It was a dark and stormy night in the Howling Pass, a Blizzard was moving in and a small Ferrikki was crawling through the deep snow trying to find some kind of shelter.
The only light she had to go by was the Aurora that shown above, as she snuck by a large polar bear she saw the opening to a ragged cave.
As she grew closer an icicle fell from the mouth of the cave almost crashing into her, with a screech of fright she ran farther into the cave.
After finally getting to safety the small Ferrikki looked around trying to deduct where she was. Scanning the cave she saw pictures carved into the wall, a Star was carved at the top under it there were carvings of Morkko surrounding a large tree that had strange items on it, under the tree there were boxes with bows. Beside them a snowman stood with a carved smile as it seemed to be standing guard by the tree. A sleigh like carving was to the side with two older figures beside it clutching presents to their chest as a nutcracker seemed to be stalking towards them.
Before she could try and figure out what the picture meant a low grumble echoed throughout the cave, shaking she turned wide eyed to see the large Polar bear looming over her, why are you here small one? The question rumbled from the chest of the large bear as it lowered it's head down to her level expecting an answer. I-Im sorry, i-i was trying to get out of the s-storm. She fiddled her hands in front of her fearing the worst. With a large huff the bear sat in front of her before pulling out a piece of gingerbread and a steaming cup of hot cocoa and placing it in front of her before putting a candy cane in the cup. Very well you can stay here with me until the storm blows over, you're safe here
The polar bear then laid beside her and told the story of the great war of the Tyrant that was carved into the wall above as the wind howled outside as if mourning the creatures that were lost in that war.

It had been a terribly long, cold, and miserable day, but the fire was blazing bright and warm in the fireplace. Their cabin nestled within the Enigmatic Grotto was the perfect place to take shelter from the raging blizzard that barreled through after they began their trek home from the battle that took place within the Dungeon of the Forsaken for the day. Why their owner insisted on putting them through that dreadful place in the dead of winter each day, was beyond her. But, she loved the thrill of the fight. And the legendary Vulnyx they caught was a nice bonus on top.

Lacey had just settled in next to her companions, Decimate, and Davina, sharing the warmth of each other's fur as they nestled on the rug in front of the warm hearth. It was almost midnight, and she was ready for sleep to claim her. Decimate's breath blasted her in the face, scented of the reindeer shaped gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate their owner had given them after their hard day's work. She turned her head from him to look at Davina, whom was already snoring softly, paws wrapped tight around the leftover candy cane. She must have fallen asleep in the middle of eating it. Lacey shook her head softly, but knew better than to try and pry it from her friend, sleeping or not. So she tucked her nose under her paw and let herself drift off to sleep.

The next morning, Lacey and her friends were given the day off by their owner, and they all took the opportunity to play in the freshly fallen snow. The storm was over, thank the Great Star, and the snow was crisp under-paw. "I'm going to build a snowman!" Decimate declared. "I want to make snow angels!" Davina exclaimed. Lacey thought about what she wanted to do. Join her friends in one of their ideas? Or do something else? "I want to go see if we still have that old sleigh in the basement!" Lacey decided. "Oh yes, I love that idea! Maybe we can convince the Faeloras to give us a ride through the snow!" Davina squealed in excitement. The little bounce of excitement had Lacey laughing. Her friend was as innocent as she was powerful. "You go ask them while I go dig it out! Decimate, you can help me, and then either come with us for a ride, or build your snowman." Lacey ordered. He nodded enthusiastically. "I want to go for a ride too! Happy to lend you a paw!" And they scampered off in their separate directions.

They had just pushed the sleigh up the basement stairs and into the snow when they heard a bunch of harmonious singing heading their way. Decimate and Lacey shared a look of amusement. "I love that the faeloras always have such high spirits, their songs just seem to go so well with the atmosphere of winter," he said. She nodded. "And there's Davina's voice, off-key as always as she tries to sing along with them," she chuckled. Decimate gave her a soft prod with his paw. "You know you wouldn't trade either of us for anything, though." She looked at her friend and gave him a warm smile. "Of course not. You both are my best friends. Doesn't mean I won't tease you both out of love, though! Now, let's go for a ride!"

