The Turning of the Leaves 
A king has made his arrival known, paws touching down where they always do: the First Tree’s origin point, the ground where it first broke free from the earth and into the sun’s embrace.
A hand moves forward to touch the closest dangling leaf, a whisper of mirth, and the leaves begin to communicate with one another, before shifting color. He travels across the continent, his mantle dragging behind which begins to transition from lush green to honey yellow to harvest orange, eventually coalescing into a shockingly red display.
Autumn is here.
And you are invited to partake in autumn's bounty.
A small fluffy creature appears directly before you, a letter proffered in its outstretched hand. You take it, and letter delivered, it disappears in a puff of crimson leaves, leaving you confused and curious. Opening the letter, you see the following:
"My fellow Crederians, it is with great joy that I announce The Autumn King has invited you to celebrate the changing of seasons. He has so graciously opened his heart and home, for the celebration will be held in his very court. The festivities will commence upon the 20th, and we do hope you'll manage to make it. Until then, ta ta~"
That's.. peculiar, but you do intend on coming right? It's impolite to refuse such an important invitation, at least that's what the hushed whispers echo. The crowd feels feverish with excitement, unease, and fear. The odd angry gaze burns toward the invitation, held in paw.
A bab nearby begins to shout, "This happens every year and every year the day passes with no notice! What does he expect me to do? Teleport? I can't be bothered to entertain this nonsense. How do you know this isn't a trick?! Have any of you ever been?"
There are nervous glances, and a few shaking heads, until one of them steps forward, "B-but, Bal, you can't talk like that, you know there's a consequence to denying the invitation. You nearly died."
"Bah! Just bad luck, doesn't mean it was because of the letter."
"How'd those red leaves appear on your boat Bal? The damn thing cracked in half while you were in the middle of the ocean, choked with vines, and that’s just bad luck?"
A sigh follows, "I just don't have time to go on a nonsense chase for someone who hasn't the manners to invite me himself. If it kills me, so be it." Bal makes a move to shove through the crowd.
Murmurs begin in earnest, some in agreement, others fearful or disregarding. Some say it's the effort that counts. Regardless of the tone, the chatter ceases when an onslaught of cold wind billows through the street. Shrieks ring out and others gasp in surprise, the wind biting through their coats. A trail of crimson leaves swirl in the sky, fluttering gently in a neat line, seemingly coming towards you, or rather, towards Bal.
Their mass grows larger, denser, and more menacing.
Many in the crowd scatter and dodge to the side as the leaves suddenly explode outward, revealing a tall Mantibab. The leaves flutter back in and ring them like a halo, the central figure imposing, with a polite smile that does not reach their eyes.
"My my..." The bab begins, "I must say I'm disappointed in you Bal. Three consecutive failures to appear at my home, three slights against my most humble invitation." His hand touches his chest in a wounded gesture. "Or at least, this will make it a third time, isn't that right? Has your crop been faring well? Your boat patched up? Your kin healthy? Ah, that's good."
Bal begins to stutter, eyes wider than you thought possible, before the King holds a hand up, "No no, I can't possibly impose on you further, you've made your point. I'm merely here to extend the invitation in person, like you requested." His eyes crinkle with clear enjoyment, "I sincerely hope you make it this time. But I must be off, much to do before it's time, do be a dear and do not make me look for you again. Ta ta" With a wave of his hand The Autumn King makes to leave, before pausing.
"Oh, and when you arrive be sure to come with some of those salted strips of fish, just one jar will do." He waits almost expectantly, eyes boring into Bal’s, as Ball shallowly nods, "Good. Now then." His hand finishes its rotation as he turns to glance at you, one final smile on his face as The Autumn King disappears in a flurry of leaves, the rest that were suspended falling gently to the ground.
Loud Murmurs commence once more as Bal falls on his haunches in shock, staring at nothing and no one before uttering, "I think- I think I got one jar left..."
This event is available until NOVEMBER 30th, 11:59PM PST
You've been invited to celebrate with The Autumn King in his very own home. You are given no information as to where to go or how to get there, but you do have a date. Do you plan to go?
