Welcome to Wintersday 2010

Wintersday is almost here! During this festive time of year, towns glimmer with cheery decor, vendors sell seasonal treats, and goodwill fills the hearts of Tyrians everywhere.

For centuries, the goddess of life, Dwayna, who welcomes the coming of spring, has struggled with the god of death, Grenth, for control of Wintersday. This year, the god of war, Balthazar, has thrown his support behind Grenth, who vehemently believes that Wintersday should be a somber time of reflection on the inevitability of death. The Priests of Balthazar feel that the merriment of Wintersday is a glaring example of the weakness of humanity, and have vowed to aid Grenth with his seasonal shenanigans. In response, the goddess of nature, Melandru, has come to Dwayna’s assistance for fear of an endless winter destroying the delicate balance of nature!

Join the heated battle for the fate of this chilly holiday with our striking new Melandru and Balthazar costumes and our brand-new Wintersday challenge. As always, 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 Thursday, December 16, 2010, and run until noon on Monday, January 3, 2011. The Wintersday grand finale will take place in Lion's Arch and Kamadan on New Year’s Day, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Saturday, January 1, 2011, and repeating every three hours until 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2011. Don't be surprised if a snowball fight breaks out before the end of the festival!

Wintersday 2010 Holiday Events

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

• Brand-new holiday content! Team up with your friends and join the forces of Balthazar or Melandru for a cold war, high in the Shiverpeaks! You’ll have to deactivate the statues of the opposing gods to claim victory in this all-new Wintersday challenge!


• Holiday quests in Lion's Arch, Kamadan, and the Eye of the North! We’re bringing back popular quest chains that capture the spirit of the season. Deliver presents to needy little urchins, defeat the scheming Grentches, spread Wintersday cheer, and more!


• 8v8 ATS-style Snowball Tournaments!


• 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!


• Holiday headgear! Continuing an annual tradition, you can earn one of two special Wintersday masks for participating in the annual Grenth vs. Dwayna holiday event!


• 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?

Wintersday 2010 Holiday Rewards

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. Here’s what they’ve got in store this year:

	Frosty Summoning Stone Nobody should be alone on Wintersday! Use this item to summon a Snowman ally!
	Mischievous Summoning Stone Summon a Grentch ally to help you celebrate Wintersday, Grenth-style.
	Frosty Tonic Don't just build a snowman—BE a snowman!
	Mischievous Tonic Get in touch with your inner Grentch by taking on the outer appearance of one!
	Wintersday Gift What surprise will you find inside? Don't ask us—unwrap it and find out!
	Snowman Summoner Your very own snowman—without all the tedious snowball rolling!
	Eggnog The official beverage of Wintersday!
	Spiked Eggnog A more potent nog for the hale and hearty. Fear not; there are no actual spikes in the drink!
	Wintergreen Candy Cane The candy of choice for adventurers everywhere!
	Rainbow Candy Cane A fancy, flavorful candy cane that makes long days of questing more enjoyable.
	Yuletide Tonic Drink this tonic and become one of Dwayna's little helpers!
	Glob of Frozen Ectoplasm Trade these globs for Yuletide Tonic from a holiday vendor!
	Fruitcake Everyone loves fruitcake...or they should! This holiday staple will put a spring in your step.
	Candy Cane Shards Collect these colorful fragments during quests and competitions. Hoard them for the grand finale, have a candysmith forge the shards into a weapon, or trade them and see what you can get in exchange!

Special Wintersday Costumes

It wouldn’t be Wintersday without festive costumes! Pick up these two all-new costumes—the imposing Agent of Balthazar costume and the verdant Disciple of Melandru costume—at the Guild Wars In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store today!