The Villagers -

In the attic of a house in Duluth, Minnesota, a magical community of six-inch, live wood-carved Villagers thrives under the guidance of their trusted leader, Nicholas. These enchanting Villagers craft simple yet amazing gifts for Nicholas to distribute globally from his sleigh on Christmas Eve. With the support of his wise wife, Astrid, Nicholas ensures the safety and well-being of their magical village. The diverse and talented Villagers, including the leatherworking Baldur and Berthina, the mischievous twins Kel and Uda, and the skilled weavers Arve and Ola, work together to maintain their enchanting traditions. Continue on and explore the heartwarming and magical world of these Villagers, where every character plays a vital role in spreading joy and wonder.

Nicholas

Nicholas, with his golden yellow hair flowing over his shoulders and a beard reaching his chest, cuts an imposing figure into his blue shirt and red cape. Often seen with a brown bag slung over his shoulder and wearing a brown and white tassel hat, he completes his look with sturdy brown boots. Renowned among the Villagers of the Duluth attic, Nicholas possesses the ability to transport himself anywhere in the world, a gift he uses each Christmas Eve to deliver presents with his sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. As a leader, toy maker, and supply provider, he commands respect and turns to in times of crisis, guiding the Villagers with a forceful yet gentle demeanor.

Astrid

Astrid, dressed in a flowing yellow dress that reaches her feet and a white apron tied in front, tucks her hair into a white handkerchief with knots on each side, covering her ears. Her blue eyes, filled with wisdom and compassion, often gaze slightly to the right as she stands with her fingers and thumbs touching in front of her waist. Deeply devoted to her husband Nicholas and the safety and well-being of their village, Astrid is a constant source of advice and moral support, maintaining strong connections with the Village Keepers and their families. As a skilled toy maker and painter, she plays a vital role in village life, helping Nicholas lead and ensuring the smooth running of their enchanted community.

Nils

Nils, wearing a light brown shirt, blue pants, and black shoes, is easily recognized by his brown burnt sienna hair and beard. Equipped with a wood carving chisel on his left hip and a mallet on his right, he stands ready to ensure the smooth production of gifts. As Nicholas’ right-hand man, Nils focuses intensely on efficiency and meeting quotas, which often makes him irritable. His candid nature and frequent updates to Nicholas keep the operations running seamlessly, especially in preparation for the Christmas Eve launch.

Gunda

Gunda, dressed in a yellowish smock with a white head cover and a brown belt holding a utility pouch, is known for her distinctive appearance and practical attire. Her strong-willed nature allows her to keep Nils in line, ensuring that his focus on efficiency doesn’t overshadow the importance of quality and the joy in the Villagers as they work. As the primary painter, Gunda excels in color coordination, bringing out the best in each wooden gift with her artistic touch. Her keen eye for detail ensures that every piece she works on looks its finest, adding a vibrant touch to the Village’s creations.

Arve

Arve, dressed in a green shirt that reaches his knees, tan pants, leather shoes, and a blue cape, complements his look with a tan tunic on his head, and yellow hair and beard. As a proficient hunter turned Villager, Arve arrived as an outsider lost in a nearby village shortly before the plague, but found true love in Ola, marrying her before the calamity struck. Highly intelligent, Arve spends much of his time reading anything he can find and is now also skilled at navigating the Internet. As Ola’s husband and weaving assistant, he helps the Villagers stay updated on the latest styles and trends

Ola

Ola, dressed in a green outer dress with a yellow neck border over a longer floor-length dress, completes her outfit with a tan belt that drapes to her ankles and tan leather shoes. Her long brown hair is tied into a ponytail. One falls in the front, and one falls in the back. Known for her intelligence and awareness, Ola is the youngest adult in the Village. Along with her husband Arve, she works as a weaver and knitter, often sharing tales of their adventures with Cora, a younger sister of the Keeper family of the time.

