Introduction
Spring is in the air! You can smell the fresh growth of nearby plants, the ground is soft under your claws and great for digging-
"Hey! Hey! Watch where you're stepping!"
A mottled green female shoves you so hard that you stumble, struggling to keep your paws. She scowls at you and leans down to gingerly sniff the ground and pat the mound of dirt gently.
"Don't you know there's things growing here?"
She makes a frustrated noise and motions around you.
"Look! Don't you see all these mounds in neat little orderly rows as if someone did it on purpose?"
You look around you curiously. She's right-the dirt has been churned up evenly and in an organized way. You look at her again, noticing that her white patches are covered with dirt and her claws are thick with soil.
"Of course it's dirt," she snaps. "But there's a reason all these little mounds are arranged neatly and in rows. Can't you see it? Or are you really that oblivious."
You look around you curiously. She's right-the dirt has been churned up evenly and in an organized way. You look at her again, noticing that her white patches are covered with dirt and her claws are thick with soil.
The female rolls her eyes.
"Yes, I did. I'm preparing for the Springtide Howl Fayre-aren't you?"
She's more earnest now, looking you up and down as if assessing you for a friend...or a rival.
Her eyes widen, and her jaw drops in shock.
"You...don't know what the Springtide Howl Fayre is?" she questions incredulously. "You're joking, right?"
When your dumbfounded expression doesn't change, she stares at you for a moment as if gathering her thoughts.
Then, quite abruptly, her entire demeanor changes-with an excited gasp she's pushing you over to a row of dirt mounds, tail wagging so hard that it's a blue.
"Showing you, of course! I can't believe you don't know-" She cuts herself off and takes a steadying breath, growing more stoic as she launches into an explanation.
"The Springtide Howl Fayre happens every year. Wolves from all over work hard to grow a variety of crops to enter and be judged by their fellow wolves. The better the quality of the crop, the higher you score. Which is why it's important to not step on your crops," she adds pointedly.
She flicks her head as if shooing away a fly.
"Luckily you didn't do any damage. Anyway...are you going to enter this year? You still can! It's only just started. It's so much fun...and I can teach you what you need to do."
She flops down on her haunches and fixes you with a curious look.
"My name's Abilene, and just so you know, I'm the reigning champion. It would be fun to team up though...unless you mean to try and beat me."
* This option begins the rival path
** This option begins the friend path
Abilene snickers.
"Fat chance, but you're welcome to try. I'm not intimidated by your amateur skills."
She rises to her paws and nods at the growing plants.
"Although, I guess I have to tell you how this works if you're going to be any sort of competition. Not that you will be, but just in case, you know."
She stares you down pointedly.
You notice a spark of joy in Abilene's eyes.
"I'm thrilled to hear that! I'm just as excited and can't wait to see what you can do when we put our heads together. It's a lot more fun than when you're alone. With our combined knowledge and experience, I'm sure we'll achieve amazing results."
She pauses, as if uncertain.
"Come to think of it, do you actually have any experience? If not, that's fine-I'll be here every step of the way!"
"It's really not all that hard," she says with a sigh. "You just plant the seeds and wait for them to grow. You'll have to be patient, [NAME]. I know that's hard for you, but if you're smart you'll grow certain plants in their proper biomes to make the wait time shorter. Once that's done, harvest your plants by going to the Plants Harvested area. From there you can also collect seeds from the plants you grew so that you can grow more. Pretty simple, hmm?"
She scratches her ear with a paw before continuing.
"You can buy more seeds from that weird groundhog. The better you get, the more plots you'll have access to choose from. As you garden you'll notice that you may get more seeds from better plants, and sometimes even mutations, too. But I'll let you figure that out on your own."
"It's not hard, don't worry!" she says cheerfully. "You just plant the seeds and wait for them to grow! You'll have to be patient, [NAME], but I'll give you a tip: if you grow certain plants in their proper biomes, it won't take as long! Once that's done, harvest your plants by going to the Plants Harvested area. From there you can also collect seeds from the plants you grew so that you can grow more. Easy peasy, right?"
