Forum Index > Official Games and Contests > Summer Festival (2026) - Sizzling Storyt...
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Author
Thread Post
Krinadon
Level 75
Shadow of the Moon
Site Admin
Joined: 12/17/2012
Threads: 1,265
Posts: 15,558
Posted: 8/19/2026 at 2:05 PM
Post #1
The objective of this game is to create an original Summer-themed story while using the keywords that are provided in this post!
Rules
1. Create your own original Summer-themed story, using EXACTLY 12 of the words from the following list. For each row, you can only choose ONE of the words in the list.
2. Your story MUST be related to Sylestia and take place within the world of Sylestia. Your story CAN be in the form of a song or poem if you wish.
3. Your story MUST include at least one reference to a Sylesti (individual pet or species).
4. Your story MUST include at least one reference to a location within Sylestia (zone, region, dungeon, etc).
5.DO NOT post any images with your story. This is strictly a writing only contest.
6. You must share your entire story as a post in this thread. Providing a link to your story off-site will not qualify.
7. Please try and keep your story to a maximum of 1,000 words. This is not a strict rule, but if your story is clearly well over 1,000 words, we may just skip over it and not read it and you will not win any prizes.
8. Please do not use AI to write your story. We want to see YOUR creativity, not ChatGPT's.
9. Your story must be site appropriate (PG-13). Any content that is inappropriate will disqualify your entry and be removed.
10. Please check the Summer Festival Overview Thread for the listed End Time for Forum Games. Any entries posted after this time will not qualify.
Prizes
Everyone's submissions will be judged by the admins and we will select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners based on creativity, effort, and appeal. It is possible for there to be more than just 3 individual winners.
There will be a Participation Prize as well for valid entries.
Have fun and enjoy!
1st Place Winner(s) Winner(s): Prizes:Free Stable, [Peerless Avatar Token] x1, 3-Visible Summer Festival Themed Pet of Choice (2-Vis if Majestic) x2 OR Sculpting Mold of Choice x2, [Quick Drying Agent] x1, [Majestic Beach Shovel] x10, [Majestic Fishing Pole] x10, [Premium Clam] x3, [Box of Sculpting Supplies] x1, [Box of Sculpting Agents] x3
2nd Place Winner(s) Winner(s): Prizes:Free Stable, 3-Visible Summer Festival Themed Pet of Choice (2-Vis if Majestic) OR Sculpting Mold of Choice x1, [Quick Drying Agent] x1, [Majestic Beach Shovel] x5, [Majestic Fishing Pole] x5, [Premium Clam] x2, [Box of Sculpting Supplies] x1, [Box of Sculpting Agents] x3
3rd Place Winner(s) Winner(s): Prizes:Free Stable, [Majestic Sculpting Mold] x1 OR [Fabled Sculpting Mold] x1, [Quick Drying Agent] x1, [Premium Clam] x1, [Box of Sculpting Supplies] x1, [Box of Sculpting Agents] x3
Rhyne was leaving the Arena after a long day with her party of pets. They had done exceedingly well. Two of the large creatures walked behind her, while she rode her favorite, Flaming Tiger. In the Sweltering Slyestia heat, they were the best options for the day. She had seen many Sylesti that could not bare the heat of these days. She nudged Tiger to the right, headed towards the Umbra Forest. They continued down the long road, and while Rhyne kept watch she knew she didn't really need to worry. Who was going to bother a woman traveling with three Nyvene? even a lone Morokko wouldn't dare. She she took a sip from her canteen she saw a caravan ahead. As they got closer, she could see the people buzzing about. The nomads seemed to be setting up camp right outside of the Umbra forest. She dismounted and walked closer to them, curious and hoping they may have had something to sell.
"Good morning! It's an awfully hot day to set camp outside of the forest, isn't it?"
"Well, we were coming to see the Faire Bazaar that is set up in the forest, but Vorkids keep attacking us as we go in"
Rhyne looked towards the woods, and then towards the wanderer's slyesti's. mostly Quitari.
"I'm also headed towards the Baazar, I was given a note to ask for Wren when I get there. Maybe I could escort one of you? I will leave one of my Nyvene with your camp to protect it while we are gone."
The trader nodded, and Rhyne beckoned Cosmic to watch the camp. Cosmic was the smallest of the three Nyvene, and Rhyne thought it would be best to take the two big males. the trader warily climbed up onto Jester, the red and black male. Rhyne re-mounted Tiger and they headed off into Umbra Forrest. It wasn't long until a group of Vorkids attacked them. Tiger and Jester made quick work of them, but both were obviously tired after the endeavor. Rhyne and the trader walked alongside them, allowing them to rest as they reached the Bazaar. It was a loud place, with sale's fae calling out to them, large tents and music coming from somewhere. Rhyne stopped one of the sellers, asking if they knew a "Wren". The seller pointed towards the outer edges of the Bazaar, where a large tent surrounded by several species of adult Slyesti layed. The tent had a scorpion sleeping under the north star as it's symbol. She beckoned her own Slyesti's to wait, so they would not disturb the Bazaar. The lantern's lighting the tent seemed to have a different glow, a magic glow instead of flame. As rhyne was getting a closer look at one, a mouse scurried over one of her feet. She jumped, startled and fell backwards. the tent was full of different exotic animals and Slyesti's. Animals she had never seen before. A coyote, an eagle in a cage, and something in a tank with long pretty fins.
"And what are you in search of here today?"
