Save Christmas Game

Hello, my name is John Kringle. I am the current Santa Claus, having gained the position from my predeceser 12 years ago, Stephen Nicholas. Before that I served with a group specialists in the American military. We were a part of a unique team, I was injured and had to leave them. That however lead me to join the family business, my father healed me using Christmas magic, taught about how Christmas works here. Then he and Stephen walked into a shining doorway and disappeared.

Some of the things he told me are:

There are 3 family lines that retain the power and magic of Christmas, Claus, Kringle, Nicholas. As in, Santa Claus, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle. While there have been other names and other guys to wear the red suit for short periods of time, the magic and power reside in those three family lines.

Each man that dons the mantle of Santa Claus earns a long life, it is rumored the the original Kris Kringle lived to be nearly 200 years old, but can not be confirmed as no one saw him after his 110th birthday.

A little background on what it takes to run and make Christmas:

The Magic. Well very simply put, it comes from the elves. I, I mean all of the Santa Claus, are not real elves, obviously, but we who serve are granted the magic to lead and do what is neccesary.

The North Pole. It's really the worlds largest factory and warehouse facility. It is miles wide and a mile deep. Many rooms and corridors. Houses thousands of elves as well as the current Claus and family. Has a indoor trolley and multiple moving parts. Santa's Village, this area is a sham, the shops are only open for a single 36 hour period to appease the elves. The Village is directly above the Claus living quarters.

Recently, I discovered a ancient cavern. I wandered around in the rooms it contained. There were items from times long forgotten. In one of the rooms was a book, it looked to be thousands of years old. It is in the old language of the elves, I only know parts of that language and that is only to have heard some of the songs they sing. I used a spell to translate its contents.

This book contains the history of Christmas and how the elves came to play a part in it. It tells of the elves and their magic. Also tells of the fate awaiting the "retired" Santas. It also states that whomever holds the book AND can unlock its secrets, will hold the power over the all of Christmas.
As I finished the book I looked up and saw a creature I have never seen before, he stands just inside a wall of ice, I cannot tell if he is real or not. It must the be an elf, one of the ice elves from the South Pole, perhaps. He stands six foot tall, is nearly entirely nude except for a cloth drape around his mid-region. His skin is a grey-green color. He speaks to me in english that is hard to understand, as if he has not used the words in a long time.
"Kringle" he says, "I am the King of all the elves you hold here and their brethern in the South Pole, today you have read a tome that is forbidden to you"
"Now wait a minute your Majesty, I was not warned of this nor was the way barred to me"
"That is of no consequence to me!" growls the King, "this is not the only reason I have appeared to you. In the book, you read the words left by the first Santa Claus, you know of the tribute of life he gave to us"
"Wait you mean the crewmen he lost to the elves? Yes I did, but he only eluded to the men being the tribute, he thought it was the sweets that made your kind friendly."
"No, the humans we feasted on and then the others who came druing the years following, bringing us gifts of sweets." the King leers at me through the ice, "but it has been a long time since anyone has brought us ANY kind of tribute! It is time to correct that. Your Christmas is no more until we receive proper tribute. If we do not, then we shall feast on the Father's of Christmas, that are in the kingdom. They slumber in our ice even now. I give you 14 days to prepare and send me my tribute."
And with that he vanishes back into the ice. I pick up the book and try to head out of the chamber. The passage is gone, its nothing more than a block of ice. I hear laughter from behind me, I spin around and see the King again.
"Hahahahaha, foolish man, did you think that the book could be taken from its resting place by you!" The King says through griited teeth, "Your punishment for reading the book, is that you shall be locked in here for 15 days, only given enough food to sustain you."
"Wait you said..." I shout, but it was too late the King faded away, laughing.
I have to find a way out of here, I can not be here for 15 days or Christmas will be no more. What can I do?
"I must reach out to someone to help me"
I cast a spell of communication and send a call for help, but who among my old friends will answer.

History as read from the book...

