The races have ended, the victors announced!

The Ether Hunt has drawn to its conclusion.

Complete your Holiday Shoppe purchases and explore the Sweetheart Summit before they both close sometime March 18th.

Story

The sun shines brightly overhead as your paws pound across the finish line, thrill sparking your spirits as you spend the last of your energy. Trotting to a standstill, you look back across the horizon. Gentle clouds warp the world below, while the proud remains of the Great Sycamore reflect sunlight like the smile of an old friend. Your shoulders rise with your winded lungs, and you finally flop onto the ground. It’s been another year and another successful race.

“Tired already?” Othello joins beside you, the grey ‘lox still brimming with energy. “And here I thought we were just getting started.”

You smile and shake your head, but say nothing as you drink in the cool mountain air. Othello sits beside you and looks across the mountain range, eyes settling on the ashen Sycamore piercing the sky. Pausing for a moment, he looks back to the field beyond the finish line. Curious, you sit up and try to find what he’s spotted, but there’s nothing except other racers lounging about outcroppings of stone and in the shade of plants less-carnivorous than the ones further down the mountain.

“So, this is it then?” Othello finally asks. “The Ether Hunt is over, just like that?”

You nod your head, and ask him what he thought of the holiday; it was his first time celebrating, wasn’t it.

“I’m surprised. The–” Othello scans the faces of racers chatting amongst themselves. “The mountain was perilous the whole way up, and yet, it’s so peaceful at the end of it all. It’s like a sanctuary; a nice little place to catch up with each other before parting ways.”

You stare at Othello, wondering what to say, but the ‘lox catches your eye and gives you a smile.

“I like it! Peace is never a bad thing, and the Hunt may be over now, but I get a feeling we’ll see each other again soon,” Othello’s eyes twinkle as he turns to the rising sun. “Thanks for adventuring with me, too. I always wondered what was up with the mountain this time of year, and, well, you’ve just made my spring.

“Anyway~ vacation’s over, so it’s back to work I go,” Othello stretches and shakes out his fins, ignoring your curious look. “Catch you later, alligator.”

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us in the Ether Hunt! While the Sweetheart Summit explorations and Holiday Shoppe will remain open until the 19th, the holiday prompts have been closed and our raffle winners have been rolled.

King of the Hill

The race took a bit longer this year, the mountain’s trials showing no mercy, but wait. There! Around the bend, charging (er… staggering, in actuality) are the winners of this year’s Ether Hunt race!

Pipkin and Paloma, tired and a little worn, are nevertheless this year’s victors! Although only one user may take home the crown, all runner-ups who participated in this year’s race seemed to have found themselves a unique weapon added to their armoury.

POKE-185 & AQUA-186

POKE-185, searching for someone to help them on their journey, has joined @Wolfcat’s roster,

AQUA-186, on the other hand, has decided to tag along and stir up mischief with @DandelionSpring’s ragtag crew.

Congrats to the lucky winners! We hope to see you all in our next event arriving April 1st.

REMINDERS

• March’s monthly prompts are available until March 31st.
  • Poco Discovery features the Midas Poco this month.
  • In the mood to craft something small, fun, and decorative? Swing by the Activity Corner to claim rewards for creating yourself a trinket.
• Our seasonal prompts rollover to spring on March 20th
• Looking for a new friend? The Shelter still has two aqualoxes in need of a new friend.
• Want game reminders or to chat with fellow players? Join us on the official Discord server!