View source for 2009 Christmas event

{{Infobox event
| name = A Christmas Warble
| image = Christmasbanner.png
| release = [[21 December]] [[2009]]
| update = A Christmas Warble (Christmas 2009)
| end = [[11 January]] [[2010]]
| endupdate = Nomad's Requiem
| reward = [[Candy cane]], [[Christmas ghost costume]]
| more = yes
| emote = Dramatic Point
| developer = Mod Edam
| preceded = 2008 Christmas event
| succeeded = 2010 Christmas event
| succeededname = O Little Town of Daemonheim
| succeededyear = 2010
| link = Christmas_2009_Event_Guide
}}
[[File:2009 Christmas event presents.png|left|100px]]

The '''2009 Christmas event''', officially titled '''"A Christmas Warble"''', was a ''RuneScape'' [[Holiday rewards|seasonal event]] released by [[Jagex]] on [[21 December]] [[2009]]. The event's basic premise was that it was the player's job to go to the [[Land of Snow]] to free [[Santa Claus]] from a dark wizard who hates Christmas. The story of the event is loosely based on the traditional Christmas story ''[[wikipedia:A Christmas Carol|A Christmas Carol]]''. Unlike previous events, this one lasted three weeks instead of two. It was removed on [[11 January]] [[2010]] with the news item "[[Update:Nomad's Requiem|Nomad's Requiem]]." Rewards for this event included a new [[Christmas ghost costume|ghost costume]], a wieldable [[candy cane]], and a [[Dramatic Point|new emote]]. [[Snowball]]s were collectible during this event, but, unlike the ones from a [[snow globe]], they could not be kept. This event was the first project developed by the [[Jagex Moderator]] Edam, who had recently started working at Jagex.

==Storyline==
[[File:Christmas Cupboard.png|thumb|An [[Christmas cupboard|entrance]] to the [[Land of Snow]].]]
In [[Draynor Village|Draynor]], [[Falador]], and [[Varrock]], mysterious [[Christmas cupboard]]s could be found, with a [[partygoer]] cheering next to each one. The partygoers reveal to players that the cupboards are entrances to the [[Land of Snow]], where the [[Queen of Snow]], [[Santa Claus]]'s wife, is throwing a [[Christmas]] party and feast for all citizens of [[Gielinor|RuneScape]]. Upon entering through a Christmas cupboard, however, players find all the partygoers inside quite upset. They reveal to the player that a [[dark wizard]] who hates Christmas stole all the food for the feast, and kidnapped Santa Claus. The player meets up with a [[snow imp]] as a companion, who suggests the player talk to the Queen of Snow. When spoken to, the queen asks that the player rescue her husband and save Christmas.

When the player and the snow imp arrive at the house of [[Ebenezer Scourge]], the dark wizard, they find Santa locked in a cage, and try to persuade Scourge to let him free. Scourge refuses, and reinforces his hatred of Christmas. The player's snow imp suggests that they try to scare Scourge into giving Christmas back. After looking around Scourge's house, the player finds some [[bedsheets]] and some [[chains]], which he or she [[Crafting|crafts]] into a [[Christmas ghost costume|ghost costume]].

The snow imp tells the player that information about Scourge's past is needed before they go on to scare him. The player talks to the Queen of Snow again, who reveals to the player that, in the past, she and Scourge were in love, but she eventually left him for Santa Claus because Scourge had become evil. The player, disguised as a ghost, confronts Scourge and tells him about his evil deeds of the past, and his relationship with the queen. Scourge is not fooled, and retaliates by trapping all of the partygoers in the Land of Snow in a [[bind]].

[[File:Scourge's house.png|thumb|left|The front of [[Ebenezer Scourge]]'s house, where [[Santa Claus|Santa]] had been kidnapped.]]
The player goes back down to the feast, and finds all the partygoers frozen within small, magical, glowing [[fire]]s. The player learns that in order to free the partygoers, he or she must pour [[Bucket of icy water|icy water]] on them in the reverse order in which Scourge [[Curses|cursed]] them. After freeing the guests, the player returns to Scourge, still disguised as a ghost. The player tells Scourge about how he has ruined someone's Christmas, and decides to bring the young partygoer [[Tiny Thom]] to Scourge. After the player's snow imp summons Thom to the house, Thom complains to Scourge about how he lost all his food and presents. Scourge becomes even more resentful towards the player, saying that Thom's brattiness only supports his cause. This leaves the player no choice but to leave Scourge again.

[[File:Dramatic Point.gif|frame|The [[Dramatic Point]] emote.]]
After talking with the player, the snow imp comes up with one more idea: since Scourge is uninterested in the past or the present, he must be concerned with his future. The player, still dressed like a ghost, goes back up to Scourge's bedroom, and, not talking, [[Dramatic Point|dramatically points]] to a [[gravestone]] (conjured by the snow imp) that has Scourge's name on it. Fearing for his life, Scourge agrees to free Santa Claus and give back the food, and claims to now be a changed man.

