[Dia.]

Rise will close to the public indefinitely on February 1st, 2020.

2 years ago, Rise started as something simple to enjoy. Over time, the environment that was once positive and light-hearted became very negative. There have been far too many hurtful messages directed towards Rise staff, and I'm disappointed to see what Rise has become and how it impacts my mental health. Unfortunately, toxicity is a side effect of any large community. I have worked hard to maintain this community for everyone to enjoy, but I will not continue to sponsor a harmful environment.

I know how important Rise is to many of you, and I'm sorry to disappoint you. I've personally made many fond memories and new friends through this community. Please use the time between now and February 1st to tie up loose ends.

Of course, you are free to continue developing your cats and your clans. Your clans will become clans of OCs, so you may add OC cats to them and use them as you wish.

I am decreasing the restriction on the official art so that you personally may use it on CS ONLY. You may not use it off of CS, so you will need to use other art as their references for off-site purposes. You may still house your cats on Toyhouse and your dedicated Rise websites as well with proper credit, as you have been. Rise cats still may not be sold. They may not be traded with their original art unless the trade is for another Rise cat. All rules will stand.

- We will still have a small anniversary event January 26-Feb 1.
- No more regular customs or breedings will be taken

- Orders that were paid for (customs and transfers) will be completed ASAP
- Breedings will also be completed
- If you own a custom, semi-custom, or transfer ticket, you have until February 1st to redeem those (send me a message on discord or cs and I will distribute them to artists; the custom cooldown does not affect these orders, so you can redeem multiple)
- You also have until February 1st to request scars from artists
- Founders will not be completed, as they are free and Rise is closing

Thank you for the last two years.

[Meoauniaea]

Thank YOU for the last two years.

[Smallfox]

Oh-

[FeathersBreath]

As sad as I am that Rise is closing - I am eternally grateful for what Rise has given me over the past few months. It gave me a welcoming community, and I made friends that I hope will stay with me for the next while.
I'm so sorry for the staff who have received hurtful and toxic messages - such behavior is absolutely abhorrent.

Dia, thank you for creating such a wonderful experience. You did such a fantastic job.

To the staff members - thank you thank you thank you. You helped make a beautiful world for us, and helped make such wonderful characters that all hold dear places in my, and all of Rise's, heart(s).

To those who I've spoken to deeply, I consider you friends, and hope that we will stay in contact.

To everyone else, those I've talked to, and those I haven't, thank you for being there.

Rise is dear to my heart, and I am honoured to have been a part of it.
Thank you.

[NaCl]

some of us payed for the official art of them to be made? Why cannot we use it? To me, it personally seems unreasonable that off cs, we can’t treat them like regular oc’s even though that’s what they have become?

[chuuya nakahara]

Me: *Reads 'Closing'
Me:

[huddson]

this is really sad to hear, but i understand why. props to you for having the guts to do it.
thank you to everyone in this community, especially the artists

[Griffin Torrens]

I only joined rise in November, but these last few months have been amazing, and an experience I'll never forget. It's sad my time in it has only been so short, but nothing comes before mental health, so I'm glad you're doing what you need Dia <3

I just want to say that all of the staff/artists have been absolute legends, and I love you all, that you for what you've done for us all, you don't deserve a single negative word against you, and it's horrible not everyone can see that. I hope you will all look back on the positives of rise and all the people you've made happy and can in time forget and heal from the verbal abuse you got <3

And everyone else in the community, you've made me feel more welcome than I ever have. This was the first community I felt at home in, I'll never forget it!

[strawberryjelly]

I’m sad to see Rose go. I hadn’t really become involved with everyone here until just last month, but all ready I feel sad at reading this.

I want to say thank you to Dia, and to all of the staff members. You all did an amazing job. Your designs have always been on-point, and heck, the way you were able to turn that into character development? That’s incredible!

Also a thank you to Hevno. You ran the archive flawlessly, and you always seem to have a smile and a kind message, and, by what I’ve seen, you can be a pretty big goofball to! <3

Rise will always be in my heart. I had never had the inspiration to develop my clan, but now, Rise has helped me come out of that hole.

[jaques]

I just joined Rise in the last month and I had a good time. The community was very accepting and loving of me and complimented and encouraged me. The cats I obtained I love and they are near and deal to my heart. It really sucks to see this go, but I understand.

Take care of yourself, Dia, as your health is important above all else. I'm sure others of the community will see this and think the same. Cheers for time we've had.