It was my Aurleon partner Astra's first winter, and I could feel her excitement through our unique bond. We were spending the Winter Festival in a cabin in the Howling Pass, with our large team of Sylesti companions, where we could all enjoy some of the traditions associated with the winter weather and where I could meet up with some of my Trainer friends. Astra and her daughter Celeste were among the many Sylesties with us who had never experienced snow before, and despite the chill they were enthusiastic about playing in it, at least for a little while. The day before the Grand Winter Feast, it snowed, and nearly the whole team was outside enjoying it. I told Astra about how I used to make snowmen as a kid, on the rare occasions when we got enough snow in my hometown, and Astra immediately wanted to try it, gathering up snow with her wings and shaping it with her feet and beak. As a kid I'd made snowmen with carrot noses, but we didn't have any carrots on hand, so Celeste had the bright idea to use an icicle. She and Astra added sticks for arms and pebbles for eyes and a mouth, then Astra got some brown leaves she'd dug up from under the snow and placed them on top. "What are you doing?" I asked her. I'm giving it hair so it looks like you, she responded through our bond. The leaves did look a bit like my messy brown hair, and I couldn't help but laugh. Then a snowball hit me in the back. I whirled around and saw nothing, but Astra caught the culprit: one of our Ryories, Nyx, was attuned to water and had figured out how to throw snowballs. I tried to hit him back, but he was very good at dodging; I'd specifically trained him in evading attacks, after all. After that rather one-sided snowball fight, we found a frozen lake. This was new to me as well as to most of the Sylesties; growing up by the sea, I hadn't really encountered a body of water fully frozen over like this. I climbed down to the surface, thinking it would be like what I'd heard about ice skating. Most of our group curiously followed me down. It wasn't quite what I'd imagined, especially since none of us had skates, but we still enjoyed sliding across the ice. After the time we'd spent in the snow, we returned to the cabin, and Ember, one of our fire-attuned Sylesties, helped light a fire in the fireplace. Soon I had to finish preparing and wrapping some of the gifts I was giving out. Some of the Sylesties went back out to play and Astra distracted her mate Redwind while I helped Celeste and the pair's adoptive children Avon and Larch start making gingerbread birds as a gift for him. Celeste and Larch did most of the shaping and decorating, while Avon used their fire powers to bake them; I really just gave them the recipe and helped measure the ingredients. As they worked, I wrapped a few final presents; wind chimes for our resident musician Tempo, a bracelet with a red leaf charm for my autumn-loving Ferrikki friend Scarlett, and something special that I'd managed to keep a secret from Astra despite our mental connection, against all odds. When Astra and the rest of the group came back, we were finally ready, and not a moment too soon.
That night, I lay awake while almost everyone slept. Maybe it was the cold creeping in through the windows, maybe it was the anticipation, maybe it was something else, but I tossed and turned until I got frustrated and got up. The stars were beautiful, and I quickly put on my coat and shoes so I could go outside and stargaze. Though the ground was covered in snow, the sky was clear. It was a silent, beautiful night. I was reminded of one of my favorite songs, often sung around this time of year, and I started singing quietly to myself. I heard wingbeats and felt a sense of affection and curiosity that wasn't my own; Astra had come out to join me. "You couldn't sleep either?" I asked. I suppose not, Astra thought to me. "Well, you're welcome to join me out here. The sky is beautiful tonight," I said. Astra sat next to me. Could you sing again? she asked. I was a little embarrassed, but I had done plenty of things far more humiliating than singing in front of Astra, so I obliged, and after a verse or two she whistled along in beautiful birdsong. The sky grew lighter, but it wasn't dawn; it was the aurora borealis, sometimes visible on clear nights so far north. Astra and I finished our song and just looked on in wonder. Eventually, I started feeling tired, but Astra was still wide awake. "It's after midnight, isn't it," I mused aloud. "I can give you your gift, and it might be helpful!" I don't have anything for you, though, Astra thought to me. "It's okay, I know it'd be hard for you to buy something, and receiving gifts isn't that important to me," I told her. I went inside to get my surprise for Astra, carefully not waking our sleeping companions, and brought it out to her. She unwrapped it and stared at the bundle of fabric. "It's a hammock for you, since you so often have trouble sleeping on a perch when we're traveling. Hopefully this will be helpful, especially on nights when you can't or won't bunk with me," I explained. Astra nuzzled me warmly as I bent down to stroke her feathers. Thank you, she said, but can we cuddle tonight? "Of course," I agreed, "Let's get to bed, then. I don't know about you, but I still need some sleep and tomorrow's a big day."

