Hi all,

Grab your swimsuits and slather on that sunblock because green-leaf is finally here! Temperatures are ampin' up. The forests are back in full swing, the island unearthly shades of green. Prey is abundant—and yes, that includes the Tribe island too! No more starvation arc! Yippee! Not only is the season shifting, spring burgeoning into summer, but the islands are undergoing a period of change too.

We have multiple leadership changes this month, so please take the time to go through the Plot Updates section, Green-leaf Gathering, and Green-leaf Writing Prompts for a substantive plot summary! As a result, we're also posting ThistleClan deputy and LichenClan medicine cat HP auditions. Lastly, to kick off the summer on TA, we're hosting a brand-new music-themed thread contest, the Sounds of Summer, so check it out! Happy summer everyone ☀️

UPDATES ---

• Sounds of Summer Thread Contest
  
• Spring cleaning results
• Green-leaf Gathering
  
• OTS's
• Leadership changes
  
• TC Deputy & LC medicine cat auditions
  
• Green-leaf Writing Prompts
  
• Monthly patrols
• Plot updates

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ---

Happy birthday to our long time friend, c a n n a ! May your special day be blessed with top tier skirt fits of the coolest patterns, a tangling genetic puzzle to truly tease your brain, bountiful Nagi ™️ moments to capture, and a lot of that good good, puff puff pass action 😉

SOUNDS OF SUMMER THREAD CONTEST

Between the changes in leadership to the literal rising temperatures, things are heatin' up on the islands gotta keep everyone on their toe-beans! So we wanted to create a thread contest reminiscent of the Blood Moon Contest of '22, a contest that allows you and your characters to reflect on the current plot! We realize it's important that your threads engage with the overarching story and shapes your characters! But, how do we keep it funky, fresh, and creative?

By incorporating song lyrics of course! Get your playlists ready because we’re going to be spending the summer expanding our music tastes! For more information, including the rules, prizes, and voting, on this summer's thread contest, please see the Sounds of Summer Thread Contest.

SPRING CLEANING 2024 RESULTS --

Congratulations to all our housekeepers! We’ve officially cleared the cobwebs and filled our archives with the latest hits. Thank you to everyone who participated in our event! It’s been so refreshing to finally archive some of these stragglers. For the few loose ends still remaining, keep 'em coming! It's never too late to rally the crew and finish up those oldies!

All participating members will receive the following prizes for their tier:

PRIZE TIERS

Tier 1 - 10 pts

• Wheel spin

n/a

Tier 2 - 15 pts

• Retired Cat Thread
• Wheel spin

n/a

Tier 3 - 20 pts

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

fallenreaper , Silverfire , rain , sloth

Tier 4 - 40 pts

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

Egotistic , Aria , captain , lightning , maxx , wish

If you have any final questions, please contact a staff member via DM or the #questions-for-staff channel.

GREEN-LEAF GATHERING ---

We're on the first moon of our Green-leaf Gathering. You will have until August 31 to create a thread participating in the special prompt: ask character from another Clan/Tribe about their sudden change in leadership! Bonus points, if they also bring up the mysterious disappearances and tunnel cats.

The Gathering raffle will be drawn on September 1, 2024 (it's gonna be here sooner than you think!) 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!

MEMBER OF THE SEASON

Back at it again! Our M-OTS this summer is none other than Aria ! With her determination, and not to mention spunk, she's an irreplaceable part of our community, both ic and ooc! From her vibrant appearances on almost—if not every—game night don't forget the Among Us moments to her eagerness to plot, Aria's a complete joy to be around! She rps: Oaktalon, Embersky, Waspsong, Snowtalon, Thunderfoot, Sootpelt, Driftfeather, Sootpelt, Ebonypounce, Nightshade, and Sleek.

A slayer in the Discord and on the page, Aria's a total sweetie too, once making everyone a surprise cat pixel during Secret Santa uwu. Her characters are just as multi-faceted of course! Between Oaktalon the RedwoodClan legend to big zaddy Thunderfoot, her cast is crawling with iconic warriors and juicy plot twists! Did anyone expect Sleek to defect from ThistleClan and join Poppy? Or for Driftfeather to father to Rotflower's kits? We definitely didn't! Congratulations, Aria! You deserve all of the celebration!

