Solstice

Founded by Varracian settlers who appreciated beauty, Solstice is widely regarded as the most picturesque town in The Rimelands, spreading out from the shore of Maer Dualdon and bordered on the north and west by tall pines. Its buildings incorporate carvings of wizards, homunculi, tigers, and smiling djinn.

For most visitors, the enchantment of the town is dispelled as soon as they feel the icy claws and teeth of the cold wind sweeping down from the north, shearing through their layers of clothing. Solstice was built in the path of this dreadful gale, which continues well past the town to harry fishers on the southern half of the lake.

In addition to fishers, shipbuilders, and scrimshanders, Solstice is home to miners who harvest gemstones from a cavern complex set into a low hill north and east of the settlement.

***Solstice in a Nutshell***

Friendliness ❄❄❄ Services ❄❄ Comfort ❄❄❄

Population. 600.

**Leader**. Oarus Masthew (half-orc) was declared speaker after a close and contentious election. The child of half-orc adventurers, he was adopted by Shaelen Masthew, the previous speaker, who retired from her leadership role but still lives in Solstice. Oarus is bright, with a sharp sense of humor, but he has political enemies in town and lacks the full support of the Sheriff and the town militia.

**Militia**. Solstice can muster up to 50 soldiers and 4 veterans.

**Heraldry**. The open-mouthed head of a fish at the bottom of a sky-blue field, its jaws parted as it swallows a large rose-pink oval. The oval is a tourmaline, symbolic of the town’s gem mining.

**Sacrifice to Auril**. Warmth

**Rivals**. Bremen, Lonelywood, Targos.

## Solstice in detail

Solstice was founded short after the first settlers came to The Rimelands. The dwarf *Ganrak Quintus* from Varrac came to the icy shores of Maer Dualdon and laid the foundations for a big farm. For years, the Quintus family was the only ones living in Solstice, but after a while, more settlers came in from the other towns. Quintus built an Ixmir temple early on and took it upon himself to spread his teachings. For many years, Solstice was a beacon of the Old Faith in the region.

Years passed and the Quintus family saw new generations guide Solstice into what it is today. The town grew quite rapidly after a few mild winters when the fishing was very profitable. Ten-Towns became a concept and Ganrak’s great granddaughter *Tira Quintus* became the city’s first real Speaker.

The Quintus family is still present in the city, but they have taken a step back from “politics” and focus now only on the Temple. Ixmir is still considered the proper God in Solstice, but the Quintus family has made sure to also appease Auril and the people come to them daily to talk about the hard choices in life. The current matriarch in the family is *Nerna Quintus*.

The current speaker, Oarus Masthew and Nerna Quintus is not the best of friends and rumors have it that the Quintus family might want to state their claim as Speaker again.

## Locations

#### **Town Hall**

The town hall is the heart of Solstice. The two story building is by far the biggest building in the town and houses a big communal meeting room and houses the Speaker *Oarus Masthew.*

#### **Sheriff’s Office**

The city’s Sheriff is the firbolg *Bernhard Blacksoil,* a stout and resolute man. He lives in his office close to the town hall and works closely with the Speaker. He is fairly well liked, but some say he meddles too much in affairs that shouldn’t concern him.

#### **The Temple of Ixmir**

One of the oldest buildings in town. The main room is divided by two altars; one for Ixmir and one for Auril. Managed by *Nerna Quintus* who makes sure the sacrifice to Auril hits the right day each month.

#### **The Temple of Nima**

The New Faith is not big in Solstice, but the Speaker has made sure to build a temple for Nima in town. This is one of the newest buildings and few people come there. The halfling cleric *Raggard Mossfeet* tries his best to spread Nima’s word.

#### **The Blue Clam**

The fishers of Solstice typically finish their days here, seated on benches near one of the building’s long hearths to warm their feet while they fill their bellies with spiced chowder. Beautiful works of scrimshaw are hung on the walls. The half-orc *Vernon Braig*, the owner and chef, knows everyone in town by name and is very well liked.

#### **The Fish Market**

Fishing is a big source of income in Solstice. Early mornings, the fish market is ripe with life as the fishers sell of the knucklehead trout catches of the day.

#### **The Fur House**

To get around Ten-Towns, most people - who don't walk - travel by dog sled. The half-elf *Ingvird Unad* manages the town's sleds and dogs at The Fur House. She breeds and sells dogs and sleds, but for a fair price, you can rent a few dogs for a couple of days.

#### **The Barracks**

As an extension of the Sheriff's Office, the Barracks serves as lodging for the few town guards in Solstice. The big house was built by the Quintus family long ago and can house far more guards than the Sheriff currently has, so parts of the house are not in use.

#### **The Eastside**

The Eastside is where most visitors in town stay. What looks from the outside like separate houses turns out to be a single structure with rooms connected by underground passages, with cozy guest accommodations in the cellar. The innkeeper is the human *Marta Peskryk*, a willowy teenager who spends much of her time tending to her bedridden father.

#### **Conrad’s Iron**

If you need a new pair of tools or some bolts and nails, the dwarf *Conrad Greenridge* takes care of it. The smithy also supplies the Sheriff and the militia with weapons. He also oversees the miners' equipment.

#### **Order of the Profane Soul**

In an old house at the outskirts of town, the Order of the Profane Soul can be found. The Order was created to stand against the threat of Uferos and is as old as time. No one is sure where it came from and who founded it, but the one who brought it to Solstice some 50 years ago was the tiefling *Dina Drumhearth.* She is still taking her job very seriously, but there is not much to do these days.

#### **Trader Square**

When the weather permits, the town gathers at Traders Square once a week to trade things with each other. The inhabitants of Solstice have a good practice of trading things they don’t need with others who might need it more. The Square hasn’t been used for a while now, however, due to the harsh winter.

#### **The Piss Whistle**

If you get thrown out of The Eastside and The Blue Clam, you come to the Piss Whistle. A shack rebuilt and added on for years, the tavern is not a pretty sight to behold. The dragonborn *Craig “The Tongue” Halfhorn* takes great pride in welcoming absolutely anyone to his tavern. A favorable place for the miners in Solstice.

#### **Fishers Burrow**

When the fishers are not out on the lake or mending their nets, they gather in Fishers Burrow to sort out the logistics of fishing. *Olve Randarson* is the master fisher of Solstice.

#### **The Gem Mine**

Many Solstice citizens work at the Gem Mine, mining precious gemstones that are sent to Bryn Shander for processing. Solstice takes pride in this and means it is as important as the fishing industry.

#### **Solstice Log and Lumber**

The sawmill is managed by the gnome foreman *Turil Waterveil* and she makes sure the lumber industry in Solstice is as efficient as it can be. The Lonelywood provides the sawmill with ample work and it almost never sleeps.