The Cracking of the Icestar - a Project 1999 Event!

[Medris]

“They say the snow speaks, if you know how to listen. But lately... it’s gone quiet.”
— Watcher Aenwen, Plane of Snowdrift

Norrathians,

As the solstice draws near, old winds stir again!

Snowdrift Elves have long been known to return each winter season, bringing cheer, unity, and strange gifts wrapped in magic. But this year, something feels different. Strange snowflakes are being found where snow should not fall. Ancient songs are missing their final verses. And those who look to the night sky claim to see… a fracture among the stars.

Could the source of the Snowdrift Elves’ power — the Icestar itself — be fading?

Some believe this is merely superstition. Others say the Elves will return as they always have. But those who pay close attention can feel it: the cold has changed.

You may want to prepare yourselves — not just for merriment, but for mystery.

What to Expect:

The return of the Snowdrift Elves, with their seasonal celebration and generous spirit.

A new, lore-filled questline where players learn more about the Snowdrift Elves and strange artifacts that hint at a deeper truth, all in hopes of helping to restore the Icestar. Any character who completes this series will be entered into a raffle for one of three temporary titles per server! Seek out the elves' scholar for more information!

Themed side quests and other fun around Norrath!

Even in their time of need, the elves have once again been at work spreading cheer throughout Norrath. Holiday gifts have once again been hidden amongst non-trivial mobs, enabling players to share or open these magical gifts found across Norrath. But remember - the best gifts are those shared with others! Additionally, characters who have given away 10 more gifts to others than they have opened on their own will be entered for a chance at an additional temporary title per server.


The snow begins to fall today, and will continue through late in the evening January 4th!

“When stars forget their light, who shall remember the cheer?”

Happy Holidays!
The Project 1999 Staff

[CrazyPro]

but wuta bout my ecks-pee bonush?!!!

[Reiwa]

Dying Earth is a subgenre of science fiction which takes place at either the end of life on Earth or the end of time, when the laws of the universe themselves fail.

It's getting chiliastic in here! :D

[Itemhawk]

Thanks Rogean and staff.

https://i.imgur.com/SNmyuiH.png

[Ekco]

Scholar Darnath in EC by Shady


You say, 'Hail, Scholar Darnath'
Scholar Darnath says, 'Ah… another curious one. Good. You may be just what the Icestar needs. The Snowdrift Elves speak of a forgotten book — one older than their own songs. A ledger kept by the Icestar itself, tracking both good and evil deeds. It lives not as a physical book, but instead as a sort of magical recording. But the Icestar [cracked] somehow, and with it, the memory of how to access the Ledger was also lost. But I do have some good news. The preamble to the Ledger of Virtues and Wrongs is a written instruction book of sorts, containing the history and memories of the Icestar. If we can piece the preamble back together, we should be able to repair the Icestar and access the ledger once again.'

You say, 'what cracked'
Scholar Darnath says, 'Unfortunately, the cracking of the Icestar created very powerful rifts within our worlds, and with it, the preamble’s pages now drift across Norrath, caught in frost, memory… and silence. I could use your [help] in finding them.'

You say, 'i will help'
Scholar Darnath says, 'Restoring the preamble, the 'Whispers of the Icestar', will restore the Icestar enough, allowing for the memories of the ledger to be accessed once again and the Icestar to be repaired fully. If you're bold enough to [seek] them, make haste to sew them together and recreate the tome.'

You say, 'i will seek them'
Scholar Darnath says, 'Six chapters must be found to complete the record. Each is protected by frost and time - and by stories waiting to be told again. Snowdrift Elves are out searching this very moment for them. Find them and sew the binding in the chapters in a sewing kit to complete the tome. Bring the full tome back to me when it is complete and if the Icestar still listens… perhaps it will speak once more. Until then, the memories contained within will continue to fade. Even now, memories and deeds are forgotten.'

[RPGrandPa]

so, no xp bonus for Christmas then /sad face

[Goregasmic]

so, no xp bonus for Christmas then /sad face

We just had a nearly 2 weeks thanksgiving bonus though so I kinda anticipated the xmas bonus would probably be less generous.

[Braldar]

so, no xp bonus for Christmas then /sad face

According to Medris on Reddit: "An exp bonus has not been announced as of right now". I'm hoping the "as of right now" means one is possibly coming.

[flaris]

A "Dew of First Light" just dropped from a willowisp in WK (no drop, lore) — anyone know if it's related to the holiday quests?

[Mortdecai99]

A "Dew of First Light" just dropped from a willowisp in WK (no drop, lore) — anyone know if it's related to the holiday quests?

