Wintersday!

[Havral]

Huwha? Oh, observer mode. Yeah, very nice and all...

But check out the major outposts! (Well, except Amnoon and Denravi. Those suck) 'tis the season, people!

Edit: I suggest you all take in the ambiance of Ascalon City, and listen for a moment or two to Jakob the Storyteller as he recounts how Grenth stole Wintersday.

[DeeBye]

Wintersday!

[Lurker Wyrm]

Don't forget to check out the Tomb of Primeval Kings as well.

Also, there are 2 new quests in Lion's Arch that'll give you 5k exp each for completion. The Dwayna one is easy, you just have to walk around Ascalon City, Lion's Arch, and Droknar's Forge talking to NPCs, the Grenth one involves a bit more hunting since you have to go outside town. All of the Grenth ones are in Kryta though, so you don't have to go too far to search. I can post the walkthroughs from GWGuru if people want.

And don't forget the winter items you can get from the priests/priestesses and dark priests/necromancers in the 3 main towns (Denravi and Amnoon get shafted again).

I've already taken over 60 screenshots of everything, I'll be sure to post some later.

[KingOfPain]

too bad the weapons have half decent damage, focii have energy and its actually the best shield w/o requirement - non nudist items

KoP

[Havral]

too bad the weapons have half decent damage, focii have energy and its actually the best shield w/o requirement - non nudist items

KoP

Still, with the Pumpkin Crown 'pon head and Gingerbread Shield in hand, Havral feels... Very silly, truth be told.

Working on Grenth's set at the moment. Got my first shard too, just three more to go for the candy cane sword.

[Lurker Wyrm]

I don't care, my Me/W will be using her Candy Cane Sword. It's just too awesome to pass up, and only does 10 damage. I think we can make an exception for it?

The bow seems to be middle road for range and refire rate, but has a small arc (flatbow, not longbow) which means it's got good accuracy.

(Time to take advantage of the upload server)
This is what I've been able to collect so far. Clockwise from the upper left it's the Candy Cane Bow, Peppermint Shield, Gingerbread Shield, Gingerbread Focus, and Candy Cane Sword. I'm getting the hammer next, can't wait to see what that'll look like.

This one is a full 1024x768 shot which is why I'm not hosting it here, but it was just too neat of an effect to pass up showing off. Taken during the Grenth Grentch quest.

[Havral]

Bah, got there before I could upload my shot of Havral with his sword and shield.

Still, I'm still showing it to all and sundry, since for some odd reason he still manages to look totally badass.

[Zed-F]

Yeah, my nudist Ember Buffy is going to be pulling out a Candy Cane Bow too.

[KingOfPain]

Below shows the maps and info on where to get the quest items. Read no further if you want to figure them out by yourself...



























Get quests in LA - you can take both quests at the same time
Coal - Vanguard Kyle by Symon - Ascalon
Pipe - King Jalis - Droknar
Hat - Magi Malaquire - LA


By the Dock




Scenic tour




Good luck - if you or someone in your party needs the undead quest, be prepared




2 npc talking right outside of town. Follow the thief, no fighting required.



KoP

[Havral]

no fighting required.

Unless of course a pack of Warlocks spawns on the ridge that's normally occupied by Skeleton Archers, in which case you should either fight or book it.

I chose the latter, but I suspect I wouldn't have had any trouble if I chose the former.

Edit: SNOWBALL FIGHT! Talk to one of the new NPCs in Lion's Arch, and you're dumped in a new arena. The rules are this: You have stacks of health and energy regardless of your profession (My warrior actually takes a health hit), and your skillbar has been replaced with some snowball fight skills depending on which side (Grenth or Dwayna) you're put on. You can only attack with snowball skills, and the goal is to return 5 presents to your altar before the opposing team.

Also, as is tradition, there are new Ele henchmen in Lion's Arch specialising in water skills (Ice Prison, Ice Spikes, with Aura of Restoration and Ward Against Harm confirmed).