The player returns to the feast to find everything back to normal, with Santa, the food, and the presents back. Santa, grateful that the player and his snow imp helped free him, rewards the imp with a scarf and the player with a very large candy cane. Ebenezer Scourge can be found enjoying the feast as well, saying that he is redeemed, and that he wishes the player a Merry Christmas.

==Rewards==
[[File:Christmaswarbledone.png|center|"A Christmas Warble" completion scroll.]]
The following were [[Holiday rewards|rewarded]] to the player upon completion of the event:
*The '''[[candy cane]]''', which can be thrown into the air and spun as an [[emote]]. [[#Glitch|A glitch]] related to this item was fixed after the Christmas event.
*The '''[[Christmas ghost costume]]''', which includes a [[Christmas ghost hood|hood]], a [[Christmas ghost top|top]], and [[Christmas ghost bottoms|bottoms]].
*The '''[[Dramatic Point]]''' emote, which was the emote the player used when pointing to Scourge's gravestone. If not already unlocked, the emotes [[Freeze and Melt]] and [[Snowman Dance]] were also unlocked. The [[Trick]] emote, however, which was also used to scare Scourge, was not unlocked by players who didn't complete a [[Hallowe'en]] event.{{CiteForum|author=Mod Edam|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5me2uStcg|title=A Christmas Warble|forum=Recent Updates|postdate=22 December 2009|name=faq|date=00:27, December 3, 2010 (UTC)}}

==Music==
{{Listen
| title = Christmas Event Complete!
| desc = Plays after this event is completed.
| format = ogg
| filename = Christmas_quest.ogg
}}

Three [[music]] tracks were unlocked during this event. Players that did not participate in the event had these tracks automatically unlocked after the event ended.
* "[[Silent Knight]]"
* "[[Ghost of Christmas Presents]]"
* "[[Smorgasbord]]"

These music tracks, along with every other music track released in 2009, were included in the 2009 [[RuneScape Awards]] poll (see [[#RuneScape Awards|below]]).

==History==
===Development===
[[File:Xmas09-gateway.jpg|thumb|Concept art of the event.]]

The 2009 Christmas event was developed mainly in September and October of [[2009]]{{CiteForum|author=Mod Edam|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5m0xzjCUN|title=Dev Blog: A Christmas Warble|forum=Future Updates|postdate=14 December 2009|date=17:34, December 18, 2011 (UTC)}} and was the first project developed by [[Jagex Moderator|Mod]] Edam.{{CiteDevBlog|author=Mod Edam|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5mAkjX46p|title=Holiday Event: A Christmas Warble|blogdate=11 December 2009|date=17:34, December 18, 2011 (UTC)|name=blog}}

Mod Edam based the story of the event on ''[[wikipedia:A Christmas Carol|A Christmas Carol]]'', a traditional Christmas novel written by Charles Dickens.

{{cquote2|I decided to use a traditional story as the basis of my event, but to change the [[wikipedia:Narrative mode|perspective]] and give it a twist. Hopefully, a bit of humour and a fresh perspective could give the story a bit of a kick, yet still let me tap into that traditional atmosphere I have a hankering for.|[[Jagex Moderator|Mod]] Edam|"[[Update:Blog - Holiday Event: A Christmas Warble|Holiday Event: A Christmas Warble]]"{{NamedRef|blog}}}}

[[File:Christmas ghost set.png|thumb|100px|The [[Christmas ghost costume]].]]
The [[Christmas ghost costume]], a reward for the event, was not given an alternate form for female players, like the [[Santa costume|Santa]] and [[witch costume]]s. This was because that in the original novel ''A Christmas Carol'', the [[wikipedia:Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come|Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come]], which the Christmas ghost costume is based on, had no actual gender, and the developers believed that if the costume had one, it would have been less scary.{{CiteForum|author=Mod Mark H|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5mGgBM94l|title=Ghost outfit - for guys ONLY|forum=Recent Updates|postdate=22 December 2009|date=17:34, December 18, 2011 (UTC)}}

[[File:Candy cane detail.png|90px|left|A [[candy cane]].]]
The [[candy cane]], another reward for the 2009 Christmas event, was previously considered as an option for a reward for the [[2008 Christmas event]]. In one of Jagex's Guaranteed Content [[Polls]], the candy cane lost to the [[Santa costume|Santa suit]], and the candy cane was instead made the reward for the 2009 Christmas event.{{CiteNews|author=Jagex|title=Christmas Poll Results|newsdate=31 July 2008|url=http://news.runescape.com/newsitem.ws?id=1323|date=17:34, December 18, 2011 (UTC)}}

Mod Edam wanted the rewards of the event to be so that they would not give any player any notable advantage over another, but would still be fun.