CHARACTER OF THE SEASON

To say that Emberscorch has simply gone through a major character arc might be a drastic understatement to how much she's changed since her character's original accepted stamp. Emberscorch did not only go through a character arc. She freakin' repented, reflected, and was reborn—which is why she's this summer's much celebrated C-OTS. Congratulations Silverfire ! You deserve it, and we can all officially say that she's entered legend status on TA ✨

From Minnowstar's lackey to LichenClan's deputy, Emberscorch's character transformation is one of the greats! In the beginning, Emberscorch fought tooth and claw to prove herself as a capable warrior—and as a capable servant to Minnowstar. However, during the Great War, she had a revelation, one that would lead to a lot of regret. Rather than slip into her regret and spiral, Emberscorch learned from her mistakes and earned a seat on the council, which eventually paved the path for her becoming Quickstar's deputy. We truly could write a novel about how great she is—congrats Silver!!

RELATIONSHIP OF THE SEASON

Riding on the warm rays of summer, we're more than delighted to celebrate this season's wholesome and kind of spicy ngl we saw that Valentines thread R-OTS! A relationship born in the nursery, Snailtail and Pipithawk have journeyed through literal hell together. From the Vale to Poppy's shed of nightmares, they've gone through thick and thin together, solidifying a friendship and perhaps something more tehe that will surely stand the test of time. Congratulations captain and Kazuko !

Born around the same time, their paths didn't particularly entangle until the Great Flood. Only apprentices, both Snailpaw and Pipitpaw got carried away by the deadly waters and spat into Poppy's paws. Under the rogues' claws, they were trapped in her shed until they mustered up the strength to make their daring escape. Upon returning, they earned their warrior names together—and perhaps brought back something more 😉 Are they simply best friends…or will a certain only one bed Valentines bed prompt bring them closer together? We're excited to find out hehe! Way to go you two!!

THREAD OF THE SEASON

Our T-OTS is the nail-biting, logic-defying, tongue-twisting death is life is death is life is! On the eve of Quickstrike's 9 lives ceremony, a familiar spirit calls out to Lilacmist again. With a silver tongue, Coyotecall orders Lilacmist to go to the Lagoon and call him to StarClan's skies. She does—and as anticipated, he gains access to their heavens. Evils of the Dark Forest pour out of him and nearly cut off StarClan's connection, but Honeyfern, Lilacmist's former mentor from another life, appears and leads her to the light.

Making the ultimate sacrifice, Lilacmist defies Coyotecall and returns to her mentor's side, saving StarClan from total damnation. But Coyotecall is not defeated, a promise to find another on his tongue. Lilacmist is dead, and Quickstrike and Emberscorch arrive later to find her body floating mysteriously in the pool. Because of her sacrifice, the new leader is able to receive his 9 lives, but at what cost? What horrors await? Only time will tell. Mucho applause and congratulations to lightning , Annie , Silverfire , and wish for this hair-raising thread! 👏👏👏

LEADERSHIP / HP CHANGES ---

As noted in other sections of the announcements, ThistleClan, LichenClan, and the Tribe are all undergoing high position (HP) changes and will be in periods of transition this month as we audition for the vacant HP roles. We've already announced Canna's departure from her position as LichenClan's leader in March. With Quickstar and Emberscorch already established, that transition is almost complete. However, LichenClan will undergo another HP transition with Lilacmist's death as we search for another medicine cat. We want to thank lightning for all of her hard work in the role and look forward to any future roles she takes on!

In ThistleClan, we've been working and plotting toward a leadership change over the last few months, with Firfoot challenging Stagstar to a duel. The thread has not finished yet, and for the sake of time and plotting, we've decided to move forward so we can ensure ThistleClan is active! You can learn more in the Plot Updates tab above and in HP audition blurb below. We also want to thank budgie for leading ThistleClan over the last few years, and we'll be keeping an 👁️ on what !outsider! Stag does next!

Lastly, Fog is stepping down as teller after receiving an injury to his eyes and sacrificing his remaining lives to save Foxtail from death. The young Foxtail will be stepping in as Teller! Please read the very exciting thread! moony made the difficult decision to pass on the torch, but it's not the end of Fog! He'll be sticking around to continue guiding his Tribe, even if he doesn't hold the official title anymore. We want to also thank Moony for all of the love she's poured into the Tribe over the years, and into Fog's arc.

Whew! It's a lot of changes, but we're excited for the future and hope you are too!

