The town was smothered under a thick blanket of snow. Guards were shoveling tons of it down from the battlements. Merchants and traders were ploughing through feet of it to get their wares to markets and trading stations. The whores opened their windows, and found it best not to flaunt any exposed body parts. It was damn cold.<br/><br/>Innkeepers were piling heavy logs in their fireplaces to warm up their customers; for once, more interested in mulled wine than cold ale. Soon, thick smoke was rising from houses and towers, to let everyone know that the town of Vinby hadn't suffocated under the snow, but was alive and breathing.<br/><br/>A legion of dwarves had taken all the rooms available in the south and west of the town. They had arrived for the winter market and would stay until the midwinter feast was over.<br/><br/>The town itself was ruled by a sorceress named Uli, who had once been a brave heroine who had fought evil dragons and legions of darkness. She was appointed mayor for life. Day to day operations were managed by a city chancellor, a half-elf called Smite. This was the busiest time of year for him, maybe next to the summer festivities.