Bill, Jill, Asteria and Delos

In the warm glow of light shining from the lanterns hung around the town square, the small metal trinket glistened in Jill's plump stuffed paw.  It was worn, some of its finer details faded by years of handling, but its delicate hummingbird shape was still visible.  Jill smiled fondly at it as Bill and Asteria studied it with calm curiosity.  All around them the merry sounds of an evening gathering echoed in the air.  Wajas of all ages were coming together in this small community, as were Wajas in communites all around Solaria, to celebrate the first official tradition of the Solarian holiday season.  The Chosen Plushie and African had journeyed here with their Corps counterparts to learn and observe.  And perhaps enjoy some of the merriment for themselves.

"It is well loved," Asteria said, tilting her head a little to study the little metal bird more closely.  "You say this is what Klaus leaves for Solarian pups as presents?"

"Among other things," Jill confirmed with a nod.  "It wasn't always this way.  After all, before the Sundering Klaus didn't even leave gifts at all.  These little treasures didn't start appearing until after.  Legend says it started not with Klaus, but in a village far to the north, where the winter hit hard and the supply of coal and wood had no hope of lasting through to spring.  A blacksmith's apprentice, seeing the hopelessness in the eyes of the pups of his village, sneaked scraps of metal from his master's shop and tried to forge little toys for them in secret.  But even the forge didn't have enough heat to last."  

Jill looked around, for the movement in the gathered was changing.  Wajas were starting to approach the very center of the square, where others were starting to carefully place glowing coals on a large metal grate set over a square foundation of stone.  The warmth radiating from it was already chasing away the chill of the night air though the pile had only just begun to form.

"The Night of Heartwarming," came Delos' voice.  Until then he hadn't seemed to be paying much attention to Jill's story, his focus more on eyeing the small pastry he had been given by the village baker.  Even after several minutes his expression was still one of grim distrust.  But now he had glanced around, one paw still holding the pastry, but bobbing his muzzle towards the line of Wajas eagerly approaching the town center to depost their offering of a single glowing coal.  

"Yes," Jill agreed.  "This is the tradition born from when Klaus became what he is now, and it started with that blacksmith's forge.  Nobody knows how it came to be that the old spirit was watching the apprentice try and forge his gifts for the pups in the dying embers.  But the sight lit the fire in his heart.  On that night, Klaus gathered all of the strength and power he possessed and raced through the cold black night, sparking a single glowing coal in every hearth and forge.  This coal was special, for it never burnt out or stopped giving blessed warmth.  Even the old forge kept burning, and let that old apprentice finish making his presents.  He couldn't make them very large, but none of the pups of his village minded that.  Together the two gifts granted our land's very first spark of real hope."

"And this gift became tradition?" Asteria asked.  

"It is said that Klaus doesn't actually light the coals himself, but only guides the fire of hope and strength in every Solarian's heart to where it needs to go to kindle the embers.  Happens every year."  Delos nodded again towards the town center.  "The coal of yesteryear burns out on the eve the new coal is lit, so we have taken to gathering our coals on the last days and bringing them together.  Sharing the last of the warmth with the whole community and all that."  The African of the Corps huffed and looked back at the pastry.  "I don't trust this.  Looks like cranberry to me.  I don't like cranberry."

"It is a raspberry caramel tart, Delos.  Just eat it," Jill chided, rolling her eyes.

"A good tradition," Bill said calmly.  "But does Klaus not gift the children of Solaria?  Why did that start?"

"Another inspiration he gained from the old blacksmith's apprentice.  Well...he became a full blacksmith eventually, and every year until his passing he kept making trinkets for the children of his village.  But the first year afterward, Klaus sensed the sadness in the pups.  With no blacksmith there would be no treasures.  So he took up the mantle.  It started with these..." Jill held up the little metal hummingbird.  "...and over time it grew to toys and treats, warm scarves and mittens, and other good things that pups used to enjoy before the Sundering.  He wanted all of the warmth of the season to come back, not just the warmth of the hearth, so he started bringing it himself."

Jill looked at Delos again, gave a sigh, and abruptly planted her other paw against the African's raised foreleg, pushing his paw forward and shoving the tart into his mouth.  The responding protest came out as little more than an "uuuumph!" as caramel and raspberry jam filling gelled in the cool night air turned to sticky glue in his teeth. 

"As I was saying," she continued, "over time the traditions grew and spread.  Pups used to find their toys on their doorsteps or den entrances, the same the old blacksmith's apprentice did, but in winter weather that isn't always practical.  So Klaus turned to other ways to surprise the pups of Solaria."

"Such as?" Asteria asked, even as she turned and started trying to help Delos unstick his jaws.  "It would probably be best to eat them while they're warm next time.  Let's go find that old Earth passing out the hot cider.  That should help..."

******

Well, looks like these four may be distracted for a bit, so why don't we discover the answer for them?  That is the second lore question I wish to ask the site today!  After all, Solaria suffered a great deal after the Sundering.  In many places, a decorated tree simply wasn't an option, and stockings normally hung over the fireplace were needed more to keep paws warm.  So what did that jolly clever Klaus do to surprise the pups of Solaria?  How did he bring the trinkets, the toys and the treats into homes and leave them for pups to find?

Give us your most clever and heartfelt answer!  As before, the winner's suggestion will become an official part of site lore for the Solarian holiday season!

