Topic: Winterfest - Southern Glen - ((Setting descrip.))

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2011-12-09 23:45 EST
"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. " —Laura Ingalls Wilder

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/winterfestglen1.jpg

THE PATHWAYS TO THE GLEN The signs of Winterfest aren't hard to find at all, and those wandering the chilled pathways can easily find the markers day or night"to the events. Pathways are strewn with replicas of red and green candles, some of them chest high to a fully grown adult. Other pathways are decorated heavily with ribbons and bows, happy little snowmen, little sleigh bells hung from bare oak branches or full green spruce needles tinkling in the wind, candy canes big enough to tower over children or to be used as canes by adults nestle in white snow to the sides of the paths; as all of them had been carefully shoveled.

Garland of false-spruce (out of respect of course for the RhyDin Ents) line a few, reminding those on foot of red velvet rope"except far more seasonal and festive.

There are wider paths with the obvious deep funnels of personal sleighs that have carried guests to and fro the Glen as well.

It is at dusk however, that the magic truly flickers to life. The candles, the candy canes, the snowmen, the garland and the trees themselves light up. The trees were strewn in lights of blue and white that had no wire"they flickered and merrily lit the walkways beneath them thanks to the magical skills of the mages and mages-in-training at the Institute of Arcane Principle.

THE SIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN GLEN Immediately, one is drawn to the giant structure in the middle of the Glen. What was once covered by an impenetrable gray box-like shield, the ((Oops! No peeking until the evening of December 15th )) towered into the sky and sprawled almost as far as the ice could see in the Glen.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/Ice-Skating-Pond—-NV.jpg The Glens many pools, ponds and rivers have been frozen over, cleared of snow and smoothed. Not only are there children and parents and elves and dragons and many of the RhyDin denizens ice skating, you can see that there are entertainers mingling amidst them on skates as well. Jugglers of great talent, magic or mundane, juggle snowballs or ice or streams of blue-light. Magicians pull rabbits out of Santa hats to the delight of children.

Along the ice-routes donated volunteers from Argento Luna in their blue tunics skillfully dole out glasses of fine red wine alongside other volunteers dressed in red, green, blue or silver with trays filled with hot chocolate of all kinds and fresh tea to keep spirits and bodies warm.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/5433710008_019475fae8.jpg At the center of the Glen, near the gargantuan ((Oops! No peeking until the evening of December 15th :D)) is a beautiful ice dias. Runners and carpets laid across the stage and across the steps up make sure no one suffers an embarrassing ice slip during performances. During the day the prestigious raised dias is a glittering, clear crystal like focal point"free for any bards, dance troupes, entertainers and the like to use as they see fit.

As night time encroaches and the clock ticks, time candles melt closer to 11:00PM the stage is politely cleared so that the ringleaders of festivities may climb up and speak to the many citizens gathered in the Glen. The carved ice structures are lit from behind and within, creating a fetching riot of winter cheer as a backdrop during the evening. http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/arctic_tent.jpg http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/cotton_tent_winter_tent.jpg There are tents and little miniature wooden cabins, booths and more as far as the Glen stretches, or so it seems. Some of the tents curl smoke and steam into the air, keeping those who man them warm. The booths and tents are filled with the mysterious, the magical, and the magnificent that all of RhyDin's talented can offer. Food and drink, games and sport, jewelry, clothing, music, perhaps even potions, wands and more. It seems the only limit as to what you can buy is the imagination. Several white tents with the recognizable symbols of healers and doctors are also nestled in the booths, giving Winterfest go-ers the peace of mind knowing that their health and safety are a priority this season.

The trees further in are decorated in blue and soft white too, though they don't outshine the magnificent display of lights set up by various RhyDin donors for the Festival of the Lights, where once they were turned on the evening of the 16th cast a cheery spell all over the area.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/SnowFortKeystone2010.jpg http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/iglu_inuit_neujpg.jpg There are snow forts built in and around the Glen, igloos too, free for any adventurous sort to explore or use. Bales of hay, padded and heated benches thanks to several fantastic spells, as well as chairs, couches and lounges made entirely of snow or ice and covered in furs and blankets were scattered throughout the Glen, giving vantage points for those who would like to rest their feet to watch the seasonal sights.

