Mission Success? They just finished a mission for the guild in the nearby forest. They encountered a strange creature that left them all shaken a bit. It was a corrupted [[Shockrasa]], a dog with tiger-like qualities. It stalks on all four, with massive claws, but opposable thumbs. The reason [[The Dawngate Guild]] sent out an emergency call for it to be taken out was because the [[Shockrasa]] had been stalking around [[Dawngate]], attacking innocent civilians.

Everyone rolls 1d6 to see what they lost in the battle. From stress, hp, or armor, they all lost something fighting the beast.

Twas the night before [[Lights' End]], each PC went their separate way to enjoy the holiday how they would.

- [[Rondell]] hits up the local tavern, [[The Drunken Dragon]], to have a big mug of ale. He pulls out his whispering orb, trying to connect with [[Krunkel]]. Just as he leans into the orb to get a better listen, someone knocks into him. In apologies, the other man orders a round for the whole tavern, and they all drink themselves to sleep.

- [[Lucien]] celebrates by himself. Cozying up to the fire, he sits in a large plush chair. He worships the light goddess, [[Lady Luma]]. He lights a row of candles on the windowsill of the room, cracking open an ancient book of prayers.

- [[Sole'anni]], does not have traditions for [[Lights' End]]. There is no end to light in his temple. So, he doesn't celebrate, but he smiles and nods at the people singing and dancing in the streets. He goes about his regular day.

- [[Orym]] spends the evening with his patron, [[Nimbus Giggleheart]], who gives him many gifts of mischief. He leaves presents at every door. Maybe a coin that makes you hug, a magical tool to fold clothes but mixes up styles, or other harmless pranks.

[[Lights' End]] is the celebration of the shortest day of the year and the start of the new year. Most people light candles, sing songs, and eat sweets. It's a time to indulge in the company of others before the coldest days of winter.

- A handful of gods are specifically worshipped at this time.

- Being born on the shortest day or the longest day has been said to bring good luck.

- A Christmas x New Years x Winter Solstice holiday celebrated in [[Tanzeim]]

Dreams. After falling asleep, [[Orym]] looks up and sees a hard-to-describe feminine face. The features are blurred, and her hair wraps around him. "My son, why haven't you come to see me?" She mourns, her hands reaching out to grasp his neck. [[Sole'anni]]'s eyes open to see the temple of [[Everlasting Light]]. Spending all his time training to be a [[Lightweaver]], but being shunned for not being worthy enough to use his powers. "The light only shines to show your flaws." He feels as if something is feeding off his negative feelings. But, just as the light seems to dim, a feminine hand wipes away the fog to show hollowed faces of black mist twisting in agony. Their incorporeal hands were dragging on his clothes.

Shaking off the enthrall, they all realise they're stuck in a horde of creatures called Dream Feeders. They prey upon insecurities, trapping people in a spiral of their past. [[Rondell]] is attacked and feels the loneliness of travelling alone in the wilderness, as people always walk away. [[Lucien]] feels the light of his religion dim, his faith in [[Lady Luma]] tested.

As they dispatch the minor demons, they hear a boastful male voice. "So, you've made it past my minions! If you want to leave this endless dream, you'll just have to come find me!" It seems to fade from their presence.

Getting a better look at the area around them, they see they are in a clearing of a large maze. The hedges are twisted and full of sharp vines. The trees are dead and twisted. Looking up at the sky, there is no moon or sun, but black motes of dust drift above.

[[Sole'anni]] believes the time of year is making the creatures come out. His culture believes that light can only be seen with darkness. He and [[Lucien]] discuss some stories of their religions that might shed some light on the situation, though stories of light and dark are quite common.

[[Rondell]] starts the journey through the maze. He uses his arcane sense to detect any magic in the area. He notices in the distance that there seem to be bright sparks of energy coming from a way into the maze. He starts to get turned around, but then Lucien takes over. He uses his belief and follows the light, on high alert for anything dangerous.

They enter another clearing with... minimal damage. There is a singular gnarled tree with a woman resting on it. She lounges in front of the firework-like display. She appears to be a dwarven woman with bright red hair and makeup. She has a pair of sunglasses on and a reflector. Her outfit is something never before seen, a shifting galaxy of purples and blues. Her tanned skin twinkles in unison with the lights.

They approach, and she introduces herself as [[Umut]], the owner(?) of the maze, [[Coda Mirage]]. "Well, hello. It seems my ex-husband has come up with another dubious plan. He can be quite self-centered." She explains that she would be ever so grateful if they could take care of her husband, who is sulking because the holiday ruins his birthday.

[[Rondell]] and [[Lucien]] investigate the flickering lights, something that [[Umut]] seems to control. Peering in, [[Rondell]] sees dreams of positivity. "My son just got accepted into school! I just got married! I can't wait to have children!" Those wishes and desires quickly melt and turn sour, "He lied to me! She cheated! We can never have children!" [[Lucien]] sees twisted desires, hopes of starting wars, famines, and destruction. Before they can be sucked into the vision, [[Umut]] forces them out of them. "Ah, mortals don't do so well with the dying light of hopes and dreams."

She gives her "Spectacles of Beyond" to [[Orym]] help them on their journey.

[[Sole'anni]] promises to take care of her ex-husband. "Oh, you're quite the gentleman, aren't you?" She says with a slap to his butt on their way out. "I must get back to my tanning."

[[Orym]] toys with his new shades that make him look... super awesome for real. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees [[Nimbus Giggleheart]]. He toys with the glasses, and they bicker. "I hate being on the end of a bad prank. Still have that can full of snakes?" He also notices the fog of a "WH" but it dissipates before any more can be spelled.

As they leave the clearing, they head back into the maze. [[Sole'anni]] almost sucked into the hungry shrubbery, they are accosted by a humongous rotted tree. As if the maze has come alive, it smashes and growls, causing some serious damage to the party. They are able to dispatch it with only a few of them getting pinned.

Confronting the Future. They reach the end of the maze, the colors draining from the greenery. The black mist seems to grow stronger here. [[Rondell]] casts Floating Eye; it looks like a large black key. It floats over to what looks like a folding table. The table has a bowl of sad guac, untouched chips, and a smudged cake. There is minimal decoration, including candles, some presents, and a misspelt sign reading 'hapy brithdae'.

As he relays what he sees, a lanky figure coalesces from the mist and lands on the eye. Turning, they see a dark, shadowy figure. He has floppy hair and a hooked nose, his expression sour. "Come for the party?" He questions. [[Orym]] gingerly walks up, handing him a can of 'peanuts.' "A gift, at least someone has some class." The can has a fake snake in it, and the man is NOT HAPPY. As he tears into the party, they stay strong and fight back. Figuring out an "OL". Before they can figure out his full name, they fizzle him with an epic tag team.

The maze disappears, and a darkness all-consuming covers their vision. Suddenly, the light of 5 candles illuminates a small sitting figure. A boy with gray skin sits at a table with a cake. He looks up. "Is my dad not coming?" [[Orym]] tries to cheer up the boy. While he laughs from his new clowns and presents, a figure emerges from the shadows. [[Umut]]'s bright red hair signifies her entrance. "Thanks for making his final birthday a good one." She grabs the boy's hand, and she walks away. The boy flickers into the fireworks from before, and they disappear.

His name was [[Wholeo]], a Demon born on the shortest day of the year.