She taps a paw as if thinking to herself, and brightens as if a light bulb has come on in her brain.
"You can buy more seeds from that nice groundhog. The better you get, the more plots you'll have access to choose from. As you garden you'll notice that you may get more seeds from better plants, and sometimes even mutations, too. But...well, I'll let you figure that out yourself. I can't reveal all of my secrets!"
Abilene looks doubtful but at last shrugs and turns away, as if she's bored.
"I expect a decent attempt to live up to your threat, [NAME]. Come find me when you think you've improved your skills enough to be worth my while. I'll be waiting."
She saunters off without another word, leaving you to test out your new green paws.
Abilene nods with a smile. You can tell she can't wait to begin the challenge.
"I think you're ready, [NAME]! The first steps are always that hardest, but you'll find it gets easier with time. I have faith in your natural talent. You seem to grasp the idea, and I'm sure you'll develop your own strategy for the best results."
She looks at you, wagging her tail gentle.
"When you grow something, come and show it to me! That way, we can work together to improve things or buckle down on our successful techniques and jump ahead!"
She turns back to her plants with a murmur of farewell.
The story will continue in 3 rollovers. See if you can raise your gardening level to at least Level 10!
Rival Path
Abilene strides up to you confidently, chest puffed out and eyes narrowed.
"All right, let's see how you've done. I bet it took you a long time to reach that level of gardening, didn't it? Not everyone has the green paw."
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is equal to or higher than Level 5
With a mildly impressed look, Abilene looks you over.
"You're not even close to my level, but you're good enough for now. But just because you're good at growing them doesn't mean you can grow a lot of them. That takes even more skill. Let's see how you do with a bit more of a challenge this time. Grow 20 crops. Perhaps that will get you stumped, hmm?"
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is lower than Level 5
The look of disgust on Abilene's face is clear even from several strides away as she looks at your barely-muddied paws.
"Did you even try, [NAME]? You've barely made an attempt to improve yourself. At this rate I'll be the champion again this year. Go try again...and again, and yes even again after that until you're a halfway decent gardener."
Frowning, she seems to consider her next words before continuing:
"How are you with numbers? Not as good as me I'm sure, but you can try. Grow at least 20 crops and I'd better not see your dumb face back here until you do."
The story will continue in 5 rollovers. See if you can grow at least 20 crops!
Ready to show off your bundle of crops, you make your way to Abilene who is tallying her own.
She turns to you expectantly.
"Well, come to brag about how many crops you've grown, hmm? Let's see if it's really worth bragging about."
The following text will result if you've grown 20 or more crops
Brow furrowed, Abilene lets out a huff as she looks over your plentiful crops and glances behind her at hers.
"Well, it's a good start, I'll give you that. But you'll have to do better if you want to beat me."
She turns and hovers over her own, seemingly trying to block your view of the number she managed to grow.
The following text will result if you've grown less than 20 crops
With a smirk, Abilene looks over your pitiful number of crops as if she's already won.
"Shame, really, that you only managed to grow this many...not everyone is as talented as I am, of course. Maybe you'll catch up...one day."
She struts back to her crops, taking the time to count each one loudly so that you can hear.
The story will continue in 5 rollovers. See if you can raise your gardening level to at least Level 10!
When you make your way to Abilene this time, she is taking great care to tend to some impressive looking crops that glow with health. They've been tended well, and Abilene seems to know it.
"Oh, hello, [NAME]. I'm just checking on my latest batch of crops. Aren't they lovely? They're winners, for sure."
She sits regally in front of them, eyeing you almost warily.
"Come to check and see if your little crops live up to these? Let's see them, then."
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is equal to or higher than Level 10
As she inspects you in all of your dirty, plant smeared glory, Abilene's face changes from that of a confident champion to something else. Is that intimidation you see on her face?
"Yeah, yeah, so you've been working a lot, haven't you? Your skills are better than last time, You'd probably come in second to me, at least."
That's as good as an admission of excellence coming from her.
"Go away now, I'm busy," she snaps, and stalks back to her crops.
