[[Wintersday]] is coming, and for the first time ever the [[Eye of the North]] will be taking part in the festivities. The Ebon Vanguard's tower stronghold will be decorated for the season (along with [[Lion's Arch]], [[Kamadan]], [[Droknar's Forge]], and [[Ascalon City]]), but visitors can enjoy a lot more than just the spectacular scenery. This year's festival includes some of the most popular events, quests, and goodies from past Wintersday celebrations, plus a whole host of new things to discover, including brand new NPCs, quests, rewards, and a special holiday PvP tournament.
Most of the [[Ebon Vanguard's]] officer class is off-duty and out celebrating, so the Eye of the North itself has been left in the capable hands of Lt. Thackeray. A driven, disciplined soldier, Thackeray is quickly making a name for himself as one of the Ebon Vanguard's elite reconnaissance rangers. He's also determined to spread holiday cheer throughout the Eye of the North, and provide a bit of comfort and respite to his fellow soldiers…especially [[Gwen]], who is feeling a bit melancholy this Wintersday.
Thackeray will provide new quests, items, and collector NPCs that are specific to the Eye of the North, so you'll need access to this area to participate—don't miss out on the new [[tonics]] and [[summoning stones]]! Of course, there will also be new things to discover all over the world, and everyone who participates in the grand finale inside Lion's Arch and Kamadan will get some spiffy new hats. The Wintersday [[candysmiths]] make their triumphant return, as will the [[polar bear mini-pet]]. In Lion's Arch, Kamadan, Droknar's Forge, and Ascalon City, you can try your hand at distributing gifts to the children, or if you're feeling [[grentch-y]], you can try to destroy the gifts before the children get them. There will be a lot more action in the [[Snowball Arena]] before the traditional finale battle between the followers of [[Dwayna]] and the followers of [[Grenth]] to determine which god will control the weather during the coming months. Also, for the first time ever, players can experience 8v8 ATS-style Snowball Tournaments!
Wintersday events begin at noon Pacific Time (-8 GMT) on Friday, December 19, 2008 and run until noon on January 5, 2009. The Wintersday grand finale will take place on Wintersday itself in Lion's Arch and Kamadan, beginning at 12:01 AM Pacific on Thursday, January 1, 2009, and repeating every three hours until 12:01 AM on Friday, January 2, 2009.
Mark your calendars and make plans to join Lt. Thackeray for this year's Wintersday extravaganza!
Wintersday 2008 Holiday Rewards
In addition to the seasonally appropriate headwear you can receive from Dwayna or Grenth at the end of the grand finale, there are plenty of other gifts and items you might see during the Wintersday festival:
[[Frosty Summoning Stone]]
Nobody should be alone on Wintersday, so use this item to summon a snowman ally!
[[Mischievous Summoning Stone]]
Summon a grentch ally to help you spread some holiday cheer, Grenth-style.
[[Frosty Tonic]]
Don't just build a snowman, be a snowman!
[[Mischievous Tonic]]
Get in touch with your inner grentch by taking on the outer appearance of one.
[[Wintersday Gift]]
What surprise will you find inside? Unwrap it to find out.
[[Snowman Summoner]]
Need an instant snowman? This gift is for you.
[[Eggnog]]
The holiday season's staple drink.
[[Spiked Eggnog]]
A more potent glass of 'nog for the hale and hearty. Please imbibe responsibly—don't drink and quest.
[[Wintergreen Candy Cane]]
The return of the adventurer's favorite candy treat.
[[Rainbow Candy Cane]]
A different flavor of candy cane that makes long days of questing more enjoyable.
[[Yuletide Tonic]]
Drink this tonic to become one of Dwayna's little helpers.
[[Glob of Frozen Ectoplasm]]
Low on Yuletide Tonic? Try some of this!
[[Fruitcake]]
Another holiday staple that is sure to put a spring in your step.
[[Candy Cane Shards]]
Collect these colorful fragments by questing and competing. Hoard them up for the grand finale, have a candysmith forge them into a weapon, or trade them to see what you can get in exchange.
Special Reward!
In the tradition of the season, you will also receive special holiday-themed headgear for attending the Wintersday finale; and if you complete all four of the Eye of the North quests, you'll find a special surprise waiting in [[Gwen's garden]]!
We look forward to seeing you this Wintersday. Come join the fun, and don't get left out in the cold!
Wintersday 2008 Holiday Events
There's a lot going on in the Ebon Vanguard's tower stronghold during this year's Wintersday celebration, but there will also be plenty to do in Lion's Arch and Kamadan. Here's more of what you can expect:
Speak to Lt. Thackeray in the Eye of the North to find out how you can help the Ebon Vanguard enjoy Wintersday through a new chain of quests!
Brand new 8v8 ATS-style Snowball Tournaments!
Two well-known Wintersday quests are back to let you side with Grenth and his grentches or Dwayna and her snowmen before their final showdown. Unsure which deity to support? Try both quests to pick your favorite!
Quest chains from past years that involve certain beloved (and rare) holiday-themed animals.
Two repeatable quests set in the (previously) [[Secret Lair of the Snowmen]]. It's your choice: help save the snowmen, and all of Wintersday, or lead a group of grentches on a final "bah, humbug" of the season.
Venture into the [[Underworld]] for a series of repeatable snowball fights against the forces of Grenth or the forces of Dwayna. Take control of piles of presents to win victory for your side in this frosty fray.
More snowball mayhem in the form of PvP snowball fights! Random forces unite within an arena to fight for either Grenth or Dwayna. The first team to gather five presents for its patron deity wins the day.
Embrace the old adage "it is better to give than to receive" at the city event game in Lion's Arch, Droknar's Forge, Kamadan, and Ascalon City. Deliver presents to the children before the grentches destroy Wintersday. You never know, the little urchins might reward you with something special for your generosity.
Zoo jullie hebben weer ff wat te lezen
~Don
do dec 18, 2008 9:28 pm
(kind of smile)
