One - #04. “The Blizzard Fox Twins”

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

You reach them before they notice you—mostly because they’re in the middle of an argument loud enough to wake glaciers.

“I told you the wind should turn west!” one yells, tail flaring white.

“And I told you east!” the other snaps, her tail blazing blue.

The Blizzard Fox Twins are small, and bright as lightning, and they’ve been conjuring storms to outdo each other. The result? Chaos. Snow whirls in mad spirals, the wind screams, and the sky above frays like torn cloth.

Finn shouts over the gale. “They’ve been at this for days! The herds can’t find their way in this mess!”

You trudge toward the center of the storm and call out, “Enough!”

The twins stop mid-snarl, staring at you. Snowflakes hang suspended around you like stars.

“The aurora is breaking,” you say. “The beasts need calm to follow the path. Your storm is ripping it apart.”

The twins glare at each other, then at you. “Why should we listen?” the white one demands.

“Because winter isn’t a contest,” you answer softly. “It’s a balance.”

For a moment, they’re still. Then the blue one sighs. “Fine,” she mutters. “We’ll share the sky.”

Together, they lift their muzzles and howl. The storm softens, clouds parting to reveal a tendril of pure light stretching northward.

The wind settles into a gentle thrum. Finn’s fur lies flat again. “Remind me never to argue with other foxes.”

You laugh and the sound is carried by the newly tamed wind. The next stage of the Migration awaits.

Task:
Solve the following Logic puzzle to reason with the Blizzard Fox Twins while keeping watch on the map-sphere. Determine which order five different Snowbeasts began to migrate, what sound they heard as their winter call (including a Whisper), and which color of auroras (including Silver) each was guided by.

1. The five snowbeasts are the Snow Moths, the ones listening for the Bell, those guided by the Green auroras, the ones who left Fourth, and those who heard the Drum Beat.
2. The snowbeasts who heard the sound of a Bell were guided by the Purple auroras. The Crystal Rams heard their call sometime after the Snow Moths. The Owlcats were guided by the Green auroras.
3. Those listening to the Wind, the ones guided by the Green auroras, and whichever heard their call Fourth are three different sets of beasts. A Drum Beat was either heard by the Ice Foxes or by the Third group of snowbeasts.
4. The snowbeasts guided by the Blue auroras heard their call three positions sooner than the ones who followed the call of Song. The snowbeasts guided by the Gold auroras heard their call one position sooner than the Ice Foxes.
5. Of the snow beasts who heard their call Fifth and the Frost Elk, one was guided by the Green auroras and the other began listening for the Drum Beat.

Alternatively you may post a Research piece below on any topic that falls into themes of winter, snowy animals, or auroras, using 150 words for full credit.

15 beans/sapphires are available for this task, with an extra 15 for completing all Week One tasks by end of activity. Deadline is 11:59pm (HOL time) on Wednesday January 21st.

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

Solved by:
Janne Halla
River Fenwick

[Emily Spencer]

Did you know that in mythology, there are many different deities of winter? Many different cultures, all celebrating this most special of seasons. Here is a look at some of them:

An Cailleach is a Celtic deity, known alternately as the Winter Hag or Winter Queen. Legend has it that she is the creator of storms and winter. It is said that she freezes the landscape with her staff, thus renewing the season each year. At the festival of spring, known as Imbolc, the hag turns into a young maiden and renews the earth.

Chione is the Greek Goddess of Snow. She is the daughter of the North wind and a mountain fairy, and is believed to represent the serenity, peace, and beauty of the season.

Perchta is the Germanic Goddess of Winter, especially known in Upper Germany, Austria, and Slovenia. This is one goddess you do not want to offend! It is said that she rewards good behavior with coins, but those she deems lazy sometimes have their stomachs bitten and stuffed with straw and stone. She is also known as the female version of Krampus, and one could certainly see why!

There are many more, of course, but I must go hide from Perchta now!!!