When the first snowflake falls, celebrations begin for millions of people worldwide. Winter may be cold and brutal, but it’s never stopped many cultures from heralding all kinds of diverse occasions throughout it. Food, friends, and fun are all on the menu as we explore some very special frosty feasts and frolics from history and the wider world!
Yule wish you celebrated Yule!
Have you ever sat down to scoff a plate of delicious chocolate Yule log and wondered; where did this delightful dessert come from?
To answer that question, we have to go back in time to around the 5th or 6th century and the origins of Yule. A Pagan celebration, Yule was a midwinter festival celebrated by Germanic peoples in honour of the Norse God Odin. It was observed between December 21 and January 1 and existed to mark the changing of nature during the colder season, as well as being a chance to give thanks to your favourite gods and goddesses.
Although not quite celebrated in the same way in modern times, present-day Pagans will keep a fire burning to symbolise the shortest day of the year (December 21) until the sun rises again—bringing us to the Yule log itself!
Yule logs are gifted then placed on a hearth, and it’s considered unlucky if the wood needs to be relit. Sitting around the burning log, it’s traditional to tell stories and play cards.
When Yule logs became a festive delicacy, however, is somewhat unknown, but they are thought to be a French invention (Bûche De Noël).
Saturnalia has a nice ring to it
Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival honouring the god of sowing and seed—Saturn. Initially celebrated on December 17 (and later extended through to December 23), Romans would close up shop (including all business and schools) and spend their hard-earned time off at huge public feasts, gambling, gift-giving, and partying, all while in the presence of a statue of the guest of honour, Saturn himself.
One particularly interesting part of Saturnalia was role-reversal. Slaves would switch with their masters, eating their banquet and being served by them, or even dining together. Saturnalia also provided an opportunity for slaves to disrespect their masters with no repercussions, a concept the Augustan poet Horace called "December liberty".
But how would one greet a fellow celebrant? Why with the salutation “io Saturnalia” of course! Typically exclaimed following a public feast, this shout would celebrate the day nice and loud.
Saturnalia by Antoine Callet (1783)
Simply having a wonderful Christmas Time!
Now we arrive at possibly the best-known wintertime festival—Christmas!
The origins of Christmas as a Christian holiday observed on December 25 date back to the 9th century, and of course, the celebration of Jesus’ birth (which is thought to have actually been way before that).
Now typically marked with extravagant gift-giving, eating until you can’t move, a peculiar chimney-enthusiast named Santa Claus, and avoiding your in-laws, Christmas is for everyone who chooses to celebrate it and may now be as secular as it is Christian.
Whichever festival you choose to observe (or not!), we wish you the happiest of holidays from Conqueror’s Blade, Odin, Saturn, and Santa.
Discover the Sounds of Scotland with the Season X Playlist!
Season X: Highlanders has arrived, and what better way to celebrate your new kinsmen than with a Season-themed Spotify playlist!
Dive into this curated playlist inspired by Scotland and all of its excellent musical offerings, including Biffy Clyro, The Proclaimers, CHVRCHES, and many more to get you into the Highlands spirit.
You can also explore our previous collections, including Halloween and Season themed playlists, on our Spotify page.
Fight for freedom in Season X: Highlanders, available now as a free update, and learn all about the new Units, the explosive new Siege Map, of Broch Eastray, and the epic story of the clans of the Highlands.
Steam Winter Sale: Up to 60% off Collector’s Packs!
Stay warm this winter with a steaming hot mug of savings on Collector’s Packs! Grab 50% off the Battle Saga and Soaring Sapphire Collector’s Packs, and a massive 60% off The Imperial Heir Collector’s Pack!
Each is packed to the brim with Premium time, Optimal Artillery, Silver, and incredible cosmetics such as the Blue Swan, Jomsdrengr, and Diadochi Hero Attires.
All packs will remain discounted as part of the Steam Winter Sale until 19:05 CET on January 5. Happy holiday shopping!
CBL Winter War 2021: The Victors!
The CBL Winter War 2021 Tournament has come to a majestic close, and we have all the glittering highlights right here! Throughout dozens of nail-biting and ferocious battles, the valiant teams fought for their place in the next bracket (as well as bragging rights and prizes), eventually leaving us with the courageous champions.
Congratulations to SerfSlayer who seized the crown this time around, blowing their fourth-place standing in Fall Fight right out of the water!
SerfSlayer’s champions have each earned an exclusive Champion Player Title and CBL Avatar Frame, a Tyrant’s Weapon Chest, an exclusive Tyrant Commander's Variant Hero Attire, 5,000 Sovereigns, 1,000 Blades, and 50 Owl of Minerva Chests!