{{cquote2|To an extent, I think us developers (and players) have to accept that holiday items won’t ever be the most-used items in the game, but that doesn’t mean they should be written-off as useless. For me, a good holiday item is one which looks cool and is a bit of fun. More importantly, it should have a distinctive look that’s true to the event it came from. What better way is there to nostalgically say "I was there at Christmas 2009" than by wearing a piece of it?|Mod Edam|"Holiday Event: A Christmas Warble"{{NamedRef|blog}}}}

[[File:Wardrobe.gif|frame|[[Particles]], a graphical feature introduced during the event, in a [[Christmas Cupboard]].]]
For the event, [[Jagex]] introduced a new [[Particles|particle system]] in ''RuneScape'' that included a more realistic look of snow. This was the first appearance of particles in ''RuneScape''.{{CiteDevBlog|author=Mod Woody|url=http://services.runescape.com/m=devblog/view_post.ws?post_id=76|title=Animation Update: Particles|blogdate=18 December 2009|date=00:27, December 3, 2010 (UTC)}}

===Announcement===
The 2009 Christmas event was first announced in the news item "[[Update:Christmas Cards and Blog|Christmas Cards and Blog]]."{{CiteGeneral|author=Jagex|url=http://www.facebook.com/notes/runescape/christmas-cards-and-blog/253296787587|title="Christmas Cards and Blog"|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=01:53, May 2, 2011 (UTC)|date=11 December 2009|name=cardsnews}} It linked to a [[Developers' Blogs|developer blog]] written by [[Jagex Moderator|Mod]] Edam. In the developer blog, titled "[[Update:Blog - Holiday Event: A Christmas Warble|Holiday Event: A Christmas Warble]]," Mod Edam gave a few details about what the event would be like.

[[File:Warble save.png|thumb|left|A Christmas card depicting [[Santa Claus]], [[Ebenezer Scourge|an old man]], and [[Tiny Thom|a young boy]].]]
Mod Edam said that new [[Non-player character|characters]] would be released with the event, but [[Jack Frost]] and [[snow imp]]s, characters seen in the [[2008 Christmas event]], would have small [[Wikipedia:Cameo|cameos]].{{NamedRef|blog}} [[Santa Claus]]'s appearance was confirmed by [[Update:Christmas Cards and Blog|Jagex Christmas cards]] that represented the event. Mod Edam confirmed in the blog that the plot would be based on a traditional Christmas story, but he did not say what.{{NamedRef|blog}} Upon the event's release, this was confirmed to be ''[[wikipedia:A Christmas Carol|A Christmas Carol]]'' by Charles Dickens.

===Release===
"A Christmas Warble" was released on [[21 December]] [[2009]] with the news item "[[Update:A Christmas Warble (Christmas 2009)|A Christmas Warble (Christmas 2009)]]."{{CiteForum|author=Mod Edam|title=A Christmas Warble|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5oDM5VbIA|postdate=21 December 2009|forum=News & Announcements|date=00:27, December 3, 2010 (UTC)}} A list of [[wikipedia:FAQ|frequently asked questions]] about the event (answered by [[Jagex Moderator|Mod]] Edam) was posted on the [[RuneScape Forums|forums]] the next day.{{NamedRef|faq}}

The [[2006 Christmas event|2006]], [[2007 Christmas event|2007]], and [[2008 Christmas event]]s were all released on either the [[16 December|16th]] or the [[18 December|18th of December]], but the 2009 Christmas event was released on the 21st. The 2009 Christmas event had been released at a later point in the year than any Christmas event [[2004 Christmas event|since 2004]].

This was the first Christmas event [[2007 Christmas event|since 2007]] in which players could collect [[snowballs]] from snow piles in the [[Land of Snow]] without using a [[snow globe]]. Although these snowballs could be taken out of the Land of Snow and lasted a week later than the Christmas event, they, unlike snowballs from a snow globe, would eventually melt. The snowballs that could be collected in the Land of Snow melted on [[19 January]] 2010. Mod Tim stated that the reason it took so much longer after the Christmas event for the snowballs to melt was "because of the recent snow [they had] been having".{{CiteNews|author=Mod Tim|url=http://services.runescape.com/m=news/newsitem.ws?id=2566|title=Barbarian Assault Improvements|newsdate=19 January 2009|date=02:38, December 3, 2010 (UTC)}}

