1. For the 2024 Leaf-Fall 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. Take note of the eerie environment, particularly the low fog and unseasonably nape-curling chill. This can also include an unsettling presence lingering in the canopy, creeping along the falls, and crawling across their pelts. Due to the swirling mist, they bump into a cat they normally wouldn't chat with...More information available in the Setting tab above.

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 [Leaf-Fall Gathering] or some variation in the title.

3. All leaf-bare Gathering threads must be created from September, 2024 to November 30, 2024. They cannot be created after November 30.

4. There is no deadline to finish the Gathering threads. However, come December 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 characters start hallucinating. Are they hearing voices? Seeing silhouettes that aren't there?

a. For example, Reedtail and Foxclaw bump into each other because of the swirling mist. They feel a prickle of unease, and it's not just because of the leader's announcements. As the Gathering goes on, Reedtail starts to hear distant voices, but he can't make them out. Foxclaw starts seeing vague cats slink through the trees, but it's just a trick of the light. Both maxx and wish then earn a bonus raffle!

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, 2025, 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 2025 include:

•  Art from other volunteering artists (contact maxx to participate)!
  

With leaf-fall upon them, temperatures plummet during the full-moon, casting an unseasonable chill over the basin. As a result, with cold air moving over the warm water, a low mist clings to the island and swirls through the gathering crowd. It blows through the trees, creating an eerie and unsettling backdrop as the harvest moon rises into the sky and reaches its apex. With low visibility, cats bump into each other and are forced to chat with unlikely company. The eerie setting is only made worse by a fur-crawling presence, an entity that cannot be explained. Yet everyone feels it, the sensation that they are being watched...

RedwoodClan is the first to arrive. Finchstar leads his Clan into the basin looking noticeably less tense than last time. He appears serious and composed as he bounds onto the stone. Trailing after him, Tigerpool is more light-hearted and confident as he settles among the other deputies, but, there is a slight edge to him, like he's waiting for tension to strike. Asterstorm is awkward and tries to remain inconspicuous, keenly aware that might be the first time her own clan-mates have seen her. She is quick to deflect questions. Blossomstep is putting on a confident facade; though anyone who concentrates might see that she's distracted.

ThistleClan arrives second. Firstar enter the basin without his usual confidence. He seems to stumble with every other step, and snap at anyone who ventures close enough to help him. When he climbs to his seat alongside the other leaders, he nearly falls before he regains himself. In his shadow, but never close enough to offer help, Blazingstorm confidently pads with his chin held high as he enters the falls. He'll look down his nose at anyone daring to stare at him. Stoic, Meadowshine tries to ignore the stares cast at her leader as she walks; through she is notably exhausted and disheveled.

LichenClan arrives third. Quickstar enters the basin a little more open than previous Gatherings, eyes brighter but still guarded, as he joins the leaders at the falls. Emberscorch is more confident in herself but still fairly guarded. Among the other deputies, she sits, listening and waiting. Foxglovefire trails behind Quickstar and Emberscorch with her tail tucked between her legs and her ears flat. As she sits with the other medicine cats, she doesn’t speak unless spoken to and remains visibly anxious.

The Tribe arrives last. Foxtail is slightly antsy, though she appears excited. She's jumping around and chatting with her Tribe-mates before joining the other leaders. Mist sticks close to Foxtail's side. Despite his slightly nervous approach, he greets Tigerpool warmly, expressing what an honor it is to stand beside him. But he seems on edge, not quite ready to talk politics, and instead focuses on supporting Foxtail. Contrasted to Foxtail's excitement, Sunrise is reserved and tense. She speaks mildly about Clan matters, focusing more on supporting Foxtail and Mist.

As the mist settles among the crowd, Finchstar brings the Gathering to a start with a yowl. He speaks first, moving quickly through his announcement:

"RedwoodClan is celebrating the birth of strong kits and vibrant health as we wean into leaf-fall. We've also been more diligent about our borders, one of the reasons being a particular rogue problem. But despite this, RedwoodClan is fairing well, and will only strength more with time."
At the foot of the stone, Tigerpool rolls his eyes at the "rogue problem," comment. As Finchstar recedes, Firstar steps forward to make his announcement:

"We're doin' well for ourselves in the pines. Camps repaired. Got ourselves some proper dens. Kits, too. Three of 'em. Yeah... Sparrowkit, Birdkit, and Chestnutkit. And we'll have more after 'em, stars willing. We've also got a new deputy for ourselves. Some of you might know 'im, but for those who don't, we welcome Blazingstorm as the new deputy of ThistleClan. He has proven to me and our Clan his abilities in combat and as a leader to his people. As the last apprentice under Thievingstar, we anticipate the change he brings within our borders. And out of them."
Firstar allows the applause to pass before continuing. Among the other deputies, Blazingstorm puffs out his chest, as Firstar goes on:

"We are also proud to announce that our claim of the Bear Stones has continued into Leaf Fall. We're gettin' good pulls from it. Herbs and prey unlike any we've seen in a season cycle. For the first time in a long time, I can say we're looking forward to winter."
Firstar gives room for cheers and applause, then continues:

"And while I wish I could end my time here with only good news and prosper, I have come to the realization of a traitor in our midst. After I won my duel with our previous leader, I was entrusted with my nine lives. Upon receiving them, to officiate my new position, I went, as is custom, to the lagoon for an official commune with our ancestors. There, I was met with the opposition of Vega and Icesong. Some of you may know them as harborers of our islands refuse. Cats who have been cast out from their factions for one reason or another. Some of you have even gone so far as to call them allies. I ask now that you reconsider. They are harboring evil spirits in their caves. Our stars do not anchor themselves in those waters but weaken in them instead."