It wasnt my original plan to get caught in a mountain blizzard, but winter has a playful way of surprising me. I had traveled to the Howling Pass dreaming of a perfect dayskiing down fresh slopes, making snow angels, and maybe even building a snowman or two.

With excitement buzzing in my chest, I strapped my Zolnixi companions to the sleigh, Finn proudly taking the lead with his boundless energy. One moment we were dashing beneath a brilliant winter sky, the snow around us twinkling like a fallen star. The next, an avalanche of swirling snow whooshed down without warning, swallowing the trail in white.

Panic fluttered in my chest as I searched wildly for shelter. Then, like a gift from the mountain itself, a small cabin appeared through the snow. We pulled up beside it just in time, and I hurried myself and my fuzzy friends inside. Warmth wrapped around us instantly. The air smelled of gingerbread, and a mug of hot cocoa waited by the fire, steam curling up invitingly. Outside, the storm raged on, the wind howling like a banshee, while an icicle clung desperately to the windowsill, letting out a chime with each gust. But inside we were safe and warm.
But, I wasnt alone for long. With a sudden thud, the door swung open and a fluffy polar bear Morkko padded inside, snow dusting his fur. We stared at each other in surprise, then the Morkko huffed gently and settled down beside us. Soon we were all huddled together in front of the fire, sharing warmth, comfort, and I couldn't help but smile as the storm howled beyond the walls. Inside, we were safe and warm in our little puppy pile of fur and friendship.

When the storm finally passed, we stepped outside together. The mountain sparkled under the calm sky, peaceful once more. With a friendly nudge and a soft grunt of goodbye, the Morkko turned and wandered back into the wild. I watched him go, smiling, knowing that winter is best enjoyed not alone but wrapped in warmth, joy, and friendship.

The two Bulboris hopped back to admire their new cabin. Constructed of gingerbread, it was a delicious sight to behold. Dripping frosting on the eaves gave the illusion of icicles hanging down and the gumdrop doorknob was the perfect finishing touch. It even had a pleasant view of the snow-covered valley and the nearby frozen lake. Someone had made a snowman on its banks and there was a goose ice skating on the lakes frozen surface.

They were about to head inside and enjoy their new home with a cozy cup of hot cocoa when the ground lurched. The snowmans carrot nose fell to the ground and the goose flapped its wings to regain its balance. Silence reigned for a moment before a low roar and then a chime could be heard ringing one, two, three, four, five times in the distancethe warning sound in The Howling Pass for an avalanche.

Stricken, the Bulboris realized it would be heading straight for their new home. They had to think fast in order to save it and themselves. One called out to the goose while the other ran for the pile of leftover candy canes and frosting they had stashed away. Hooking each candy cane together and using the frosting as cement, they quickly made a makeshift harness, hitched the cabin-turned-sleigh to the goose, and rushed inside. Only just in time, the goose fled into the sky and the Bulboris watched through the candy-lined windows as the ground below them was engulfed by the snow.

The goose flew across the frozen water before landing the gingerbread sleigh without too many bumps in a peaceful section of the pass. Upon inspection, some of the shaved chocolate shingles had blown off and the frosting icicles were slanted, but they were safe and the sleigh was back to being their delightful little gingerbread cabin again. The goose flew off with a candy cane treat as thanks, and the Bulboris finally went back inside to enjoy their cups of hot cocoa.

