2008 Achievements of Winter Veil

Whether you believe in it or not, Christmas is pretty much upon us. As of 6:00AM Monday it’ll be in full swing on Azeroth. With the advent of the achievement system there’s much to do this holiday season for us infidels if you’re gunning for some notoriety or simply getting that last little push to get the Long Strange Trip Violet Proto-Drake.

Here’s a little breakdown on the achievements you can snatch up in the coming weeks and some hints on how to get them.

1. On Metzen!
This achievement is very straightforward, although you will need to be at least level 40 to participate. This is because you earn the achievement by completing a seasonal quest entitled Metzen the Reindeer.

The Alliance version begins and ends with Wulmort Jinglepocket in Ironforge, while the Horde will need to seek out Kaymard Copperpinch in Orgrimmar. Metzen is located in two places, and either faction can save Metzen in either location.

In Tanaris, you will find the reindeer in a stable in the Lost Rigger Cove encampment. In the Searing Gorge, you can find him hanging out with some Dark Iron Dwarves near the tunnel to Loch Modan.  I have only ever found him here and it’s very easy to spot a reindeer in a makeshift corral surrounded by dwarves.

2. With a Little Helper from My Friends
You will find a teleporter looking machine outside of Orgrimmar and Ironforge during this event that can turn you into a gnome. In this disguise, you will need to earn 50 honorable kills. I don’t believe the costume persist throguh death and shapeshifting used to drop the costume as well. MAYBE Blizzard has changed that this year but with their track record I wouldn’t hold my breath. Just file tons of complaints on the forums and page a few GMs and see what happens.

3. Scrooge
All you will need to do is obtain a snowball and then throw it at either King Magni Bronzebeard if you are Alliance, or Cairne Bloodhoof if you are Horde. Although there are several ways to obtain a snowball, they can be purchased from the Smokeywood Pastures vendors that will be hanging around major cities. You can also get them from daily quests in Stormpeaks or even pick them up as packed snow in Alterac Mountains when the event starts.

4. Fa-la-la-la-Orgi’la
You will need to complete the quest, Bomb Them Again!, at the Skyguard Outpost linked to Ogri’la while mounted on a flying reindeer during the Feast of Winter Veil.

This one, unfortunately, will not be open to everyone. You will need to be at least level 70 and a flying mount, and to have completed the quest chains to unlock this daily quest. At level 80 this should be incredibly easy.

To get the holly you need to transform your flying mount into a reindeer (if you don’t have items leftover from previous years) you need to /kiss some Winter Revelers. Eventually, you will get some holly from them.

5. ‘Tis the Season
First time ever somebody will be excited to eat Graccu’s Mince Meat Fruitcake. There are two ways to acquire this lovely treat, and one is to have completed the quest (and achievement!) to save Metzen the reindeer. The other is to bring some Treats for Greatfather Winter. Both quests will mail you a care package that has cheese and other crap and the Fruit Cake.

The cookies for the quest can be purchased from other players, although you can also learn to make them yourself using a recipe that you can buy from the Smokeywood Pastures vendors. Even if you’ve never developed your cooking, all you will need is the skill point you are given when you sign up with your local chef, as this is a level 1 recipe.

The three pieces of holiday clothing will take a bit more work and will probably be horribly overpriced by jerks on the AH looking to turn a quick buck. Like the gas stations down here in Miami during Hurricane season.

Horde Tailors can make Green Winter Clothes, while Alliance Tailors can make Red Winter Clothes. The recipes are occasionally seen on the neutral auction house, so if you fancy a specific color, you had best look around. If you are a Tailor, seek out the Smokeywood Pastures vendors in Ironforge and Orgrimmar for your pattern.

A Leatherworker will likewise need to acquire the pattern for Winter Boots. The hats (3rd piece) drop from a few Outland and Classic instance bosses.

Winter Veil bosses of Outland:

• Captain Skarloc (Escape from Durnholde Keep) – Red Winter Hat
• Nethermancer Sepethrea (The Mechanar) – Red Winter Hat
• High Botanist Freywinn (The Botanica) – Red Winter Hat
• Grand Warlock Nethekurse (Shattered Halls) – Green Winter Hat
• Grandmaster Vorpil (Shadow Labyrinth) – Green Winter Hat
• Exarch Maladaar (Auchenai Crypts) – Green Winter Hat

I can only assume they will update the official page with Northrend information and a list of bosses there that drop the hats. Otherwise it’s smooth sailing in Outland.

6. Crashin’ & Thrashin’ and He Knows if You’ve Been Naughty
On Christmas Day just log into the game, look under the big tree and loot the gifts. One of them will be the special toy and then you just wreck the bastard enough times for the achievement. Very VERY easy to do.

7. Simply Abominable and A Frosty Shake
This is awarded at the end of a quest chain that starts with Stolen Winter Veil Treats. You must be level 30 to begin the quest; head to the Alterac Mountains and you will find a little snowman south west of Frostmaw’s cave who will then give you the quest, You’re a Mean One.

There exists a creature that you must hunt to recover the stolen treats. Head west from Frostmaw’s Cave until you find him, although he will likely be camped heavily. When you have the treats in-hand, travel back to the Smokeywood characters that gave you Metzen’s quest and hand them over. You will be given the quest, A Smokeywood Pasture’s Thank You!. This is the key to the achievement. Expect this to be a great chance to do some world PVP too and spread that holiday cheer like a vanerial disease.

You will also be mailed a Winter Veil Disguise Kit. Use it to turn into a snowman, and then /dance with another snowman in Dalaran.

8. Let it Snow
During the Feast of Winter Veil, you will find yourself throwing Handfuls of Snowflakes that can be obtained by /kissing the Winter Revelers on different class and race combinations. Find these Horde members:

• Death Knight: Orc
• Shaman: Tauren
• Rogue: Undead
• Hunter: Troll
• Warlock: Blood Elf

Find the following Alliance characters:

• Gnome: Mage
• Warrior: Human
• Druid: Night Elf
• Paladin: Dwarf
• Draenei: Priest

Another very easy task to complete in Dalaran.

9. Bro’s Before Ho Ho Ho’s
This achievement differs drastically between the two factions. The Horde must hunt down the following NPCs and use Mistletoe on them, which is yet another item that can be obtained by /kissing Winter Revelers:

1. Brother Malach, Undercity
2. Durkot Wolfbrother, Warsong Hold
3. Brother Keltan, Icecrown

The Alliance, on the other hand, must find these NPCs:

1. Brother Nimetz, Stranglethorn.
2. Brother Anton, Nijel’s Point.
3. Brother Wilhelm, Goldshire.
4. Brother Karman, Theramore.
5. Brother Kristoff, Stormwind.
6. Brother Joshua, Stormwind.
7. Brother Crowley, Stormwind.
8. Brother Cassius, Stormwind.
9. Brother Benjamin, Stormwind.

Click the links for maps to the NPCs, and although it looks like the Alliance have more work to do (and they do HAH!) the Horde without WotLK will not be able to complete this.

10. The Winter Veil Gourmet
Gingerbread Cookie, as well as Hot Apple Cider and Egg Nog, are all recipes that can be purchased directly from a Smokeywood Pastures vendor, and made using simple ingredients and reagents.

THAT’S IT!

By now you should be done and rocking the Merry Maker title and one step closer to a fancy new mount.