The Rebirth Cycle, Arc 720
Welcome to Rebirth Cycle 720. Every Cycle in Standing Trials runs over four real life months and has two in-character seasons. The Rebirth Cycle has Cylus (30 Trials) and then Ashan (123 Trials) which are open for you to play. All new threads from February 1st - May 31st should be timestamped within one of those two seasons. For clarity's sake, Cycle change goes into effect at 12:01am June 1st, UTC. This will be 8:01pm EST May 31st.
Please see Timekeeping for more information and reach out to a member of staff if you're confused!
We're rolling into the new Cycle. The Rebirth Cycle marks the final seasonal changes of the Arc, and begins with the sunless season of Cylus. Cylus is described as the season of deep darkness. Long cold days leave the world in a constant state of twilight. Living outdoors becomes extremely difficult due to the icy temperatures and flora and fauna suffer during this time. Grass dies making livestock, who need to eat more to survive the harsh conditions, difficult to feed, and a lot of trees fall into dormancy, slowing down their metabolism and energy consumption in order to survive the season until the sun comes up again.
While the days slowly tick on, the sun begins to sink to the horizon before finally being blocked by one of Idalos' slow orbiting moons. The stationary effect of this moon, however, is partly due to the Ellune and their ailing ruler, Treid. His influence over the moons, and his less than favorable views of Faldrun, prevent the moon from showing any light for 30 trials. A curse he enacted to punish Faldrun for his backhanded and wicked ways, Treid was incapacitated by Audrae before he could remove it. Now the world suffers sunless for 30 trials an Arc, until the light of Ashan touches it once more.
Ashan is of course named in honor of the Immortal Ashan, who heralds springtime and the coming of rebirth and new growth. While the first few weeks of Ashan are rigidly cold, the sun finally makes its appearance from Cylus, it takes many trials before the ice melts away into puddles, blooming flowers and grass. Ashan experiences a cold period, lasting for a quarter of the season before the temperature finally heats up enough to begin sowing crops for the Arc. Ashan is mainly known for it's spring weather, gentle breezes, and the rebirth of plant life. Barren trees slowly sprout buds of leaves and flowers, releasing a green haze of pollen while green grass grows slowly from the wet soil. Dead leaves from the previous season are swallowed up during this cycle, providing nutrients for new life growing from the ground.
All active threads from the Cold Cycle of 719 are now grandfathered. New threads must be timestamped as Cylus or Ashan 720 or be a Memory thread, if applicable. If your PC lists their age in their CS and has a birthday this cycle, be sure to update their age.
Cities & Areas Open and Supported by City Mods
The following Cities are Open and have City Moderators presiding over them. This means they will have active Calendars, Events, and will moderate threads for players. These city moderators are on hand to provide active support for their cities.
North
Viden - Tempest
East
Scalvoris - Pegasus
Central
Athart - Maltruism
Etzos - Maltruism
Rharne - Basilisk and Squirrel
West
Ne'haer - Octopie
Melrath - Octopie and Strange
South
Desnind - Pig Boy and Druid
Quacia - Strange
Cities & Areas Open without Moderator Support
The following cities are open without moderator support. PCs are allowed to play here, however, they will have no calendar unless one is created by the community, no guaranteed events, and little to no moderator support. This means anything that requires moderator approval may not be approved. You can find more details on these cities here.
Eastern
Nashaki
Central
Ivorian Empire
Cities & Areas Closed and in Development
The following cities are closed and are currently undergoing development or redevelopment. PCs are not allowed to play here, and must make suitable arrangements to exit immediately following a season change if found playing within this city during this season. The status of these cities may be subject to change depending on development arrangements.
Northern
Rynmere & Andaris
Eastern
Yaralon
Central
Etrusan
Volanta
If a city or area is not on the above lists, it is currently closed and/or not being actively developed. However, unless under active development or redevelopment, you may still post in that city by posting in the regional wilderness, adding the [City Name] at the front of the post title.
