Storm of Cats and Dogs
The Storm of Cats and Dogs was a massive meteorological event during Eden’s Second Age. Rolling from east to west over the course of three days, the tempest’s effects varied not only from region to region but also from town to town—and sometimes from house to house! The cruel people of the world suffered through the most destructive storm in Edenian history, whereas the kind-hearted were gifted a refreshing summer rain and—if they wanted one and were prepared to take good care of it—a new family pet delivered from the sky above.
Origins
The storm formed off the east coast of Eden, pulling its supernatural energy from the River Without End—the Undercurrent, in particular. Then, just before dawn on July 2, it made landfall in the Desert at the Edge of Existence and began its trek westward toward The Reek.
Effects
Though strong winds and heavy precipitation were a constant throughout the lifespan of the tempest, the storm was at its deadliest on that first day—before anyone had any idea what to expect. Most of the fatalities attributed to the storm occurred in The Reek and in the easternmost parts of Nalké and Wonderland. After the calamity and catastrophe of the first day, the rest of Eden was far better prepared for what was coming.
No consensus has ever been reached regarding the storm’s decisions on who to reward and who to punish. The only agreement scholars have ever come to is that “good” folks who weren’t interested in a new pet did not receive one, nor did anyone who wasn’t prepared to take proper care of the animal in question.
In terms of where all the new puppies and kitty-cats came from, the most popular theory is that they were born of spirits lifted from the Undercurrent—spirits of cats and dogs who were mistreated in previous iterations of reality and deserved another shot at a happy life.
Aftermath
Though no similar storm has struck Eden in the centuries since, the sudden, random appearance of dogs and cats on the doorsteps of the kindhearted has persisted to this day. And since the days of the storm, it hasn’t just been puppies and kittens either. Cats and dogs of all ages have been gifted to families across the world. Older and elderly animals deserve love, too!
The storm also gave new meaning to the phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs.” In Edenian Slang, the phrase has come to mean “everything’s going well.”
This is cute and clever! Delightful to hear that pets who had unfortunate lives are getting a do-over with a happy home.
Me, too! That was the final piece of the puzzle that came together for me and made me write this down. I loved the cute concept from the start, but I needed something that gave it heart and made it feel like an authentic part of my world.