The team had this to say of their victory: “Champions do not become champions when they win the event—but in the hours, weeks, months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.”
THE GRACIOUS HEROES (SECOND PLACE)
Plebs upped their ante this time around in the CBL, and have improved upon their third-place finish in CBL: Fall Fight 2021!
Their captain Templeshot had this to say of their successful tournament run: “Thanks to my team for putting in the hard work and effort to make this our best tournament yet. We've participated in three tournaments now and have finished third twice, and now second. Next time—we'll take the win! Thanks to all the staff for organising this tournament again. GG to all teams involved, this was by far the most competitive CBL yet.”
The team will receive an exclusive Runner-up Player Title, 3,000 Sovereigns, 800 Blades, a Tyrant’s Weapon Chest, and 35 Owl of Minerva Chests.
THE CHIVALROUS WARRIORS (THIRD PLACE)
WinX Club fought hard and came out the other side in a more than respectable third place in CBL: Winter War 2021! Their team had this to say of their experience: “First of all, we would like to thank our opponents, especially PondGuard. The matches we played were so much fun. As WinX Club, we added colour and new strategies to the tournament. We are confident that in the upcoming tournaments we will turn all battlefields into rainbows (red mostly).”
Their team will claim an exclusive Third Place Player Title, 2,000 Sovereigns, 500 Blades, a Tyrant’s Weapon Chest, and 20 Owl of Minerva Chests.
All three teams will be invited to battle for yet more glory on a global scale against the winners of a Tournament hosted by Booming Tech (more info coming soon)!
CATCH UP ON ALL THE ACTION
Missed out on the fun? You can catch up on all the CBL: Winter War 2021 action right here:
FUTURE TOURNAMENTS
Thanks to everyone who made CBL: Winter War 2021 a success! We will host more tournaments in the future, and you can check back right here for more info when the time comes. If you have any feedback about this Tournament, please share it with our team via the Conqueror's Blade Discord.
Follow Conqueror’s Blade on Twitch for more exciting live broadcasts from the team every week, and stay tuned for the ultimate showdown between our champions and the winners from Booming Tech’s own Tournament!
Season X: Rollback and Compensation Details (22/12)
Season X: Highlanders launched with critical issues reported by many players on December 21. After a period of maintenance and attempted server launches, we regret to announce that we were left with no choice but to perform a rollback to the launch of Season X: Highlanders (the December 21 update) to fix these critical errors.
This means that Season X: Highlanders will start once again from the same point that maintenance was carried out on December 21, with any progress made since being reverted.
We apologise unreservedly for this situation. This isn’t how we wanted to present our new Season to you, and our team is working hard to resolve issues and deliver the experience you deserve. We thank you for your patience and understanding and hope to welcome you back to the battlefield soon.
WHAT IS AFFECTED BY THE ROLLBACK?
COMPENSATION
To make up for playtime lost due to technical and gameplay issues at the start of Season X: Highlanders, all players can claim the following items for free from MY.GAMES Marketuntil January 5, 2022 at 23:59 CET:
Play Season X: Highlanders Today!
Cry freedom in Season X: Highlanders, now available as a free update in Conqueror’s Blade! Explore all the newest content, including a Campaign and faction inspired by Scotland, unlockable units, a Siege Map, special launch events, and quality of life updates. The Battle Pass is also available now from MY.GAMES Market, Steam, and in-game, with the Clan Chieftain Hero Attire coming with it as an instant unlock.
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Seasonal Campaign: Highlanders
Unite the Highland clans to fight for freedom, push back the Loegrian invasion, and claim epic rewards from the Battle Pass in an epic new Seasonal Campaign inspired by ancient Scotland’s wars for independence from England, and the tales of its legendary protectors and staunchest warriors.
Start your journey in Conqueror’s City in the heart of The Borderlands before taking the fight to Ungverija, Ostaria, and beyond. Follow the story of the Highlanders through five phases of the Campaign, and fight your way through twice-weekly Territory Wars with the sons and daughters of the Highlands by your side. Towards the end of the season, you will make your final stand for freedom at Turul Város.
Unite the Clans: 3 New Units
Three new Seasonal Units are available to unlock via Unit Challenges throughout Season X: Highlanders. Each has its own unique set of talents and abilities, with two also bringing entirely new mechanics to the game:
Battle Pass: Exclusive Free & Premium Rewards
Defend the Highlands to inherit its treasures from the all-new Season X Battle Pass! Over 100 levels of Premium rewards can be earned by completing Seasonal Challenges, earning Glory, and levelling up during Season X. Earn freedom for your clansmen to score the Clan Reiver Unit Attire, Highlands War Banner, Highland Fling Emote, and so much more. The Laird of the Isles Hero Attire is the ultimate reward to strive for, a glorious tribute to the guardian of the Highlands waiting to be claimed at Tier 100.
