Deep into the winter , Winterfest is celebrated in the Nordic Region.

It is a celebration of winter solstice and mid winter. Many will come to share the celebration in the land of ice and snow.

Entering the village of Vinter Solig from Lar's Fjord, the watch fires can be seen burning bright. Ash logs have been placed in pyramid piles and coated in whale oil. A torch is lit then passed to the King, who sets fire to the pyramid near the Merchants Square. He then hands the torch to a messange caped in the pelts of wolves and the hide of caribou, skiing to each pyramid sets them ablaze. As the last pile burns, the Viking drums beat the pagan songs, as Vikings dance around the fires.

Wearing a cape of the wolf or bear and a helmet decorated with horns and antlers, their faces streaked with a mixture of clay and ash from the firepits.

Along the main passage through the village are fire pits containing a boar or deer, as they slowly roast, the smells permeating the surroundings. Large iron kettles hang over the fires filled with rabbit stew and others with caribou stew.

Lutefisk and salmon are offered to everyone. The Blue Orca Tavern hs supplied Viking tea, a grain distilled vodka to all that care to enjoy the celebration. Fresh from Caia's raid are numerous wood kegs of fine English ale set upon wooden stands. Wine kegs of chardonnnay from raids on Paris are also available, though not as numerous. Winter ale, froze in the artic cold to seperate the water from the alcohol flows freely from its keg.

Children and adults alike chase a wooden ball with curved sticks around the frozen field near the celebration. Near the end of the passage way, archers from Isberg, Svarberg and Vinter Solig try thier hand at moving targets. Cross sections of logs are cut then rolled past the archers as each tries to hit the target.

Some of the timber fallers and boat builders compete in games that sharpen their skills. They play a game to see who can cut through a log the fastest with their timber axes.

Celebrators dodge the reindeer pulling a person on thin wood slats using a leather harness and rope. Before they can re-gather, five more race through. They are nomads from east of Isberg.

Merchants from the Merchants Square along with many others offer their goods for sale. Blacksmiths, leathersmith, bronze workers and othes line the street.

Two longhouses, made of log and chinked with straw and mud serve as the eating places. Large wooden tables and wooden benches fill the lodges. The dirt floor is covered in straw too add warmth from the cold soil. Rock lined fire pits are placed side by side in the center. Caribou antlers hang from the open beam ceiling. It is said the blood of the fallen caribou drank by the hunter passes the strength and wisdom of the caribou to the hunter. The hanging of the large antlers shows respect to the great caribou by honouring it.

Mead and ale are served in wooden mugs. Hollowed by burning the core of the wood and scraping it out with a sharpened piece of antler. The ale mixed with the wood sharpens the taste most pleasing to those in the north.

The drummers and those who played the wooden flutes continue until the sun rises the second day. It is tradition here in Vinter Solig.

It is then that Winterfest ends and the coming of spring and the breaking up of ice is awaited by the Vikings.

Near the two longhouses the Queen has had a smaller longhouse built. Here one can taste Rhenish, the wine brought by Toreena from the Highlands. Large loaves of bread are stacked in baskets freshly made that morn.

In the center of the wooden tables the queen has arranged myrtle, yew and holly. Piled high on platters adorned with fruits Caia brought are sweet cakes made by the Queen's own hand.

On the Eve of the first night of winterfest when all have partaken of plenty of drink and wine, as the evening stars shine in the night sky, a wail is heard. Some of the men begin to rise but the Queen rises staying them with her hand.

As the wail turns to song the piper enters the longhouse dressed in full Highland regala of the MacLaren Clan. In true Highland fashion the piper weaves them a story as he plays the bagpipes. It tells of those who died a warriors death for the clans. Be Viking or Highlander the respect for a warrior killed in battle is the same. Outside of the longhouse, the Viking drums join the song as the sound is carried throughout the village. The chanting of the Elders is heard over the beating of the drums and the sound of the pipes to celebrate those fallen in battle before and to summon help from the gods for those that will fight in the coming year. They chant for fertile fields for the farmers and much success to the raiders.

As the night grows to dawn all celebrate together as one, King and Queen, children and the elders, villagers of the Nordic Region and those from the outlands; Finns, Bjornvald's, Svenska's,Skaane's and Juts.

When the celebration ends the time of whaling, planting of crops and raiding will begin.