YCH art by  albtraumwach

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Snowflakes were falling from the sky like a white blanket in the moonlight, coating your cloak. A traveler's outfit could withstand the elements fairly well, but close to the sea in winter close to Yuletide it was not quite enough. But the hour was late and all the vendors in the city had closed many hours ago. The streets were mostly empty, all doors closed and warm light glowing from windows surrounding the streets, causing the snow and ice to glitter like copper and gold. The wind from the sea slowly picked up and it started howling around the corners of the houses. You pulled the hood of your cloak down, tightened it and quickened your step down the street until you saw a sign above the door: "The Sloshy Sailor."
"This will have to do." you thought to yourself and pushed the door open.

A wall of warm air smelling of firewood, ale and greasy food hit you in the face, almost knocking the hood back. You closed your eyes for a second, inhaled deeply and then stepped inside. Finally some warmth, food, drink and maybe even company. The atmosphere was rowdy with plenty of sailors warming themselves after making the dock earlier in the afternoon. Dice rolled over tables, flagons were raised and clashed, and ale splashed. Barmaids ran back and forth with plates of grilled pork, cheese and bread. But something that really brought your attention was the shrill but clear voice of a little kobold. She stood leaning against the bar with her cittern in her arms, playing it while drumming her tail against the bar and stomping her feet, singing sea chanties that was very popular among the crowd which often sang along. [Music for atmosphere: The Wellerman by Alina Gingertail ]

Behind the counter towered an enormous anthro mare who eyed you up and down as you walked up. She was holding a drinking horn which she drank from in large gulps, and you weren't entirely sure if she worked there, or if she had just started serving herself while the barkeep was busy. But the little kobold, barely 3 ft tall, shot you a big smile as you came up and made a little curtsey, nodding towards a upside down hat on a table next to her which had some coins in it. You smiled back at her, threw a silver coin into the hat which made her blow you a kiss, before you leaned in to talk to the mare behind the counter.
"Good evenin', ye look chilled to thae bone." she spoke with a heavy dialect. "I can recommend the glühwein, it'll warm ye up be'er than even a ladies company."
"Is that so?" You raised an eyebrow at her.
"Swear tae it, darling lad. Best on this side o' thae continent! Brought the recipe here miself from thae lands of thae far west."
"Alright, give me a flagon of it, but I want ale on top. And a plate of today's supper."
She smiled warmly. "Certainly. Will tha' be all, or do ye wan' a room as well? Lookin' tae spend thae night? It's late, dark and thae wind is pickin' up."
"Yeah, why not. What do I owe you?"
"Tha'll be 5 silver pieces."
"Here, have a gold. Keep the change."
You stuck your fingers in your purse, picked up a gold piece, placed it on the counter and slid it over. The mare blinked, looked up at you and then smiled.
"Lookin' fer company with that generosity?"
You smiled back at her and winked. "Maybe."
She smiled back slyly, took the coin and turned to make arrangements. You turned around and looked out over the tavern room to find a free table spot. There were certainly worse ways and places to celebrate Yule.

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Here we see my D&D characters Pyra Galatree, kobold Bard/Sorcerer and Brenna, Equinox Barbarian. They have been such a joy to play with, so when I saw this YCH from  albtraumwach I had to get it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!