My name is Olaf Claus. I am the Commander of the trade ship, Frost. We have been traveling for 148 days due south. We are trying to reach the bottom of the planet and go to a land that is covered in frost and ice and inhabited by some strange creatures. The story we were told is that there are two types, one is a black and white flightless bird type, while the other is rumored to be human in shape if not size or proportions. The second species is said to be some of the last remaining elves on our planet. Magic, not sure who would believe in that, but we were commissioned by the Church to come discover what is really down here.
Yesterday, we hit the frozen plains. Early reports have located the flightless birds but no sign of the "elves". The men are anxious to return. We are about out of food and have been freezing for weeks. I give it 4 days then we will leave, tomorrow though I will send out teams to search the area in several different directions. They will go out and travel for 1.5 days and then return to the ship. I will lead one, my first officer Kristoph Kringle will lead one, and Crew Chief Paulvo Nicholas will lead the third team.
We have set out even before the sun rises. Not sure what we will see, but we are bound to find it!
First night of camp, nothing to report but ice and snow....and more ice and snow. One of my scouts said he saw some small creatures towards nightfall, but he could never get close enough to get a clear look. Everytime he got near it, they would "vanish". This maybe the mythical elves. Tomorrow we will see.
Midnight, the men are at alarm, our scout that reported seeing the vanishing creatures today has himself vanished. All we heard was a crack followed by a scream. His sleeping area is gone, as if swallowed by the very ice itself. I am going to post guards at all sides for the rest of the night, not that any of us are going to sleep.
Day two: We are all tired and frightened. After the disappearance of one of my crew last night, we heard horrible sounds all night. I would almost swear it was a smacking sound, like a thousand hungry mouths licking their lips and eating something wet. Today we will only travel for a couple hours and then head back.
Two hours in, we are being stalked, our scouts went out and have not returned. Now all the men are saying that they are seeing constant glimpses of small creatures, that appear to be appearing out of the very ice and just as quickly dissolve back into it.
Mid-day, time to turn back, but we can not. The creatures are blocking our way back. Each time someone starts to return to the ship, he falls into the ice and disappears, when this happens I swear I hear laughing from the ice.
Dusk, about half of my men are gone, started with 30 and only 18 are left. Saw a "elf" take one of my crew earlier. The thing was no higher than my waist, it was grey with long arms and hands that had really long fingers, each one ending with long talon-like fingernails. It grabbed my crewman, yanked him right out of the sled and pulled him into the ice, faster than his size would let you believe. Its hands dug into the flesh of my crewman as easily as I cut into fresh bread. I fear we are all doomed.

Day three: By nightfall the others will be searching for us, we have to try and hold out till then. Last night I lost 4 more men, the ice is stained red around our camp. But the horrible sounds have seemed to stop. Those eating, sucking sounds are enough to drive us all crazy. I must be crazy as that I am seeing things. Just after sunrise, I am sure I saw a elf that was as tall as a man and holding a staff, surely I am mistaken.

Mid-day: have not lost anyone since last night, maybe the creatures are full. Maybe they have lost their taste for flesh? Whatever it is I am glad for the respite. We have not been able to advance or retreat from this area. At least we will be easy to see when the other teams find us.

Dusk: The large elf is back, he is standing about 10 meters away. Just standing there.
Late night: chanting and strange lights are coming from the area that the large elf is standing......no sleep tonight.

Morning, day four, is it possible this nightmare is only been going on for 3 days? The large elf is still there, still chanting but now the lights are gone.

Shortly after last report, the large elf moved his staff in a round motion, and then a bright light erupted and blinded us all, when the light died down, both of the other teams are before us. Sadly, I have to say it appears they have fared worse than we have.
Mid-day: We have merged all three teams, I am relieved to see the Kringle and Nicholas have both survived, but our manpower is down to 38 men, out of the 93 that set out. We are also running out of supplies, the men are down to eating candy canes and ice.

Something strange just happened. One of the larger elves came out of the ice and ran at me, I threw a candy cane that I was eating at it. The thing caught the treat, stopped and sniffed it. It then sat down and ate the candy. Now for some reason it seems docile, did the sweet calm the creature? It even seems to be humming, almost sing song.

Late afternoon: The large elf is back, he appears to have been summoned by the "singing" from our candy eater. He is standing beside the other elf. The large elf appears to be asking about the candy cane. I will try to give him his own.
It worked he took the candy, sniffed it then ate part of it. It seemed to take the fight out of him. The candy does have a soothing effect. Now if only we can communicate with him.

