The Cheerful Cub of a Festive Ferrikki was drawn out of the Frozen Field back to the Snug Stable by the smell of Toasty Treats. The cub's journey was not without some minor peril due to the Snapped Sled that happened while the cub traveled with such haste. Passing the Smiling Snowman and emerging into the Luminescent Lights, the cub smiled in awe listening to Splendid Singing. Within the stable was a large Pile of Presents the cub gleefully jumped within before snuggling up by the fire to rest for the night.

A quiet evening fading into night, Luminescent Lights aglitter in the trees and houses that bordered a Frozen Field. A Smiling Snowman had been built outside one of the houses, and within the house a grand looking pine sheltered a small Pile of Presents.
Curled up before a blazing fire, a sleepy but Cheerful Cub listened to the Splendid Singing of the carolers as they walked the streets. The vulnyx cub nibbled on some Toasty Treats, determined to stay awake, but drifting. They would see the Festive Ferrikki! They would! When that ferrikki snuck into the house to fill the stockings, it would be ready! It would be ready! It would prove its friend wrong! It would stay awake this time and prove that magical, mythical ferrikki existed, it swore it. It... swore...

Hours later, when the fire was nothing more than a cooling smoulder in the logs, the cub faded into wakefulness for just a moment, to the sound of a Snapped Sled reign, a jingling, a skittering, a giggling. Sleep won over the young cub again swiftly, like magic.

Morning came, the slow glide of sunlight across snow lighting the world. The stockings had gifts, and the cub sulked, having once again been thwarted in its plans by the lull of sleep.

And somewhere far, far away, in a Snug Stable, a cluster of ferrikki chatted cheerfully with a few faelora and qitari, their job done for another year.

Across the snowscape of frosted pines and glittering lakes, arctic critters scurry to prepare for a season of community and joyous celebration. One particularly festive ferrikki lives high in a fir where she had settled for the long-awaited snowy season. Her name is Charity, a very fitting name according to the other creatures that inhabit the frozen field they call home. Charity always has a pile of presents and the brightest Christmas tree for 100 miles. She spent weeks decorating her home so the whole community could enjoy the season with her.

Meanwhile, a Morkko and her cheerful cub live as pets for a wealthy couple living near the Umbra Forest's northern lakes. The little cub loves his home but longs for life outside his gated pasture. After a particularly bland day, he finally decides to sneak out of his snug stable and set off for what he hopes will be a thrilling adventure with only his trusty old sled and an oil lamp to light his way.

His trek was long but the young Morkko is finally doing what he has always dreamed of. He greets every gingerbread man and smiling snowman he finds on his way, cheerfully sliding down every hill he can find. He giggles excitedly as he goes down an especially steep hill, but he loses control of his sled and goes crashing into a snowbank. He looks dejectedly at the pieces of his now snapped sled and his unusable oil lamp is buried in the snow. He snuggles himself under a thick tree and tries to think of where to go next as he cant get far without his sled. Once night falls, his eyes catch a light off in the distance, glowing on the horizon. He climbs a tall hill so he can get a better look, and decides to make his way towards the impressively bright luminescent lights.

As he approaches the source of the blinding light, he hears the splendid singing of classic carols and can smell cinnamon and apple wafting through the air of the field he had found. He finds the huge fir tree owned by the excitable Ferrikki, Charity. She greets him with a yelp of joy at the prospect of a new friend. While the young cub would love to stay, he decides to return to his mother whom he knew would be looking for him. Charity and the rest of the Sylesti give the cub a new sled and some toasty treats to finish his journey and wish him well as he sets off back home.

He is more cautious on the journey home and when he makes it back to his plain picket-fenced stable, he loudly greets his mother, sharing the treats Charity gave him, and showing off his brand-new sled. He tells her all about his journey and how happy he felt surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of the little town he had found. His mother could tell how unhappy he was at their home, so she decided to take inspiration from his adventure and she created her own holiday fun in their corner of the forest. She gathered all of the nearby Sylestis to help her create a bright and warm home for her son, and that year they had the best Christmas ever and started the tradition of hosting many more to come.

Jingle leapt out of bed as soon as the first light of dawn peeked over the horizon. The apprentice elf was on his first solo mission delivering presents to Esior's Haven and was eager to prove himself. He stepped out into the frosty air with a spring in his step, though he was grateful to reach the warmth of the Snug Stable. He piled his sled high with presents and hitched it to the horse. He pulled his scarf and coat tighter around himself and began the trek across the Frozen Field.

Not far into his journey, Jingle heard a faint tinkle of music in the distance. As he got closer, he could make out faint voices. In his haste to find the source of the Splendid Singing, he missed his footing and the next thing he knew he was tumbling down the snowdrift. He heard laughter above him and looked up. In a tree, a Ferrikki wearing a wreath adorned with holly was watching him with glee. As Jingle got to his feet, the Festive Ferrikki scurried down the tree and jumped on the horse's back. The horse kicked out with its back legs, sending the sled flying. Jingle rushed to calm the horse and groaned in dismay when he saw the Pile of Presents scattered in the snow and the Snapped Sled in splintered pieces.

