Wintersday [2009] Approaches!

From GuildWars.com:

Wintersday 2009—Frosty Festivities

Can you feel that crisp chill in the air? It's that time of year when the cities of Tyria shine like beacons with festive decor, and the gods Dwayna and Grenth fight over who will control the weather during the coming months. Holiday vendors sell seasonal treats, and the air is full of snowballs and the sound of laughter. Wintersday is almost here!

The towns of Lion's Arch, Droknar's Forge, Ascalon City, Kamadan, and the Eye of the North will be decked out in Wintersday decorations. Visitors to Lion's Arch, Kamadan, and the Eye of the North will be invited to participate in holiday quests, missions, and games, all with their own rewards.

Mark your calendar! Wintersday events begin at Noon Pacific Time (-8 GMT) on Friday, December 18, 2009, and run until Noon on Monday, January 4, 2010. The Wintersday grand finale will take place on Wintersday itself, in Lion's Arch and Kamadan. It begins at 12:01 AM Pacific on Friday, January 1, 2010, and repeats every three hours until 12:01 AM on Saturday, January 2, 2010. Don't be surprised if a snowball fight breaks out before the end of the festival!

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Wintersday 2009 Holiday Events

There's a lot going on during this year's Wintersday festival. Here's what you can expect:


* 8v8 ATS-style Snowball Tournaments!

* Holiday quests in Lion's Arch, Kamadan, and the Eye of the North! Certain quest chains returning from previous years involve beloved (and rare) holiday-themed animals.

* Two repeatable quests set in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. It's your choice: help save the Snowmen and all of Wintersday, or lead a group of Grentches for 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 followers of Dwayna. Seize control of piles of presents to claim victory for your side in this frosty fray!

* Embrace the old adage "it is better to give than to receive" at the city event games in Lion's Arch and Kamadan. Deliver presents to the children before the Grentches ruin Wintersday. You never know, the little urchins might reward you with something special for your generosity!

* Collectors will once again exchange items for Wintersday consumables in Kamadan, Lion's Arch, Ascalon City, Droknar's Forge, and the Eye of the North.

* 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. Will Grenth have his way and plunge the world into eternal winter, or will Dwayna be able to melt enough hearts to bring about an early thaw? You'll have the final say!

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Wintersday 2009 Holiday Rewards

As always, Wintersday vendors will be spreading seasonal cheer with special gifts and treats to help make your holiday complete:

* Frosty Summoning Stone

* Mischievous Summoning Stone

* Frosty Tonic

* Mischievous Tonic

* Wintersday Gift

* Snowman Summoner

* Eggnog

* Spiked Eggnog

* Wintergreen Candy Cane

* Rainbow Candy Cane

* Yuletide Tonic

* Glob of Frozen Ectoplasm

* Fruitcake

* Candy Cane Shard

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Holiday Headgear!

In the tradition of the season, you will also earn one of two special, holiday-themed masks for participating in the annual Grenth vs. Dwayna holiday event!

We look forward to seeing you this Wintersday. Come join the fun, and don't get left out in the cold!

Can't wait, really looking forward to it.

Can't wait for the ATs!

I know it's silly - but I do love the snowball fights.

Hopefully the skill update comes out with this.

looking forward to the snowball ats

Balance Avalanche and Yellow Snow plz.

I am looking forward to Wintersday stuff, after this year's failure of a Costume Brawl this might actually be my favorite holiday event...just not looking forward to loading in against an evenly skilled team and knowing instantly whether or not we'll win.

Snowball fights are the best part about Wintersday.

Bring it on!

Maybe I missed it, but is the mini polar bear coming back this year?

I would assume so from this quote:

Holiday quests in Lion's Arch, Kamadan, and the Eye of the North! Certain quest chains returning from previous years involve beloved (and rare) holiday-themed animals.

I'm gonna try for that impossible jingle bear drop again this year been having some luck lately in my dungeon runs.. got a r9 tactic amethyst shield last night and some decent r9 skins to use

feeling lucky anyway..

I remember reading about *new content* coming for this year's Wintersday, but nothing here suggests anything new... other than headgear which is probably /meh again.

but...

I see one intriguing sentence there:

Sudden snowball fights in towns?

^ WTB snowball fights to determine the Dwayna/Grenth winner in LA and Kamadan instead of fake Nine Rings

Me too.

I have a hunch this year you will love it even more

YES! (I hope.)

It could be a reference to Kimberly, so don't get your hopes up for too much.

Kimberly throws snowballs in Lion's Arch. That sentence is pretty vague.

I will finally charm a Jingle Bear this time, since I didn't complete all of last year's quests. I'm looking forward to a skill balance or some form of skill update more at this point.

Yay Winterdsday is about the best event in GW I can't wait.
Might even be lucky enough to get another MPB to drop this year and then give it away to
someone special in my Guild and you know who you are.

Anyone else hoping for some serious lore blast?

Mini polar bear quest, here I come again ^_^
I hope I will get one finally, after the ~1100 runs I did last year and nothing... >_<

Want one for my bday!