The Toymaker's Tales: Dawn of the first Christmas RPG

Genre/Tone

A fantastical and heartwarming tale with hints of mystery, set in a bleak yet magical winter landscape.

Time Period

An undefined, ancient time period inspired by pre-industrial northern Europe, before the advent of modern holidays.

Key Factions/Groups

- The Toymaker and His Helpers: A small group of loyal apprentices who craft toys imbued with subtle magic. - The Winter Wraiths: Shadowy beings who thrive on despair and seek to maintain the season's gloom. - The Village Elders: Skeptical leaders wary of The Toymaker's intentions, fearing change and magic. - The Forgotten Guardians: Mystical forest spirits who are indifferent to humans but protective of the balance.

Major Conflicts

- The Toymaker struggles against the Winter Wraiths, whose presence grows stronger with each passing night. - The villages are divided, as some embrace the Toymaker’s mission while others resist his strange magic and ideas. - A powerful Guardian awakens to stop what it perceives as humanity's interference with natural cycles of the season.

Note

In this setting Santa Claus is still a young man and known as 'The Toymaker'. There is not yet such thing as Christmas.

Setting

The world is a frozen landscape of dense forests, snow-covered plains, and small, isolated villages that struggle to survive the long winters. Magic is subtle and rare, woven into the fabric of nature and craftsmanship.

Primary Locations

- Snowveil Village: A secluded settlement where the harsh winter makes life a constant struggle, but its people hold tight to their traditions. - The Whispering Woods: A mysterious forest teeming with ancient secrets and inhabited by elusive, magical creatures. - The Frostforge Workshop: A hidden workshop where toys are created, blending art and enchantment to bring light to dark times. - The Emerald Shard: A remote, glowing glacier tied to the strange green shimmer in the sky, rumored to be a source of ancient power.

Cultural Notes

- Winter is seen as a time of survival, but also of storytelling and sharing warmth. - Crafted items, particularly those made with great care, are believed to hold a part of the maker’s soul. - Many villages conduct small, somber ceremonies to appease the Winter Wraiths, leaving offerings to prevent misfortune.

Social Dynamics

Communities are tight-knit but wary of outsiders, often seeing them as harbingers of misfortune. Tradition and superstition clash with those who seek to change or challenge the old ways, creating tension.