Greatfather Winter


 * "You're quite the helper to ol' Greatfather Winter."

Greatfather Winter is a level 30 quest giver located in the Commons in the dwarven city of Ironforge. He is only available during the Feast of Winter Veil world event. He is the Alliance version of Great-father Winter.

He starts and ends the quest (Feast of Winter Veil).

He ends the following quests:
 * (Feast of Winter Veil)
 * (Feast of Winter Veil)
 * (Feast of Winter Veil)

See List of Ironforge NPCs.

Background
Dwarves have a winter festival where they tell stories about Greatfather Winter; in recent years, more and more humans have been participating in this event.

The term "Winter Veil" is said to stem from a supernatural being referred in many cultures to as Greatfather Winter. As he would walk the land late in the seasons, winter itself would be his billowing cloak. In his wake was the blanketing of the land in snow, and thus it is said that Greatfather Winter would cast his wintry veil over the land. As Greatfather Winter walked Azeroth, it is said he would provide a bounty for those who welcomed his presence. As such, the idea of feasting during the winter veil would bring together communities as they shared whatever they had. Typically, a single day of merriment and feasting welcomed the change, all in anticipation of the land's renewal.

The image of Greatfather Winter is sometimes used, as a harbringer of commercial exploit rather than as a supernatural titan. Greatfather Winter visits the great cities of Ironforge and Orgrimmar - courtesy of the fine folks of Smokywood Pastures and he spreads cheer in celebration for the Feast of Winter Veil. But, all the cheer-spreading makes Greatfather Winter hungry, and he looks for adventurers to get him his daily fix of milk and cookies. 

Greatfather Winter is now seen as a kind old dwarf, or orc, who brings presents to everyone. Although many people, such as lorekeepers, have their thoughts about this commercializing of him by the Jinglepocket goblins, it is a nice idea nonetheless.

Speculation
It is possible that Hodir is the original Greatfather Winter (which goblins later commercialised) as he has been referred as "father figure" and connected to ice and snow. He also refers to veil of winter in Ulduar.