®

A SOLO RPG ADVENTURE

STILLNIGHTS FESTIVAL

written and illustrated by

Nich Angell
COLOSTLE Game System
Patent Pending
All world, story, setting and characters
copyright © Nich Angell 2020
Patreon Digital Content #31
December 2023
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 STILLNIGHTS
Life is hard in the Roomlands, even in the relative
safety of a town or village, people still live wary
of a Rook attack, and without a Hunter on hand
to help them, their only course of action is to
run, leaving everything they own behind to be
trampled and destroyed by the rampaging stone
giant...
Everyone lives from moment to moment, rarely
able to relax, a watch is always kept at the town
perimeter at all hours, and a background fear
squats within the minds of everyone.
Which is why the yearly festival of ‘Stillnights’ is
cherished so deeply by Roomlanders, living this
harsh life.
No-one knows how long ago, it was discovered
that at a certain time each and every year, the
Rooks all stop. Not just slow down, or become less
aggressive, they completely come to a halt for a
number of days, they appear like statues on the
hillsides and mountains - all at the exact same
time, and all for the exact same amount of time.
Usually it is three days, but some years it has been
known to be as long as a week, other years only
one...
With the Rooks totally still, and the threat of attack
completely absent, this is the one time of year
Roomlanders can truly relax and celebrate - it
may not be for long, but it is welcome every year.
There is still no theory for why this happens, but
rather than stopping to ask why, most Roomlanders
just take the time given to them, spending time
with loved ones, feasting and giving presents to
each other, giving thanks for another year.
May this year see many Stillnights, Roomlander...
Most Rooms in the Colostle experience slight
seasonal change throughout the year, it always
turning colder in the later months. Those Rooms
with locked seasons (permanently Winter or
permanently Autumn) still see the Rooks all stop
at the same time as everyone else, regardless of
the weather. It is a universal thing it seems, across
all of the Colostle, with different cultures giving it
different names. To most Roomlanders it is known
as ‘Stillnights’, to the Kyodainans it is known as
‘Shizukana’... but they all know it the same way.
In the Roomlands, most towns and villages have
a ‘Stillnights Stone’. Leading up to Stillnights and
during it as well, offerings are made to the stone in
the hope of elongating the time the Rooks stand
still. The belief goes that the stone is a conduit to
all creatures made of stone, and that if respect is
paid then the Rooks will know and rest for more
time. Some believe, and some don’t, but rest
assured that offerings will be made to the stone
every year without fail.
Rooks can be felled and defeated in this time,
but those that do that are considered to be
dishonourable and likely to make future Stillnights
shorter with their disrespect.
Strangely, any parts taken from a Rook killed during
Stillnights do not function and remain inactive
forever. Arms do not move or graft to people,
Helms don’t activate, and Rooklings never wake.
Rookstones still work however.
The Rooks are generally honoured in this time,
despite their destructive tendencies, as it is
believed that they are granting the people a
reprieve.
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 HOW TO CELEBRATE STILLNIGHTS
Stillnights gameplay is a time for reflection,
family, thoughtfulness and character narrative
advancement, rather than combat and
exploration.
It is an opportunity in your story and adventure, to
develop your character more through interactions
with others. Who is close to your character? Who
would they spend Stillnights with and why? It could
be family, close friends or complete strangers - or
perhaps no one at all. But there are no Rooks to
fight and no frontiers to push, it is a time for rest,
food and partying and a chance to write about
how your character reacts to those festivities.
Start by considering whether your character has
somewhere specific to go for the holiday, they
might want to head home briefly, or go back to
a place they made strong connections. Or they
might just celebrate at the current town or village
they are in.
Stillnights celebrations take place in settlements
so to write about your Stillnights you will need to
make your way to a town or village. Big cities like
Parapette and Oubliette have huge Stillnights
celebrations, with parades through the streets,
decorations hanging from the rooftops and food
and parties on every corner!
Once you have made your way to a town or
village you may begin writing about how Stillnights
goes for your character. Here are a few prompts
to help you consider what happens:
● How big is the town or village, what scale of
celebration are they able to put on?
● Does your character like big social events like
these? How would they react?
● How are people acting, are they dancing in
the streets or more reserved?
With the setting complete its time to decide who
you are here to see, who your characters people
are, and to give them gifts!
You can use the NPC table on the next page to
create characters for your character to spend
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their Stillnights with. The table creates names and
characteristics, but its up to you who they are
(friends, family etc.) - or you can name your own
NPCs and devise their characteristics yourself, the
tables are only there to help if you need it.
If you are returning to a character you have met
in past adventures and have already written all
about them and who they are, then you can use
them and then you don’t need to use the NPC
tables at all.
If you are using the tables, draw as many NPCs as
your Exploration score. Draw their names first, and
then draw again for their characteristics.
With your close ones established, it is time to
write about how you spend your time with them,
where you spend your time with them and most
importantly the gifts you have brought for them.
Try to come up with gifts that suit their
characteristics but also work with the places you
have been and the things you have found - for
example, if you have visited a lot of caves in your
adventures and you have someone who likes
shiny things, perhaps you have brought them a
crystal you found deep in a cave?
Note - you do not have to have bought or found
these presents specially before Stillnights. As long
as they are things you are likely to have found on
your adventures (due to referencing past exploits)
then you can say you picked them up for this
occasion!
Once you have gifted your presents, write about
how your close ones react to their gifts, did they
love them, or were they left wanting?
With the gift giving done, consider writing about
the rest of the days you have together and what
you do, you can write broadly or in detail, it is
completely up to you.
A shout from a look-out announces the Rooks
are moving once again and Stillnights is over for
another year. Think about how you say goodbye if
you are leaving and then reminisce on those you
leave behind as you continue your adventure...
 STILLNIGHTS - NPC TABLE
CARD DRAWN COLOUR NAME CARD DRAWN COLOUR CHARACTER

Mere Hero worshipper, loves hunters and explorers

ACE ACE
Tsune Thirst for adventure and exploration

Terran Loves shiny things, no matter what they are

2 2
Morlin Obsessed with history and discovering secrets

Ferra A great teacher, wise beyond their years

3 3
Dooj Practical joker, loves to make people laugh

Kes Shy and quiet, introverted

4 4
Borlor Artist, lives to draw and paint

Nefenni Lacking direction and purpose, looking for a calling

5 5
Quin Inventor and tinkerer but unable to go out into the world

Lorey Afraid of Rooks and the greater Roomlands

6 6
Sorsh Lover of food, making it and eating it

Yin Centre of attention, people flock to them

7 7
Eif Map hobbyist, always borrowing them from the archives

Grome A deep love of Rooklings, loves to care for them

8 8
Hemma Brewer and potion maker

Irash Researcher, trying to understand Rooks

9 9
Orm Keen on sports, competitive and physical

Rembert Forager, always going on walks to find ingredients

10 10
Sekkel Pet lover, loves doting on their family pet

Jellem A fighter, always training and sparring

J J
Ustar Dancer and entertainer, loves to act

Preem Writer of stories and great sagas

Q Q
Wen Always broke, poor and hungry

Zariq Student of Rookstones and wise with magic

K K
Amba Leader, perhaps they lead the village or Elders