It was Jen's first time visiting The Howling Pass, although she had heard that many others and their sylesti's came here often for the Winter season, as there was many activities to partake in. Skiing, sledding, snow boarding, ice skating on the frozen lake, and of course, the biggest attraction of all being able to receive a gift from Father Frost!

While the Howling Pass was filled with joy, it was also a dangerous place, and only adventurers with sylesti's were allowed to come and go as they pleased. Of course, Jen had arrived late, and arrived around midnight. Although, arriving late didn't seem so bad, as the beautiful aurora lit up the sky, and there was a bright star above a tall hill that caught Jen's eye. However, a mysterious sylesti appeared over the hill, it's long flowing mane waved in the cold wind.

"What is that?" Jen said, bewildered by the Sylesti's beauty. Kasiren, who previously had no energy due to the long journey, perked up at the Sylesti's appearance and begun nudging Jen roughly. "Woah Kasiren, calm down! There's no need to be so rough!" She said, somewhat scolding her Sylesti. But when she turned her attention back to the hill, the sylesti was gone. Kasiren shook her head with disappointment that Jen could not understand, and then began to rush off! "Wait!! Kasiren!" Obviously worried for her partner, Jen took off after Kasiren.

She had chased her friend down for so long in the cold that she began losing the feeling in her fingers. Kasiren had finally stopped running, and stood at the mouth of a cave, and Jen realized it had started snowing. She breathed heavily, exhausted from so much running. "Really, Kasiren? You didn't have to run so fast." Kasiren then walked behind Jen, and began nudging her towards the cave. "Okay, okay, I get it you silly goose." Jen leaned on Kasiren as she led her into the cave. The mouth of the cave had several icicles hanging from it. As Jen entered the cave, she sat on the ground, rubbing her hands together. "If only I had some hot cocoa right now..." Jen then looked outside, and it seemed a blizzard had begun! "Wow, it's good we didn't get caught in that.." Jen said with some relief, and Kasiren seemed to sigh as she curled her big cat body around Jen to help keep her warm. "Hold on, I'll try and get a fire started." Jen said, and gathered some sticks from around the cave, putting them in a makeshift pile. Kasiren then shot a fireball into the pile of sticks, and the cave lit up. "Well, it's no fireplace, but it will do."

Jen then came back to her friend and leaned against her, and Kasiren curled her tail around Jen protectively. Jen did not understand it, but she felt as though for some reason, Kasiren was tense. She had just begun drifting off to sleep, when suddenly the ground started shaking. Kasiren's body tensed up against Jen. "What is this, an earthquake!?" Jen exclaimed, scooting herself closer to her partner with worry. Then, with a loud thud, and more shaking, snow had begun pouring into the cave. "Oh no... It's an avalanche!!" Then, suddenly, the mysterious sylesti from before had jumped through the snow pouring into the cave and used an explosive fireball on the snow pouring into the cave. Kasiren lept in front of Jen and did the same. The snow quickly melted away at the sylesti's power, and it poured into the cave more slowly. "It must have been a small avalanche... thank Tyrielle.." Jen said, but was once again captured by the mysterious sylesti's beauty. It turned to face her, and his eyes were blank, but his body took a defensive position, and he lashed his long, flowing tail in frustration, leaves and snow floated around him. He seemed to make a hissing noise at Kasiren, and then faded back out the cave through the snow. Even though the sylesti seemed to be aggressive towards Kasiren, she dipped her head in respect to him as he left. Jen began to wonder if that sylesti had somehow warned Kasiren about the storm, to keep her safe... but it had been a long night, and she didn't want to think- all she wanted now was to sleep.

