On the Calendar of Harptos, the day between the months of Uktar ("The Drawing Down") and the last month of the year, Nightal ("The Drawing Down") is known simply as The Feast of the Moon.
To the sleepy westernmost town of Bremen, however, that winter holiday presents an opportunity.
Amidst the going-on two year winter, this Everlasting Rime of the Frostmaiden, the proprietors of the Five Taverns in Bremen managed to cooperate just enough in an effort to boost local tourism that had previously relied on treasure-seekers, driven away by the snows. Thus the Feast of the Moon was born.
With five taverns to its one inn, Bremen is well-poised to entertain adventuring parties. And reunions, as it turns out.
Kirottu finds himself in the Tavern Center alongside a familiar Lanin "Bones" Emsbaltriforte and Mr. Mistoffelees. Venturing into the Grumpy Moose, they soon find Meryn Anteos as well, and are joined by Amber Forgeson and Türkvrak, better known as Pickles.
Over food, drink, and friendly (or not!) conversation, the group trades memories, insults, and stories from the last time they'd seen each other until now.
Kirottu attempts an exit in search of solitude, but is greeted outside by the town speaker, Dorbulgruf Shalescar, a friendly if somewhat not-quite-all-there elderly dwarf who addresses him as his old friend, Dugal. Inviting "Dugal" in for a drink, he sits down with the party, thanks them for coming to Bremen and invites them to find him later at the Even Keel.
Once the speaker takes his leave, the party overhears another table swapping legends of the deeds of their ancestors - but the conversation devolves into more current challenges, such as a rumored lake monster in Maer Dualdon. Kirottu takes an interest in this, interrogating the fishermen swapping stories for more details. A young elf girl sits in the corner, watching, listening and scribbling in a notepad intently.
Introducing herself as Tali, she joins the party at their table and asks them for help investigating said rumored creature. She seems boundlessly enthusiastic about the idea of joining the party on the lake - the party, less so!
Over the course of the night the party avails themselves of the rest of the festivities the five taverns have put together:
- A drinking contest at Stones, where Amber learns of the pitfall for which the tavern is named: a smooth river stone placed at the bottom of each mug. Lanin, however, earns a prize generously (and conspicuously) donated by a halfling named Ewin of Ewin's Trinkets. Trinket seems to be the operable word, as whether any of his wares have actual magical value remains to be seen.
- Tavern games at the Black-Bearded Brother: Amber and Meryn tried a round of carrying water buckets around a pole without sloshing. Everyone here seemed too inebriated to notice the party much.
- The River's Mouth featured displays of moon-themed crafts by children... or those with child-level crafting abilities. The most sophisticated of the crafts seemed to be scrimshaw carvings in knucklebone ivory.
- Food judging of moon-themed sweets and savories was a welcome sight at the Even Keel, even if everything was seemingly made of trout. The half-moon pies (hand pies stuffed with spiced trout) were a favorite of Kirottu's especially.
Cora Mulphoon, innkeeper of the Buried Treasures Inn, is on hand at the Even Keel to manage the food contest and buffet. Something seems to be troubling her, however, as they are short-handed due to the mysterious disappearance of her son, Huarwar a couple of months ago. She seems reluctant to trouble the party with her personal business, however, focusing on making sure they are having the best time possible. Kirottu manages to convince her to meet with him later at the inn to discuss further.
The party hangs around the Even Keel waiting for the speaker, but they see no sign of him. Inquiring, they learn it seems he has a frequent habit of going missing.
Wrapping up for the night, the party makes its way to the Buried Treasures Inn. As they cross the Tavern Center, an alarm bell begins to ring, and a young man cries out:
"Speaker missing! Search party assemble here. Speaker missing!"