Success!!! My two officers and I have been invited to their lair, as far as I can tell. The rest of my men are being lead back to the ship.
It is incredible, the leader elf, has learned our language. This has to be a application of magical properties. We are being lead farther down into their home, the very ice seemed to open before us to allow us access.
On our trip into their domain, I hear the word Santa being said over and over. I asked their leader what it meant, he said that the word did not have a twin in our language, but the closest he could come would be "Giver of Offerings". At this point he started to refer to me as Santa Claus, not a bad name if I say so myself. During our talks and exploration of the elf ice kingdom, their leader extends a odd offering to us. He states that it is their way that when a offering is extended to them they must repay in kind. Therefore he gives us a 1000 of his brethern to come home with us. He says that they are excellent workers and would adapt to any climate and task we put to them. I confer with my two officers and decide that it would be unwise to turn down his offer.
Upon our return trip the elves and many others come with us. Once we reach our ship, we offload all the sweets we could spare and give that to the leader, hoping it would allow us to return one day.

With that we bid farewell to the elves and set off for home.

Santa's Helpers history/bio:
Taken from the South Pole by the first Claus, these elves underwent a final transformation. They took on a similar appearance to their new leaders, but maintained their small stature as a link to the ones they left behind. After returning to Claus's homeland, they couldnt ever fit in. After a number of years and odd tasks, it was discovered that they were excellent with children but could make any item just from being told about it. Little did the people know that the workmanship was due to the magic the elves had. Still the problem remanied that most people were terrified of the small devilish looking creatures. It was decided that Claus and his mean would send the creatures to the North Pole where they could continue to make items for them and would deliver the items once a year.
Clause, Kringle and Nicholas, eventually called The Council of Three, were to oversee the well being of the elves. Once they found a suitable location at the North Pole with thick, abundant ice, the elves made the underground structure that would become the homes and workplaces for them. Over time the aboveground villages would emerge. Manily as a place for other humans to stay when they brought in supplies, the village grew to house a couple thousand humans and shops. Trade between the humans and elves was initially successful. However, after a sugar shortage ended the constant supply of sweets to the elves, there was a uprising. Many of the humans were slaughtered. After that, The Council of Three, decreed the village to be inhabited by the elves only. Also at this point the Council learned that the elves could acquire all they needed to perform their tasks and maintain all they have built by using their own magic. It was decided that the North Pole and South Pole homes of the elves were to be hidden from all of mankind for their own safety.
After that, the Council would make deliveries to their homes only in the winter time and only in the dead of night. That way no one would see the elves and remember all that had happened.
Over time these actions grew and grew and became tradition. Eventually being used in many religions and as a season of giftgiving. Never fully understanding that it was/is the elves who are repaying humans for their offerings, the tradition that stands today, of candy canes, milk and cookies, and other "holiday" sweets. That culminates as a feast of meat that normally "fills" a person up.

South Pole Elves history/bio:
Simply called The Nameless, by other magical creatures.

One of the first creatures of magic. Have been around since before dinosaurs roamed the planet. Are capable of living on very little sustenance for long periods of time. The first ones could live off of grass and rocks. In the time of the volcanic eruptions, they used the magic to transform themselves to withstand the heat and were able to live on the very ash itself. Some of these elves stayed as the creatures they transformed into, in time they became to be known as dragons. Others changed back to the shapes that were similar to what they were before, but kept the talons and long limbs. Their skin was mostly impervious to the elements and able to withstand any extreme climates.

When man emerged onto the scene the other magical beings were warned, by these nameless elves, that the reign of man would mean the end of Elf-kind. These creatures withdrew to the South Pole and changed again to be able to live on ice, water, and the occasional offering of meat.

After the "invasion" of Claus to their home, the head elf let Claus have some of his many followers as a payment for the offerings. What Claus didn't understand was the the offerings were not just the sweets they gave but the crewmen he lost to them. That payment has ran out and the leader elf has demanded further tribute!!

The game is not just about killing the opponents, because you can’t. It is more important to achieve all the objectives.
The objectives:
Get to the North Pole
Retrieve the current Santa Clause (John Kringle)
Get transportation to the South Pole (sleds or Polar Express)
Find and enter the South Pole lair, rescue any remaining retired Santas.
Restore the magic to the Kringle line and save Christmas.

