Some massively multiplayer titles offer content to keep step with real-world themes

His face bore the lines of a man who had seen too much and forgotten too little.

Snow crowned the hood of the heavy winter coat and draped on the shoulders - not so subtle reminders of the chill of the winter's night that was just beyond the door of the innIcy waters splattered those nearby as the coat was cast offHe dropped into an overstuffed chair by the fireplace of the inn, warming his hands quickly in the orange-yellow glowThe innkeep brought a noggin of ale, an unlikely supplicant on such a cold winter's nightHe took a drink, the foam thick upon his mustache dribbled down into his beardDark eyes darted around, taking in the faces of the audience sitting and waiting on him.

"So," his bass voice betrayed no hurry, "ye have come to hear a tale, have ye? Well, then, me ladies and laddies, for the price of this pint - and yet another one or three - I will regale you with the adventures of my life."

And so it beganFor those who indulge in the role-playing elements of massively multiplayer online games, the richness of the tableau - created by developers through characters, stories and settings - does wonders to separate gamers from the real world and helps immerse them in fantasy realmsBut even though the worlds are completely different in many regards, some traditions seep inTake the holiday season, for exampleMany MMOs celebrate something - albeit named differently - that approximates the holiday season.

After contacting several publishers for a list of the celebrations held in their games, this is an overview of what some MMOs doIt is, by no means, a complete listing.

EverQuest II runs from Dec10 to January 7th: The celebration is called Frostfell and it is an amalgam of themed events and quests that enable players to gain level experience quicklyFrom collecting frozen toes on the ice and snowdrifted islands of Frostfell Village - accessible through both Qeynos and Freeport - to quests that parody the Christmas Carol and feature a character named McScroogle, the game has events that touch on the fantasy that is Norrath, while infusing some holiday joy into the proceedingsSome newer quests, like the one that involves an elf named Gardy, will have players adventuring to Antonica, while others point in other directions in the vast realmThere are snowballs to throw, as well as fruitcake, presents to make and receive, and a lot of holiday spirit to experience.