Richard McKay
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Remember Autumn (WIP)
🕑 Added 2024-05-19 14:30:25 +0000 UTCThe old pro Draysil, following a rematch challenge from a doe who participated in the "Red Autumn" chase decades prior.
Red Autumn, sometimes referred to as the Red Autumn Massacre by the does who remember it, was a particularly noteworthy Mating Season chase event in Everbrook which saw nearly every participating doe captured and mated, particularly, as a result of the rampage wrought by newly-crowned Champion buck, Draysil, who alone chased down and mated nearly half of the participating females of that season. In the end, only 1 doe managed to escape without being caught by any buck, which is generally credited to her remaining in an out-of-the-way, North-Eastern location for the duration of the chase, and more importantly, having never encountered Draysil, who had cut a swath of dominance mostly from the western end of the chasing grounds, to the south-eastern corner. That season's chase was notable for having an abundance of inexperienced females participating, giving them a slight numbers advantage, but an experience disadvantage. Draysil first eliminated key, experienced does from the female ranks, then proceeded to pick off the abundance of less experienced does who might have otherwise benefited from the guidance of the more seasoned runners who had already been taken from the chase. The Red Autumn name refers to the vibrant, fall colors of the forest that season, which had begun to turn earlier than usual due to cooler temperatures.
Prior to Red Autumn, Draysil had been seen as a primary contributor to the bucks' shut-out victory over the does in a season shortly before, leading to his eventual ascension to Champion status. The new confidence this bestowed upon an already-exceptional buck, coupled with his determination to prove he was worthy of the title, is generally credited as a reason for his dominant performance during the Red Autumn chase, which has since entered into almost mythical status. It is believed that no doe whom Draysil opted to pursue during that chase successfully escaped him.
The Red Autumn chase marked the peak of Draysil's dominance as a chasing buck, and he began to gradually take a more relaxed approach to the chases which followed, until ultimately retiring from official chases several seasons later. Draysil's single chase record of captured does achieved in the Red Autumn chase stands to this day, having only ever been slightly approached by Draysil's protege, Harseth, before the latter's surprise decision to leave the village at a relatively young age, thus retiring from official chases.
