The Feast of Winter Vale

Bye Rene Fideau "Aemilius"

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Ho Ho Horde! Well it’s that time of year again. Time to pull out the stockings, get together with the loved ones and pull out the goodies because Santa Clause is coming to town.

One of the main struggles for most MMORPG’s to date has always been keeping peoples interest for a long extended of time. I mean really, how long can one expect to keep playing the same game over and over again. Over the past few years, several online gaming companies like Blizzard in The World of Warcraft have gone that extra step to prevent this from happening to them.

For those of you who have been involved in the World of Warcraft for quite some time should already be aware of the changes that Blizzard makes in regards to the holidays. For example, some of us may remember the Halloween content that was added to WoW back in October. Pumpkins scattered throughout the Major cites and fun and festive events to go along with it. Well they have done it again and Greatfather Winter has made is presence in celebration of the holidays and is brining joy to all the folks of Azeroth.

One of the key factors that Blizzard has always done with the World of Warcraft is to ensure that there is enough fun factor for everyone of all ages. Having come from along line of MMORPG’s myself this is one of the true things that have attracted me to WoW and have also kept me playing for as long as I have For the rest of this article I will give everyone an idea of what they can expect while Greatfather Winter visits us in the land of Azeroth.

The Jinglepocket Goblins have set up their seasonal fare shops in major cities. Adventurers can purchase many holiday favorites - including Greatfather's Winter ale, candy canes, gingerbread cookie recipes, and mistletoe.

All the cheer-spreading is making Greatfather Winter hungry, and he is looking for adventurers to get him his daily fix of milk and cookies.

Smokeywood Pastures needs a few brave adventurers to investigate the disappearance of a shipment of holiday goods traveling though Alterac.

Unconfirmed reports say that consuming eggnog during a snowball fight can have some chilling results.

Using the /kiss emote on NPC's named 'Winter Reveler' will give you Fresh Holly which can be used to transform your mount into a reindeer for thirty minutes.

What winter would be complete with out a good snowball fight. That’s right, in every major city you can find vendors supplied by the Smokywood Pastures. These vendors sell everything from Snowballs, which are available in stacks of 5 and cost 10c per stack, as well as wrapping paper for those gifts you plan to buy for your friends or loved ones. Now is your chance to get even with that little gnome warrior that tripped you in that duel you had by pegging them off with a couple of snowballs.

After you have picked up your 100 or so snowballs, you need to make sure you head down to Ironforge to meet Greatfather Winter himself. Just look for the very large tree and the huge swarm of people that are gathered around him. While there you will be able to pick up a whole series of quests that range in both Experience points and gifts for completing them. A sample of the quests include:

(15)Treats for Great-Father Winter (Horde)

Bring 5 Gingerbread Cookies and an Ice Cold Milk to Greatfather Winter in Orgrimmar.

1 Ice cold Milk

5 Gingerbread Cookies

Hey, can you do Greatfather Winter a favor, um, little boy?

Not to needlessly talk about myself in the third person, but Greatfather Winter has been at this all day and he could use a treat himself. Some gingerbread cookies and ice cold milk to wash them down with would really hit the spot. Think you could be a friend to the Greatfather and fetch some for me?

(15)Treats for Great-Father Winter (Alliance)

Bring 5 Gingerbread Cookies and an Ice Cold Milk to Greatfather Winter in Ironforge.

1 Ice cold Milk

5 Gingerbread Cookies

Hey, can you do Greatfather Winter a favor, um, little boy ?

Not to needlessly talk about myself in the third person, but Greatfather Winter has been at this all day and he could use a treat himself. Some gingerbread cookies and ice cold milk to wash them down with would really hit the spot. Think you could be a friend to the Greatfather and fetch some for me?

(15)Greatfather Winter is Here! (Alliance)

Speak with Greatfather Winter; he is located near the Smokywood Pastures vendor area in Ironforge.

Have a wondrous Winter Veil, friend! Be sure to say hello to Greatfather Winter, who's currently in Ironforge! If you've been nice this year, you'll receive wondrous treats on the day of the Feast of Winter Veil. Be sure to tell him what you hope to get this year!

Also, be sure to stock up on treats to give those who've been nice this year. We have a great selection to choose from. Fresh from our farm to your plate - it's Smokywood Pastures wholesome goodness!

(35)Stolen Winter Veil Treats (Horde and Alliance)

Locate the Smokywood Pastures investigator that has gone missing in the snowy regions of the Alterac Mountains.

Listen... not to shatter the magic of the season here, but Smokywood Pastures could use some assistance - the kind you adventuring types are known to give.

We're missing an important shipment of treats that was restocking us for the season, and now we're missing the agent of Smokywood Pastures that we sent out to the field to find it! Please - the shipment was last reported in the Alterac Mountains, and that's where our man went to look for it.

See if both are out there, safe and sound!

(60)Metzen the reindeer (Horde and Alliance)

(60)Greatfather Winter is Here! (Horde)

(60)Greatfather Winter is Here! (Alliance)

(60)The Reason for the Season (Horde)

Speak with Sagorne Creststrider in the Valley of Wisdom of Orgrimmar about the Feast of Winter Veil.

Gifts, treats, presents... bah, I say!

Those goblins pollute the true meaning of this season - the Feast of Winter Veil. This is a time of renewal; the land slumbers under a blanket of snow brought forth by Greatfather Winter, who is NOT the bumbling fool over there in the red suit!

If you're interested in learning what the Feast is all about for yourself, ask Sagorne Creststrider. I'm sure he'll be surprised that someone cares about history rather than getting presents.

(60)The Reason for the Season (Alliance)

Speak with Historian Karnik at the Explorer's League in Ironforge about the Feast of Winter Veil.

Gifts, treats, presents... bah, I say!

Those goblins pollute the true meaning of this season - the Feast of Winter Veil. This is a time of renewal; the land slumbers under a blanket of snow brought forth by Greatfather Winter, who is NOT the bumbling fool over there in the red suit!

If you're interested in learning what the Feast is all about for yourself, ask Historian Karnik at the Explorer's League. I'm sure he'll be surprised that someone cares about history rather than getting presents.

(60)The Feasts of Winter Veil (Horde and Alliance)

In addition to the quest that you can get relating to the holidays there are also several items that you can pick up as well:

Candy Cane - Restores 61 health over 18 secs

Greatfather's Winter Ale

Holiday Spices - Used to make Gingerbread Cookies and Egg Nog.

Holiday Spirits - Used to make Egg Nog.

Snowball - Throw them around!

Recipe: Gingerbread Cookie - Cookie that restores 61 health over 18 secs, also gain Well Fed (+2 stam & spirit) for 15 mins

Recipe: Egg Nog - Drink that restores 61 health over 18 secs, also gain Well Fed (+2 stam & spirit) for 15 mins. If you're hit with a snowball while under the influence of Egg Nog, you turn into a snowman!

Schematic: Snowmaster 9000 - Makes 1 snowball per day.

Formula: Enchant Weapon - Winter's Might - +7 damage with frost spells

Plans: Edge of Winter - Blacksmithed 1H Axe

Pattern: Gloves of the Greatfather - Leather gloves

Winter Veil Disguise Kit

Recipe: Elixir of Frost Power - +15 frost damage for 30

Pattern: Green Holiday Shirt - Green Shirt

So as you can see there is plenty to see and do now that Greatfather Winter has arrived. So put away your swords and your armor, take a break from all your Molten Core or Blackwing lair raids, grab a few snowballs and take a few swigs of some good old eggnog and have a great time.