Word Count: 983
Words Used: Slept, Aurora, Blizzard, Cabin, Chime, Fireplace, Polar Bear, Hot Cocoa, Icicle, Midnight, Singing, Star
Phina the Luffox

~~~

The midnight wind was unforgiving as it whistled through Umbra Forest, driving snow into deep drifts and rattling between frost-laden trees. Branches drooped heavy with icicles which clinked together as the wind whipped the branches about in a frenzy, filling the forest with a cacophony of chimes. It was the sort of night that was best spent curled up in front of a fireplace and sipping on hot cocoa, not out in the cold, trudging through waist-high drifts in search of a lost luffox. Maisy internally cursed her runaway companion even as worry kept her moving forward.

If it were a still night, tracking Phina would have been a simple matter, but the same wind that made music of the trees swept up the snow, erasing every trace of the luffox's passage. Even the trench Maisy left in her wake was quickly smoothed over and was liable to disappear entirely within the hour. Maisy swept her gaze back and forth, squinting to make sense of the amorphous shadows lurking between the trees and wishing shed thought to bring a lantern. When shed left her cabin earlier in pursuit of Phina, the full moon had provided ample light to see by, but now, the fierce wind sent wispy clouds scudding across the face of the moon, almost entirely obscuring it. Maisy stared hopelessly up at the sky, willing the clouds to go away, but they continued to gather, threatening to unleash a storm.

Maisy felt like she was slowly going blind as the world was plunged in inky blackness, and she came to the horrifying realization that she might not be able to find her way home. A chill that had nothing to do with the cold made its way from the top of her head to her toes as the worry shed had for Phina was superseded by a growing fear. If she turned around now, Maisy could follow her tracks back to her cabin, but that meant abandoning Phina. On the other hand, if she continued forward and the bitter wind turned into a blizzard, as she suspected it might, Maisy's tracks would quickly vanish beneath a layer of fresh snow, leaving her no way to get home until morning. Maisy wrestled with guilt as she turned resolutely back the way she come. Phina had a thick, fur coat, she reminded herself, and had likely already found some hole or hollow in which to spend the night.

As Maisy took her first steps toward home, however, the wind built to a howling crescendo. With it came the snow in fat flakes that would have been gentle if not for the wind sending them pelting into Maisy's face. Maisy belatedly closed her eyes against the onslaught and struggled forward, even as the snow began to fill in the path shed cleared with her passage. It took a scant few minutes for it to become indiscernible from the surrounding snow. Still, Maisy plowed onward, praying she still moved in a straight line.

It was then that Maisy heard a sound on the wind. At first, it was so faint, she thought it was just another layer of the wind, but it grew steadily louder and louder as though seeking her out, until it nearly drowned out the wind, and Maisy realized it was the sound of someone singing. The words of the song were completely incomprehensible, and yet, the melody was strangely familiar in the way of a forgotten song from childhood. Maisy felt as though it was beckoning her toward it, laying out a trail of sound for her to follow, and oddly, Maisy could tell precisely which direction it was coming from.

With little thought, Maisy began to follow the song, and although the storm still raged and the snow now came nearly up to her chest, she found that the going was far easier than before. As Maisy walked, the forest began to brighten around her, so gradually that she didn't notice it until she began to see the outlines of trees as she passed. Then, much like a sunrise, the light grew in leaps and bounds until Maisy had to squint against the dazzling white of the snow. Maisy had no idea what was causing the light, but she was certain that the source lay in the same direction as wherever the song was leading her. She bowed her head as she continued, her eyes narrowed to slits lest the light blind her.

Just as the brightness became unbearable, Maisy broke into a wide, curiously warm clearing. Looking around, Maisy realized she could see again, though that didn't much help with making sense of her surroundings. Beneath her feet was a carpet of lush grass without a trace of snow, and all around her sylesties of every kind filled the clearing with life. She spotted a pair of bulboris gamboling about, nearly knocking into a family of luporas that slept piled atop each other. On the other side of the clearing, an entire herd of faeloras grazed, while ferrikkis scampered underfoot.