A Morkko cub emerged from the woods. "Sorry about my friend, he can be a little mischevious," the Cheerful Cub said as he helped him gather the presents.

"Sorry about that, just a festive prank," the Ferrikki said as he too began to help.

"I need to get these to Esior's Haven before nightfall" Jingle said.

"Don't worry, you have plenty of time, with the three of us working together."

The sun was low in the sky by the time they'd repaired the sled as best they could and reloaded it, but there should still be time to make it to Esior's Haven before dark.

The trio continued their journey, chatting and singing merrily, and after a while they passed a snowman. The snowman was partially melted despite the freezing weather, and its expression gave Jingle an eerie sense of sadness. He shook it off and focused on his task of bringing festive cheer to the village. After another hour or so Jingle almost tripped on a worn and tattered hat lying in the snow. The tartan band of the hat matched the snowman's scarf exactly. He could see the lights of Esior's Haven in the distance - they were almost there! He feared he would be late if he took another detour now, but with every step forward he couldn't shake the feeling that it belonged to the snowman.

Jingle and his new friends turned around and began trudging back the way they had come. The snow was falling more thickly now, and soon they couldn't see their own footprints. The further they walked the more Jingle felt the pull of magic, and the strange certainty that this was important. Finally they reached the snowman and put the hat back on its head. There was a rush of wind, the air seemed to glow and the snowman sprang to life. Bowing deeply, the Smiling Snowman thanked them for returning his hat and with it his magic.

"You're welcome. It was the right thing to do," Jingle said, though he felt sad he would surely fail his assignment. The snowman noticed the wistfulness in his voice and asked what was wrong. Jingle explained about his important Christmas assignment.

"Not to worry!" the snowman chuckled and with a sprinkle of magic dust, the sled was repaired and began to fly.

"Hop on, everyone, it's almost Christmas!"

As the sled flew quickly through the air, Jingle looked up at the clear night sky and admired the Luminescent Lights of the Aurora Borealis. In no time at all they arrived in Esior's Haven. They began handing out presents and joined the villagers in activities like skating, sledding, singing Christmas songs and enjoying Toasty Treats like hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.

MEDAIS FOUNDATION
New Manifestation: Initial Evidence Document


-- Manifestation Details --

World: Sylestia
ID: [Pending]
Alias: "Old Winter Wonderland"
State: Dynamic
Class: Expanse

-- Evidence Details --

Retrieved: XX/XX/XXXX
Evidence Type: Psychometric Device (Ferriki Orb)


-- Notes --

Evidence provider: Arasi, an explorer of abandoned places who records her expeditions using her companion Ferriki's orb to share with fellow explorers and as a way of re-experiencing locations that have since become inaccessible.

This evidence is a clip from a recording of Arasi's experience in Frostleaf, an abandoned town on a frozen field just east of the Howling Pass after residents moved out following years of severe snowstorms and extreme temperature fluctuations that left the infrastructure unstable and unmaintainable.


-- Description of Recording --

[Relevant clip begins.]

The view opens up to an abandoned wood lodge, the walls cracked and peeling and the roof sagging under the weight of heavy snow. Above the crooked door hangs a faded sign showing a cheerful cub sitting in a snapped sled brandishing a banner proclaiming "FATHER WINTER'S WORKSHOP".

Behind the view, a voice speaks.

ARASI. This looks promising. At least there's some kind of signage on this building.

A chittering comes from her side and the view swings up to a festive ferriki perched on her shoulder wrapped in a fluffy red scarf with white pom-poms, who pats her cheek with its paw.

ARASI (laughing). You're right.

ARASI. This town's gotta have something interesting to see, right? This looks like it might've been a touristy place when this area was still operational.

She approaches the door, steps crunching into the thick snow.

ARASI. C'mon, don't be another bust...

She tries the doorknob. The door opens jerkily, hinges cracking in protest against moving again for the first time in years. It protests, then swings wide.

Light floods the view, blinding it briefly.

ARASI. What the...

The view adjusts, and through the door shines a scene so utterly different from the expected abandoned building interior. A sprawling winter wonderland glitters in all its frozen glory, shimmering garlands and decorated trees lining the empty path down a glowing holiday bazaar adorned in luminescent lights. In the distance a grand ferris wheel rises above the stalls, motionless.

The ferriki on her shoulder leaps to the ground.

ARASI. Wait- Snowy, where are you going?

It chirps excitedly, waving its paws back at her as it runs up to a smiling snowman by the first stall.

ARASI. Come back! I know we were looking for something interesting, but this can't be right.

She takes a few steps forward to beckon to the ferriki, but as she steps over the threshold, the space lurches to life. The ferris wheel begins to turn, the bulbs along it blinking merrily. The lights along the stalls dance invitingly, games and food stalls whirring to action. Faint, jolly music rendered in splendid singing floats through the air.

