The Great Race 2026

• All artwork and literature must be original and created by the entrant specifically for this event. Commissioned artwork or literature, AI-generated or AI-assisted content, traced artwork, and premade linearts are not permitted.

• Images must be full body, coloured, shaded, and have a rendered scenic background. (Creative perspective and style will be taken into consideration.) Please see the Echelon Point Calculator for further reference.

• Riders must be clearly and easily identifiable. If their face is covered or otherwise concealed, another defining characteristic must be visible.

• Mounts and riders must be depicted as actively participating in the event.

• To qualify for a Specialty Bonus, the mount must be clearly shown performing an activity or task directly associated with its specialty, excluding Horse Husbandry.

• Chibis or oversimplified works will not be counted.

• Literature entries must be 1,700 words minimum. 

• Collaborations must clearly state who did which parts. One entry may contain up to 3 collaborators. 

• Literature collaborations require a minimum of 1,000 words per participant. 

How to Participate

• This is a participation-based event with no judging or competition. 

• Each rider may enter once per leg, for a maximum of 5 entries.

• Riders may use up to 5 different mounts, with one horse per leg.

• A player may enter the event with multiple riders, provided each rider has their own separate set of entries. Multiple characters belonging to a single player do not count as a collaboration.

• Other characters may appear in your entries for storytelling purposes.

Saddle up. The cannon is about to sound.

START: Haspar → Checkpoint 1
At the sound of the starting cannon, riders spur their horses into a gallop off the starting line to a riot of thundering hooves, whoops, and hollers from the crowd. Riders are implored not to get too overzealous, however — there is a long, arduous journey still ahead.

Checkpoint 1 → Checkpoint 2
The steppe soon gives way to forest edge, where wide-open ground narrows into game trails threading between the trees. The going is slower here, and riders must trust their mounts to pick a careful path.

Riders should remain alert, for they are encroaching upon Greater Forest Raptor territory — keep your wits about you!

Checkpoint 2 → Checkpoint 3
The trail climbs steadily as elevation increases, terrain turning to rocky ground and winding lake shore. The forest thins at your back as you leave Greater Forest Raptor territory behind — but don't celebrate too soon, for you're now moving into Shadowcat territory.

Checkpoint 3 → Checkpoint 4
The most difficult and slowest leg of the journey. Steep foothills rise ahead, laced with narrow switchback paths and unstable ground underfoot, all while mountain weather threatens to turn without warning.

This leg moves through the very heart of highland Shadowcat territory. Stay vigilant!

Checkpoint 4 → Checkpoint 5
The trail descends from the mountains into forested highlands before opening out into the northern flatlands. Riders will pass once more through Greater Forest Raptor territory.

Checkpoint 5 → Eclein: FINISH
The final stretch home, into the fringe of Daranguil territory! You needn't worry about him too much... unless you try climbing into his mouth. But what a sight he'd be to finish your journey by!

Rewards

x1 Raffle Ticket
x2 Loot Box
x1 Large Valyut Bundle

Specialty Bonus

Throughout the race, competitors may encounter situations where they and their mount's trained specialty provides them with an advantage.

Your horse and rider don't need to perform their specialty literally to earn its benefit. A team trained in Fishing, for instance, doesn't need to "stop and go fishing" for their training to count — instead, show how that training naturally translates to an edge in the moment. A Fishing specialty might help a rider read a river's currents to find the safest crossing, or move swiftly through wetlands that slow other competitors. Hunting might enable a team to better avoid the haunts of dangerous predators, or embolden them to traverse those same areas with more confidence than their compeditors. Scouting might help a rider spot the safest route along a dangerous leg, or allow them to move through a treacherous route with superior surefootedness.

Specialty knowledge can also serve as a tool for sabotaging other competitors. A team with a horse trained in Farming might draw on its experience as a plow horse to move large, heavy obstacles onto the route of speed-favored teams just ahead of a leg of open terrain where they'd otherwise be guaranteed to gain ground. A team with Herding experience might drive a herd of animals onto the path to achieve a similar goal. A particularly nefarious Hunter might leave bait behind to lure predators into the area in their wake. And so on. 

All sabotage is purely narrative. It may only involve NPC competitors, same player characters, or the characters of other players who have explicitly given consent, and will not influence the outcome of another player's actual entry.

Horse Husbandry does not count. Nookie will not be of any benefit to anyone for the duration of the event.

Bonus Rewards

x1 Small Stat Bundle
x1 Companion Bundle
x1 Large Bonus Item Bundle

Magic Bonus

Similarly to the Specialty Bonus, use of a rider’s achieved magic may provide an advantage over their competitors. Caution is advised, however; the event is not mage-friendly, and should a competitor suspect foul magical play, the consequences may be dire.

Bonus Rewards

+ 500 Karma

Fauna and Flora Bonus

Entries depicting any of the original animals and/or plants of Moren Ezen will receive additional bonuses. Bonuses do not stack for depictions of multiple original animals or plants.

Dearest Rider,

You are cordially invited to attend

the Vaelor House Masquerade Ball

in honor and celebration of the Great Race

to be held within the Grand Hall of Vaelor House, Eclein,

on the Evening of the Twelfth Day of the Eighth Month,

at the Tolling of the Seventh Bell.

Attendance is limited.

Admission is granted only upon presentation of this invitation.

Census identification marks are to be shown at the door,
but must be concealed once guests have entered the Hall.

Masks are required and are to be worn
for the duration of the evening. 

Guests are requested to refrain from the use of names,
titles, or public affiliations while within the Hall.

Music, supper, and dancing

shall be provided for the enjoyment of those present.

The observances of discretion and decorum

are expected and appreciated.

Kindly regard this invitation as both

a courtesy and a confidence.

With the compliments of the House,

Lady Agatha Vaelor

Vaelor House, among Eclein’s most venerable and admired of houses, has surrendered itself wholly to the grand conclusion to the year’s most anticipated event: The Great Race.

Garlands of sunny blossoms cascade beneath the great stone arches in lavish profusion, their delicate buds conciliating the otherwise austere countenance of the ancient Old World manor. Beneath them, hundreds of candles flicker from wrought-iron sconces and crystal chandeliers, casting the grand halls in a dancing, golden radiance. The polished marble floors gleam beneath the passage of silken slippers and polished boots, whilst musicians fill the air with a lively arrangement of string, brass and piano.

Everywhere, there is colour.

Velvet and brocade sweep through the ballroom in jewel tones; feathers, jewels, lace, and elaborate masks conceal familiar and unknown. Servants glide soundlessly between the assembled nobility with silver trays of champagne and delicate confections, whilst the great western doors stand open to the manor gardens, where lanterns illuminate the terraces beyond.

Depict your rider attending the Masquerade Ball. Remember, as your rider's face and Census ID ought to be concealed, another recognisable characteristic must be depicted.