Hall

by Gael

The festivities were in full swing as we entered the small, quaint town of Hall. Children played freely in the streets, their laughter mingling with the sounds of merriment and music. The air was rich with the warm scent of freshly baked goods, drifting from colourful stalls that lined the cobbled roads. And everywhere we turned, friendly faces, both Elves and Eladrin, greeted us with both curiosity and warmth. Though I suspect much of that curiosity stemmed from the exotic appearances of my companions.

As we reached the town square, we were greeted by a vibrant scene. Dozens of small, brightly coloured tents had been set up, each offering a unique selection of sweets and drinks. The most talked about was the spring wine, a light, sweet and deceptively strong drink that left us with a pleasant warmth in our chests and a noticeable bounce in our steps.

In the centre of the square, couples danced to enchanting music that filled the air. Yet what truly captured our attention were the massive stone blocks arranged throughout the square. Sculptors were hard at work, their chisels ringing against stone as they coaxed out various shapes from the rough marble.

Our curiosity piqued, we asked a few nearby townsfolk about the nature of the festival. Meeting a kind young couple that was more than happy to explain. As it turned out, there was no grand history or deeper meaning behind the celebration. The townspeople had simply decided one day that they wanted a festival and so they made one. The sculpting in turn was part of a contest, where the most impressive statues would be honoured and given life.

That last detail caught all of our attention. This, we realized, could be our chance to acquire the Fey mounts we had heard tales of.

Upon hearing of our interest in the contest, the couple became visibly excited. As having never left the Feywild before, they had thus never seen creatures native to the Material Plane. A welcome reminder that what one considers ordinary, another might find exotic and fascinating.

The rules of the contest were simple: up to two people could work on a single statue and the victors would be decided by the crowd. Meaning that we would have to split up into three teams.
Hayley and Liliana were the first to claim a stone. Their chosen subject? A massive goat. Not quite what I expected from the two of them, but as the sculpture began to take form, it became clear they had a vision. The result was thus a striking one in both its detail and scale.

Next were Alistan and Luke. They opted for something a bit more regal. A fierce drake, carved with sharp angles and flowing lines. Alistan, driven by his concern for Galiene, poured his emotions into the form, with Luke adding intricate arcane runes across its surface. By the end, the sculpture shimmered with bronze hues that seemed to glow against the dull grey stone.

That left Dadroz and me as the final pair. After a quick discussion, we settled on carving a tiger, adding plant-like features to give it a touch of treant-like majesty. Our reason, we had never seen a tiger before and were thus eager to witness one, even if only in stone. The plant details in turn were, admittedly, artistic indulgence. However, our limited sculpting skills eventually forced us to abandon the treant motif in favour of a more realistic depiction. Still, it just felt right.

We worked until our arms were sore and it became clear that the work would take several more days for us to complete. So we set up camp and turned in for the night.

The next morning, we awoke to a transformed world. A biting wind had swept in overnight, blanketing Hall in glistening snow. The town had become a winter wonderland.

To my own greater surprise, my own appearance had changed as well. My hair had turned silver and my skin pale with a faint blue sheen. A mark of the seasonal change and a reminder that winter had truly come.

For a moment, I feared that this might be the work of the High King. Whose manipulations we’d been warned about. But the locals quickly assured us this was perfectly normal in the Feywild. And their music shifted, now more calm and cozy, meant for fireside gatherings rather than dance. Along with Glühwein that was passed around, warming us to our core.

But there was no time to relax. We still had statues to finish.

Though engrossed in our work, we failed to notice the approaching threat. A pack of eight massive winter wolves had come to Hall. Each as tall as a horse with fur as white as snow. The townsfolk had fled to safety, but we were caught off guard.

The initial assault was brutal. The wolves moved fast, trying to split us apart. But Liliana and Alistan quickly rallied to form a defensive line. Holding them back just long enough for Luke and Hayley to bring their magic to bear. Thus turning the tide.
With the last wolf routed, the townsfolk returned to the square as though nothing had happened. When asked, they simply shrugged it off. Apparently, such attacks were a regular occurrence.

Unnerved, we resumed our work once more. Before eventually calling it a night.

The next day, the snow had vanished. A warm summer breeze swept through Hall. Carrying the scent of grilled meats and rich red wine. Music also played again. This time fast and full of life. And impossible not to dance to.
And once more we returned to our work.

