A lovely Christmas poem and holiday thanks from Mark Davis was posted on WAR Herald a few moments ago.   Have a safe and happy holidays everyone!

'Twas the night before Keg End, and as the hour grew later
The devs all worked hard to make WAR even greater
The Ogres and Snotlings were spawned with great care,
In hopes that the players would find them all there

The artists were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of fireworks danced in their heads;

My Wife in her nighty was now fast asleep
While I read design docs and made not a peep.
When out on the lawn there arose such a noise,
I looked out and saw a big mob of "Da Boyz."
Away from the window I flew like a flash,
For my skull I would rather the Orcs did not smash
"Oi Boss!" said a Big 'Un, "We's ere for da brew!"
They'd heard about Keg End! Now what could I do?
And then, to my terrified brain did appear
An idea that might get those Orcs out of here
I would do what they wanted - I'd get them the brew!
But in order to do so, I'd need all my crew.
As quick as left click, I drove from my home
"Emergency meeting!" I cried down the phone
As I called all the devs, to the conference they came.
But when I told them my story, they called me insane
"It's true!" I exclaimed, "And I have a great plan!"
"We'll lure them back to the game world again!"
"Now go to your cubes and spawn barrels of brew!"
"Fill every zone, and the capitals, too!"
We waited and watched (and got some bug reports)
"Hey wait, look at that, it's that same gang of Orcs!"
The greenskins were roaming the dark streets of Praag
Guzzling the beer and calling out "Waaagh!"
They were back in the game, where they all should have stayed
"Now Orcs," I said, smiling, "you're about to get played."
"It's time to log in!" I called out with a thrill
"Order Mains please, and let's go for the kill!"
The fighting was fierce, but the Orcs we did smite
And many a dev gained renown ranks that night.
The Orcs were dismayed. "Why'd you do that?" they groaned
"War is everywhere!" I said, "and you've just been OWNED!"
Then I exclaimed as I tipped back a pint
"Happy Keg End to all, let's get sloshed tonight!"

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the hardworking Content Developers on the Warhammer Live Team for their many contributions to the Keg End event, and for everything else they've done to make WAR a great MMO!

A great big thanks to:

• Brian Audette, Content Lead: Though he has since moved over to another team, he was instrumental in making sure everything came together on deadline.
  
• Amber Turner, Content Lead: For jumping on board to take Brian's place without missing a beat, and making sure we finished our work on time.
  
• Mike Wyatt, Development Manager: For his significant creative and organizational contributions to the event right from the start.
  
• Adam Coleman and Matt Wotring, Tome of Knowledge Gurus: For their great work in seamlessly integrating the live event into the Tome of Knowledge.
  
• Matt Daniels, Content Developer: For writing this dev diary! Woot!
  
• Jessica Daniels, Content Developer: For bravely taking charge of all of those big, scary Ogres who patrol the RvR lakes during Keg End.
  
• Larry Boles, Content Developer: Our monster trainer, Larry handled the monsters' combat abilities.
  
• Leslie Kidd and Leah Miller, Content Developers: For putting pen to paper fingers to keyboard and writing much of the Keg End material.
  
• JD Wiker, Content Developer: Our newest recruit. has worked hard to train and learn his job amid the chaos of Keg End.
  
• Tom Lipschultz, Content Developer: For serving ably as the Maker of the Golden Stein. If you spy the stein in RvR and are lucky enough to grab it, you have Tom to thank!
  
• Michelle Mulrooney, Content Developer: Working feverishly in her laboratory, Michelle concocted all of the explosive Snotlings you'll find roaming the land during Keg End.
  
• Chrissy Zeeman, Content Developer: For building the camps that the Brew Thirsty Ogres and Gnoblars call home.
  
• Matt Witter, Content Developer: With his keen eye for merrymaking, Matt recruited the throngs of Revelers you'll find in WAR's capital cities during the vent.
  
• Mark Davis, Live Event Strike Team Lead: The Brewmeister! Ho, ho, ho!