~STORY~
On a dark, silent, Halloween night, three unwary children dared each other to go into the Unknown Forest. [None would go alone, so in the end they all went in together as a group.] It was getting very dark soon they could hardly see their hands in front of their faces.
Suddenly, one of the kids noticed a humanoid creature with the tail, ears, and fur of a fox or lion. Leathery wings were folded against its back, and it held a carved pumpkin while wandering amilessly through the trees.
Another child noticed a second creature of similar appearance emerge from a small lake nearby, but with delicate, transparent wings and feminine features. It waved a paw, manipulating the water around it.
The third child, glancing at one creature, then the other, dropped his candy in fright and raced back the way he came as fast as his legs would carry him. Not wanting to be left alone, his friends soon did the same, leaving three bags brimming with halloween treats.
Hours passed, and the Lyox Gods noticed the abandoned candy. Curiously, they took the bags, mostly containing discarded wrappers, popsicle sticks, and round, mint candies. Deciding to put the strange objects to some use, they followed the advice of the Pumpkin God, who suggested turning them into lyox babies. He knew the human children would return for their goodies, and decided to have a little fun. It was, after all, Halloween, and he liked playing tricks. Little by little, with the magic of the Lyox Gods, each object soon sprouted ears, whiskers, and tails.
The next day, the same kids returned, looking for their candy as the Pumpkin God had predicted. They noticed the strange appendages on the sweets, but were reluctant to discard them. Soon enough, the enchanted candies started to grow into little beasts resembling both lions and foxes, amazing the kids. They returned home together, followed by their new companions.
Not far away, the Lyox Pumpkin God and Water Goddess, upon watching the sucess of their plan, decided to work together to create more strange treats for passerbys and wandering folk who were daring enough to retrieve them. Soon, word spread far and wide about the magic forest and the odd popcicle sticks and candies that were discovered there.
Daring Gaians may venture into the Unknown Forest, or “Lyox Forest”, as it has come to be called, seeking the precious lyox candy. If you're lucky and looking hard enough, you might just find one!