The forests of Silvanesti have been decorated with gaily colored ornaments, small toys, fireflies glittering in crystal jars and miles of multicolored ribbons. A light snow is covering the ground and soft laughter and songs of Yuletide cheer can be heard on the wind. The Silvanesti swear if the find the kender littering their forest with these gaudy knick-knacks, they will string them up by their top-knots. They have released the griffons on the intruders and expect them to return within a day or two.
The "Little Players Theater" has been doing a Yuletide play for three generations. They have traveled to over five surrounding villages and communities spreading the joys of theater. Among their ranks is a budding prodigy, Rumion Halftoe. Halftoe has been into theater for more than twenty years. He is a true thespian and he is a half-ogre. Originally Halftoe was cast in non-speaking parts, but worked his way up to sentient trees and magical rocks. From there he found he had a particular knack for playing the villain. "I'm just really hairy and I can drool on queue, so I'm really a natural for most evil villain types," says Halftoe. His crowning achievement was playing Lord Arakisis' evil henchman number two. "I was incredible in that role. No one could touch me when it came to giving the evil eye," Halftoe boasts, "of course the eye patch made that a bit difficult, but I pulled it off!" Now in the latest play "A Magical Yuletide", Halftoe has been given the part of the Happy Snowman. "It's an insult to an actor of my caliber! To give me a sweet and happy snowman so I can be laughed at again, I won't stand for it!" Halftoe rages. The "Little Players Theater" could not be reached for comment.
Emma Pettins of Rolling Vale village moved into her new home recently only to discover that there was a body in the chimney. The body has been identified as Gremware Steelshanks, uncle of the former owners. It is unknown how or why the dwarf entered the chimney but he must have been wedged in there for a number of years. He was wearing a bright read coat and pants and a long pointed hat ending in a white tassel. Steelshanks was apparently carrying a bag with a number of wooden toys that he had carved himself. Steelshanks had a history of drinking and mental problems. "You always hear about this sort of thing happening, but you don't know how unnerving it is until it happens to you," Pettins remarked. Pettins has recently covered the top of her chimney with chicken wire to deter future break-ins.
Taking an unexpected break from their military training, the Minotaurs of Death Squad Alpha sat down for a Yuletide feast to celebrate the holiday and their impending domination of Ansalon. In a touching speech by commander Goresteen the minotaur declared "One day we will be sitting like this over the dead bodies of our vanquished foes, with their heads on pikes looking down on us, their spirits wandering in unrest and eternal torment!" It was a rousing speech that lifted the spirits of his warriors. After the speech the squad took a moment of silence to reflect on what the new year would bring and to practice night time sneak attack formations.