Winter Hart

Winter Harts (also known as The Hart of Winter) are deer-like spirits that represent certain winter solstice ideals and ceremonies.
The Spiritual Travelers first met this spirit when the soft, cozy glow of its candlelights were spotted by DAN. It was then approached by Namina who communed with it to learn additional information about The Spirit of Christmas.
The Winter Hart they encountered appreciated the conversation and respect received by the Spiritual Travelers and allowed them to place their own winter memories, future plans, lost friends or other thoughts upon its horns.

• Agave's smells like a hearty winter meal. You can sees fragments of what must be Agave's tribe, gathered around eating a large meal.
• Namina's is mostly a secret to the party; but the viewer sees a merfolk who looks like Namina, but with a smaller frame but still with that wild hair, smiling gently and there is a hand on her shoulder. The candle smells of sea water and hibiscus.
• Kaswink sees her and the party eating dinner at Frode's house with his wife bringing in a large roast and potatoes with his kids running around the living space. Kaswink looks a bit overwhelmed by the noise, but is happy to be safe amongst people.
• Hysteria's smelled of oak and was reminiscent of the bow they use along with other wooden objects they might have, perhaps suggesting some connection to the tree.
• Frode's though was of himself at home in front of the hearth. His wife, children and friends were all visiting. This included the current adventuring party. A grand table has been set with all the characters' favorite foods and the smell of spiced cookies and drinks permeated the room as songs were sung by all. During this time, children were running around the table playing with each other.
  Frode sported a large shiney badge that reads: "City guard of the year". Frode's smile spanned his entire face as he sings along to the songs of old while munching on roasted potatoes.
• DAN's was something quite different from the rest of the Spiritual Travelers. Their unique situation creating a complicated experience to add to the Hart.
  Each one of the three received a smaller light (as if they're divided amongst them):
  • Dave has his thoughts looming on the current situation that everyone is in, having some warm feeling, but a twinge of doubt flickers on his mind: "Is this peace actually peace?".
  • Anthony, being in a new environment that is ever changing, is simultaneously curious and in awe, yet also worried: "Everything is changing so fast... what if things never get back to normal?".
  • Nicholas, being ever vigilant on the others while somewhat enjoying the weight on his shoulders, now begins to feel a sense of insecurity:"What if I can't do it? What if I can't support them like they've supported me?"
  All of these doubts start to make the lights in their hands flicker, until all three thought the same thing:"What would Steve do?", and in that moment the lights in all three of their hands shone and they coalesced into one light, and in that singular moment all three could've sworn that he was there watching them, and they felt warmth like he was there.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Winter Harts all resemble deer of average to slightly larger-than-average in size. They all have antlers which come to an odd number of sharp points. These points are almost always seen with gently burning candles situated just above them.
Each of their candles represents some different Winter Solstice ideal including the following:

• One candle vaguely feels like friends that have been lost while another feels like new ones that will be made.
• One candle seems to be lessons learned and while another is dreams/goals that she has for the coming year
• One candle seems to appeal to characteristics of the season like hope, generosity and so on.

These candles can be extinguished and given to those that it finds worthy of providing their own ideals to the winter tradition.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Winter Harts generally stick to the most northern areas of The Gates, particularly the forest north of the grasslands.
As the seasons change and winter arrives, these spirits will move as far south as the grasslands themselves and their candles will begin to burn.

Average Height

3 feet

Average Length

around 6-7 feet

Discovered by

Namina