed, but the worries swarming her thoughts keep her quiet. In her shadow, Lilacpaw will take a particular interest in conversing with Orchidshade. She will ask questions about newly foraged plants, will share news about some of the new ailments she has discovered in her clan mates, and will ask for advice regarding the best way to store herbs. She keeps an eye on her leader and her clan mates, watching for signs of potential tension with the other clans.

To see what the leader's share, please refer to the 'Announcements' tab.

Stepping forward, Finchstars opens the gathering and announces...

""RedwoodClan continues to fair well after the flood. We will continue to offer our aid to the other Clans for as long as the flooding conditions remain, but our agreed rules still stand. I hope we will all come out of this unscathed thanks to our support."

We also welcome our new medicine cat apprentice, Asterstorm, to our ranks. May StarClan light her path."

Finchstar steps back, allowing Stagstar to push forward and make his announcement...

"Thistleclan has established a new border south of the Bear Stones. We expect the clans—and others,"

Stagstar pauses and pointedly glances at Fog and Vega before continuing...

"To respect these borders as you always have."
When he is finished, he steps back and Yarrowstar takes his place to announce...

"It is thanks to StarClan, and RedwoodClan's hospitality that LichenClan has been able to prosper despite these trying times. Our cats are strong and our numbers continue to grow. I've also erected a council to help with promoting much needed peace and balance within LichenClan.

Unfortunately, our caverns are still underwater, so we will still be relying on our birch forest and the territory that has been laid out for us. At times like these, we have no choice but to rely on each other."
Yarrowstar steps back, ready to call the Gathering to a close, when unexpectedly Fog joins the leaders and makes an announcement...

"I am a stranger to many of you. I am Fog that Hangs in Air, Teller of the Tribe of Floating Stones. For seasons we have resided unaware of each other, yet in recent moons have grown close. I belief my ancestors continue to bring us together for a reason. When the waters recede I plan to return to my home. To respect the tie that has been remade between Clans and Tribe I hope on the next full moon to join with you once more to honor our ancestors who share the skies."
Stagstar is notably tense. Finchstar and Yarrowstar seem encouraging. Finchstar then calls the Gathering to a close. The full moon remains uncovered, though tensions ripples through the crowd, noticeably from the ThistleClan warriors as they process Fog's announcement and its implications.