TC DEPUTY AUDITIONS --

After defeating Stagstar in a duel over the recent battle, Firfoot drives ThistleClan's former leader into the pines, securing the title of leader for himself. As in ThistleClan tradition, the winner of the duel is then supposed to receive the former leader's lives and take over their rank—however, Firfoot is unsure if the lives truly transferred to him. After the Gathering, he plans to take a trip to the lagoon to secure his right as leader, and then appoint a deputy to help him lead.

If you're interested in applying for ThistleClan's deputy, please see our High Position Rules and then submit an application in High Position Auditions. We're looking for developed characters with considerable IC experience in the Clan, but a new one might be considered. Auditions will be open until June 21 and the deputy will be announced on July 1.

LC MC(A) AUDITIONS -

With Lilacmist's mysterious death and Briarfall's disappearance, LichenClan is left without a medicine cat. During the Gathering, Quickstar remains vague about her passing, refusing to let LichenClan look weak after also losing their leader. Back in camp, Quickstar and Emberscorch call upon their den-mates with any healing or husbandry knowledge, particularly former or current queens, to help out in the medicine cat's den until StarClan presents them with a sign.

If you're interested in applying for LC MC(A), please read through our High Position Rules and then submit an application in High Position Auditions. To be transparent about the role, Briarfall will make a return to LichenClan and her position. Your character can hold LC MCA temporarily, or continue in the role with Briar. Both options (or a secret third…?) are completely acceptable!

New and old characters are welcome to apply! We're also not looking for a 1 to 1 replacement of Lilacmist as her role is finished in the plot, and this role will have a different relationship in the plot depending on YOUR plot interests/needs. So please bring an original idea and/or spin! Morally gray, black, or white characters are welcome as well. If you have an interesting idea, we wanna hear it : )

Auditions will be open until June 21 and the new medicine cat apprentice will be announced on July 1. Training will be shared between other willing Clan medicine cats, the Tribe, and other LC HPs and warriors.

As a reminder, HP's are expected to post 8x per month and be available for general plotting. If you have any questions about either position, please contact a staff member for more information.

SEASONAL PROMPTS & PATROLS---

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

Please check out the June Patrols!

CURRENT ONGOING PATROLS

• The Mythical Wisconsin Cactus (Tribe)
• A Light in the Deepest Shadow (Unknown)
• fallin' too fast to prepare for this (LC)
• Sinking deeper (Tunnel cats)
• Boiling point (TC)
• the beast of me (Tribe)
• death is life is death is life is (LC)
• this is why i don't leave the house (RWC & Rogues)
• What's said in the dark... (Half-moon pt. 1)
• Where Stars Commune (Half-moon pt. 2)
  

PLOT UPDATES---

REDWOODCLAN NEWS:

• Finchstar leads RedwoodClan to the Gathering and is surprised to find both Stagstar and Yarrowstar no longer in their positions. Fog also announces his retirement. Thoughts of forming an alliance with LichenClan dissipate due to the changes in leadership. Finchstar questions Firfoot's rise to power.
• Tigerpool leads a patrol to hunt down the rogues who helped ThistleClan during the attack and tries to interrogate them for information. He reports his findings to Finchstar.
• Anti-rogue and outsider sentiments rise in the Clan following some notable changes: Only full-blooded RedwoodClan warriors are asked to lead patrols and mentor apprentices.
• Border relations remain amicable with LichenClan and the Tribe, though now cautious following the leadership changes. Border relations are actively hostile with ThistleClan.
• Asterstorm goes to meet Lilacmist at the MoonCave during the half-moon, despite harboring a terrible secret. The other medicine cat doesn't show...but someone else does.
• Blossomstep sets out on her own to meet with Meadowshine at the lagoon.

THISTLECLAN NEWS:

• Suspicious about their win against RedwoodClan, Stagstar confronts Firfoot after the battle. Their confrontation turns deadly after Firfoot challenges Stagstar to a duel, and they fight. Firfoot wins the duel and forces Stagstar to retreat, claiming ThistleClan's leadership as his own.
• As ThistleClan tradition, the winner of the duel should earn the remainder of the former leader's lives, but Firfoot is unsure if the lives passed down to him.
  
• Firfoot brings ThistleClan to the Gathering for the first time as leader. Finchstar challenges his new position, a challenge that Firfoot easily refutes.
• Following the Gathering, Firfoot travels to the lagoon to confirm his new position and receive the rest of his lives, but the tunnels cats are waiting for him.
• Border relations remain tense with LichenClan and the Tribe. Borders are openly hostile with RedwoodClan.
• After another moon of searching for her mentor, Meadowshine meets with the other medicine cats during the half-moon, but only Blossomstep meets her.
  