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is lower than Level 10
It's hard for her to hide the sly smile that crosses her face as she inspects your suspiciously clean paws and well-groomed pelt. You have a sneaking suspicion she isn't even trying to hide her satisfaction.
"Have you even been trying? Maybe your skills have reached their limit at this point. You're clearly struggling. Well, I might give you some pointers after this is all over, if you ask nicely."
She turns away with a snort and doesn't spare you another glance.
The story will continue in 5 rollovers. See if you can win 10 contests!
Abilene pads up to you, eyes bright and excited.
"You won't believe how many competitions my crops have won! I've entered as many as I could, and I of course won all of them."
She puffs her chest out proudly and peers down her nose at you.
"Let's have it, newbie. Did you win anything?"
The following text will result if you have won 10 or more contests
Abilene's eyes widen as you tell her of your success.
"That's...well, good, I guess," she mumbles. "You told them who taught you all you know, right? I'm sure that's why you won so much; the judges know me and did you a favor."
With a shrug she turns away, as if unbothered by your recent success. There was a prickly feeling about her, though.
"Off with you. It's time I went back to my own crops and you tend to yours."
The following text will result if you have won less than 10 contests
Abilene frowns sympathetically, but it's not a very convincing show.
"Too bad, [NAME]. I suppose you can't win them when I'm winning them all myself. Chin up, you're still in second place! That's only a step under me. Consider that a victory. I'm unbeatable."
She barks out a laugh and doesn't look your way again as she pads back to her own business. Sheesh! Someone sure is full of herself...
The story will continue in 5 rollovers.
Friend Path
You're ready to show her how much you've improved! It's time to see Abilene.
Abilene approaches you with curiosity when you arrive, sniffing around and eyeing your dirty paws.
"Let's see how you've done! I hope you've been working hard, [NAME]. I know it may not seem like it, but it will pay off in the end. Now then..."
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is equal to or higher than Level 5
Abilene examines your muddied paws and smells the variety of crop scent clinging to your fur and brightens.
"Yes! Well done. An amazing start. Practice makes perfect, and you've done your share haven't you? You are learning fast, my friend. Let's keep it going. I have another challenge for you--grow as many crops as you can! Make sure you get at least 20. I'm sure you'll find this easy. Come show me when you're done!"
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is lower than Level 5
The story will continue in 5 rollovers. See if you can grow at least 20 crops!
When you arrive, Abilene greets you with a friendly smile.
"Quality is the most important, but we can't neglect the numbers. Quantity will be judged as well so let me see what you've got there..."
The following text will result if you've grown 20 or more crops
Abilene only has to glance over your crops to know that there are more than enough to effortlessly advance to the next stage.
"Oh my, look at this! You have a real talent, you know that? Keep it up and we'll have this thing in the bag!"
The following text will result if you've grown less than 20 crops
The story will continue in 5 rollovers. See if you can raise your gardening level to at least Level 10!
Abilene greets you with a wagging tail. When she notices your crops, her expression shifts from happy and relaxed to business mode. She's ready to judge your work.
"Let me take a closer look... Sometimes things appear fine from a distance, but there might be issues that aren't immediately obvious. Trust me, I've been through this many times before."
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is equal to or higher than Level 10
Abilene sniffs your crop carefully and touches it gently a few times, looking for any hidden flaw.
"Not a single mistake here. Let me tell you, if this wasn't our work, I'd be really jealous right now. No one can stop us with beautiful crops like these!"
The following text will result if your Gardening Skill is lower than Level 10
The story will continue in 5 rollovers. See if you can win 10 contests!
You sense that Abilene is more serious now, perhaps because the contest is coming to an end soon and the nervous air around you both is palpable.
"I know a lot about plants, but in the end, it's not just my opinion that counts. Did you show your crops in any competitions? Did you win?"
The following text will result if you have won 10 or more contests
Upon hearing your report, Abilene brightens immediately and puffs her chest out a bit.
"I didn't expect anything less than that, you know. I shared my knowledge, but it's your hard work that led to every single victory. You can be proud, just as I am now."
The following text will result if you have won less than 10 contests
The story will continue in 5 rollovers.