Every year since Christmas 2002 I have set up a Christmas Village, the first year at home, the next at the now defunct local game store, and the third at the place where I run Mordheim.

It started when I built a Christmas village, and looked at it lying serene and quiet on its bed of fake snow. I knew that I had to attack it with a horde of orcs! And so on December 26th the orcs attacked...

For three years the orcs have taken it in the teeth, with the first year being the worst - their giant took his first turn of the game by yelling 'Hi Santa!' and waving. A quick negotiation, a promise that he could place the star on the Christmas Ent, and he swiched sides.

This year I decided that after three years even orcs would give it up as a lost cause, though last year they were able to claim a moral victory, while they were unable to slay the hated jolly old elf they were able to set fire to his workshop (the manor from CWC).

This year Father Christmas is facing a raid by Cap'n Skelly Bonez and his osseus crew, arr!

The Dire Maiden (also known as The Maiden of the High Seas) is getting a new mainmast, with a sail decorated with a rub on tatoo that seemed appropriate, and she will sail up Christmas River to the North Pole, her hull not even cracking the ice as she passes silently over the frozen waters...

So, what ideas to people have for this year's event?

On Santa's side we have Hollybrow the Treant, MacDivott the Hill Giant, the Winter Wizard, Sophie the Succubus (from Reaper... how could I say no to a succubi building a snowman?), and assorted elfs, dwarfs, and reindeer. Santa is an old Ral Partha Druid - plump, bearded, and garlanded with holly, the treant is a custom made mini, and both the Winter Wizard and the giant are also by Reaper. I will either use Castle Works Ultimate to make Santa a new workshop or use the manor from the original again, depending on how much time I have to build stuff.

For Skelly Bonez and his crew I am using the Maiden, and a bunch of undead pirates from Reaper, including a rather nasty looking figurehead... Rather than a kill 'n' burn mission this year I am aiming at a grab 'n' burn mission, with the pirates after as many toys as they can grab. (To make up for all the coal they got in their lives.)

Yes, it is silly.

The Auld Grump

My wife suggests using grappling hooks (the ones for boarding other ships) to pull the Treant down, dorag him aboard, and hang him upside down; just like the .

Actually, I guess it's . According to about.com: "Hanging fir trees upside down goes back to the Middle Ages, when Europeans did it to represent the Trinity."

Ok, ok. I know I should improve my vocabulary, but that was a difficult one! If you mean the three Wise Men from the Bible, yes, of course they're the origin of the legend of the 'Three Magical Kings'.

The Bible tells very little about them though, and most of the legend was invented later.

In example, their names; Melcior, Casper and Balthasar, aren't mentioned in the Bible. Also, the legend of Balthasar, the black king is dated in the Reinassance. A monk (whose name I can't remember) described the Kings for the first time and related them with the three continents. Melcior with Europe, Casper with Asia, and Balthasar with Africa.