Yazkier's Masquerade

 The door to the Daring Fox, a tavern of the far north, burst open, admitting two large, fur-clad figures.  Howling winds scattered bits of snow and ice across the common room.  Behind the bar, the tiny kobold bartender, Darrix, squawked in alarm before glaring at the newcomers.  The creature returned to hanging a silver and blue banner proclaiming the impending Midwinter’s Eve celebration as the door closed loudly.  Across the room, a human with ashy blond hair, wearing a finely stitched tunic with flared sleeves, sat carefully tuning a lute.  The newcomers approached the performer, slowly lowering their furry hoods to reveal  2 giant-kin, a bald male and a female with a shock of red hair hanging onto her back.  The woman, brushing some bits of snow from her hair, placed a weathered top hat, adorned with a feather and a bit of quartz, atop her head.  Yazkier, renowned bard and owner of the Fox, sensed someone watching him and slowly looked up.  He recognized the faces immediately thou