abraxaslogs | The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice - Solvunn

As the Winter Solstice approaches, the atmosphere within Solvunn changes. Unlike the stoic and somber traditions needing to be upheld to confuse the Old Gods, the mood is light, cheerful, and there is a buzz within the community. Boughs of holly and large garlands of evergreen decorated with bells, twine, and poinsettia are hung across every doorway and window in sight. Small altars adorned with candles can be seen in every front window when dusk approaches due to the sun’s ebbing presence in the sky. At night, bonfires are lit in the middle of town where the adults can mingle and partake in spiced cider and warm mead. Songs of yuletide and stories of Solstices past are shared.

A light blanket of snow falls from the sky, but does not carry with it the harsh temperatures that one might expect. Solvunn’s mages have enchanted the snow so that it remains pristine. While it does not deter the chill on the air that causes its residents to don scarves and shawls, it does make for a pretty sight.

Daylight brings a flurry of activity and the marketplace’s tone shifts. Instead of the bartering that usually takes place, it’s an exchange of gifts from one family to another. The Summoned are also recipients of this, being offered small, handmade trinkets or decorative jars of honey or spiced sugar candies. Children run about exchanging their own small gifts- pieces of candy or handwoven jewelry with pretty stones or beads.

It Takes a Village

A few days before the true Winter Solstice gathering, a town meeting is called, and the Council stands on the steps of the town hall to give an address to its citizens. Winifred Bordeaux stands at the center of it all, posture straight and expression dutiful and warm. She raises her hand to silence the dull murmurs of the gathered crowd.

"My dearest citizens, our honored guests, every year we celebrate not only the dimming of the sun’s presence in the sky, but also that of the Singularity itself. We rely on the will of the Gods to protect us and to see to our prosperity, and it is with their blessing that we may start a new tradition with our honored guests at its center. However, the tradition at hand will not come until Solstice end. Until that time, we share our community’s old rituals with our new friends so that we all may learn from each other. This year’s tapestry will certainly be our best yet! Now is our most honored and sacred time, and the Gods do look forward to your sacrifices. Be not afraid of the implications, my dearest citizens. Now is a time of joyous celebration, and if I may speak for the Council, we look forward to what remains of our Winter Solstice!"

Summoned and citizens alike are invited into the town hall for honeyed tea or spiced cocoa to view the large, handmade tapestries of years past or to add a piece of their own design to the one currently being worked on. Everyone is also invited to make sacrifices of their own- handmade items, songs written on parchment, or even deeds to be fulfilled for the sake of the gods written down to be burned in the Solstice bonfire at the peak of the celebration. Curses or blessings will be bestowed upon characters depending on their sacrifices.

Closer to the main celebration, visitors appear! A family of werewolves, citizens of Nocwich and descendants from one of Solvunn’s first families, travel across Abraxas in order to join in the festivities.

The Goat Of All Tidings

After Winifred’s address, Rowan takes over in the wake of everyone’s excitement to kick off the festivities by introducing the crowd to one of the most time-honored traditions: kissing the Goat of All Tidings.

A handsome-looking black goat wearing a festive coat made of patchwork tapestries is brought out and set loose to a boisterous chorus of cheers. If you are able to lay a kiss upon the Goat of All Tidings, good fortune will follow you into the new year! Fail to apprehend and kiss the goat or befalling its temper means that misfortune shall be your guide. The goat runs freely about the Primary Settlement in a game of cat and mouse, may you find your luck!

A Completed Sacrifice

(Coming soon! The events of December 21st and beyond will depend on player actions...)

OOC: Event #5: The Dimming

LOG: Thorne | The Free Cities | Solvunn

PvP: The Mission to the Singularity

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In a moment of vigilance, Link is observant enough to have picked up on the Inej's furtive movements, and the darting of her eyes towards any promising pockets of conversation. Perhaps she wasn't addressing him in her search for information, but he'll answer.

It would be unlike Link to ignore a calling from the Gods.

"Thorne is the ruling kingdom of this world, and the Free Cities stand in opposition of them. But they're the same. Mortal people who think they can control a power that is not theirs."

She remembers the boy from the tavern the other night and smiles easily in greeting to him as she listens to his explanation. "And what makes them and their motives any different than what we're being asked of, here?"

Devil's advocate? Yes, she does quite well at it. She haunted the windows of Ketterdam's most ruthless devil for years. She knows how to turn the tables over and get to the heart of things when she needs to.

It's a fair question, especially from a newcomer. He nods, not finding any fault with her for asking it.

Does Link know the answer? No, but exactly, but - he's come to know some of these people over time. He's witnessed their piety and their strong sense of community, and it's impressed something on him. Well, that and Estinien's suggestions regarding the 'divine' nature of the Singularity.

"The people of Solvunn foster deep connections with the Old Gods of this world. They will know how to return that power to its rightful place."

The Winter Solstice - Solvunn

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