[GW] Wintersday 2008

[Tami]

[url=\"http://www.guildwars.com/events/ingame/wintersday2008/\"]Wintersday 2008 Opens Up the Eye of the North[/url]


[i]On behalf of the Ebon Vanguard, I am pleased to extend our invitation to this year's Wintersday celebration. Most of the Vanguard is off-duty to take part in the festivities, so please join us in the Eye of the North as we relax and make merry. It has fallen to me to make sure everyone has a proper good time, a duty that I gladly accept. I just hope no one minds if I have a little fun for myself along the way.

--Lt. Thackeray[/i]

[url=\"http://www.guildwars.com/events/ingame/wintersday2008/\"]Wintersday[/url] 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 (Random drop from the Wintersday Chest after doing the [url=\"http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/The_Strength_of_Snow\"]Strength of Snow[/url] or [url=\"http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Straight_to_the_Heart\"]Straight to the Heart[/url] quests.)

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.

[b]Special Reward![/b]

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!

[b]Wintersday 2008 Holiday Events[/b]

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.


Mark your calendars and make plans to join Lt. Thackeray for this year's Wintersday extravaganza!

[Josh]

can't wait!!!