"If you don't believe me, then believe the words of our ancestors. When I cam to them, they said: There is blood in the water. And it will bleed until the lake runs red. The lagoon is not their resting place. It is a danger. A poison and it is killing them. And the tunnelers knew of it. Yet they did not feel the need to inform us who rely on them. I advise you all to withdraw from the underground. It harbors danger, and in it, our own go missing. Medicine cats. Honest, hardworking warriors. How many more will we sacrifice before they face retribution? I ask you that, and I ask you again to reconsider."
An eerie silence falls of the gathered crowd as Firstar finishes his grave message, and Quickstar moves forward to make his announcement, putting aside their past grievances and heated words:

"I agree with Firstar as far as the tunnels are concerned.  As for the tunnel cats being responsible, I personally do not believe this to be true, but belief is a hard thing to hold on to in the face of such opposition.  LichenClan has received similar warnings as far as the tunnels are concerned.  As such, we have decided to pull our apprentices from the joint training program until things have come further to light.  We have lost a leader and two medicine cats to the tunnels ourselves.  We would caution anyone having any sort of relations with anything tunnel related to be vigilant. Despite our losses, LichenClan continues to grow strong, and we welcome our new medicine cat, Foxglovefire."
In the wake of such accusations, Finchstar rouses up a rough meow in defense of the tunnel cats:

"To each his own, but the tunnels as important as they are sacred. To avoid them out of fear is foolish."
Firstar refutes Finchstar:

"If they were so sacred, cats wouldn't go missin' in 'em. Yet here we are. Tell me, how many medicine cats is it gonna take for you to see what everyone else does? The only thing foolish is sending warriors knowingly into danger. And I do not intend to do so."
A gruff but loud voice speaks up from the crowd, clearly upset. The Gathering stirs, all attention shifting to Vega and the few tunnelers who came to the falls. Icesong is notably missing.

"Refuse? Certainly you don't mean the likes of Quickstar's mate? Such words are unbecoming for a clan who's had such a...religious awakening!  Perhaps less of us would have died if your concern over a puddle was present a few moons ago."

"I can understand your reservations, and thank you for your...tempered response, Quickstar, but to these warnings of caution in dealing with me and mine, I must ask you all to consider who makes this demand, and the truth of our meeting. Firstar did indeed come to us to commune with Starclan, and this we allowed.  While he was there, we offered alternatives to this petty violence between borders, to garner peace at least while this threat exists. Instead, you told us our home was a miracle, borne of your generosity. You threatened to destroy us, traipsed about our home, and ripped Icesong's throat out. She may be mute, you know? So far, you've been more dangerous to us any evil spirit."

"I cannot keep your apprentices from you. You may do as you will, though a first purpose of the program was to help you all know about each other. I only hope you learn from them as much as we could teach. We will continue to offer all we have before, but we've not got the privilege of being whisked away to the surface. Make no mistake, grace is our domain. The Sanctuary is our home and we'll  protect it."
Scowling, Firstar casts Vega a nasty glare, but before either of them can dissolve into an argument, a nervous and antsy Foxtail rushes forward to make her announcement, unable to sit still any longer:

"The Tribe of Floating Stones is doing really good! Song of River at Dusk and Mist that Traveled Beneath Redwoods bring us a litter of two kits this fall. Our Head Stone-guard Talon of Owl Who Hunts at Dawn has decided to retire but Mist that Traveled Beneath Redwoods is stepping into his place and will do a great job. We've got lots of prey and peaceful borders. Um..."
Foxtail pauses, then suddenly blurts out:

"Um, I need to speak with your medicine cats! I had a vision. One about the clans and I think it's very very important they hear about it.
A startled murmur goes through the crowd, one that Finchstar is quick to put at ease.

"Now, there's no need to panic. We will speak with Foxtail and our medicine cats and assure this message is heard."
With that, Finchstar draws the Gathering to a close, and pulls Foxtail into a hushed, private conversation with the leaders. The rest of the gathered cats cannot hear them and make to leave. Firstar, wearing his usual indifferent visage, speaks simply to the young teller, granting her permission:

"Go on, then."
Hurriedly, Foxtail glances between them and starts talking in a very, kit-like manner, antsy and out of breath:

"There's something underground. I dreamed about a shadow wandering around in a tunnel, and they seemed hurt and like they really needed help. So, so we have to go save them!"
Firstar immediately barks at her and makes to rally his Clan and leave:

"Didn't you hear what any of us were sayin'? You can meddle in those tunnels all you want. But don't expect any ThistleClanner's to meddle down there with you."
Quickstar reluctantly nods in agreement with Firstar, but indulges Foxtail, not wanting to completely dismiss the young teller:

"The tunnels are dangerous, we've lost too much to them already.  I will speak with Foxglovefire and Emberscorch about your vision, but I'm afraid my paws are currently tied. We cannot risk sending more of our warriors into their depths."
As the other leaders leave to gather their warriors and vacate the unsettling falls, Finchstar touches Foxtail's shoulder in an attempt to calm her and meows:

"This subject matter is better suited for my medicine cats...come, let's arrange a visit with them. I'm sure we can help somehow."