A tall Fae asked her, the fae's blue eyes focusing on Rhyne with a smile.
"I was told to find Wren and give them this letter. It is from an opponent I bested in the arena today."
AS Rhyne looked, she noticed that of all the things this trader had, she did not seem to have any Nyvene.
"Ah yes. Something special was.... ordered. and it seems instead of gold they decided to gift it to you."
Wren pulled out a large box, covered in sand and handed it to Rhyne.
"I traveled through many sandstorms & faced many dust devils for this."
Rhyne opened the box, and inside was a small Nyvene, green and black in hue. Just a hatchling. She smiled as she looked at Wren. "A perfect friend to end the summer with"
Flyier
Level 75
Sergeant
Joined: 7/23/2018
Threads: 1
Posts: 65
Posted: 8/21/2026 at 10:34 PM
Post #3
I haven't written in quite awhile so here goes.
"Bug Eater"
Carved images spanned across the sand dusted walls as far as the eyes could see. They dance between long faded colors to intricate murals made up of light and shadow casting from a point far above where the sun doth peak in.
A male, middle aged, stood beneath the towering designs, sketchpad in hand, trying to decipher the long lost wording. Not to any success, of course. Roman wasn't an epigrapher. He honestly failed his linguistic classes, but the people wanted history.
It had been three months since he came to this place, far in the desert lands, searching for sylesti that called home the sweltering, horribly dry, air the perfect place to live. Every day had been a challenge, living within the canyon was a learning experience, yet it had been worth it.
Teeth glisten in the dusk glow, dripping with saliva as Miho gives a yawn that nearly puts out the torch light held within the jabbed into the wall sconce. The Ny'vene's tail twitches at Roman's fond huff.
"I see we're trying to blow out the light again. Did the last layer of scorching not match your standards, or are you telling me to hurry up?" Light teasing meets an eye roll. Roman snaps the sketchbook shut, and waves his partner to follow. "I guess a walk would do us both some good."
Stepping out from beneath the arches, Roman clicks his tongue for Miho to follow. Of which she does gleefully, wings stretching out wide, momentarily casting shades of prey skulls in purple wisps before her claws dig into the sandstone.
There had been many encounters with wild sylesti these past few months. Every single one of them was different. Built to thrive in these lands. He had met flocks of Aeridini fluttering about with Nephinis in a flowering field fed on their mana. A pride of fruiting Lighira led charge by a frightening female hunted down a shimmering Griffi who slipped away like a mirage, earning the name.
Roman had even stumbled upon a Sandstorm Aurleon flock spinning up a dust storm at one point.
One of his favorites was the one they were going to see now.
From beneath the palm tree, a small green and blue Sylvorpa pops her head from the still water, displacing turquoise droplets as they spread over mimicry grown flower buds.
The Oasis Moss Sylvorpa was found a month ago when Roman had run out of water. He doesn't remember much of that week, delirium swirling together memories and thoughts until neither truly remained. Had it not been for a small sylesti, he surely would've died. She had dragged him several meters across the open desert dunes to the place she, and several others of her kind, called home. Soft ferns, lilac flowers, a blessed moment led to him greedily lapping at the water to satisfy the never ending thirst. It had never tasted sweeter.
Once his throat was no longer copying the dry ruins he made camp in, and his canteen was filled, he had turned to her with thanks. She had chirped at him, much like she was doing now, quick bubble pops, and then gleefully stole his bag. Specifically, the wrapped meat within it. Hence why he now called her Munchi.
However, something about the chirping was... different. More panicked or frightened. Roman's brows scrunched together in concern, hand abandoning the treats he was reaching for.
At seeing his caution, Munchi swam off. Her tail sliced through the water, begging him to follow.
The sylesti of the oasis usually refuse to let him further in for their nests rested near the denser foliage. Roman doesn't hesitate to signal for Miho to stand at ready while he carefully steps through bushes.
Inhaling sharply, Roman freezes at the sight of a vespid swarm sat around moss covered eggs. Unlike those found within the Umbra Forest, these vespids were smaller with a scorpion like design. A stinger rested on one end while claws sat guard ready at the sides of protruding mandibles set to spit their venom.
For a wanderer like Roman, they were a nightmare. He had no weapon at hand to bat off the crazed hungry things, nor could Miho get close without risking the eggs or herself. There was seemingly nothing he could do, but he would damned if he let Munchi's children be bug food.
Hesitantly stepping forward, Roman steels himself for pain as he plans to kick the spitter like a football. The joints in his knee tense, Miho's tail swishing against the brush steadies his breathing while she rumbles with a growl known to make grown men sob. He steps forward. Aims. Fires.
At least, that had been his goal.
Roman nearly stumbles over face first as a blur shoots out from the ground. Dust colored fur shakes with fallen sand, spikes bristling tumble weeds knotted around slender legs stand at end, and a muzzle latches onto the first bug. He isn't even given a chance to blink before green guts spray alongside even greener venom seemingly doing nothing to deter the... Lupora?
Yes, it was a young, adolescent, Lupora standing there, claws squishing a carapace into the sand, completely unbothered by pincers. It had darted out from a pile of sand, readily taking care of the danger.
Huh. Quick. Sand colored. Buries itself to hunt. Yeah, he's calling this breed Quicksand Lupora's.
Latte eyes stare at him as chitin cracks. Its tail wags rapidly, unknowing of the bestowed upon title. He swears it was thanking him for being bait.
