Winter in the Willows : The Knifewinter.

It is the last few days of November 198am, directly before Winter. The nights have already begun to grow dark early and the damp and cold is settling in to the Wild Wood all around. In this final week before all People must retreat to their homes and Halls; to find themselves somewhere to rest for the Winter, Tribe Knifedancer - feared amongst all the Tribes of the Wild Wood - hold their annual Meat Market - to sell on the flesh and fur they have hunted over the year, but also to celebrate their success and make offering to the Wild Wood for another good year.

Huntleader Leaps-From-The-Snow, feared amongst Stoats, has gathered the Tribes, sending the messengers runnning through the Wild Wood to each territory; and The People of the Wild Wood - Badgers in their wintery homes, Stoats in their Tribal hunting grounds, have recieved invitations to the Knifdancer Tribe's Closing Celebration - a party to mark the end of the year, where The People of the Wild Wood can meet and exchange news before sleeping, fitfully, until Spring.

This year, the famed Water Rat entrepeneur Carleton has secured permission to provide fine food and entertainments, in collaboration with the Tam Family - Water Rats who own many of the businesses along the River. It is for this reason that Huntleader Leaps-From-The-Snow has extended invitations to Water Rats as well; and The People of the River, fresh from their own celebrations, make their way to Crow's Copse.

Revered Stripe, a Badger, has sent his own invitations out as well - he will take this opportunity to celebrate a Winter Festival. On the second night of the Celebration, he plans to host a moonlight mass, gathering the remnants of Faith that he has found and holds so dear. He asks all present who wish to join him in this to bring candles, candies, winter songs and small gifts for each other.

Famous Hedgehog cartographer Miss Apollina offers a fine Hunters Bow to the runner-up of her Archery Contest - her crossbow against all comers. For the Grand Prize, she will research any topic of the winner's choosing over the Winter.

SHAMAN SAYS

Principles of Law

• Shaman Says: My party. My rules.
• - If you don't like them, find somewhere else to party.
• Shaman Says: Lawkeepers wear light yellow sashes.
• - The Tribe have agreed to stand as Lawkeepers for this party.
• - If Lawkeepers screw up, Knifedancers eat them.
• Shaman Says: I'll pick two Badgers to act as Judges.
• - If you want to volunteer, you see the Huntleader when you arrive.
• - Judges settle disputes and witness fights.
• Shaman Says: Law is neither impartial nor balanced.
• - Law like that has got no Teeth. My Party, my Law.
• - Judges and Lawkeepers work for ME.
• Shaman Says: Your Council has no power here.
• -You can sit and have all the meetings you like, it's still my Law.

Disturbing Shaman's Peace

• Shaman Says: You got an argument?
• - Take it to one of my lawkeepers or else take it in the Bloodring.
• -(“Knives up or shut up - I don't care which.”)
• Shaman Says: No fighting, no killing.
• - Honour duels are fine, but if you want that, you take it in to the Bloodring.
• Shaman Says: I like it when the Bloodring gets full.
• - I'll pay for people to step in and fight - one to step in, one for the winner.
• Shaman Says: Don't be stupid. Stupid people get eat.

Banned Weapons

• Shaman Says: Boom-sticks stink and make me cross.
• - If you bring powder to my party, you best also be bringing me a big present to make me happy again.
• - Don't let me be seeing any boomsticks.
• Shaman Says: That goes double for ferrets.
• Shaman Says: Knives? Fine. Bows? Fine. Crossbows? Fine. Anything larger? - If you're not a lawkeeper, then you best have a damn good reason to be carrying it in daylight, else we take you in on “intent to disturb the peace”.
• - And by “in”, I mean “In the pot.”

Tribal Laws

• Shaman Says: Disagreements between people get decided by judges.
• - Disagreements between tribes get sorted out by Shamans.
• Shaman Says: No totem? No tribe.
• Shaman Says: Each tribe should be able to show their territory on a map.
• - The Knifedancers agree not to hunt those lands in the coming year.
• - Everywhere else is fair game.
• Shaman Says: Unless you can prove otherwise.

Market Law

• Shaman Says: Got an invite? Then you're a guest - you can trade freely.
• - The rest of you are here under sufferance.
• Shaman Says: Each Guest can bring one shaman and one bodyguard.
• - If you bring them, you're responsible for their actions.
• - Bring as many slaves as you please.
• Shaman Says: Yellow wooden chits are worth 1 Meat. Blue are worth 1 Fur.
• - You can exchange these for Meat and Fur at the end of the Celebration.
• Shaman Says: You steal from us, you get eat.

Hospitality

• Shaman Says: Winter is coming in. It gets dark and cold quick.
• - Bring plenty of lanterns, pitch in and help build the fires.
• - People who hide in the dark get eat, and not by us.
• Shaman Says: Every guest who brings a song or a tale gets heard.
• - Stories and songs make me happy. Good ones get paid.
• Shaman Says: If you bring somebody in to your tent, then you're responsible for them getting out again safely. Treat your guests well.
• Shaman Says: Treat your hosts with respect.
• Shaman Says: If you go in to somebody's home uninvited, you get eat.