1. For the 2024 Green-Leaf Gathering, all characters are welcome to attend and create Gathering threads if they meet the following criteria:

a. They are a Clan, Tribe, or Tunnel cat

b. Ask a character from another Clan/Tribe about what happened to their leader! Your characters can lie, tell the truth, or a secret third option...the conversation just has to include commentary about one (or all) of the leadership changes!

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 leaf-bare Gathering threads must be created from June 1, 2024 to August 31, 2023. They cannot be created after August 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 Brambleheart. 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 for the Gathering if you thread your character also chatting about the mysterious disappearances in the tunnels and how it relates to the tunnel cats.

a. For example, Brambleheart and Larchtail chat about Firfoot's new position as leader and during the conversation, Larchtail brings up all of the missing cats and if the tunnel cats are somehow involved. Since both prompts were answered, maxx and wish get a bonus point!

7. Characters in a Forbidden Relationship can use the Gathering as an opportunity to meet and develop their relationship since it's not suspicious and makes IC sense.

a. However, if your characters are in a romantic relationship, and you plan for them to have kits, you cannot use a Gathering thread towards your Litter Requirements as it defeats the entire purpose of our FBR rules.

8. Staff will keep track of each raffle ticket you earn, and on September 1, 2024, 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 for the 2024 include:

•  Art from other volunteering artists (contact maxx to participate!) September 1 is fast approaching, so please reach out as a volunteer!!
  

Rising temperatures scorch the island with the arrival of Green-leaf. Pelts sweltering, warriors and Tribe-mates alike try to find shaded refuge or relief from the water during the day. Night's descent offers a moment of repose for the island cats, but the green-leaf air remains humid and impossibly sticky. Distant, voluminous clouds hover over the midnight lake. They will not break tonight. Rain will not fall for a few days yet, so the heat persists.

With the newly appointed Quickstar at its helm, LichenClan is the first to arrive. Stoic and collected, the charcoal tom is no nonsense as he wades through his dispersing warriors and leaps to the stones. Emberscorch is equally as cold and cordial to her peers, journeying to her place as deputy with few words, especially towards ThistleClan as they enter the basin next. Stagstar notably absent, Firfoot confidentially leads his Clan and lumbers to join Quickstar on the stones. In a somber mood, Meadowsine trails in her new leader's shadow, pointedly ignoring him as she sits where Lilacmist is supposed to be. The medicine cat is notably absent...how peculiar.

Noting the changes in leadership, Finchstar arrives with his Clan, tense and on edge. He completely ignores Firfoot, not trusting the legitimacy of the deputy's new position, and greets Quickstar with a friendly but cautious hello. He decides to withhold from offering an alliance to the charcoal tom. More reserved than usual, Tigerpool follows in his steed. Emberscorch warms slightly as the RedwoodClan deputy joins her, and they engage in conversation about Yarrowstar's absence. Though the deputy does not reveal anything about RedwoodClan. The medicine cats enter next. Blossomstep ignores Asterstorm, tension crackling between them, and sits with Meadowshine.

Guided by the new Teller of the Tribe, a now blinded Fog is the last to arrive to the Gathering. Although skittish and on edge, Foxtail assists her former mentor and stays tightly to his side. They both join the other leaders before the falls. Talon keeps a watchful eye on Foxtail as he and Sunrise confidently pads in their shadow. They are both comfortable now attending Gatherings, though they're both sensitive to the tension brewing between RedwoodClan and ThistleClan.

Hot and terribly muggy, warriors and Tribe-members alike are antsy for the Gathering to begin, nearly uncomfortable within their pelts. Tensions are high with the multiple leadership changes. Tilting his head, Fog quietly informs each leader of his retirement. Finchstar bows his head before ordering the Gathering to start with a sharp yowl. Glancing at Fog, he encourages the former teller to speak first:

"It has been an honor for me to serve my Tribe over these moons and seasons. I've learned from my Ancestors that we all are resilient, yet there comes times when we must make way for those who will lead after us. My time to make way is now, and I am pleased to announce to you the new Teller of the Tribe of Floating Stones - Foxtail Carried by Wind. She has mine and the Tribes full support, and she will be a most capable Teller."
Notably nervous, Foxtail musters the courage to make her own announcement as Teller:

"I'm Foxtail, the new Teller of the Stars chosen by the Tribe of Endless Life. And, and I'll support the tribe just like they support me!"
Quickstar is the next to speak once Foxtail returns to Fog's side:

"LichenClan grows with each passing sun despite our sudden, unexpected loss of Yarrowstar. While we mourn Yarrowstar's passing, I have appointed Emberscorch as my deputy. With her by my side, I have faith in LichenClan's future."
With a dip of his head, Quickstar returns to his position and Firfoot lumbers to the front of the stones for his own announcement:

"ThistleClan is doin' well for itself. As some of you may already know, we've made good for ourselves - got us some new hunting grounds over at the Bear Stones. We're taking real good care of it, thanks to our friends over in the redwoods. Been a real help gettin' us back on our paws."
A low, but audible growl comes from Finchstar, who is unable to restrain himself, especially considering Firfoot is the one who took his last life:

"Suspicious Stagstar isn't here to back you on your legitimacy...is word your only proof? with how treacherous you and your Clan have become?"
Presumably unbothered, Firfoot simply responds to the RedwoodClan leader before returning to his position before the falls:

"Such sore losers. My leadership is as legitimate as our claim to the Stones. Our ancestors did not dispute the change. Nor did Stagstar, thus his not bein' here. And if you need any more convincin', look to my Clan. They witnessed it. They know who their rightful leader is, and he's sittin' in front of you. There's no treachery here, Finchstar. I can assure you of that."
Finchstar holds the tom's gaze, visibly restraining himself, before striding forward to make his announcement:

"RedwoodClan still stands strong despite the recent events that have plagued us,"
He cuts a glares at Firfoot:

"But as our forces strengthen and apprentices are added to our ranks, I believe our Clan has a bright future ahead."
Tension crackles in the basin. Notably, the tunnel cats in attendance are ruffled by Firfoot's appearance and ThistleClan's refusal of peace. An eternity of silence elapses, only broken by the thundering of the falls. Will another fight break out? Will clouds cover the sky again? Eyes dart toward the moon, but before StarClan can voice its displeasure, Finchstar calls the Gathering to a close, and the basin disperses.