Frosti Bramblebrew is standing outside the tunnel in Dreadlands on the west side.
[Mon Dec 22 14:01:57 2025] You say, 'Hail, Frosti Bramblebrew'
[Mon Dec 22 14:01:57 2025] Frosti Bramblebrew says, 'Ah! You don't have the look of a snow-skulker. No, you've got warm fingers and colder feet — just the sort I need! See, I'm working on a new recipe — gloves that warm the hands and the heart. Meant to honor a tradition nearly lost — one the Elves used to call the [Emberfold Exchange].'
[Mon Dec 22 14:02:06 2025] You say, 'What emberfold Exchange'
[Mon Dec 22 14:02:07 2025] Frosti Bramblebrew says, 'A ritual from when flame and frost weren't enemies. Long before the wars, when warmth was a gift, not a weapon. Each year, an Elf would craft a pair of enchanted mittens, made from both frost-hide and emberberries. One was kept; the other, given to someone in need — even an enemy. The Icestar loved that. It glowed brightest when kindness crossed the coldest lines. Now… I just need the [ingredients].'
[Mon Dec 22 14:02:16 2025] You say, 'What ingredients'
[Mon Dec 22 14:02:16 2025] Frosti Bramblebrew says, 'Frostbitten Hide, from frozen mammoths, Emberberry Cluster, found in the lair of fire dragons, and the Dew of First Light, dropped by wisps of magical energy.'
[Mon Dec 22 14:02:45 2025] Frosti Bramblebrew wipes berry juice from his sleeve and shrugs.

[Kich867]

Frosti Bramblebrew is standing outside the tunnel in Dreadlands on the west side.

It's pretty obvious but, confirmed the Emberberry Cluster's drop off goblins in Sol A.

[Mortdecai99]

Quartermaster Nellian is found at the gypsy camp in North Karana.


[Mon Dec 22 14:26:24 2025] You say, 'Hail, Quartermaster Nellian'
[Mon Dec 22 14:26:25 2025] Quartermaster Nellian says, 'I've run supplies for more Snowdrift feasts than I can count, but this year's shaping up poorly. Wolves raided the wagon on the way down from Velious, and the berries froze into stone. If we're going to have anything decent for the Icestar's Eve, I need [help].'
[Mon Dec 22 14:26:38 2025] You say, 'Hail, Quartermaster Nellian'
[Mon Dec 22 14:26:38 2025] Quartermaster Nellian says, 'I've run supplies for more Snowdrift feasts than I can count, but this year's shaping up poorly. Wolves raided the wagon on the way down from Velious, and the berries froze into stone. If we're going to have anything decent for the Icestar's Eve, I need [help].'
[Mon Dec 22 14:26:40 2025] Quartermaster Nellian says, 'Just the basics, nothing fancy. If you can bring me the following, I can finish the first round of meals. Mammoth Meat, Snow Bunny Stew, and Chilled Berries. Sounds awful I know, but wait until you try it. I'll trade you something cheerful for your trouble. Might even let you have a bite yourself.'

[Blancah]

I've added what I can to the wiki so far based off of this post and some background. Please add to the wiki or add content here to try and collect more event information.

https://wiki.project1999.com/The_Cracking_of_the_Icestar

[Mortdecai99]

I've added what I can to the wiki so far based off of this post and some background. Please add to the wiki or add content here to try and collect more event information.

https://wiki.project1999.com/The_Cracking_of_the_Icestar

I can't edit the wiki, it wont let me make an account, but here's the end of the emberfold exchange:

hides drop off of any mammoth in everfrost

[Mon Dec 22 15:38:30 2025] Frosti Bramblebrew stirs the pot, then pulls free a pair of soft, glowing mittens. A single page shimmers inside one of them, he says, 'Oho! You've done it. Even got the dew just right --” not too sparkly, not too shy. What's this? Hiding where it's warmest. Clever page. Go on then -- back to the preamble with you!'
[Mon Dec 22 15:39:38 2025] Frosti Bramblebrew claps his mittens together, exclaiming 'Still warm! That's a good sign.'


I received Chapter IV, Of Flame and Frost and a Holiday Gift

https://i.imgur.com/f3r4RnA.png
https://i.imgur.com/6lKOioR.png
https://i.imgur.com/DXL6Huj.png
https://i.imgur.com/gD9PQv6.png

[Blancah]

Thanks! I got it added. If you have any screenshots of the drops/rewards, those are useful to include as well.