In the center of the clearing, Maisy found the source of the singing: a fairy with long, flowing hair of polar bear white and gossamer wings in the shifting pinks and greens of an aurora borealis. Above her was what looked like a star, undoubtedly the reason the clearing appeared bright as day. Even a quick glance at it left Maisy blinking away spots.

Maisy didn't have time to wonder over it any further because a fluffy mass came hurtling into her stomach, knocking her down to the grass and eliciting a startled oomph. Maisy looked down to find a purple and green luffox happily snuggling into her stomach.

"Phina!" Maisy exclaimed. She scooped the luffox into her arms and held her close to her chest. Into Phina's fur, she murmured, "I guess that fairy saved both of us."

Word Count:
Words used : Attacked, Aurora, Avalanche, Blizzard, Cave, Candy Cane, Reindeer, Midnight, Shovel, Sleigh,Star, Hot Cocoa

This is Cat Mcgee with Ethernia news.
I am coming to you from Frost Oasis where the land of sylestia has been attacked again. If you remember back in august a band of pirates attacked some cargo ships travelling from the port in Mirage Marshlands. It was shipwrecked off the coast of Esior's Haven. The pirates have staged a few smaller attacks since then but this attack was the largest full scale attack on sylestia in recent memory.

There are Cave systems in Frost oasis that can be mine for Aurora Diamonds and Star Opals. Both are highly sought after for the making of high end jewellery. The attackers made their way ashore on the coast of Frost Oasis and used reindeers and sleighs to get to the cave systems ready to steal as much of the precious commodity as they could fit in the sleighs. The attack happened at midnight so there was noone around thankfully. However when they were finished removing what they could they set explosives to go off after they left. The resulting Avalanche took out most of the mountainside and the miners needed to be shoveled out of their homes before they could return to the caves and see if there was anything that could be done. Sadly that needed to wait until a blizzard blew past.

This was Cat McGee, have a cup of hot cocoa and a candy cane and stay safe out there

A blizzard swept snow 'cross the land,
From horizon to horizon it spanned.
Beneath the aurora
In a sled pulled by Faelora
Out to explore strikes a merry elf band.

They're met with such cheer as they go,
Everyone smiles as they shovel the snow.
Sylestians singing,
Sleigh bells chime, always jingling.
They only stop when they're offered hot cocoa.

The sled keeps moving on at a pace.
Icicles trim buildings like lace.
Nutcrackers in red
Guard a house of gingerbread;
Warmed within by the fireplace.

Midnight moon shines through snowbanks like glass.
Bells and bridles sparkle gold-brass.
Avoid the steep cliffs,
Follow the tracks of the Griffs,
That's how they'll make it through the Howling Pass!

Aurora the Griffi negotiated with her mother in the hopes that she could stay up past midnight. As she sat with her family by the fireplace, she couldn't help but check out the window from time to time. She was worried that the blizzard that was battering The Howling Pass would make it so Mother and Father Frost would not be able to make it to their cabin in the woods. Aurora sipped her hot cocoa and waited for her mother's verdict, but she couldn't seem to make up her mind. Her mother eventually told her that she could stay up a little longer, but only if she would start singing her favorite carols. She stirred her steaming drink with a candy cane as she ponder her mother's request.

While Aurora's mother had told her often that her voice was beautiful, she felt nervous that if she sang too loudly she may cause an avalanche. With a sigh, she told her mother that she would, but that she would do so quietly and voiced her fear. Her mother looked surprised at her worry, she said that would be fine and if she felt more comfortable, she only had to sing one. Aurora smiled with relief and start to give her mother what she asked. Soon she got caught up singing her favorite carols, and before she knew it she heard the chime of the clock indicating that it was midnight.

She thanked her mother enthusiastically for allowing her to stay up before running to her bedroom to go to sleep for the night. She tried to stay up so she could hear the bells from the Frost's sleigh, but her efforts were for naught, she was exhausted from the long day and fell asleep after only a few minutes.

She awoke far later than she planned, but was happy to see the presents under the tree and sighed in relief. "Thank you, Mother and Father Frost!" she exclaimed and ran to her parents to hug them before starting to open the gifts. Aurora couldn't be happier and the family settled into their joyous morning just like they had hoped.