The ferriki freezes for a moment, then goes back to exploring, scuttling up the snowman to leap onto the counter of the first stall.

ARASI. Snowy!

She runs to catch up to her friend. The view pans from side to side, catching sights of tables piled high with gingerbread and hot drinks, festival games with walls of plushies, ice sculpting stations, bright pictures and welcoming signs.

ARASI. This is so weird. This isn't real.

The ferriki has stopped at one of the stalls. Arasi runs up and gathers it into her arms before it can grab at the enticing toasty treats in the platter on the table. Beyond it, more treats bake away in large glowing ovens. The warmth permeates the air against the chill.

ARASI. Oh, Snowy. I know you're excited to explore, but we should go back. This feels wrong. Even if we went through some secret hidden portal the town has been abandoned for years, and there's nobody here!

ARASI (quietly). It's so empty.

The ferriki climbs up to her shoulder and presses its forehead into her cheek.

ARASI. Let's go back, okay? I'll give you treats and we can huddle up all warm in the stables and read books together.

The ferriki trills happily. Arasi sighs in relief and turns around to head back. Stops abruptly. What had been the neighbouring stall selling spices is now a snug stable, warm light pouring through thatched eaves.

The jolly music is all too loud as Arasi goes silent.

ARASI. Okay... That's a nope from me!

She breaks into a run. Despite having not come too far from the door, the path ahead is an endless holiday bazaar.

ARASI. Nope, nope, nope!

The stalls are no longer empty. The view is blurred as she sprints but it captures faces at each attraction, wide, smiling humanoids: constructs, statues; eyes and mouths of wood, paint, clay; fashioned hands waving, offering food, reaching out with a pile of presents.

ARASI. We need to get out!

The run seems to go on forever, frost and snow and glitz flying by.

Suddenly the ferriki chitters urgently, climbing into her arms and motioning with its tail. The view sweeps around as she turns. A few lanes away is a whimsical inn, pristine except for one detail: the door, rickety and off centre.

ARASI. Snowy, you lifesaver! Hopefully this is it-!

She barges through the door, throwing her shoulder and entire body weight into it as it screeches open, leaving her to tumble into a thick snowdrift. White covers the view as something slams.

ARASI (muffled). Is it over? We're- we're out!

There is shuffling until suddenly the view is clear again and Arasi is lifting the device back into her hands. She is standing outside of the old lodge, rickety old building slowly suffocating under the layers of snow, and everything is grey again.

ARASI (shakily). Alright, Snowy. We might have to cut this exploration short. I kinda just want to go home now...

[Relevant clip ends.]




(word count according to gdocs: 1000)

A grey, cheerful cub trotted down the hill, blue runes softly glowing on her fur, illuminating the snow creaking beneath her paws. It was christmas eve, but the area was quiet, none of the usual splendid singing to be heard. Yet the usually jolly little Morkko grew more sullen with each step.

Where were all her friends? They were supposed to celebrate together!

But the frozen field was deserted, nothing to be heard but the falling of snowflakes - until, what was that? That creaking of wood, not a twig for sure, almost sounded like a snapped sled? The little cub's ears perked up as she located the source. Behind that shrub, maybe? Or that smiling snowman she and her friend built two days ago? Slowly she approached, a little anxious. It was past sundown already, and while her vision wasn't bad at night, it wasn't great either.

Carefully, she peeked from behind the snowman, to see a festive Ferrikki - her friend! - trying to drag a broken sled, its payload hidden by a beautifully stitched blanket. She tilted her head, giving off a little grunt to draw attention to herself. He stopped in his tracks, his three orbs twinkling with magic. He gave her a sheepish look, letting go of the reigns of the sled to approach her and give her an affectionate nuzzle. Her much smaller friend seemed to be having trouble getting the sled someplace. She put her big paws up on the back of the sled and stabilised it while her Ferrikki friend steered it through the snowy darkness.

Slowly, she saw lights. Oh, that's the snug stable they often stay at! Completely illuminated by luminescent lights! Her heart started fluttering at the sight, but she had to get this sled there first before she can admire it more. A few more moments with the imbalanced sled, and they had arrived. While the stable was rather small, it was beautifully decorated with warm, white glow. Her friend seemed to almost smile, his three tails twitching, betraying his own excitement, as he opened the doors.

A pile of presents immediately caught her attention, as well as her other three friends - Nephini and Lunemara fluttering about, the Qitari seeming to add another present to the pile beneath a gorgeously decorated christmas tree.

The Ferrikki gave the sled a final push inside, and immediately pulled off the blanket, revealing all kinds of toasty treats. Everyone quickly gathered around, indulging in all the tasty stuff the Ferrikki brought to their little surprise party. The grey cub settled in, surrounded by friends, gifts, the smell of cookies, and beautiful lights. Seems like she got her celebration after all!