[Mortdecai99]

Wiki says you receive Chapter IV, Of Frost and Flame, but it's supposed to be Flame and Frost

I updated my OP with some more information

[Mortdecai99]

Dreamspeaker Lyssiara is found at -4148, -2488 in Eastern Wastes


[Mon Dec 22 17:56:25 2025] You say, 'Hail, Dreamspeaker Lyssiara'
[Mon Dec 22 17:56:25 2025] Dreamspeaker Lyssiara says, 'There is a dream older than this world. A dream that made the Icestar. It was Aurilias' --” and though she never spoke it, it still waits to be heard. If you would see it, you must find the right [offering]. Not for her hands --¦ but for her memory'
[Mon Dec 22 17:56:31 2025] Dreamspeaker Lyssiara says, 'Three echoes must be offered --” remnants of moments that almost never were. The dream remembers these --¦ First: A string of beads made from ice, worn by those who never knew warmth. You'll find them in frost-bitten mountains, clutching their treasures with frozen fingers. Second: Skin still hot to the touch. It rests in the ash of creatures who once burned, in the home of goblins that dwell in heat. Third: A gift untouched by hands. It falls like snow, yet is not of this world. Some find them by chance this very season --” tucked within the wind's generosity.'

[Mortdecai99]

Struggling to find chilled berries if anyone has seen them and can point me in the right direction

[Vadore]

What happens if a character already has a Zombie Flesh Bracer when they complete the quest?

[Foxplay]

Finished it today, INT reward is good. WIS reward is an absolute joke (probably needs changed), Melee reward is okish

[Zodast]

Struggling to find chilled berries if anyone has seen them and can point me in the right direction

I am getting them to drop off of drolvargs in DL

[Foxplay]

To staff I liked the quest The resonance stones part was really neat I really liked that part

I suggest you be very careful in the future when considering the placement of all turn-in NPC's not everyone has certain factions making one particular turn in very difficult especially for players without help or know how to deal with a turn-in in the middle of a bunch of high level KOS mobs

[Wakanda]

I actually prefer the no exp bonus, it usually just means min maxxers logging on their twinks to hog all the camps they normally can't be bothered with :p

[Mortdecai99]

Finished it today, INT reward is good. WIS reward is an absolute joke (probably needs changed), Melee reward is okish

where did you get the chilled berries? and what were the final rewards?

[Staffman]

Finished it today, INT reward is good. WIS reward is an absolute joke (probably needs changed), Melee reward is okish

What were the actual rewards?

[Viscere]

thank you a 1000 times for keeping our servers alive!

[Hannibal]

This quest is AWESOME, thank you! The rewards are pretty solid too!

This is the kind of content/adventure I really enjoy. I agree with another poster that exp usually just means "more people doing the exact same camps". Forcing everyone to run all over is a bit more interesting.

THANK YOU!!!!!

[Mortdecai99]

What were the actual rewards?

zombie flesh bracer
or
paebala fetish
or
cloak of confusion

[Goregasmic]

zombie flesh bracer
or
paebala fetish
or
cloak of confusion

From which quest, the book pages or the food related one? Not sure I'm following how they work together if they do.

[Kich867]

What level could a character reasonably complete the quests?

[Ekco]

Quartermaster Nellian says, 'Oh! That's real mammoth, not that cavebeast knockoff. And these berries… still cold, not mushy. You're a miracle worker. If we serve this to the camp, they might stop singing 'Greensong Gravy' every ten minutes! Here. The warmth isn't just for us — it’s for anyone who helps make the night brighter. Be sure to consume it before the end of the festival!'


Aurillias' Winter Droth hearty meal no stats and Holiday Gift

[Mortdecai99]

From which quest, the book pages or the food related one? Not sure I'm following how they work together if they do.

for getting all the chapters

[mcg3]

Could we get Forgotten Page 3 added to A Zombie Maid, A Skeleton Sleeper, A Shadowbeast Cook, A Shadowbeast Servant, A Zombie Butler in TOFS floor 3?

We think it's currently only dropping from an Armored Shadow and is creating a huge bottle neck for the rest of the quest, and I'm not sure its intentional

[charleski]

Could we get Forgotten Page 3 added to A Zombie Maid, A Skeleton Sleeper, A Shadowbeast Cook, A Shadowbeast Servant, A Zombie Butler in TOFS floor 3?

We think it's currently only dropping from an Armored Shadow and is creating a huge bottle neck for the rest of the quest, and I'm not sure its intentional

Yes. The spawns on floor 3 appear to be broken. Skeletons there are dropping page 1 every time, but never page 3.
As a result (along with the 20min spawn timer), every single room is camped, and there's a list for rooms with armour mobs.

[Jimjam]

Frosti Bramblebrew is standing outside the tunnel in Dreadlands on the west side.