Each player will have three moves per day, they must be at least 61 minutes apart.
All players can advance or move the team.
All players can heal their team-mates, but the points will vary.
All players can attack the enemy.
All players can search for objects/people.

Player moves:
Enter-get into an area
Advance-cross an area
Attack-Name your enemy and attack, for this game everyone will have the same attack level, all hits will be worth 1 point. Any Magical weapon used will be worth 5 points.
Heal-Each Heal will be worth 3 points from the Medic, and worth 1 point from any other player.
Search-When entering a area, 3 Search posts must be received to find any items in that area.
Defend-posts will be need from each team member during the time frame you are holding that area. If you have a 6 man team, each member must use one post as a defend.
Defend Spell- can only be used once Kringle is rescued, can be used to defend-team member, Kringle or a area or mode of transportation- is only good for 2 hours. However, once the spell is used, it can not be used again on that area, object or person. Leader of team posts: Kringle to use Defend Spell on Himself, spell lasts for 2 hours.

Team Alpha: 120 hp, 20 hp per player.
Money-B - Driver/Pilot
Thatjimboguy - Sniper
Asphalt - Point-man
NSP- Medic
Zakattack - Fighter
ROb0213 - Fighter


Team Bravo: 100 hp, 20 hp per player
Bandonov - Medic
Batman - Point-man
Python Puckman - Fighter
Solid Strider - Sniper
CG23 - driver/pilot

Back-up: 60 hp, 30 hp per player
TnT

Each team will need to communicate in the chat room or via PM to choose your team leader, only the leader can activate the special weapons.

This game will be done in a story-book format, meaning that everything the team or a person does can change the course of the game.

As the teams enter into different sections new objectives or problems will come up. It will be up to the team to fight, retreat, defend, advance, search or whatever is needed.

As the team picks up help, only the leader of each team can have the help activated. Example-
Alpha Leader- Have Kringle use Defend spell to protect the team so we can get out of gift wrapping room.
or
Bravo Leader - used Ice Sword to open passage to Santa's Sleigh.

Each area/objective will be descibed and what is needed defeat, holdoff, evade or secure it.

To begin the game, each member needs to post the word "Enter" before the game time comes this evening.

Game time is at midnight eastern time tonight!

Any questions, PLEASE PM me or use the chat box! thanks and lets see how this goes!!

Enter

Enter

Enter

Enter!

Enter

"Who are you people and why have you traveled to this place. Do you not know it is forbidden for your kind to enter here?" states this little elf, he is dressed like a elf you see at the mall, down to the bells on the tip of his toes.
"What do you mean, why? We were asked to come here by our friend, John Kringle" says Bandonov. "We have traveled a long ways to reach this place, eh!"
"Yeah," interjects Batman "although Bandy couldve walked up!"
Chuckles among the team, Bandy gives Bats a sideways look. "Besides, now that we are here we may as well visit with our friend, you know, your boss, Santa Claus"
"He is unavailable and will be so for the next few days" says the elf with a smirk on his face.
"Wait a second now," Zakattack steps up, " with Christmas only a few weeks away how can he be unavailable? If anything he should be up here in Santa's Village making sure things are on schedule right?"
"Now listen here little guy, we are not going to leave until we at least get to check on John" NSP says, while glaring down at the elf.
"Fine if you humans want to ENTER the North Pole then so be it! Be warned, things are not as they should be and you all are putting yourselves in great danger." With that said the elf disappears into a flash of fire and smoke.
Suddenly from the center of the village square a light appears, like a doorway just opened up. This light is coming from the ground, and the team ADVANCES to the opening.
"Hey guys, what do you think the elf meant, with that warning?" Money-B questions.
"Its probable nothing, I mean what can go wrong, its a bunch of elves!?" chimes in Batman. "Really though, whats the worst that could hap.....
Just then a flash of lightning and fire erupts from the opening. Standing before the would be rescuers is a elf, that looks as old as time itself, "Fools, you were warned to stay away, now suffer the punishment" With that he lowers his staff and points it the team, just as a sudden visage appears to his side, diverting his blast. The light washes over a few members of the team and they vanish in a instant.
"No!" cry out Zak and Bandy.......
Left standing in the court yard are: Money-B, NSP, Zakattack. When out of the glowing doorway, Santa appears, "Fear not for our friends, I was unable to stop the King Elf's blast but I was able to divert it and transform it. They have been transported to the other side of the Village. I will use what magic I have left to get them inside, but for now my friends you have to carry-on. I can not hold out much longer, my magic is running out. I am in the very bottom of the North Pole complex. You will need to find the passage that leads down to me. It is going to be at the end of the corridor on the other side of the staging area that is directly in front of you. You will need to find a few things along the way. I can send that knowledge to the one who is going to be in charge of this Alpha team. Who is it?"