[[File:'09 Christmas Feast old.png|thumb|right|The [[Queen of Snow]]'s Christmas feast of [[mulled wine]], [[Yule log]]s, [[roast potatoes]], and [[turkey drumstick]]s.]]
Upon completion of the event, [[NPC]]s invited players to take [[food]] and [[drinks]] from the feast table. The food, which was available nowhere else in ''RuneScape'', consisted of [[mulled wine]], [[Yule log]]s, [[roast potatoes]], and [[turkey drumstick]]s, each of which being able to restore ten [[Constitution|life points]]. (Another item, called a [[cooked turkey drumstick]], was once available during the [[2008 Thanksgiving event]]; however, there are differences between that and the turkey drumsticks available during the 2009 Christmas event.) The food was only able to exist in the Land of Snow, and it would disappear if a player attempted to take it out. With the removal of 2009's Land of Snow, the food became no longer available.{{CiteGeneral|url=http://www.webcitation.org/63IrI3nZQ|title=Christmas 2009 Event Guide|sectitle=Rewards|date=04:48, December 7, 2011 (UTC)}}

The event ended three weeks later on [[11 January]] [[2010]], with the news post "[[Update:Nomad's Requiem|Nomad's Requiem]]."{{CiteNews|author=Mod Rathe|url=http://services.runescape.com/m=news/newsitem.ws?id=2544|title=Nomad's Requiem|newsdate=11 January 2010|date=00:27, December 3, 2010 (UTC)}}

====Glitch====
[[File:Candy cane spin glitch.gif|frame|right|A player spinning a [[scythe]] as part of a popular glitch.]]
It was discovered that if a player spun his or her [[candy cane]] and then quickly switched to another weapon, the other weapon would spin in the air instead. In response to comments from players, [[Jagex Moderator|Mod]] Edam confirmed that it was an unintended [[glitch]] in the game. Some players insisted that Mod Edam leave the glitch in; however, Mod Edam said that the glitch would be fixed anyway, as it could have potentially created other graphical errors.{{NamedRef|faq}} The glitch was removed on [[11 January]] [[2010]], the same day as the end of the Christmas event.{{CiteForum|author=Mod Srowley|title=Patch Notes - Archive|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5p3fTkzhi|forum=News & Announcements|postdate=11 January 2010|date=00:27, December 3, 2010 (UTC)}}

==Reception==
===Criticism===
One part of the event required the player to unequip his or her [[equipment]]. As this included [[members object]]s such as the [[Cape of Accomplishment]], heavy criticism came from ex-[[members]], who are unable to reequip members objects after they are unequipped. Despite overwhelmingly negative feedback, Mod Edam announced that the problem was unintended, but would not be changed.

{{cquote2|We didn’t realise that this would affect ex members – but we won’t be changing it. We don’t want to discourage players from partaking in the event – but ultimately it is their choice. Keeping your P2P items on your F2P is a restrictive game play choice. Further if we were to make this change now it would be unfair on people who have removed their cape to allow them to complete the event.|Mod Edam|FAQ – A Christmas Warble{{NamedRef|faq}}}}

===RuneScape Awards===
[[File:Reindeer.png|thumb|right|[[Santa Claus|Santa's]] reindeer in the [[Land of Snow]].]]
On the day of the end of the Christmas event, the [[2009]] [[RuneScape Awards]] [[poll]] reported that eleven percent of players (the highest percentage) thought that "A Christmas Warble" included the best [[graphics]] of 2009. In another poll, ten percent—the second-highest percentage—thought that the event's [[Holiday rewards|rewards]], the [[Christmas ghost costume]] and the [[candy cane]], were the best new [[items]] of 2009. In a poll rankng the music tracks released with the event, six percent, in third place, thought that "[[Silent Knight]]" was the best new [[music]] track of 2009, five percent thought that "[[Ghost of Christmas Presents]]" was, and another five percent thought that "[[Smorgasbord]]" was.{{CitePoll|url=http://services.runescape.com/m=poll/results.ws?id=370|poll=The 2009 RuneScape Awards!|question=no|polldate=11 January 2010|date=01:53, May 2, 2011 (UTC)}}

==See also==
*[[Candy cane]]
*[[Christmas ghost costume]]
*[[Dramatic Point]]
*[[Ebenezer Scourge]]
*[[Tiny Thom]]
*[[Update:Christmas Cards and Blog]]
*[[Update:A Christmas Warble (Christmas 2009)]]
*[[Update:Blog - Holiday Event: A Christmas Warble]]
*[[Update:Blog - Animation Update: Particles]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://services.runescape.com/m=rswiki/en/Christmas_2009_Event_Guide Christmas 2009 Event Guide] on [[RuneScape Wiki (Jagex)|Jagex's RuneScape Wiki]]
*[http://www.webcitation.org/5me2uStcg FAQ – A Christmas Warble] from the ''Recent Updates'' Forum

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