Ancient legends from all across Teleria speak of a mighty warrior, whose life spans years beyond counting. He took first steps upon this land when the world was yet young, he stood alone against odds insurmountable, and felled twisted creatures would devour the sun itself. It was him who ventured beyond the barren tundra and into the ancient frozen wastes of Telerian North to break an army of Ice Giants that threatened to overwhelm the infant human kingdoms. Having slain the Giant King in single combat, he took the castle cut out of a glacier for himself and made it into a fortress dedicated Lumaya.

Such is the tale of Sir Nicholas, known under different names to the people of Teleria, but ever-present in their folklore. It is said that to this day he sits upon a throne among the towers of jagged ice and gazes upon the world through a scrying crystal gifted by the Arbiter herself. By his judgement do the righteous receive great boons, and the wicked - their just punishment. Though perhaps Sir Nicholas is not as omnipotent a force as some of the old tales paint him, it cannot be denied that many powerful villains disappeared without a trace on a Winter Solstice night...

An outcast among outcasts, the Reinbeast’s very survival is as much a miracle as it is a testament to his strength and determination. Born in the darkest depths of the Durkham Forest on a cold winter morning, he was immediately marked by the strange colour of his coat and a glowing red nose. All through his childhood, the Reinbeast had to fight all those who would see him cast out. Yet beatings and cruelty only hardened the poor creature and taught him to stand tall and proud no matter the hardship.

But on one stormy night, when the wind howled like a wounded dragon among the twisted and gnarled trees of Durkham, and a terrible blizzard swept the land, his fate was changed forever. Forced out into the night by his tribe’s chief on a fool’s errand that was no doubt meant to see him dead, the Reinbeast came across a most confusing sight. A sleigh full of strange items stood there, encased by ice, and a man clad in armour of silver and red worked tirelessly to fix the damage. A small pack of reindeers shivered at his side, cold and tired, no longer able to pull the heavy carriage. Though suspicious at first, the Reinbeast was moved by the pure light that seemed to be emanating from that mysterious human, and the care he showed in trying to help his exhausted steeds.

He approached, cautiously, and offered help in a broken Common tongue. To his surprise, the man’s own words boomed within his mind loud and clear, as if spoken by one of his own people. Sir Nicholas, as the strange introduced himself, was most grateful for the aid. And with the Reinbeast now placed in the lead, his own reindeers finally managed to free the sleigh and press on their way. With magic beyond imagining, they went across Teleria in a single night to reward the just and punish the wicked, with the Reinbeast’s glowing nose leading their way. It was no surprise that when offered a single wish for his selfless help, the Reinbeast asked to remain in Sir Nicholas’ service - and thus he has remained for centuries, pulling the mighty sleigh through blizzards and storms, and fighting at Sir Nicholas’ side when such a need arose.

Once a modest mortal in the Elven kingdom of Aravia, the Jinglehunter led an honest life. He did others no wrong and sought nothing but to bring joy to one and all. Through his selfless dedication to others, many lives were improved, sometimes even saved. Never a true soldier at heart, he did nonetheless learn the art of the bow and would stand up to evil without fear in his heart.

And it was this kindness that saved his own life and gave him a new purpose. Lost in the Mountains of Despair on the Winter Solstice, the hunter had almost abandoned all hope when the cheerful sound of jingling bells rose him from the frost-induced slumber. At first, he could scarcely believe his eyes, for tales of Sir Nicholas were well known to the High Elves, and the poor hunter thought it was all but a dream. But when Lumaya’s servant stepped onto the icy cliffs and the cold receded by his will alone, the Elf fell to his knees and gave praise to the Goddess.

Yet this miraculous rescue was just the beginning. The hunter’s heart was pure and honest, thus Sir Nicholas gave him a chance to serve Lumaya’s law and bring hope to all those who would accept Her light. Without hesitation, the Merry Elf accepted. Known as Jinglehunter, he now rides into the night with Sir Nicholas on ever Winter Solstice.

The figure of the Frostbringer, sometimes known as the Snow Maiden, does not appear in the tales of Sir Nicholas until just three centuries ago. Said to have been a warrior raised by the Sacred Order - one of the fabled Temple Maidens - she saw a vision of a great pillar of light rising above an ancient glacier and burning away the darkness. Upon waking from her sleep, the Maiden knew what she had to do. Having gathered her spear and armour, she ventured out into the frozen lands that lay beyond the walls of her Monastery to follow in the steps of the fabled Sir Nicholas.

The dangers were many, the foes - deadly. But with skill and faith, the brave young woman fought to overcome them all. She defeated Frostskin trolls that sought to turn the intruder back, purged the undead that rose from beneath the snow, guided by the Shadow’s dark will, and braved daunting mountains on the way to her goal. Not even the fearsome drakes were able to break her resolve.

Then she saw it - the mighty fortress of stone and ice that rose above the horizon. Battered and wounded, she pressed on for no fatigue could stop her when the goal was in sight. Three days and three nights she walked, waist-deep in snow, and only reached the steps of the fortress when the full moon of the third night shone brightly overhead. There she collapsed, but the light of Lumaya’s servants cannot be extinguished so easily. Sir Nicholas himself stepped forth to lift the brave youth up, and with the Arbiter’s blessing, she was granted eternal life. Ever since that fateful night, the Frostbringer remains a loyal companion and a friend to all those in Sir Nicholas’ band of Champions.