"It would be rude to refuse, now wouldn't it?" Whispers the wind.
The Door Appears Many moons have passed since that encounter with the previously-just-a-fairytale being called The Autumn King. Your time has been spent as usual, with the added task of figuring out what this King could possibly want. You've gone around asking the locals, thought of travelling out into nearby areas to find something that speaks to you, or perhaps you've had an idea since the beginning and found yourself crafting, cooking, or creating something that you're pretty happy with. Whatever route you took, the anxiety begins to mount as the sun and moon chase each other in the sky, tailed by other, smaller celestial bodies that leave you in a restless state of Waiting. Are you sure what you've gotten is good enough for a King? What could you have that he already doesn't? Were you given clues to get something specific? What if you stole Bal's salted fish and presented it as your own? Is thievery enough of a bad deed to cancel the fishy gift? The thoughts keep spilling out, and out of a tangled ball of emotions until you remind yourself of the conversation had with that older Crederian. A sign of respect... Smoothing down the frazzled throughts, you find you've made your way to the local library, a location you'd found yourself at a few times while attempting to research. It's a good place as any to calm down.
You leave said library in higher spirits, a pink mantibab having interrupted you in your spiral with some reassuring information. His words repeat in your head as you meander home, rotating them in space hoping they'll bring you to a concrete conclusion.
"The Autumn King will be pleased with any thoughtful gift. From preserved pieces of nature, a piece of the fall harvest, goods made from things plucked during the season...and really anything that autumn has part in creating, as long as you have him in mind, it will please him." an awkward but not unkind chuckle falls from the bab, "Honestly... your fretting over what to choose would likely be gift enough, with the amusement it's surely given him."
The bab came and went a few times, holding well-worn books; logs of the various stories and information given to him by other participants, and offered them freely, only one piece of information curiously out of place. "Oh! And if you're particularly gifted in the musical arts word has gone around that the Autumn King has a weakness for it! Though no one can tell me from where they've heard it. One swore it came to them in a dream, haha. However it happened, I do believe it has merit."
The cobblestone streets are strangely empty as you make your way through, the constant sound of the crowds and smell of baking bread or roasting meats is absent. The trees have given their all through the season and most everywhere shared the same lovely reddish oranges fall was known for. Your walk is quiet, while attempting to pick apart why the day feels wierd a sudden gust of wind causes a jolt to run through your body, the rustling sound feeling especially loud in the quiet. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end as another sound quickly makes itself known: The floor is rumbling.
The ground begins to creak, the stones bulging from pressure underneath. In no time at all you see thick wooden vines crawl out of the stone and languidly curl around each other, almost dancing in the air before you. The tangle curls and coils, settling into a large ring that stands empty until you blink your eyes, a deep red wooden door filling the previously empty space. The rustling of leaves is prevalent in the air, and as it creaks open louder than anything you could've possibly expected, you notice how alone you've been in that street, not even an insect or bird around to make their natural sounds. Questioning thoughts about the dangers of these peculiar realizations are forgotten once the soft music begins to play through the door, and only one relieving thought matters anymore.
Thank the lords above that you had the mind to carry your gift with you.
The door has appeared before you, and as you approach it opens without your help. Beautiful music dances through the air, gaining in volume the closer you get.
Cross the threshhold my dear Crederian, and Welcome to the party~
A strikingly crimson-haired skullcracker graces us with their presence this fall, and they're looking for a place to call home! With capped paws they're ready to kick up a flurry of leaves (and perhaps chunks of stone) as they prepare to take off into the crisp autumn air!
Draw any fullbody piece of gift art for another user!
Each entry will reward you with 1 raffle ticket for a max of 2 per user.
As a special treat, the Autumn King has offered an extra 2 tickets, one rewarded each time you enter one of the AKT event prompts
[Read more about it here!]
Deadline: October 31st, 11:59PM PST
Event Art & Text: Phloxe
Event Prompt Banners: Phloxe
Prompt Text: burr, Phloxe