Santa and the Ice Trolls: Revisted

[LostKnight]

Arrrgh! Busy couple of days so I've not yet read yesterday's tales!

I guess they aren't going anywhere though!

I am the same ... will read today though.

[Gullander]

Five- The Final Showdown

Santa’s reclusive retreat in FT soon became a war zone teeming with hordes of monsters and armies of clan members. The lack of surrender of the hostages brought the conflict to a head and skirmishes were everywhere. It was really a chaotic mess. Like two massive armies without any generals to direct them. It was attack and be attacked without any coordinated goal to reach the Ice Cave entrance. The monsters usually under the control of a spawn limit now away from their usual places appeared without number. As soon as a brave band of warriors or some mighty mages would clear out an area it would refill with new hordes ready for battle. During the chaos our jester made a dangerous journey to speak with Santa one more time. If ever there was a time he was needed it was now.

ST- Hello my dear friend, so glad to see you!
J- Oh Santa, can’t you see it is all in chaos and your fine FT hostages still remain imprisoned.
ST- Oh are they? (What Jester didn’t know is that having their magical items returned the hostages were already free and heading towards the exit to come out) I think they are almost free.
Just then jester’s new friends risking all come to find the jester to tell him what is ready to happen.
SC- My friend, the prisoners got free but they are now cornered at the entrance by the King and his guards and by his counselor.
PC- He has given them an ultimatum surrender the items and return to their cells or they will be killed right there on the spot.
ST- Well…we cannot have that!! I shall call down Dunder and Blixem! (no he is not calling for his reindeer but thunder and lightning!) I shall call down upon them the wild hunt!!

At this pronouncement the very ground shook from the thunder and the sky was filled with wild and dangerous flashes. Schmutzli was called upon, and Krampus was intreated to appear and marching through the ranks of clan and troll and golem alike entered the Ice Cave. The naughty would be punished and this madness would end. Schmutzli grabbed ahold of the Ice Troll King and spirited him away, and Krampus went up to the Ice Troll Mage Counselor and breaking his wand and putting him in a glowing binding took him away. The thunder and lightning did not harm any of the armies, but it so put fear in them they all dispersed. And all the inhabitants of the Ice Cave who were now free of their unwise king were ready to surrender and restore all and more. Finally the weary but grateful prisoners walked out into the sunshine and fresh air ready to return to their former lives and were escorted by PC and some of his kin back to their homes and he finally back to his. Amazed and thankful the jester and SC stand by Santa’s npc wondering if it all is really over or not.

ST- There you have it my friends, I told you help would come but not from me…and now I must soon cease this concourse with you.
J- But what of the all the participants good and bad in all of this, might it not happen again?
ST- I will make sure as I always do that the good are rewarded and the bad punished but you know me I never give up on any bad child and any sternness I show is to encourage them to become good. Will it happen again? It might, and if it does I am pleased I have such noble hearts here as yours and SC and PC!
SC- It has been an honor to work with you Santa!
ST- The honor has been mine! Now, before I go we seem to have a problem among the Ice Trolls.
J- Oh no! Already!
ST- Yes they seem to be without a king and without a counselor and will surely need a good head and heart to help them not to slip down a bad path again. I hope you two can help them find suitable trolls to take their place.
J- We will do our best.
SC- My kin will support any good prospect.
ST- Good, then I leave that in your hands. Now farewell my friends and may your Christmas be a bright one filled with hope!
J and SC- Goodbye Santa!

Much to J and SC’s amazement a large contingent of their Ice Troll brethren are outside near the entrance. They wonder what is amiss now, but go forward as like it or not Santa had commissioned them with a mission. It began quietly but as they neared closer to the entrance it grew in intensity as the Ice Trolls were cheering. They all were glad that this episode was behind them and J and SC joined the cheer as it was a very glad cheer and a very lively cheer for such icy souls to be making. But all eyes seemed to be on them, all gazing with admiration, all bending in honor, all understanding the wisdom and bravery of these two who were returning as champions. Out came a crown, out came a counselor’s robe, and out came the fine families of the Ice Trolls and those with wealth and power to announce to all their new king and counselor, King Jester and SC their wise and good counselor. Christmas had come to them and it looked like it would also be a very good and happy New Year!

To that end I dedicate this little tale and wish you my dear reader the same, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, one more merry and more happy than we have had in a long time. Peace!

End notes:
I tried to include a few references to some traditions held in various parts of the world and I ask forgiveness for making them do my will rather than they do their own will!
Befana is a tradition of a gift giving witch, but she is a nice witch so I made her Santa’s wife!
Krampus is a tradition of a character that visits bad children at the holidays
Nisse or Tomte is a holiday gnome
Woven goat- a miniature yule goat is put up by families and large ones for public display
Lumps of coal or rotten potatoes a tradition given to bad children
Schmutzli is like Krampus and punishes naughty children
Volcancitos are small explosive items given to children

[SellSword]

A good read for sure! And a Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

[LostKnight]

Excellent read.
From our house to yours and all in FTlandia
Merry Christmas.

[Leone]

Finally caught up!

Thank you for the tale and merry Christmas:)