Chapter Two

Introduction

The world is changed.

And, though it was once thought lost, magic has returned.

For the first time in more than five hundred years, the people of Moren Ezen will be tested. Tales of spirits—and worse, of aberrant creatures warped by wild magic—spread across the continents like wildfire. Distrust takes root in once tightly-knit communities. As winter's icy fingers slip over the face of the world, fear of each other and of a suddenly hostile environment poisons the minds of many. Once-gentle animals turn on their handlers. Wild animals grow bold, and cunning. Freak storms smash ships into kindling. A shepherd loses his entire flock after a whiteout in the desert, and a trader vanishes on a journey through the mountains, never to be heard from again. 

Stories of lost travelers are frequent. The roads are a danger to even the most experienced adventurer. Many of them fall into disuse. 

Clashes between magic-folk and the unafflicted become commonplace in a way not seen since the War, and the fall of the Old World. 

Though it is impossible to discover a mage merely by looking at them, a few individuals claim this skill-set for their own. Suspected mages are often ousted from their communities with nothing but the shirts on their backs. Entire families can be driven away when a child is discovered with the affliction. Many people see exile as a kindness. Others see it as a coward's choice, made by people too weak to do what needs to be done. 

Either way, the symptoms of mages have, finally, become too difficult to ignore.

Those that rely on trade goods feel the effects of nature's embargo most of all. Entire populations are forced to pack up and move when supplies do not (and will not) arrive. Hungry, frightened, dragging their chattel at their feet; refugees pour into the cities—but each day the line grows, and tempers flare at the slightest provocation.

As with all things, however, there are those who choose to support one another instead. A few settlements with known mages close their doors to outsiders, barring entry to everyone—even those who seek asylum.

People of Moren Ezen, you stand at the beginning! Can you chart a new course in this hostile world? Can you forge a path that will stand the test of time?

Main Objective

Magic has indeed returned, and the people of Moren Ezen now face an uncertain future. As the anomalies continue to spread throughout a world riven by animosity and fear, each must confront new challenges both daunting and extraordinary, learn to navigate the unfamiliar fragility of a people divided, and find their place amidst the confusion.

Throughout Chapter Two a series of events will take place, some blanketed across the continents and others contained to specific localities on the map, by which your character may be affected. To what capacity, and how they choose to respond, however, is entirely up to you.

Their path is yours to decide.

But beware...

The Guardians are watching.

Schedule

How to Participate

There is NO pre-registration, but you must have an approved and uploaded Rider in order to participate. The Rider must be your own.

If you are a New Player and have yet to obtain your own horse, you may apply for one from the Adoption Centre. Alternatively you may borrow one of the Group Starter Horses. Please note the group to request a Starter Horse to use for the duration of the event.

No training or ranks are required to participate.

You may enter the event with all your riders, but they will each need their own separate entries to earn awards. You may depict other characters in your entries for story purposes.

Collaborations may have 2 participants contributing 1 Horse and Rider pair each.

All entries should have the following information in the artist comments:

Link to Rider Import:
Link to Horse Import:

Main Entry Requirements

• Art must be your own, and made specifically for the event. Commissioned work, tracing or premade linearts is not allowed.

• Images must be full body, coloured and have a background. (Creative perspective will be taken into consideration.) 

• Chibis or oversimplified works will not be counted.

• Literature entries must be 1,800 words minimum. 

• Up to 2 rider and horse pairs allowed per entry. 

• Collaborations must clearly state who did which parts. One entry may contain up to 2 collaborators. 

• Literature collaborations require a minimum of 1,350 words per participant. 

• Each rider and horse should be actively participating in the entry. 

Optional prompts follow all the above rules, except:

• Shading is not required for art entries.

• Word count minimum is reduced to 1,200 words for literature entries.

• Collaboration word count minimum is reduced to 900 words per participant.

• Unlimited entries allowed until prompt end date. 

• Each entry will have a chance to drop a Lootbox.

Optional entries may be completed at any time after they are revealed up until the end of the event, but they may only be rolled for Lootboxes within the given timeframe.

Judging

All participants will be able to qualify for Pathfinder, The Chosen Ones, Birds of a Feather and Tireless Traveler, based on completion.

Master Painter and Master Storyteller will be chosen by the Judges based on personal effort, accuracy to the story, attention to detail, and how moving or impactful your entries are.

The People's Choice will be voted on for effort, style, story and creativeness by the members via polling.

Prizes

Exclusive Companion: all participants will receive this exclusive companion, available only during the Living Story: Chapter Two.

Jackalope: Horse Companion -  Prevalent and highly adaptive, there are few places across the continents that these ground-dwelling leporids don’t readily inhabit. +2 EP Bonus whenever a Jackalope is depicted in an entry. Account bound.

Completing the Optional Extras may drop a Loot Box with a chance of containing the following:

Bonus Item Bundle

Breeder's Bundle

Companion Bundle

Decorator's Bundle

Tack Bundle

Stat Token Bundle

Each Optional Extra also presents the chance to roll one of the following Prompt Exclusives, only obtainable through completing the prompt before it's deadline: