Chapter 4: The Missing Stag

The Rukaan push forward, chipping away at and melting the ice that barricades the Winter Doe's path. With help she's able to squeeze through into the realm of Yggdrasil itself.

As she leaves, her magic moves with her. Winter isn't gone yet, but it has begun to relax its grip on Midgard as she passes. As the endless winter begins to ease, more calves are born across the land. This pleases Freyr, god of fertility and fair weather, and he in turn lays his blessing on a Rukaan doe who caught his eye through her efforts to help.

The Winter Doe isn't done with you yet though; she still needs your help. Even though you've made it past the ice barricade, she can go no further.

The realm of Yggdrasil is a tangle of interconnected limbs growing on massive branches in a network of dense forests. The growth is so thick that the ground and sky are barely visible through the leaves and branches; too thick for a Rukaan to pass through. The Winter Doe reveals that there should be a Stag tending and pruning the stout branch paths leading to each earthly realm but there is no sign of him here. He’s nowhere to be seen and the forests seem to have been growing wild without care for some time now. The Doe tries using her magic to tear through the chaotic growth but it’s obvious she’s causing harm to Yggdrasil as she does. The Stag needs to be found; only his magic can safely open a path to allow the Doe to pass and resume her seasonal migration.

Take care on your search. Untended, the branches of Yggdrasil have grown wild and there is no one to keep anyone or anything that might dwell here at bay. The shadows here hide secrets and creatures from the beginning of time, covered in darkness as the overgrown canopy won’t let more than a blink of starlight through. The Rukaan and their handlers must help the Winter Doe find this Stag, facing dangers from the dizzying heights and the unknown creatures that lurk within the darkness.

Search for the missing Stag.

Entry Requirements:

• 800 Word Story or Fullbody Colored with Complex Background

• The Winter Doe must be pictured at least 50% or significantly involved in the story

• Tame Rukaan' handlers may be included but are not required

• The entering Rukaan and/or their handler must be in some way trying to find a path through the branches or find the missing stag

• Entries must be made entirely by the Rukaan's owner

Who Can Enter:

• Each Rukaan may only enter each chapter once

• One Rukaan may enter per piece, though others may be included for rune marks

• There is no deadline, the event will remain permanently open to enter

• In order to enter Lore Storyline Events, the Rukaan must have entered all previous chapters. Rukaan must have completed Chapter 3 to participate in Chapter 4.

Rune Mark Bonuses for Entries:

• All entries for this chapter get the Event rune mark bonus (link this journal) (only for the Rukaan entering the event, not for any additional Rukaan included)

• All entries for this Lore Storyline Event get the Lore rune mark bonus for featuring The Winter Doe and Yggdrasil.

• All entries for this Lore Storyline Event get the Lore Location rune mark bonus for featuring Yggdrasil.

Reward

For completing this chapter you will receive:

• Birch Chaffron

• Bonfire Beacon

• The ability to proceed to Chapter 5

How to Submit Your Entry:

Fill out the following form and submit to the "Lore Storyline Chapter 4" gallery folder to be rolled for rune marks.

Submission Form:

Fill out the following form and submit to the >> THREAD << to receive the reward for this chapter. The entry must have already been accepted into the gallery and rolled for rune marks before being submitted to the thread. 

Journal Thread Form: