It had been days. Rations were running low. It felt like the creature of the woods was circling tenants at times, especially in the deep of the night. As the groups of tenants moved through the trees, they got better glimpses of the hulking monster. Some tenants got lost from their parties and disappeared into the mass of trees. A blizzard had hit that morning and had continued into the night. Groups without access to quick and easy fire were in danger of contracting hypothermia. Just when hope had been lost, a very quiet song rang out through the woods. Even though the wind whipped at the tenant's ears, the faint song was there...
Following the music led to a large clearing in the forest. It looked like a small farm. There was a modest silo and a few small fields. The animal pens and stables were much larger... and there seemed to be many unique pokemon residing within them... The source of the music also became apparent. There was a small cabin near the north side of the clearing. It was lit up with an orange glow and the door was wide open, seemingly blown open by the wind. By now the lyrics of the song were clear, as well as the distinct imperfections of a record player.
No one was within the cabin, but it was clear that someone had just left. When entering a few feral pokemon ran up to the tenants. There was an albino Yamper, wagging his tail and barking excitedly. A chimera Torchic, half shiny and half not, sat on top of the hearth, sleepy and slightly disgruntled. A pinkan Spoink bounced into view, somewhat shy it seemed as it tended to avoid looking at the tenants. Some tenants noticed a melanistic Miltank outside of the cabin, she was gentle and somewhat slow.
The last thing that the tenants noticed was a large wooden plaque above the hearth. It looked to be hand-carved and it read...
HEARTHSONG RANCH
BLESSED BE THE WATCHER
REJOICE FOR SHE IS WATCHING
Welcome to the Hearthsong Ranch, a small retreat from the gloomy atmosphere of the manor, not that the woods are much more hospitable. It seems like the owner of the ranch is out, best not to get on their bad side before meeting them... make sure not to disturb too much...
This event will be active from January 9th to February 10th!
All art submissions must include at least one lined(or lineless) halfbody, with either color or shading, to be counted for the prompt bonuses.
All literature submissions must include at least 1000 words to be counted for the prompt bonuses.
Each piece can only complete one prompt!
Make sure to tell us what prompt you are completing in the description of your art or literature so we can reward you correctly!
Draw your character interacting with the Yamper, Spoink, Torchic, Miltank, or other various farm animals found on the ranch.
This prompt can be only be completed once per character.
Draw your character exploring the ranch and resting from the long journey that it took to get here.
This prompt can be only be completed once per character.
Must have at least a simple background to count for this prompt.
Draw your character spending time with their pets or a memory of the pets back at the manor.
This prompt can be only be completed once per pet that a character has.
By completing at least one prompt during the Opening Doors event with a character, that character will be rewarded a surprise gift at the end of the event. Who knows what it will be...
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Cats love these things for no reason, well, anything small enough to use these things love these things.