And with this, I am proud to announce the winners of the first lore question!  Their suggestions both spoke to us on staff, so much so that we couldn't go with one or the other, so we took them both!  Much congratulations to:

Trench (#73919)
Lycan Lover (#259994)

Your CWP prizes will be sent to you shortly!

This lore question will be open until December 17th EOD, with winners announced with the next lore question to come at week's end.

Speaking of treats and treasures...there's a whispering in the park.  Another yearly tradition has begun, and it seems there are little extra treasures included!  Take a visit to the Wajas Park and find out for yourselves!

Apollo and Artemis

"That is an odd question, my friend.  You were a pup once.  Do you not remember the old tales?"

Artemis glanced briefly towards her Lunarian counterpart, one ear twitching in mild irritation...or from the tickling sensation of the puffs of snow drifting down from the blue-gray sky.  Real white snow.  Cold, but also soft.  Beautiful in the light of early evening, with the glitter of warm firelight beyond.  Artemis' expression softened as she watched one puff drift in front of her nose to settle on the grass at her feet.

"Times changed," she replied.  "And so did the legends.  When I was a pup, Klaus was just a happy spirit that watched over you, and tattled on you to your parents if you misbehaved so you wouldn't get the good treats come the season.  After...after the Sundering...Solaria fighting too hard just to survive to find comfort in stories about a mischevious tattle-tale."

"But some sort of comfort was still needed, so your people changed their stories?"

"Over time, yes.  Pups needed something to believe in.  I suppose the harshness of winter didn't seem so scary to them if they could wake up one day in the midst of it and find that a jolly old soul had left them something to brighten their hearts."

Apollo smiled, and then let out a gentle snort to shake off a puff of snow trying to settle on the tip of his nose.  

"It is a tale I wish to hear.  Come, let us go to that gathering yonder and listen."

Artemis rolled her eyes, but she gave Apollo a smile in return as the two mighty guardians set off towards the warm firelight and the strings of merry music.  After a moment Artemis sniffed the air, and then her pace quickened despite herself.

"What is it?" Apollo asked, grinning.

Artemis grinned back.

"I smell raspberry caramel tarts."

******

Howdy, y'all!  Admiral here!  Well, you heard our mighty Lord and Lady!  It is time to discover exactly who jolly old Klaus is and where he came from!  So that is the first question of the Festival of Frost we need YOU to answer!

Not sure who exactly Klaus is?  Well, he is your creation!  Many years ago his design and name were voted on by the site, but he has been a quiet sentinel until now.  Better late than never, but let's bring him to life.

So give us a brief summary (four or five sentences max) telling us YOUR version of his origins.  Who is jolly Klaus?  Is he similar to Santa Apollo?  Has he always been there, watching over the pups of Solaria, or is he a mighty spirit born in an age of suffering to bring peace and comfort to a struggling world?

Your answer can be heartfelt, humourous, whatever you wish!  Just post in answer to this news post, also providing us your name and ID number.

Answers will be accepted until December 10th, EOD.  After that, mods will vote on our favorite, and that answer will become a part of official site lore.  The winner will also recieve 5 CWP.

The winner will be announced with lore question #2, coming the end of this week.

Who or what is jolly old Klaus?  As big as a house, or as small as a mouse, few ever seem to agree!  But what is known well, and all happily tell, of the joy he brings every year.  

Is he Santa Apollo?  Why, yes!  And why, no!  No matter the name, in both turns of the world, the spirit of the holiday is the same, in all the stories that are told.

Feet that clomp, or hooves that stomp?  Antlers that glitter with frost.  A long fluffy mane and a tail the same, that is the basics of jolly old Klaus.

But it matters little what he looks like, his feet or his size.  Every year he still frolics and flies, bringing every good girl and good little boy treats and toys to play with and enjoy.  As the winter winds blow and holiday bells toll, he comes in the night to bring joy and delight.

What games do pups play, what carols do they sing?  In old Solaria in December what do the holidays bring?  Let us find out together, come one and come all!  This Festival of Frost, let all heed the call.  

To find out if it is different, or perhaps more the same, as we celebrate and play and enjoy all the games!  

**Nominate for a Staff Gift**

******

So who is Klaus?  How does Solaria celebrate their holidays?  There's so much to learn!!  And this year, we are going to find out, and you are invited to help build this site lore!  Periodically through this year's event, staff will post News Posts asking specific questions about Solaria holiday lore, and site players will be providing the answers!  The best answer from each will become official site lore and featured in our Library!

First post coming this Sunday!

******

Additionally, site favorite events are once more returning this year!

Santa Apollo is already passing out amazing gifts, and will do so throughout the month of December!

And keep an eye on the Wajas Park!  The Corps and Chosen are on the move, and will soon make their yearly reappearance there.

And as in years past, the Goblins are up to their old schemey schemes!

******

The Festival of Frost will end EOD on December 31st, 2025.

New trivia is up!  This time, I decided to delve a bit into some simple site lore.  What are these questions referring to?  Certain wajas have special titles attributed to them.  Those who recognize the names should know quite easily where in the Wajas Library to match the right title with the right waja!   And as a special pre-holiday treat, the WC prizes have been doubled!

Remember, the Festival of Frost begins tomorrow!  Also refer to previous news posts on other recent exciting updates!  

Referral Event Notice