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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Dec 2008 : 01:56:07
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So earlier today, I recommended the wonderful third-party book Faeries to someone... I recalled, after doing so, that one of the NPCs detailed in there is the Holly King, who has many other names -- among them, Kris Kringle.
This made me recall something WotC did for the holidays in 2001 and 2002: They presented us with a D&D Santa Claus, Nicholas the Gift-Giver. I tracked down the links, and I'm putting them all here, to make things simple for DMs wanting to do a holiday session. 
Nicholas the Gift-Giver
Nicholas the Gift-Giver's Northern Palace
Gnome Toymakers
Gnome Cooks
Original, 3.x version:
Nicholas the Gift-Giver
Nicholas the Gift-Giver's Northern Palace
Gnome Toymakers
Gnome Cooks
5E version:
Nicholas the Gift-Giver's Northern Palace
2018 Edit: Adding the 5E version
2022 Edit: The 5E link is still good, but the 3E links no longer work <Insert negative commentary about the Wizards web team here  >. I'm leaving the links there, though, so people can copy them and toss them into the Internet Archive and find the content that way, if they are so inclined.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 25 Nov 2022 22:09:23
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dwarvenranger
Senior Scribe
USA
428 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2008 : 02:03:37
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| It's funny how traditional elves fit our thoughts of a gnome. I was musing on this the other day, when my buddy sent me a cool drawing of a bad mofo Santa. |
If I waited till I knew what I was doing, I'd never get anything done.
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2008 : 17:47:52
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| Lol. This is great! Thanks Wooly! |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
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* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2008 : 21:02:17
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There really is a Santa Claus. I would, of course, be inclined to argue that mere stats could never truly do him justice.
Thanks for the links, Wooly! |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 18 Dec 2008 21:02:59 |
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ranger_of_the_unicorn_run
Learned Scribe
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2008 : 21:19:21
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That's amazing!  I'm going to have to find some people to play with so I can use that! Thanks for the link! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2008 : 23:07:49
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Heh. I'll have to dig out the PLANESCAPE interpretation I had for Father Christmas as a Ring-Giver in a one-shot campaign I ran a couple of years ago.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 18 Dec 2008 23:08:32 |
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Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2008 : 16:16:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So earlier today, I recommended the wonderful third-party book Faeries to someone... I recalled, after doing so, that one of the NPCs detailed in there is the Holly King, who has many other names -- among them, Kris Kringle.
This made me recall something WotC did for the holidays in 2001 and 2002: They presented us with a D&D Santa Claus, Nicholas the Gift-Giver. I tracked down the links, and I'm putting them all here, to make things simple for DMs wanting to do a holiday session.
Nicholas the Gift-Giver
Nicholas the Gift-Giver's Northern Palace
Gnome Toymakers
Gnome Cooks
I have nothing against their version...
But I do wonder what Father Christmas might look like in 3.5 terms, especially if he brought his old pal der Belznickle/Knecht Ruprecht along as a bodyguard. |
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Sian
Senior Scribe
Denmark
596 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2008 : 23:45:01
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well dwarvenranger ...
i think it at least pactially comes from mistransation from Scandinavian ... we're calling them 'Nisser' which is interchangeable with 'Alfer' ... 'Nisser' is translated into Gnomes, while 'Alfer' is easy to misread as 'Elfer' which is Elves ... but whereas Gnomes are small 'spirits' protecting the farm, helping the farmer if they respect them, Elves are more whimsy, evil forestdwelling spirits which lures human males into thier hill and dance with them till they die from exaustion :p |
what happened to the queen? she's much more hysterical than usual
She's a women, it happens once a month |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 04:23:34
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Despite the retailers breaking out the Christmas stuff a little earlier each year, I refuse to consider it Christmastime until I've had my Thanksgiving dinner. That meal is passed, my wife and I put up and decorated our tree, and the Bob Rivers CDs are next in my queue... So I can comfortably call it Christmastime. And since it's that time of year, I decided to resurrect this thread for another holiday season!  |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3285 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 04:27:07
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Heh. I'll have to dig out the PLANESCAPE interpretation I had for Father Christmas as a Ring-Giver in a one-shot campaign I ran a couple of years ago.
I guess we are still waiting? |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Joran Nobleheart
Senior Scribe
USA
495 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 06:05:36
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| I'm going to enjoy using this information for a holiday campaign this year. Thank you for bringing this thread back out. |
Paladinic Ethos
Saint Joran Nobleheart |
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Joran Nobleheart
Senior Scribe
USA
495 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 06:09:04
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| Oh, I almost forgot, actually. Where would be a good place to have his northern palace at in the Realms? Any ideas or suggestions? |
Paladinic Ethos
Saint Joran Nobleheart |
Edited by - Joran Nobleheart on 30 Nov 2009 06:10:22 |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 07:15:26
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| Ahaha, this is awesome. Thanks for digging it up, Wooly. |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 07:23:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Joran Nobleheart
Oh, I almost forgot, actually. Where would be a good place to have his northern palace at in the Realms? Any ideas or suggestions?
Well, we could follow the Holly King's example in Faeries, and suggest a place for his workshop that resembles the Land of Eternal Winter. Say, beyond the Spine of the World. Or, perhaps, somewhere deep in the High Ice [preferably, away from the Smokeholes]. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 30 Nov 2009 07:24:56 |
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Joran Nobleheart
Senior Scribe
USA
495 Posts |
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freyar
Learned Scribe
Canada
220 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 13:33:39
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Santa also appeared as an "official" D&D monster in Imagine Magazine #21 back in 1984. We converted him over at the EN World Creature Catalog last year, but didn't quite get him finished until January. Highlights:
* Santa's bag (of holding)
* Knows who's naughty or nice
* Santa's sleigh (major artifact)
* 3 new magic item "toys": elven rollerskates, Otto's Irresistable teddy bear, Tenser's floating jellybaby
* Santa's reindeer (including Rudolph)
* Toymaker elves
Come check him out! |
My DnD Links and Creations |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 04:57:57
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
What? You really didn't expect me to be on time with this? 
