Stage 1 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (6, 13) Required Item: None Required Kills: None

A harsh blizzard obscures your vision, blotting out the sun's warm light. You hear the howl of the wind in your ears, the cold bite at your weary limbs, and your thoughts drift to that of a warm meal and a cozy bed– anything to chase the winter cold away. As you struggle against the storm, you catch glimpses of a light in the distance. You squint your eyes. A clear break in the onslaught of snow reveals the outline of a distant building. A house? Or perhaps the edges of a village? Make your way towards the building.

Stage 2 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (13, 16) Required Item: None Required Kills: None

You trudge through the snow for what it feels like hours. Your legs begin to ache just as you feel your face beginning to freeze, but you never look away from the light. Soon enough, the dark outline of a building comes into view, and with it, more buildings begin to form. The light flickers atop a wobbly lamppost, and just as you reach it, you hear a woman’s voice call out to you. "Hey! You shouldn't be out here all alone!" You are too tired to look around. All you remember is the feeling of someone looping their arm with yours and dragging you into shelter. Warmth touches your frozen cheeks and fingers, and your eyes readjust to the comely setting of a tavern with all manners of people staring at you wide-eyed. You hear the woman's voice again, and you turn your head towards a lady garbed in winter clothing. "I'm sorry – did I startle you? We just saw you out there all alone in the dark and thought you were in trouble ..." the woman says, her eyes drifting to your armor and weaponry. "Are you ... some sort of warrior? Or a mercenary looking for work, perhaps?" The people in the tavern all glance at one another before nodding towards the woman. With a gulp, the woman clears her throat. "We're ... in a bit of trouble. The storm out there is not natural. It's all because of an ancient demon that was sealed here many centuries ago." The woman points towards a tapestry hung over the tavern's fireplace. "Three brothers fought against the Half Wolf Vanard, a demon from the Hell of Ice. Knowing they could not kill him, they sealed him in the Howling Depths. Unfortunately, the seal seems to have weakened or broken entirely, and the grove is in danger. We need a warrior, might you help us?" You nod. These people pulled you out of the cold. "Thank you." The woman smiles and nods. "I'm Yenna, by the way. I'll be coming with you– we're not going to send you out there without a guide. First, we need to head to the Howling Tower. We might be able to find something there. But first, please eat and warm yourself by the fire before we set off– I'll cover the tab!" Accompany Yenna to the Howling Tower

Stage 3 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (4, 3) Required Item: None Required Kills: None

With the aid of Yenna's magical lanterns, you arrive at the base of the Howling Tower. "Alright, we're here. I've got the key to get inside. Would you mind standing guard while I take a look around?" With that, Yenna unlocks the door and disappears inside. You glance out into the darkness of the storm and raise the lantern. Though the light has served you well thus far, you can barely see much beyond the tower's vicinity. You wait, and just as you hear Yenna speak, the temperature all around you rapidly drops. Above the moans of the wind, you hear the ice cracking and creaking, and blue lights suddenly pop up amid the dark. Blizzard Elementals amble towards the tower, towards you, and Yenna steps out. "Blizzard Elementals! Don't let them touch you!" Defeat 200 Blizzard Elementals

Stage 4 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (4, 3) Required Item: None Required Kills: 200 x Blizzard Elemental

"Is that all of them!?" The last of the Blizzard Elementals crumbles at your feet, and Yenna sighs out in relief. "I did." Yenna pulls out a small tattered tome. "It was locked in a hefty vault. I won't bore you with the details." Yenna carefully flips through the pages and points at a crude illustration of a key. "This is what we need. It's a key buried with one of the brothers that faced Vanard all those centuries ago. We need it to get into the Howling Depths. It's a good thing I brought my shovel with me ..." Yenna tucks the book away and raises her lantern. "Follow me." Accompany Yenna to the snowy grave.

Stage 5 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (11, 7) Required Item: None Required Kills: None

"This is the grave." Yenna pulls the shovel off her back and stands over the old grave. She hesitates. "N-Nothing. It just feels kind of rude, you know? But ..." Yenna begins to shovel the snow, "I guess they anticipated a day like this. That Vanard was going to break free one day. They've put our hopes in us – that we can end it forever." Yenna continues to shovel away the snow until a loud thump is heard. As she opens her mouth to speak, the air grows bitterly cold– Blizzard Elementals are nearby. "Distract them for me. Don't worry, I'll find the key!" Defeat 200 Blizzard Elementals

Stage 6 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (11, 7) Required Item: None Required Kills: 200 x Blizzard Elemental	"Is it safe?" "Good. We should move quickly. More of them will come if we linger." Yenna holds out her hand to show you an old key with intricate runes engraved in the metal. "This is it. The key to the Howling Depths. Let's go." Accompany Yenna to the entrance of the Howling Depths

Stage 7 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (18, 3) Required Item: None Required Kills: None

Yenna stands before a stone door covered in ancient runes. Some of them glow a bright blue, while others flicker weakly like dying candles. Faceless engravings of the three brothers decorate the surface of the door. "Are you ready?" Yenna asks. Yenna nods. She holds the key towards the door and whispers. The runes blink red before the earth begins to shake. With a crumbling groan, the ancient doors swing wide open. It is time to face Vanard. Defeat the Half Wolf Vanard in the Howling Depths

Stage 8 Minimum Level: 5300 Location:Forest of Yule (Howling Grove) (18, 3) Required Item: None Required Kills: 1 x Half Wolf Vanard (Elite)

“Did you do it!? Did you defeat Vanard!?” "He's gone ..." Yenna whispers as she holds the dormant key in her hands, "Maybe now things will get better. We can enjoy the festivities without worry. Thank you ... thank you so much!" Though the snow still falls heavily in the Howling Grove, the cold feels less oppressive– less cruel. The darkness is not one of ill-tidings, but one filled with the hope of a blissful sunrise. "Let's return to the tavern and celebrate! Everyone would love to hear how you defeated Vanard!" You arrived here cold and alone. Now you will leave warm and full of song– with the blessings of those you saved and the gratitude of old heroes. You receive 'Yenna's Hotpot' and 328,590,994 XP.