The Ravenwood Chronicles: A Yuletide Pageant

The past year has proven to be a time of trial for those who reside in the wood. Most years, the occupants of Ravenwood feel this way, to be sure. This year was markedly different. New visitors to Ravenwood faced a town in upheaval. What with issues for the arrest of the Immortal Hand, troops from West Anglia, and a terrible darkness that cloaked the whole of the wood, those who keep residence in Ravenwood faced evils and dangers entirely new this year.

Thus, a deluge of cold rain was nothing surprising or unfamiliar to the townspeople. It did nothing to dampen the spirits of all that had come again, at last in peacetime, to celebrate Yuletide. The Blue Boar Inn put on a show of rare quality- bread, cheese, pork, and pastries of all kinds overflowed, providing both warmth and shelter from the rain outside.

Something that had not been seen in several months also made an appearance the day of the festivities- smoke rising out of the hut! Early that morning, Thokk, Ivan, and Ada had returned, bedraggled but wearing smiles and diverting any question about their absence with pleasantries. Throughout the storms, they stayed in the hut, strangely secretive, and exchanged gifts. Out in the wood, a party of adventurers led by the intrepid Imira of the Western Wood and Arkham the Lost Knight laid waste to an unwise young minotaur testing out his horns.

As soggy adventurers and questers shuffled back into town, having successfully killed monsters and uncovered many a chest, Mertag called them together for an announcement. To the surprise of all present, King Rupert of East Anglia emerged from the hut on the town limits, having enjoyed the hospitality of the bed or breakfast therein! He had come, leaving Alonzo back in East Anglia under his guise, to avoid an uncomfortable Christmas dinner with his family and instead enjoy the holiday with his loving subjects in Ravenwood.

To celebrate, one of Ravenwood’s famous archery tournaments was held. In this tournament, injuries were sustained and the rules of combat were often tried, but fun was had by all. More questing and adventures transpired after the tournament when the spider nest spun during the Darkness was attacked by some intrepid warriors seeking to rid the forest of monsters. The battle that followed was valiant and hard-won, and those involved were glad to turn to more peaceful activity afterward: a dance.

Led in familiar Ravenwood dances, fun was had by all. Afterward, a new series of tournaments were had, a battle competed in teams of three. Magical and ranged duels followed, all while King Rupert observed the peasant festivities from his lofty seat. Once their activities were complete, the King led his citizenry in a hunt for a suitable Christmas tree. With the ideal tree chosen, it was cut down and carried to the town. The townsfolk set about decorating the tree with creative flair. Simultaneously, however, a mini-inquisition was germinating in town.

Feeling that law and order had been permitted to slide in the past months, Marshall Law began to compile a personal project- the Naughty and Nice list. This list was published in the Blue Boar Inn, delineating which citizens of Ravenwood would need to be under the watchful eye of the Law. The discovery of a wanted poster showing three oddly familiar figures led to several particular additions to the list- Thokk, Ivan, and Ada, who all dealt with the situation in manners characteristic of their personalities. That is to say, Thokk was not much troubled, Ivan paid others to remove his name from the list, and Ada railed at the Law himself until the error was rectified.

A new arrival broke up the stir this created, however. A box had been delivered to Ravenwood, but was unaddressed. As the only individual in town who could not be tried for mail fraud, King Rupert investigated the box, and decided that it would be gifted to the winner of the annual Ravenwood pageant. Eager to be the recipient of the gift, many entered the pageant, to be judged by the King.

Before the pageant could be begun, however, Marshall Law called for Thokk, Ivan, and Ada to come to the makeshift stage. Some more reticently than others, the three were brought forward, and Law demanded an explanation of the crimes that had apparently landed them in such hot water while out of town. King Rupert now involved, Thokk allowed the truth to slip, much to Ada’s dismay. Ada had been detained, and Thokk and Ivan had taken it upon themselves to break her out. King Rupert was more than happy to deal with the issue, with all of his kingly wisdom. He burned the wanted poster, and absolved the trio of their crimes, resulting in a jubilant group hug.

Mushrooms were distributed by the industrious Ivan in advance of the following pageant, and the performances were precisely what could be expected of the town of Ravenwood. There was comedy, storytelling, and music aplenty. Ragnar and Ignatious produced a shanty as an ode to one’s love of ale. Ivan accomplished an impressive, albeit chaotic, show of hypnosis. Thokk told the tragic tale of Nique the Stique. Dolvalir involved the audience in a unique back and forth conversation style performance. Mertag sang a jaunty tune. Meldryn and Marshall Law put their longstanding feud to rest, what with Meldryn’s new responsibility as representative of Ravenwood. The shard of the stone in his staff seem to have softened the man’s ancient heart. Lastly, Gemma twirled fire in a display of her magical prowess.

King Rupert enjoyed many of the shows, but ultimately the prize for first place was given to Ivan’s team of hypnotized friends. Gemma received second place, an honorable mention. Within the gift there was a note- the treasures within had been intended for Ivan’s group of friends all along! Ivan, Hiro, Herman, and Everett divided the spoils equally.

With yet another successful Ravenwood Christmas under their belts, the citizens of Ravenwood celebrated with the King and looked forward to a new year of adventures. Truly, the worst seems to be behind us!