Frostbitten hide is an Everfrost drop. IDK if it drops in Velious too.

[kiradess]

The three quest rewards, are you able to choose which you receive ala bracer of benevolence (give back to quest giver for another reward), or, is it determined by class (like the Halloween event rewards)? I ask because that cloak is kind of non-raid BiS for enchanters and it's really the only reward I'm interested in.

[te6tfa]

I can not see "Thurgadin Resonance Crystal", is it a spawn on the ground?

[te6tfa]

I can not see "Thurgadin Resonance Crystal", is it a spawn on the ground?
Nah, only need to say the sentence

[Ekco]

Could we get Forgotten Page 3 added to A Zombie Maid, A Skeleton Sleeper, A Shadowbeast Cook, A Shadowbeast Servant, A Zombie Butler in TOFS floor 3?

We think it's currently only dropping from an Armored Shadow and is creating a huge bottle neck for the rest of the quest, and I'm not sure its intentional

Yes. The spawns on floor 3 appear to be broken. Skeletons there are dropping page 1 every time, but never page 3.
As a result (along with the 20min spawn timer), every single room is camped, and there's a list for rooms with armour mobs.

+1 to this, i've been on floor 3 longer than the other 5 chapters and forgotten page 1 & 2 combined.

[ravax]

Thank you for a nice Christmas fun!

[Ceri]

You guys are awesome! I can't wait to start this once my in-laws leave town on Sunday. :)

[Infectious]

Best gm and guides, thanks a ton to you guys for your hard work and time. Happy holidays

[Mortdecai99]

are you able to choose which you receive ala bracer of benevolence (give back to quest giver for another reward)?

Yes

[Lishrac]

This quest is AWESOME, thank you! The rewards are pretty solid too!

This is the kind of content/adventure I really enjoy. I agree with another poster that exp usually just means "more people doing the exact same camps". Forcing everyone to run all over is a bit more interesting.

THANK YOU!!!!!

To those happy no xp bonus...I'd rather have the xp bonus. I didn't get very much time off to enjoy the Thanksgiving bonus and was looking forward to being off at Christmas where we normally get a good bump. Back to the shadows to wait for July I guess.

[Goregasmic]

To those happy no xp bonus...I'd rather have the xp bonus. I didn't get very much time off to enjoy the Thanksgiving bonus and was looking forward to being off at Christmas where we normally get a good bump. Back to the shadows to wait for July I guess.

I had a lot of free time during thanksgiving bonus but barely any time to touch the game during xmas. Can't please everybody. For a server this old though new content is always welcome. Still going to try to squeeze in some time to do the main quest depending on how bottlenecked TOFS is.

[Kich867]

Is there a minimum level req here? Can I help my friend get the quests for his 35 monk?

[Ciderpress]

To those happy no xp bonus...I'd rather have the xp bonus. I didn't get very much time off to enjoy the Thanksgiving bonus and was looking forward to being off at Christmas where we normally get a good bump. Back to the shadows to wait for July I guess.

Ya know you can still just play the game at normal xp rates, I'm doing it right now it's possible.

That being said I'm also kinda bummed, the bonuses have been pretty consistently on major holidays and people understandably plan around that. The quest is cool but everyone is having an orgy in tofs right now and complaining about how crowded it is. An xp bonus would actually do some work to spread people around because there'd be a competing incentive to go level and still do the quest if that's your priority.

Just my 2 cents I know we are the beggars here not the choosers.

[Fingurs]

Just making sure:

Chapter 3 - Tower of Frozen Shadow
-- This appears to ONLY drop off of armorers. Whereas every other item is 100% reliable/decent drop, this is a huge bottleneck, as there only seems to be 3 or 4 armorer spawns on level 3. The dogs/other mobs all don't seem to drop page 3 at all.

If someone, with proof, has gotten it to drop, please post, otherwise the dozens of people I've spoken with have only seen it on armorer.

If this is intended, please excuse, but if not -- just fyi.

[Teddie1056]

Can we confirm this? Anyone else tried handing in the reward item?

[rockstar3]

Is there a minimum level req here? Can I help my friend get the quests for his 35 monk?

Apparently there's a lower tier of rewards by level, or maybe multiple. Cutoff might be 46 for the highest rewards, but not totally confirmed.

[Fingurs]

Guildy did it at 35. I would strongly suspect its for all levels. With different tiers of rewards.

(All of which are absolutely fantastic.)

[kiradess]

Guildy did it at 35. I would strongly suspect its for all levels. With different tiers of rewards.

(All of which are absolutely fantastic.)

