There’s some more expansion of the Guild Wars storyline with the news that a new novel, linking Guild Wars with Guild Wars 2, is due to be published. The Ghosts of Ascalon is written by Matt Forbeck and Jeff Grubb, and aims to set the stage for the storyline of Guild Wars 2.

Desperate to defend his land from advancing hordes of bestial charr, King Adelbern summoned the all-powerful Foefire to repel the invaders. But magic can be a double-edged sword—the Foefire burned both charr and human alike. While the charr corpses smoldered, the slain Ascalonians rose again, transformed by their king’s rage into ghostly protectors and charged with guarding the realm—forever. The once mighty kingdom became a haunted shadow of its former glory.

The novel looks like it’ll be a great read, not just for Guild Wars players. Scheduled for release in Summer 2010, the events are set a year before Guild Wars 2 and is just the first of a number of planned novels that will expand the already rich Guild Wars storyline.

You can read more about this new Guild Wars novel by checking out the FAQ at http://www.guildwars2.com/en/world/ghosts-of-ascalon/faq/

It’s time once again to celebrate the Canthan New Year in Guild Wars. This year it’s the Year of the Tiger, which means more fun and games on the Shing Jea Boardwalk as well as a visit from the Celestial Tiger.

The Canthan New Year festival will kick off this Friday, 12th February, at 8pm GMT, and run until 8pm GMT on Monday, 15th February. The Celestial Tiger will be making his visits every three hours at the height of the festival, on Sunday 14th February.

As well as the Rollerbeetle Racing and Shing Jea Boardwalk games, there will be the usual special quests and missions, which will grant special Festival Rewards.

Smaller scale festivals will be taking place in Kamadan and Lion’s Arch, which have already been decorated for the New Year. Remember though that the special missions, games, and the Celestial Tiger will only be visiting Shing Jea Monastery in Cantha.

Here’s the full list of Festival Rewards which are available from vendors, games, and missions during the Canthan New Year festivities:

	Sugary Blue Drink It’s sweet and oh-so-handy when you need a quick boost of speed. (for 2 minutes you move 50% faster) Grants +1 point to Sweet Tooth Title Track
	Champagne Popper A brief-but-spectacular treat for the eyes and ears. They’re a blast! Grants +1 point to Party Animal Title Track
	Bottle Rocket Set off a single-shot firework high overhead—please aim away from faces and moa birds. Grants +1 point to Party Animal Title Track
	Sparkler Light this up to create a cloud of sparks over your head—stand clear of flammable objects. Grants +1 point to Party Animal Title Track
	Red Bean Cake These sweet treats put some pep in your step. (for 5 minutes run 25% faster) Grants +2 points to Sweet Tooth Title Track
	Bottle of Rice Wine The traditional festival beverage. Don’t drink and quest! Grants +1 point to Drunkard Title Track
	Red Gift Bag It’s festive, it’s red, and you’ll never know what’s in it until you open it.
	Lunar Fortune Find out for sure how good or bad your luck will be in the coming year.
	Lunar Token Collect these tokens throughout the festival and trade them in for prizes.
	Crate of Fireworks Open it inside your Guild Hall and move a safe distance away!

Help the Celestial Chefs collect the ingredients to make their offerings to the Celestial Tiger, and then claim your special items and Festival Rewards when he visits.

You can also collect a Celestial Tiger miniature – grab those Lunar Tokens and make sure the Celestial Chefs can cook up a storm for the Celestial Tiger’s visit to Guild Wars in the Canthan New Year.

If you took part in the popular Wintersday Festival this year in Guild Wars, you may have been less than impressed with some festival glitches, which affected quests, the final events, and getting that all important festival hat.

The problems have not gone un-noticed, and the Guild Wars team over at ArenaNet have decided the best way to address the issues is to run through the fun of the Wintersday Festival a second time.

Wintersday comes twice this year! Due to Grentchy technical issues with the Festival Hat distribution during the Wintersday finale earlier this month, we’re hosting a special encore festival, complete with all the Wintersday activities you love!

This second special Wintersday event will run from 8am GMT on Friday, January 29th until 8pm GMT on Sunday, February 7th. Everyone will get a chance to grab a Wintersday Festival Hat, and if you miss out (again) there are special Festival Hat collectors in the major cities who will be happy to exchange your Candy Cane Shards for some stylish Guild Wars head gear.