On the ice, awakens Bandy, he looks around and sees Batman, well he is waist deep in the snow, at least Bandy hopes he is waist deep, only thing sticking out are his legs, wait, yep, he can hear Bats cursing, so he is fine.
"Hello fellas." Bandy rolls over and looks up, and sees a um, well its a talking reindeer. "Get up, get up, get up!" the reindeer stomps on the ground, impatiently.
"Oh," Bandy realizes, "you're Rudolph"
"Well thanks Captain Obvious, let me guess, the other four guys are the brains of the operation?"
"Wow, you're an ass!"
"No, no, thats my cousin" laughs Rudolph, "Now GET UP! We have a ways to travel before night fall and we do not want to be out after dark. The other elves show up nowadays after dark and things get really bad really fast."
"Now hold on a second," spurts Batman, spitting out snow and ice,"how did you know where to find us and where to take us?"
"Duh, mullet boy, Santa sent me, he is trying to save his magic in case he needs it. I am here to get you guys inside and on the way to helping your friends."
"Where are they now?" asks Bandy.
"Miles away and getting ready for a fight, thats not your concern at the moment. We need to get inside and find transportation to the throne room. Once your friends free Santa, that is where they are going to head. Your task is to secure Santa's Sleigh. "
"That's it?"
"Well, it is not going to be that easy, right now the King Elf thinks you 5 are gone, but as soon as we enter this area, hes going to know you are back, and he is going to throw everything he can at you." Warns Rudolph. "Now lets get going."
"This way to the stables, guys"

bandonov
Advance team and follow Rudolph to the stables

"I'm driving the crazy train tonight!"


"Alright team, quickly and quietly ADVANCE across the staging area and ENTER the complex."

"Asphalt take point. Zak and Rob watch our 6. Let's move."

Bravo Team enters the stables. Bravo needs to secure Santa's sleigh, but it is being tended to by several elves and reindeer.

Bravo must attain the sleigh, attack the elves or retreat to await back up?

Money-B wrote:

"I'm driving the crazy train tonight!"


"Alright team, quickly and quietly ADVANCE across the staging area and ENTER the complex."

"Asphalt take point. Zak and Rob watch our 6. Let's move."

Alpha, enters the staging area. This area is the largest of all the spaces in the complex, it is the final area before the presents get loaded onto the sleigh, it runs so far out that Money-b is unable to see to the side or end.
Asphalt heads in and goes to his left, but disappears behind a mountain of presents. He shoots off a few rounds then all is quiet.

Does Alpha follow him or advance to the opposite side.

"Damn it. Why didn't I tell Asphalt to just observe and report?"

"Alright Alphas, let's go see what he got us into."

"3 meter spacing, staggered, and keep your damn eyes open."

Krisk wrote:

Bravo Team enters the stables. Bravo needs to secure Santa's sleigh, but it is being tended to by several elves and reindeer.

Bravo must attain the sleigh, attack the elves or retreat to await back up?

We are here to Kick Some Ass and Chew some Bubble Gum.... And I'm all out of Bubble Gum!

Okay Bravo Team, they may be small but they can pack a punch. Lets take them out fast and quitely so we do not tip off the others....


Attack Elfs!

Alpha advances around the pile of presents. They find Asphalt leaning over a couple of dead elves, only these two are different than the one they saw earlier. They look more like the King Elf.

Asphalt-"Hey Money, one of these guys bite me, he tore a chunk out of my arm. So I popped a couple of rounds into them."

Advance down the left side or look for items in this area?