And to ensure that no corners are left dark but no sensitive eye is left blind; a massive fae-light spell netted over the entire Glen gives sweet illumination over the ice at night. They are of course, in matching blue and white to match the trees. They float, bob, and giggle along the air and through tree branches to the delight as well as amazement of children (and perhaps parents) everywhere.

THE SOUNDS During the day the laughter of children, the murmur of a huge crowd are the first things to reach the ears. Mingling with the shhhhkkkssshhhhkkkk of ice skates are the continuous soft jingle of the bells tied to horses pulling sleighs and perhaps bells worn by the more enthusiastic of the festival goers.

All over the Glen choirs of different races and species meander or station themselves near rest stops. Children and adults, elven and ethereal, they sing songs of Christmas or Yule, winter feast and their voices mingle with the strange, unique sound , like a hush of cold baby's breathe that snowfall makes.

Fading in between that are the sounds of lutes and mandolins, pan-pipes and violin, although these aren't as prevalent as the sound of human voices due to the toll the cold takes on instruments. Shot through the music, the happy calls of those who manned their booths trying to sell their wares and interest festival goes weaves in and out.

Over the larger ponds and lakes, music of the season lightly plays while the fae-lights flutter around the pond day or night.

THE SMELLS The unmistakable nip of cold remains in the air, along with it the simple scent of winter: fresh snowfall and sharp pine, cinnamon and chocolate waft from various booths and nutmeg, sugar cookies, frosted sugar plums with mint"or maybe that is candy cane"can be caught as well. Wood smoke lingers briefly thanks to all the warmed booths and rest stops.

All the smells, the scents, the sounds and the things to see simply embody the joy of the season. Volunteers rush about grinning unstoppable, arms weighed down with wrapped gifts thanks to the incredibly generous donators. Baskets and bins scattered throughout the Glen filled with donated nonperishable food and hats, coats, and mittens for those not fortunate to own their own are being carried constantly in and out thanks to several of the native RhyDin dragons"whose leathery wings snap in the background of the Christmas music like clapping hands. Children's eyes beholding the amazing lights widen and remain saucer-shape wide. Some of the adult's eyes glitter in the very same manner, and the heads of lovers are often seen snuggled together in corners and private sleigh rides. Hands are held, strangers say hello to strangers and skaters on the ice laugh at one another who fall and then help each other out.

There's something magic going on that had nothing to do with the cocoa or the wine, the lights or the tinsel. Perhaps even those whose families are a long, long way or nothing more than a memory even find their lips forming a small, small smile.

The magic is that of the heart. And no light can outshine anything as bright as that.

♬Click here to listen to the music heard playing during Winterfest!♬

_____________ Music Player quick tips: http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k497/Pinkisnotevil/Winterfest2011/playlistquickquide.jpg (Click to view larger)

* Playlist.com Help & FAQ *Make sure whatever browser you are using, be it Internet Explorer, Fire Fox, Chrome or Opera—that it is up to date and the current version. *Make sure that your Adobe Flash Player is up to date. See: Adobe Flash Player Help *Most of the songs on Playlist.com must be used with permission. Some songs may be removed or taken down. Simply skip! *All songs on Playlist.com are linked graciously to other sites who have uploaded music. If you are using Dial-up or DSL, or if the websites the songs are being pulled from are slow—you may experience slowness as well or failure to load songs. So sorry for any inconvenience!

________________ OOC

Q: What is this thread for" This thread roughly describes some of the Winterfest decorations and creations for the winterfest events in the Southern Glen. This is also the thread where you may RP should you not be able to make it to the Winterfest Events! Q:I have further questions about this thread, Winterfest, or something else? Please feel free to contact me anytime! Send a PM to RDI Risa, an email or AOL/AIM to RisaJones@aol.com!