When the air grows crisp and the first snow falls, look to the sky, for Polaris will appear. Do not be afraid, for if you've been virtuous without expectation, you might be rewarded with the Aurora's blessings. But remember: no matter how you act, you cannot take your fortunes for granted, because Polaris comes every year, and no one escapes punishment.

Winterblessed

Senna set off to search for the Aurora, only to encounter the child, Annie, outside her estate. Her most cherished friend was her family's pet bear, who recently died. Annie wished for Polaris to bring him back to life, but Senna refused, and instead presented the bear in toy form. "Loss is a part of life, but his memories will live inside this gift.

Winterblessed Annie

As Senna continued her search, the bitter Camille pursued her with simmering rage. She was an elegant but ruthless dancer who ran afoul of a previous Polaris and was punished for it, enough so to lose her legs. Wielding newly empowered limbs, she ambushed Senna and summoned her compatriots, Sylas and Thresh. The Aurora thieves had arrived.

Winterblessed Camille

No one dances between the runway and the fashion house like Camille. She relishes letting her rivals mistake her cold demeanor for disinterest, only to be stomped into dust by her cutting edge designs. For this year's Winter Gala, she aims to leave everyone with fashionable blessings, as long as they remember who they got them from.

Prestige Winterblessed Camille

One can learn many lessons from the tales of Polaris, the living embodiment of the Aurora. Each year brings a new Polaris and a new chance to receive the Aurora's blessings—or its punishments. This incarnation of Polaris, Diana, arrived to find three local leaders waiting for her, eager for blessings: the Hunter Swain, Sage Zilean, and Warden Zoe.

Winterblessed Diana

 "You are Polaris," answered Hecarim. With a voice hardened by centuries of servitude, he explained that Senna was the living embodiment of the Aurora; he, its protector. As each year passed, he guarded the borders in Polaris' absence while the new Winterblessed was chosen. It didn't matter who she was before, he told her: she'd been called to service now.

Winterblessed Hecarim

The herald of Polaris, Hwei, waited in a despondent mood. When Senna and Hecarim found him among the world of man, a violent blizzard raged overhead. As herald, he used his brush to paint the Aurora across the skies, bringing the first snow. At Hecarim's beckoning, he waved his brush, parting the clouds to reveal a barren sky. Where was the Aurora?

Winterblessed Hwei

Lucian, Senna's forgotten love, had tracked her down. He threw himself at Thresh, sacrificing himself to destroy the usurper and return the Aurora's power. As he lay dying, memories of their love washed over Senna. She stayed with him until he passed and, to remind herself of their undying bond, turned his soul into the Southern Star. Love would endure.

Winterblessed Lucian

Daughter of a punishing Polaris, Mel was born with an innate ability to harness the Aurora's magic. But this blessing came at a cost: the life of her mother. Now, Mel carries the family's legacy in her own way, leading with compassion and rewarding those who prove their loyalty.

Prestige Winterblessed Mel

Senna woke in the dreamlike embrace of the Aurora. Clad in regal dress she didn't recognize, she had no memory of how she got there, nor could she remember anything else, save for flashes of warmth: a love, lost in shadow. "Who am I?" she wondered.

Winterblessed Senna

The Automaton Shaco felt nothing toward the quarreling leaders until Polaris snapped her fingers and ordered her “gifts” to corner the trio. “Winter is cruel,” she boomed, “and warmth is meant to be shared. Let this punishment serve as a warning.” In a flurry of snow, Polaris disappeared, leaving the Automaton and Beast to dispense her judgment.

Winterblessed Shaco

The Hunter Swain made no acknowledgment of his fellow leaders and was the first to put himself forward. He desired the Aurora's blessings to better provide meat and pelts for his people. After making his case, he gave the smallest of bows to Polaris, who watched with a face as serene as moonlit ice. Satisfied, Swain stepped aside and waited for his gift.

Winterblessed Swain

The disgraced inventor, Sylas, had long harbored a grudge against Polaris and had prepared a special device for this occasion: gauntlets capable of absorbing the Aurora. He'd tested it on Hwei earlier, but now turned his focus to Polaris. Powerless to resist, Senna's power was taken away, to be spread among Sylas, Camille, and Thresh. 

Winterblessed Sylas

Thresh, Sylas, and Camille laughed as the Aurora surged within them, until the laughs turned to screams! The raw power of the Aurora was too much, killing the inventor and dancer and leaving only a corrupted Thresh behind. Believing himself to be the rightful new Polaris, he raised his weapon, ready to doom Senna... when suddenly, Lucian appeared!

Winterblessed Thresh

The Beast Warwick sniffed his newborn sibling, the Automaton Shaco, as his maker beckoned the leaders to accept their gifts. The Hunter claimed the Beast as his prize, but the prospect of sharing so disgusted the Sage and Warden that chaos quickly erupted over who deserved what. All the while Warwick focused on Polaris, who watched with a wry smile.

Winterblessed Warwick

It can get rough on the runway, but everybody knows better than to mess with Warwick. Between his razor sharp cuts, impeccable grooming, and wolfpack entourage, the Gala better think twice before it calls this one a beast.

Prestige Winterblessed Warwick

Sage Zilean bowed his head in supplication as he took the Hunter's place before the Aurora's judge. His request was for more power to help calm the spirits of his followers. As he talked, he was oblivious to the Aurora sheen of Polaris' hair flickering red as she watched his pronounced humility. Something was stirring inside her, a roiling winter storm.

Winterblessed Zilean

An impatient Warden Zoe strode past the waiting Sage to make her plea. Everyone relied on her flock and crops, and her harvest would be unequaled with the Aurora's blessings. Polaris considered the three leaders' wishes, and with a wave of her hand, conjured the Aurora into two shapes: a sinewy mass of teeth and fur, and a tireless, smiling soldier.

Winterblessed Zoe

Have you heard the stories of the Aurora? Cold and dark they can be, but if you're brave enough you'll find warmth and majesty grander than any dream you've had. So sit yourself by the fire and come listen to these Tales of Borealis...

Skinline

Winterblessed