We’re huge fans of Chri… er… Grimblesnacht here at Goblin King Games! A joyous time to get together with family and friends for gifts and games – what could go wrong? I’m sure the tree won’t be possessed by an malevolent spirit, spring to life and try to devour us all, will it..? Oh, don’t be ridiculous. That’s just an old story we tell the younglings to keep them well behaved, right…?
Snag the sinister treekin has jumped into the town Grimblesnacht Tree, and has been biding his time until exactly the right moment to jump out and cause maximum chaos!
Keeping the tradition started by the Grimblesnacht and then Pyschopresants scenarios alive and well, this year we bring you something brand new to try out over the festive season - Grimblesnag! In this scenario, players compete to collect as many presents as possible all the while being chased by the Snag-infested Grimble Tree who activates immediately after each character (they’ve never stood still for a whole month before so they’ve got a LOT of excess energy to release!).
To enjoy the chaos to the fullest, we have a special Limited Edition miniature available until 31 December 2026. The Grimblesnag miniature is perfect for the scenario, but also comes with an alt. art Snag stat card, so Shades or Leshavult players can use it as an alt. sculpt in regular games too!
The Story of the Special Grimble Tree
“I hope I get the tax inspector kit,” Shyle whispered. She pulled the blanket further up over her head, trying to stop the sound of their conversation from eeking out.
“Well I want a frog,” Jinkie muttered, his blue eyes large and green skin flushed with excitement.
“A frog toy?” Shyle pushed her fringe out of her eyes behind her goblin-y ears.
“Not a frog toy, stupid—”
“Shhh!” Shyle tried to push her hands over her brother’s mouth.
“A real frog to eat the flies in our bedroom!”
“Shhh, mumma and daddy will hear us…”
“I don’t care, Old Grimble is on his way and we’ll get presents anyway.”
The blanket flew from the pair, the winter night air a sudden cold on their bed-warmed bodies. The children squealed with delight.
Ikol frowned at his children. “You don’t care about being found out?” He leaned down and tickled them both as he said, “You don’t care! What would the Grimble Tree think, eh?”
Shyle wiggled away. “The Grimble Tree, daddy? What do you mean?”
“What’s all the noise about in here?” Bea strolled into the bedroom, while her voice was stern a grin was spread across her face.
“Mumma, daddy’s going to tell us a story!” Jinkie cried, jumping up and bouncing on the bed.
“Hooray!” Shyle joined her brother.
“Settle down and get dressed, then I’ll tell you the story.”
Bea walked away from the chaos and called over her shoulder, “I’ll get some hot milk to take with us.”
“Are we going to see Old Grimble?” Shyle asked, her green cheeks tinged pink.
“Well… we’ll try.”
“Yaaaaaaay!” The children dashed around the room, pulling trousers over pyjamas, boots onto bare feet, and hats pulled low over dark-ringed but excited eyes.
“Are you ready?” Ikol folded his arms and examined his children, buttoning up and lacing up all of the loose clothing. The pair sat as still as they could manage, which was about as still as a swamp eel.
“Daddy, the stooooorrrryyyyy!” Jinkie whined, thumping his fists on the bed.
“Well, you’re both old enough and clever enough to hear this story…”
He watched them blush with pride and settle into place.
“Old Grimble and mummy and daddy are the ones that give you Grimble presents, but the Grimble Tree is the one that decides what you deserve. It’s why we plant the tree in the middle of the square, look after it throughout the year, then decorate it with bows, baubles and lights. We gather around it and sing songs, feed it spiced cider, and call a greeting during the winter festival.”
Ikol gestured to the children who looked at each other then chimed in unison, “Hail to thee, oh Grimble Tree!”
Ikol nodded sagely then continued, “Long ago a young boy called Truffler decided to test his village’s Grimble Tree. He crept out at after dusk, waiting until the last reveller had gone to bed, and snuck to the Grimble Tree. ‘I don’t care about some stupid old tree,’ said Truffler, ‘why do you deserve presents?’ So he gathered all the glass baubles in a big blanket and stole them, leaving the Grimble Tree bare except for the burning candle on its top.”
“Oh no,” Shyle whispered.
“Doesn’t sound that bad,” Jinkie said, trying to look casual.
Ikol raised an eyebrow at his son then continued, “The tree sagged but thought, It’s ok, for I am the Grimble Tree and I am here to bring joy. Then on the second night, Truffler snuck out at midnight. He crept to the tree and poured scalding water around its roots. He chuckled as he watched the soil boil. ‘I don’t care about some stupid old tree, why should you live here for nothing?’ said Truffler. Unable to move, the tree thought, I shall remain strong, for I am the Grimble Tree and I am here to bring joy.”
“The poor tree.” Shyle chewed her thumbnail while Jinkie was quiet.
Ikol sighed at his son but continued, “The townsfolk were worried about the Grimble Tree, as it had sagged even further. So they posted Sergeant Cone from the town’s watch at the tree to keep guard. Unfortunately he had eaten too many rabbit pies and he fell asleep in the early hours.
“Seeing his opportunity, Truffler snuck out for a third night and crept to the tree. He strode straight to the branches and pulled himself up to the crown. He grasped the large candle at the tree’s top and said, ‘I don’t care about some stupid old tree, why should you get all the attention?’
“He tried to pull the candle from the tree’s top, but the branch beneath him shifted. He tried again, but couldn’t keep hold. He tried again, but felt his ankle grasped by something hard and unyielding. He was pulled from the tree and flipped upside down. He looked towards the tree to see bright golden eyes and a wide mouth.
“The mouth grinned and opened. ‘I am the Grimble Tree and I am here to bring joy,’ said the Tree. The mouth opened wider and the boy fell inside, never to be seen again. The next morning the Grimble Tree looked resplendent at dawn and at night, the biggest and best presents ever seen were left by Old Grimble.”
The two children stared at their father. Shyle’s mouth hung open and her eyes were wide with fear. Jinkie blinked slowly, taking it all in.
From the doorway Bea cleared her throat. “Shall we go?”
Silently the children plopped onto the floor and trundled out of the bedroom.
Bea caught her husband’s arm and she whispered, “That was a scary story to tell tonight of all nights.”
“I’m sure they’ll be alright.” Ikol attempted a smile but it looked more like a grimace.
They set out from their home on the edge of Badgerbottom and they soon grew excited as other villagers joined them in festive spirits. Children ran together, careening around the streets, while parents attempted to herd them owards the square. Jinkie and Shyle joined in, the story soon forgotten.
“See, I told you,” Ikol said, taking his wife’s hand.
Bea squeezed gently in reply. “Listen!”
The crowd grew quiet as the sound of bells and flatulence could be heard high in the sky over the nearby dark woods.
The children squealed and started running towards the town centre and the magnificent Grimble Tree. The adults couldn’t help but join in and soon the tree came into view. The baubles gleamed in nearby lanternlight and the candle atop blazed. And shifted uncomfortably.
“What…?” Ikol muttered while presents rained down around them.
The candle wriggled again, while what looked like wings peeled from its side.
“Jinkie! Shyle!” Ikol called urgently, sprinting towards his children.
“Yes daddy!” Shyle called.
“Fine.” Jinkie stamped his foot.
Both children turned and intoned, “Hail to thee, oh Grimble Tree!”
Two red eyes blinked open and a toothy maw stretched. The voice was rough and gravelly, but it sounded like the Grimble Tree said, “Ho ho ho.”