The Clan Chieftain Hero Attire is available as an instant reward when you purchase the Battle Pass from MY.GAMES Market, Steam, or in-game for 1,000 Sovereigns. Conqueror’s Blade is a free-to-play game, and there are many treasures to be claimed on the Free Pass too, including Blades, currency, and a Player Title: Sword Dancer!
You can also unlock Blades from the Battle Pass to exchange in the Seasonal Store for Highland-themed weapon skins and reborn cosmetics not seen since Season VI: Scourge of Winter!
New Siege Map: Broch Eastray
The ancestral home of the Highlands people has been invaded by the Loegrians and must be reclaimed. Broch Eastray will be the stage for many historic battles for freedom in Season X: Highlanders!
This new 12v12 Siege Map invites players to defend or attack the ruins, using the resources of the nearby village to build defensive equipment and traps, or utilising multiple routes into the site to attack - stay tuned for more information.
Season X Launch Celebration Events
Get off to a flying start in Season X: Highlanders with special activities throughout December and January! Claim rewards, earn and exchange new drops for prizes, and embark on new adventures to keep your morale high for the battles ahead, while also celebrating the holiday season:
Make Your Stand in Territory Wars
Territory Wars begin on December 21 and will be waged every Tuesday and Saturday throughout Season X. Answer the call to freedom by participating in server-wide PvP battles, events which form the lion’s share of endgame content in Conqueror’s Blade.
Take part in Territory Wars by joining a player-controlled Free House or Alliance, or a Cohort (NPC-controlled House) and expand your empire by fighting alongside your fellow warlords via the ‘Battle’ interface or in the Open World to gain control of fiefs. For more information about Territory Wars, check out our top tips here.
IMPORTANT: Territory Wars will be replaced by Free Battles over the holiday season and to ease players into the new season on December 21, 25, 28, and January 1. Enjoy the (sort of) armistice!
Quality of Life Improvements
Many new adjustments and improvements have been deployed to change Conqueror’s Blade for the better in Season X. Changes to the Inventory, Character Creation, Weapon Specialisation System, and other features are here. Read up about every change in the patch notes before you set out for battle!
Let Freedom Ring Out Across the Highlands!
Unite the clans and fight for freedom in Season X: Highlanders, now available as a free update for Conqueror’s Blade!
“Music is nothing else but wild sounds civilised into time and tune.” - Thomas Fuller
These Northern troubadours make up for their lack of combat skills with morale-boosting bard mechanics, marching into battle alongside the troops of the Highlands, playing their bagpipes of war to instil fighting spirit into the soldiers.
The first Unit of their kind to enter Conqueror’s Blade, the Bagpipers stand strong in the face of the enemy and play their inspirational pipes throughout the campaign for freedom in Season X: Highlanders.
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Unlocking
The Bagpipers can be unlocked and recruited to your cause via Seasonal Unit Challenges, and they enjoy a Seasonal Bonus in the form of Leadership requirements decreased by 10 for the duration of Season X.
Their exclusive Doctrines reduce damage taken while playing their instruments in the heat of battle and enhance their area-of-effect.
Gameplay
Though the Bagpipers do not charge into battle with a typical weapon, their chosen musical instruments of war can turn the tide of a conflict with ease.
Able to boost damage and defence stats of their surrounding allies with their skill-boosting melodies, this musical troop provide a much-needed (and brand new) Unit mechanic to bring into the fray.
Their Veterancy bonuses form a single chain dedicated to reinforcing them (as they cannot attack or defend themselves like other Units), with the choice between more range added to their area-of-effect or providing a stronger bonus for allies.
Just the facts: Bagpipers (3-Star)
Formations
Unit Traits
Unit Orders
The Bagpipers Unit is available to unlock via Unit Challenges now!
NOTE: The above information is correct as of the time of publication. Please check in-game for the most up-to-date Unit information.
Server downtime - December 21
Please be aware that from 7:00 CET on December 21 (22:00 PST 12/20), the Conqueror’s Blade servers will be inaccessible. The downtime is expected to last for 7 hours.
Please refer to the Patch Notes for documented changes. Meanwhile, stay tuned to our Discord channel in case of any immediate server updates.
Conquer Winter Wonderworlds for Gifts, Special Events, and Sales!
Alexander the Great wept when he had no more worlds to conquer… but maybe he wasn’t looking hard enough. Play Conqueror’s Blade and celebrate Winter Wonderworldsfrom December 20–January 16 to unlock free gifts, exclusive offers, and unforgettable experiences to warm your winter nights.