Around midday, the townsfolk began quietly retreating into their homes. And I joked to my friends that we should be on the lookout for summer wolves. Only to be answered by a deep howl. From the planes came a new pack: five blazing creatures wreathed in flame, the Summer Wolves. And who says that the gods don’t have a sense of humour.

This time however we were ready. Our weapons drawn and spells prepared, the battle proved to be a fierce but swift one. And just as before, once they were defeated, the festival resumed as if nothing had happened.

More suspicious this time, we pressed the townsfolk for answers. They told us that a Worg King had recently made his lair near the town. And each day, except during spring, he sent part of his pack to attack. Eventually, the townsfolk had simply grown used to it.

Despite our own time constraints, we simple couldn’t turn a blind eye to this. So in return for their hospitality, we offered to face the Worg King on their behalve. And considering that it would be rude to offer something in the Feywild without asking for something in return, we requested only a bit of aid in our journey once the task was done. Which they agreed to, gratefully.

The next day autumn came with golden winds. Filled with the scents of pumpkins and structured, rhythmic songs that grounded the heart. In town, pumpkin pie was served alongside spiced pumpkin cider. And for a moment, everything felt calm.
But, as expected, the peace did not last long.

This time however we faced not wolves, but Yeth Hounds. Phantom-like beasts whose haunting bay sent chills into our very souls. Their howls threatened to tear our will apart. But together we stood strong and with teamwork and magic, we brought them down.

Following this, we finally finished our creations. Our statues standing proudly in the town square, admired by the townsfolk. And so, we said our goodbyes for now. Promising to return once the Worg King was no longer a threat.

Continue reading...

A day of celebrations and beginnings
30th of Daga, 121 year of the tree

A trial of brambles
30th of Daga, 121 year of the tree

Departure
1st of Lug, 121, Era of the Tree

Dreams and Peril
2-5 Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

City of Strife and Secrets
5th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

A complicated situation
6th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

Onwards towards the west
7th & 8th of Lugh, 121 Year of the Tree

Strangers in the mist
8-11th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree

For now I am the hunted
11th of Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

Hunted no more
12th of Lug, Year 121 Era of the Tree

Trial by fire
13th - 14th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Keralon at last
15th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Has it truly been five years?
1st - 2nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Escorting the envoy
2nd of Nuan, Year 126, Era of the Tree

Heart of fire
3rd - 4th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

A festive day
10th Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Shadow of Ravenfield
14th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Tomb of Hollow Hill
15th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The battle for Ravensfield part 1
16th of Nuan, 126 Year of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Journal Entry’s title

The battle for Ravensfield part 2
16th - 17th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Return to Keralon
18th - 21st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Embassy ball
22nd - 23th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Searching for Norgar
23th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The fall of Robert Talespinner
23rd of Nuan, Y126 E.O.T.

Intermission: Letter home

An Audience With The King
28th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

A new beginning
29th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Breaking and making deals
1st of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Nightly intrusions
2nd of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

The Journal Entry’s title

Dinner for Seven
9th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Graduation Day
25th of Aran, Y126 EOT

A love for the ages
24th of Aran, Y126 EOT

The festival
26th of Aran, 126 Year of the Tree

Battle of the bards
26th of Aran, 126 Year of the Tree

Fire in the night
2nd of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Lord Quinn I presume
4th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Departure for Latebra Velora
5th - 6th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Wurms and Dragons
6th - 8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Gold in the dark
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Heart of Acid
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Meeting Grandmother
11th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

A shadowy evening
12th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Journal Entry’s title

Latebra Velora
16th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

A dragon's fate
16th - 17th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

A royal summons
17th - 20th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Planning ahead
21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

A Rabbit and a Mole
21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Hall
Hopefully 22th - 25th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Into the Warg's den
I think 25th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

On feathered wing
No clue

A Rose at Twilight
7th of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

Whitewail
still no idea

Welcome to Nimmerhold
29th of Gobu, 128 Era of the Tree

A day in the library
30th of Gobu 126 Era of the Tree

The Tournament
1st of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Wolf and the Knight
1st of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

The Fey Dance
1st of Mannan, 128 Era of the Tree

Home at last
2nd of Madan, 126 Year of the Tree

Getting back on track
4th - 10th of Mannan, 126 Year of the Tree

Entering the King' Tomb
11th of Mannan, 126 Year of the Tree

A key challenge
11th of Mannan, 126 Year of the Tree

Hall

Continue reading...

Find your way!

Resources

WHO WE ARE

LEGAL

Get the news

Listen to our Podcast

Our Allies