• Shadepool remains mysteriously missing.

LICHENCLAN NEWS:

• Quickstrike and Emberscorch travel to the lagoon to confirm his new position as leader. However, they find Lilacmist's body mysteriously floating in the middle of the pool. Desperate for answers, Quickstrike meets with StarClan, who grants him his nine lives, but not without a grave warning.
• After journeying to the lagoon, Quickstar returns as LichenClan's leader and elects Emberscorch as his new deputy. Somberly, he announces Lilacmist's death, further drawing suspicion from the loyalists. They question the legitimacy of his leadership and the mystery surrounding her death.
• Quickstar leads LichenClan to the Gathering and is surprised to find ThistleClan and the Tribe with a new leader as well. He remains vague about Lilacmist's passing, not wanting to make LichenClan look weak.
  
• Guards continue to monitor the MoonCave and tunnel entrances. Warriors are advised to practice extreme caution after Lilacmist's death.
  
• Border relations remain amicable with RedwoodClan and the Tribe. Tensions continue with ThistleClan.
• Without a medicine cat, Quickstar asks his den-mates with any healing knowledge to help out, particularly the former queens, as they wait for StarClan to send them a sign.
• As deputy, Emberscorch begins assigning patrols to everyone, including traditionalist queens, which further angers parts of the Clan.
  

TRIBE NEWS:

• Foxtail receives a vision about a ferocious predator from her ancestors, which leads her and Fog to the Estuary to investigate. They are attacked by an angry badger—much like Foxtail's dream. The badger gravely blinds Fog and kills Foxtail, taking her only life. In a desperate plea, Fog begs his ancestors for help, and they allow him to give her the rest of his remaining lives.
• Fog gives up his remaining lives to Foxtail, thus saving her life. In doing so, he also retires from his position, and Foxtail becomes the new—and one of the youngest—Teller of the Tribe, similarly echoing the path of her great-ancestor, Fawn.
• A now blinded Fog accompanies Foxtail to the Gathering and announces the Tribe's change in leadership. They are not the only ones with changes. Both ThistleClan and LichenClan announce leadership changes as well.
• They return to the Tribe and begin Foxtail's training as Teller, first starting with a trip to the Stone That Never Ends to convene with their ancestors.
  
• Talon, Moonlight, and a group of stone-guards lead a patrol to the Estuary to find and hunt down the badger that killed Foxtail and injured Fog.

TUNNEL CAT NEWS:

• While trying to find the mysterious rock, Icesong and her patrol are thwarted by an uncomfortable, dark presence. They return to Vega empty-pawed—but determined to continue searching.
  
• Vega and his family attend the Gathering and are troubled to see the sudden changes in leadership, particularly Firfoot's unexpected and controversial rise to power.
• Firfoot and Icesong plan to confront the new ThistleClan leader as he heads to the Lagoon to receive his lives.
  
• Dawn and Parselypaw are selected to train with the tunnel cats, learning about diplomacy, stars, and island history.
  

CELANDINE NEWS:

• Following her deal with Firfoot, Celandine continues to hunt and train on ThistleClan's periphery territory. This includes provoking conflict at both RedwoodClan and LichenClan's borders.
  
• Led by Tigerpool, a RedwoodClan patrol encounters a rogue patrol hunting for herbs within ThistleClan territory. The RedwoodClan warriors try interrogating the rogues for information about their connection to ThistleClan.
• Poppy and Honeybun begin raising their kits, an ulterior motive lurking behind their carefully calculated parenting.

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 six moons old.
Owl x Cherry kit is six moons old.
Poppy x Honeybun kits are three moons old.
Sorrel x Night kits kits are one moon old.

FUTURE UPDATES ---

Things are heatin' up on the island! A lot of change is happening within the Clans and Tribe, so it's a perfect moment to engage with the plot and consider your characters' different reactions. Are they hopeful for the future? Confused? Evilly plotting their next move?

From the Gathering to the Sound of Summer Contest to the Writing Prompts—plotting opportunities are galore! So happy summer writing everyone! And don't forget to get outside and enjoy that sunshine : ) We'll be crankin' up that heat come July hehe >:3


Best,
The Apostles Staff