FREE GIFTS EVERY WEEK!
Claim free Winter Wonderworlds Gifts every week from MY.GAMES Market! An exclusive cosmetic set is available now, with more surprises to be claimed throughout the event — check the Winter Wonderworld hub regularly for the latest gifts:
COLD WARS
Witness the seasons change in Conqueror’s Blade with a thrilling new update and special events:
Don the armour of a wintry wraith or a snowy sentinel and enjoy massive savings on classic cosmetics from December 21:
Winter Wonderworlds, brought to you by MY.GAMES, is a holiday event featuring free gifts, sales, and special events across a raft of different games, including World War 3, Warface, Skyforge, Revelation Online, and Blast Brigade. Visit the Winter Wonderworlds hub to explore different worlds and dive into new gaming experiences this holiday season!
Winter Wonderworlds Sale: New Attire & Up to 69% Off!
A snowy flurry of festive sales has swept in to Conqueror’s Blade! In celebration of Winter Wonderworlds, explore a range of incredible discounts, new bundles and cosmetics, and lots more to cater for all your holiday shopping needs in-game and via MY.GAMES Market from December 21 throughJanuary 16.
Super Festive Savings
You don’t need to write to Santa this year to get exactly what you want. Select festive bundles have been discounted by up to 69% in the in-game Market, and they’re filled with all the stocking stuffers you need to have a happy holiday in Conqueror’s Blade:
Owl of Minerva Chest
Dress to impress in brand-new gear this holiday season by unlocking Owl of Minerva Chests, now available from the in-game Market. Each Chest has a chance of dropping one of the following Legendary or Epic Hero, Unit, or Mount Attires:
Festive Fortune’s Bounty
Stuff your stockings for a limited time by claiming FREE Owl of Minerva Chests when you spend Sovereigns via the in-game Store. The more Sovereigns you spend before January 16 (23:59 server time), the more free Owl of Minerva Chests you receive — and there are other special bonus items too, including an Avatar, Emote, and Horde Fighter Hero Attire!
Full details for the Festive Fortune’s Bounty event below — check to see what you’ll receive when spending a certain amount of Sovereigns: [table][tr][td] Sovereigns Spent [/td][td] Owl of Minerva Chest [/td][td] Bonus Items [/td][/tr][tr][td] 500 Sovereigns [/td][td] 1x Owl of Minerva Chest [/td][td] 2x Rare Schematics Chests [/td][/tr][tr][td] 1,000 Sovereigns [/td][td] 1x Owl of Minerva Chest [/td][td] 3x Large Chests of Silver [/td][/tr][tr][td] 2,000 Sovereigns [/td][td] 2x Owl of Minerva Chests [/td][td] 2x Royal Thistles (5,000 Glory each) [/td][/tr][tr][td] 3,000 Sovereigns [/td][td] 2x Owl of Minerva Chests [/td][td] 2x Epic Artillery Chest [/td][/tr][tr][td] 5,000 Sovereigns [/td][td] 3x Owl of Minerva Chests [/td][td] 10x Lotus Water [/td][/tr][tr][td] 10,000 Sovereigns [/td][td] 3x Owl of Minerva Chests [/td][td] Horde Fighter Hero Attire [/td][/tr][tr][td] 20,000 Sovereigns [/td][td] 8x Owl of Minerva Chests [/td][td] Dragon’s Head Avatar [/td][/tr][tr][td] 30,000 Sovereigns [/td][td] 10x Owl of Minerva Chests [/td][td] Throw Money Emote [/td][/tr][/table] The Owl of Minerva Chest may contain the new Owl of Minerva Hero Attire, Ice Wyvern Unit Attire, Dead of Winter Hero Attire, or the Wings of Minerva Mount Set, so don't miss your chance to put these gifts under your tree!
Merry Attire & Emotes
If you still need an outfit for your House’s Christmas party or need to learn some new moves to set the dance floor on fire, we’ve got you covered. Get up to 20% off Hero and Unit Attire, Mount Sets, Banners, and more!
The following items are available via MY.GAMES Market and the in-game Market:
The following items are available via the in-game Market only:
Also, don’t forget to grab a free Winter Wonderworlds gift every week until January 16 from MY.GAMES Market!
Winter Wonderworlds, brought to you by MY.GAMES, is a holiday event featuring free gifts, sales, and special events across a raft of different games, including World War 3, Warface, Skyforge, Revelation Online, and Blast Brigade. Visit the Winter Wonderworlds hub to explore different worlds and dive into new gaming experiences this holiday season!