Can we get some information on these? From what I've heard, for below 46 it's supple scale armband (junk), which can be handed back in for matchless dragonwing? or whatever mantle, the 65 hp/mana one. I'm sure there is at least one more reward for that tier though.

[Fingurs]

Can we get some information on these? From what I've heard, for below 46 it's supple scale armband (junk), which can be handed back in for matchless dragonwing? or whatever mantle, the 65 hp/mana one. I'm sure there is at least one more reward for that tier though.

The GMs/Staff will never release the information, since thats part of the alure.

I am sure as time passes, other people will post on wiki or here. Go forth and conquer :)

[Xulia]

Fantastically fun event! Enjoyed each step of the quest and the rewards are awesome. Also great to see so many folks running all over Norrath! 10/10 - CSR knocked it out of the park.

[IanelarAzure]

After two days of camping mammoths, yetis, and bunnies I can confirm that the Icestar's Eve Snowdrift Feast is not multi-questable. Had one character turn in the Stew and another the berries and mammoth meat. Maybe I did something wrong? Not sure.

[Evilmagus]

Anyone have any info on the decorations quest from Merry Snowgleam?

https://www.reddit.com/r/project1999/comments/1pwpflc/merry_snowgleam/

[mcg3]

Anyone have any info on the decorations quest from Merry Snowgleam?

https://www.reddit.com/r/project1999/comments/1pwpflc/merry_snowgleam/

Yeah - ask about who stole the decorations - get sent to Runnyeye where goblins there can drop baubles. Bring 3 baubles back for a giftbox and a cookie. It's just challenging to get started since the intial quest text doesn't have anything bracketed.

[Sat Dec 27 08:16:56 2025] Merry Snowgleam says, 'Have you noticed? Half our decorations are gone! Someone's stolen the garlands, the tinsel, even the snow globes!'
[Sat Dec 27 08:17:16 2025] You say, 'who stole'
[Sat Dec 27 08:17:16 2025] Merry Snowgleam says, 'It wasn't the wind, no no no. I heard them — high-pitched giggles and the clatter of tiny boots! Goblins! They're down in their miserable tunnels hoarding Frostmas joy like it's gold! Would you [help] recover it'
[Sat Dec 27 08:17:23 2025] You say, 'help'
[Sat Dec 27 08:17:23 2025] Merry Snowgleam says, 'Wonderful! The goblins probably thought our ornaments were magical gems. Look for Frostmas Baubles in Runnyeye Citadel — they should sparkle even down there. Bring me three, and we'll brighten Frostmas again!'

[Hideousclaw]

Yeah - ask about who stole the decorations - get sent to Runnyeye where goblins there can drop baubles. Bring 3 baubles back for a giftbox and a cookie. It's just challenging to get started since the intial quest text doesn't have anything bracketed.

Turned in 3:

Merry Snowgleam twirls and hangs one mid-air and exclaims, 'Oh! You found them! I can smell the peppermint polish still on them. Bless you! Now the camp will sparkle again — and I'll have words with those goblins later. For now, take this — a token of laughter restored.'


Got 1 Holiday gift and 1 gnome shaped cookie

[DesterWindall]

Glad to see most enjoying the event this year =)

[Goregasmic]

Glad to see most enjoying the event this year =)

I loved the vast majority of it which means like 30% since it is 70% staring at a wall for page 3. I understand there needs to be a bottleneck but that one took me 11 hours of doing nothing basically. Could have been tuned differently if that floor's loot table wasn't a mistake. Making it non repeatable or only no drops would probably have helped a lot, or the rewards being good but not raid level too.

Big thanks to the spirits of christmas like barkclaw and persephony(?) who helped with elevator rides since the major influx of people made the zone disfunctional.

Still a blast overall, not trying to be a downer!

[Hannibal]

Low level rewards as requested above, these are IN ORDER and you can fully cycle them as many times as needed, just be safe with LORE items.


Supple Scale Wristband
Matchless Dragonwing Mantle
Gangrenous Beetle Mask
Coldain Military Wristguard


I found this out by doing the quest with a level 37 Monk.

[MilanderTruewield]

Appears that the Chapter 5 task no longer results in a gift upon turning in the brooch from Gaurd Lammel. Just fyi in case anyone else was going to use that gift to turn in for the chapter 6 task.

[Goregasmic]

Appears that the Chapter 5 task no longer results in a gift upon turning in the brooch from Gaurd Lammel. Just fyi in case anyone else was going to use that gift to turn in for the chapter 6 task.

Did that one an hour ago and got a gift. Maybe they disabled repeats?

[dividemysky]

I also had chapter 5 not give a gift yesterday.