Such a peaceful town as this had never needed guards or a watch. All slept blissfully within their beds after another day full of joyous song and dance, none the wiser about the spite brewing in the cave that overlooked their amicable little valley. Even when the vile creature came through and collected every single gift that had been collected beneath trees, none awoke, for they trusted in the spirit of Christmas to keep everything right. Besides, it took great effort to throw oneself into the daily preparations and festivities that lead up to such a great and enjoyable holiday.<br/><br/>The treachery was not discovered until mid morning, when the youngest of the young woke up his mommy and daddy because he needed to go "wee-wee." What chaos it caused! What despair! There was crying in the streets, and frantic running and screaming that solved all of nothing!<br/><br/>A voice of reason rose above this clamor though. The small town's Mayor stepped up and, with calm filled words and the aid of a megaphone, subdued the crowd before her.<br/><br/>"Have no fear, citizens of Christmas Elliquiy! We'll call upon saviors to help us track down this perpetrator and bring our precious Christmas presents back! I'll draft the notice to all the Elliquian realm! Right now!" One motion of her hand was all it took. A desk was plopped in front of Mayor Mirrah and she pulled a plume from her hat (a Mayor must always be prepared for any circumstance, after all), and began to scribble on a piece of blank parchment. Everyone gazed at her, shivery in their various garb while standing under the gigantic and lavishly decorated pine tree in the chilly, snowy village square.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>My dear fellow citizens of Elliquiy:<br/><br/>We are in dire need of assistance; a <del>foul monster</del> terrible act of thievery has happened in Christmas Elliquiy. All of the poor innocents who slumbered peacefully in their beds have awakened to a heart aching disappearance of presents. The thief must be captured and the presents returned! Christmas is drawing closer by the day, and if the presents are not brought back for their recipients, what kind of Christmas will they be having this year? Tradition would be shattered!<br/><br/>If you have courage and conviction to catch this criminal, please stop by my offices for your temporary Keeper of the Peace badge.<br/><br/>Help <del>me</del> us restore order and you shall be duly rewarded!<br/><br/>Ever in your debt,<br/>Mayor Mirrah</em><br/><br/><hr/><br/>Mayor Mirrah stamped her seal beside her name when she was done. As the black ink dried on the parchment, she lifted it up the notice and read it to the crowd.<br/><br/>"This also goes to everyone in this crowd. Tell your neighbors. Tell your friends. Tell your families. Let us all get through this together, by helping one another!" With a flourish, Mayor Mirrah returned her plume to her hat and nodded to her assistants, who carried her desk back inside. "Do we have any volunteers? Who will help me help you save our Christmas?"