It's only been a few hours since the first wave of adventurers descended into the stone foot of what had once been a mighty statue, though it may have seemed like a month underground. The fog has lifted and the stars shine in the cold night sky.

Winter Solstice is here. And even in the midst of frantic scrambling into the hostile under-realms there is sense of goodwill.

In the commonly-held Unified Faith that Brodd represents, the sun is conserving its energy during this Longest Night and planning what good tidings it will bring for the coming year.

Manaku, like most elves, celebrates in his own way through silent meditation. But he opens his eyes and stands to greet his returning companions, all gratefully climbing down from the stairway of "laces" on their own two feet, carrying heavy sacks of coin no less!

The first thing the returning adventurers notice is the mangy mastiff hound is not trotting out to greet them. Likewise, the hound's raggedy companion, the cleric of the Trails, is not there to pontificate on their good fortune. Perhaps it was the Solstice that signaled the old man to move along.

The celebration takes a tinge of bitter-sweetness.

"WE return Manaku! Where is Regdoc and his dog? Have they left us? Come Pock, let us build a fire for the night to keep us all warm!" He gathers wood for a fire.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 2):

The adventurers who stayed behind have of course been tending the fire and building a shelter for as many days as this will take, using the opposite stonework to create a lean-to of logs and sod. But a large bonfire is traditional, as you can already see the pyres on the other mountaintops. You cannot be sure if they are humans on the far peaks, but this ancient tradition does seem to be universal in these lands.

In reply to DM (msg # 3):

OOPs, sorry.

As the bonfire blazes, it attracts attention.

The silhouette of a hulking figure stands at the edge of the glow.

"The battle to the North has finished, the Minotaur and his forces are routed, for now," the voice bellows.

"Have you found any foes here to defeat?"

Who steps forth? None other than your old comrade in arms, Amalrik! He drops down the carcass of a deer he has freshly killed to share with you this Solstice feast!

Now, that is a fine accompaniment to a celebration.

In reply to Leohart (msg # 6):

"Fresh venison! Most excellent! Welcome back Amalrik!" He pulls his dagger and begins dressing the deer.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

"Brother Brodd! And Pock! Leohart... I'm glad to see you all in good health and able to return alive."

The moon elf stands up, gives a small nod of recognition to those who return, bringing his fist to his heart at the same time.

"Yet not all who left with you return with you. That is most unfortunate... And what comes to good old Regdoc and his wise hound - I do not know. I had to spend some time in solitude, meditating of what has happened to me, and what may come to pass in the future. This is old tradition among my people during Winter Solstice."

The moon elf spins around upon hearing a familiar voice bellowing.

"Amalrik! You too are here! I welcome you back, warrior!"

Amalrik approaches the Moon elf and smacks him on the back "It is good to see you too.same as Manaku, I have not seen Regdoc or his dog for some time." the barbarian walks past the group to a large bowl of water and begins washing his face and hands from the blood of the deer.

"Good to see you too Manaku. Regdoc was here burying the dead when we went in the ruins, I guess his god lead him on another path."

[DM operating]

The bard sits by the campfire, tuning his instrument. His once-garish clothes are still dyed black as ink from the misfortune in the Gnomish Dam.

"Most fortuitous! This calls for a round of ancient carols!"

He begins to strum.

Ha! We got some silver to make up for the pile you gave away! Dwarghar says to his friend Amalrik.

I’ll just hold on to your share for a shoulder of that deer. Let’s make sure if we want to pay off a gargoyle we negotiate first or just kill the son of a rock.

[Amalrik, I want you to update your description and describe your costume as you approach]

Amalrik pulled a leather wrap from his bag and dropped it near the group. Eighteen Manticore spikes shaped as javelins lay on the ground "If you want, take what you wish. My fight is in front and not at a distance."

In the light of the fire, the barbarian's appearance looked considerably different than before. His leather armor was adorned and weaved with Manticore feathers laced through the pauldrons and flaring to the sides.  The skull of the manticore was cleaned and carved to be used as headgear.  Gone was his favored great sword and replaced with a leg bone with a set of teeth wedged along the length.  Leaning on his pack was a shield of Manticore scales with feathers laced along the rim.

Amalrick placed several hand sized stones along the edge of the fire to be used with his blanket during the night.  The stones to maintain heat long after being pulled from the flames.

"Might be. Regdog would follow his deity of wanderlust to a new path suddenly and unexpectedly, without giving it a second thought."


"I might have use for a javelin or two, as I prefer fighting from a distance. Last time with the goblins, I nearly run out of arrows."

Manaku picks up one of the javelin and studies it closely. "Did you make these yourself?"

The elf takes 3 javelins. He will cut leather straps from the deer's skin, tying the javelins into a bundle which he can easily carry. He also attaches a longer strap to the bundle which allows him to slip the bundle at his back leaving hands free. Much like he carries his long bow while they travel.

Watching the camaraderie from a distance, Alietra sits with her back up against the stone monument they had kept time in, and checks her weapons. Once done she pulls a few cheap locks out of her pack and practices picking them. solid click on one, nothing on two... She will share in the venison, but keep a sharp eye out for any goblins who might have followed them outside.

Gorn smiles at the return of the companions.

Seeing the fresh deer, he pulls his knife and begins butchering for cooking.

In reply to Gorn (msg # 17):

As everybody moves in on the deer like a pack of piranha, Brodd moves back and puts his dagger away.

"Hey, Brodd," asks Creston, "how may adventurers does it take to skin a deer?"

"You tell me, I'll just let the others handle it."

Dwarghar picks up a javelin - Going with a theme now are you? he says to Amalric waiving generally to all the Manticore stuff...
That reminds me - we have some armor being prepared back in town.

He turns to the group -

I wish to head back and use what cash I can on supplies. What say you all - shall we divide what we have now?

Torn between wanting to press forward, and the possible surprise of not doing so, Alietra calls out her agreement with the plan.

The thought of the goblins, prepped to defend themselves against their onslaught while they were in town celebrating seemed pretty funny.

"The treasure is yours to divide. I have no share in it. I don't have reason to go the town either. Thus I can wait here for your return. I'm ready for the next expedition into down below, though."

I too will stand here with Manaku, those who earned the wealth should enjoy the wealth.  Fear not, the camp shall stay in place as shall we.

"Well, be careful" Alietra says to Amalrik, Manaku and any others who opt to stay behind. "There is no doubt those goblins will poke their heads out to see where we went."

Heading back to town with the others, she hopes they stay long enough to get a hot bath, a hot meal and a new set of clothes.