I guess I'll have to go looking for it again.
Ha-hem. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 18 Dec 2010 05:00:05 |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 05:57:48
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Sorry fellow scribes, but I've been busy working on 2010's special end-of-year one-shot holiday-season themed campaign adventure.
I'm setting it around an alternate concept of Rudolph this year -- specifically, Ragnagord, the evil reindeer overlord.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2011 : 09:57:08
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'Tis the season to return this thread to the front page!
I've checked out the links, and it looks like WotC has failed to break them (yet)... Enjoy! |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2011 : 17:33:03
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Thanks Wooly.
I would say the real/main/whatever 'Santa' should be in a frigid part of the Feywild, where his chosen (going by various names on different worlds - Nicholas on Earth, obviously). There would be planer portals (Feygates) that would lead to each world where he has a presence. Since each world would have its own individual Santa, that would explain why he has been called both a Dwarf and Elf in different regions. With the sheer number of worlds he could exist on, he could be of any race, ethnicity, height, etc...
Although the Orc Santa would be kinda scary, its the Illithid Santa I most dread seeing.
And now Sage has yet-another year to give us his interpretation.
Last year (or was it the year before?) I had planned an adventure for FR, starting in the Moonwood and proceeding to Waterdeep, based upon ALL of the Yuletide/Santa lore, including things like Frosty, Rudolph, 'The Bumble' (yeti), etc.
Now I'm thinking of a new spin, using Elaith Craulnober as my Scrooge, and a Hobgoblin Pa-Thom (Drummer) boy. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 28 Nov 2011 17:35:48 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2011 : 01:26:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And now Sage has yet-another year to give us his interpretation.
Hey, I have a reputation to maintain.
Wooly has his mischievous ways, and I, my unreliability. We play to our strengths. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2011 : 04:37:24
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And now Sage has yet-another year to give us his interpretation.
Hey, I have a reputation to maintain.
Wooly has his mischievous ways, and I, my unreliability. We play to our strengths.
Ah, but the difference is, I put mine in my title. You should be Procrastinator Most High. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2011 : 18:32:37
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Just don't put it on the 'To Do' list. 
Geeze, I just thought of something... if Sage was Santa on some world, those poor bastards wouldn't get their toys until WAAAAAY into their afterlife.
"Now is this my Naughty List, or my To-Do list? Or is it my 'Naughty to-do' list?" |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2011 : 01:10:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Just don't put it on the 'To Do' list.
Geeze, I just thought of something... if Sage was Santa on some world, those poor bastards wouldn't get their toys until WAAAAAY into their afterlife.
"Now is this my Naughty List, or my To-Do list? Or is it my 'Naughty to-do' list?"
Narnra's already wise to my exploits in this regard. She laughingly calls it "Daddy's Forgetful Time." |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2011 : 04:02:41
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Bumping this up again, and I'm going to sticky it for a few days, I think.
And interestingly, I'm doing this exactly three years after I originally started this thread! Gotta say, a lot has changed for me in those three years! |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 18 Dec 2011 04:04:06 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2012 : 05:13:29
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And it's time for the annual bumping of this thread! Much to my surprise, all of these links continue to be good!
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So earlier today, I recommended the wonderful third-party book Faeries to someone... I recalled, after doing so, that one of the NPCs detailed in there is the Holly King, who has many other names -- among them, Kris Kringle.
This made me recall something WotC did for the holidays in 2001 and 2002: They presented us with a D&D Santa Claus, Nicholas the Gift-Giver. I tracked down the links, and I'm putting them all here, to make things simple for DMs wanting to do a holiday session.
Nicholas the Gift-Giver
Nicholas the Gift-Giver's Northern Palace
Gnome Toymakers
Gnome Cooks
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2012 : 19:20:36
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I downloaded them when they were new but have no idea where those files are now, so it's cool that the links still work.
I was going to point out that the High Ice only became what it is today at the fall of Netheril, and Nicholas' workshop should definitely predate Netheril... but now that I think about it, I'm not so sure. Reading the description of the Karsus Enclave, with its Elemental Store and QM III, it seems that Netheril is exactly the sort of culture that Nicholas would be from. I'm thinking late-Silver to mid-Golden Age. A "genius before his time" kind of arcanist, who probably had access to a mythallar, but chose not to make an enclave. If you accept NWN's storyline of rediscovering a functional mythallar following the Fall, he could even still be getting some use from it.
With this origin in mind, I also favor the High Ice. Well, technically on the Reghed Glacier, above the High Ice. I suggest a broad peak directly north of the Taglorlar, beyond the latitude of Hartsvale and the Taurax Mountains. Wyrm Rift and the Rift of Stars were once glacial lakes at the High Ice's southern edge, so he would have picked a location further into the ice to avoid accidental discovery/bother by enclaves and wanderers such as the Terraseer. Plus, modern explorers have penetrated the High Ice far enough, and regularly enough, that Wyrm Rift and the Rift of Stars appear on maps. Nicholas' workshop doesn't appear on maps, so it needs to be harder to get to.
And wow, apparently I felt like rambling.  |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2012 : 20:48:06
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| Not all mythallars were used on flying cities, so it's entirely possible that the workshop contains a mythallar. The mythallar could be used to maintain some weather-controlling magic, much as some mythals make their area more livable by moderating extreme temperatures. And the gnomes could use quasi-magical items in their construction of goodies. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Ghosts of Christmas Past: Santa in 3.x & 5E