Stian

Stian, considerably shorter than his daughter Ola and the rest of the village, has been a devoted father since his wife Olga, who died at Ola’s birth. The entire village, including Agar, pitched in to help raise Ola. It was Stian who introduced the outsider Arve to his daughter, fostering a bond that led to their marriage. Now living in Duluth, Minnesota, Stian is an avid fan of Minnesota college and professional sports and does not particularly care about the Packers (sorry Packer Backers, it’s Stian’s way).

Baldur

Baldur, dressed in a full-length leather shirt and brown pants with matching leather shoes, carries his leather-working tools in a brown pouch attached to his belt. His thick yellow hair and beard frame a face known for its strong personality and physical strength, traits Agar tried to capture in the carving. Once a farmer, Baldur mastered the art of leather tanning and now spends his days creating exquisite leather gifts. Alongside his wife Berthina, he often finds himself keeping their mischievous children, Kel and Uda, out of trouble.

Berthina

Berthina, dressed in a long tan dress that sweeps the ground and a blue cape draped over her shoulders, ties her auburn hair back with a cloth in Viking-era style. Known for her mellow and easygoing nature, her patience is often tested by the mischievous antics of Kel and Uda. As one of Astrid’s closest friends, Berthina provides a steady presence in the village. She supports her husband Baldur by sewing leather and wrapping up the leather gifts he creates, contributing to the village’s thriving craftwork.

Kel

Kel, one of the ten-year-old twin children of Baldur and Berthina, wears a gray shirt that reaches his knees, blue pants, and leather shoes, with yellow hair like his father’s. Easily bored, Kel is often found tinkering with items belonging to the Village Keeper family or anything else that catches his interest. As the stronger-willed twin, he frequently leads their mischievous adventures, making him and his sister Uda favorites among the Village Keeper children. When not getting into trouble, Kel takes on odd jobs around the Village, provided he has the patience for the tasks.

Uda

Uda, one of the twin children of Baldur and Berthina, is known for her high energy and adventurous spirit, often finding herself in trouble alongside her brother Kel. Clad in a long dress with a white apron, she shares the same yellow hair as her father, which falls to her shoulders, and wears leather shoes. Again, both Uda and Kel are favorites among the younger children in the Village Keeper family, always exploring the house and finding new things to play with, much to their parents’ chagrin. When not causing mischief, Uda takes on odd jobs around the Village, though her curiosity and restlessness often lead her back to new adventures.

The Rest of the Villagers Not Pictured (Not Yet Carved)

Vidor

Vidor, with his brown beard and hair, dons a tan shirt and trousers, embodying the quiet strength of a skilled metalsmith. Known for creating exquisite metal necklaces that Nicholas distributes on Christmas Eve, his jewelry is highly cherished by the recipients, as Nicholas often reports back to the Village. Vidor maintains a reserved demeanor, believing firmly that everyone should mind their own affairs, yet his even temperament and sharp intellect are well-respected. Deeply in love with and protective of his wife Liv, Vidor’s devotion to both his craft and his family is unwavering.

Liv

Liv, with her very long blond curly hair cascading down her back down her light blue dress, is a figure of quiet grace and beauty in the Village. Intensely shy, she remains close to her husband Vidor, speaking little but expressing her deep affection through her actions. Despite her reticence, she is well-loved and respected by the Villagers, who appreciate her gentle nature and kindness. Liv diligently helps Vidor package his fine metal jewelry, preparing each piece for Nicholas to deliver on Christmas Eve. Her love for both her craft and her community is evident in every careful movement.

Tolof

Tolof, a 17-year-old boy dressed in a dark gray shirt and trousers, may lack manufacturing skills but plays a vital role in the Village by helping with tasks like wrapping gifts, shipping them to Nicholas’s sleigh, and maintaining the village huts and grounds. He often assists Nicholas in bringing supplies from the hidden compartment beneath the village, showcasing his reliability and strength. Orphaned during the great famine before the black plague, Tolof has been lovingly cared for by the other villagers, though he sometimes feels they pity him. Despite this, he remains a good friend to everyone, deeply valued for his unwavering support and kind heart.

Merrit

Merrit, a tall and graceful villager, stands out in her light red dress and long white apron as she skillfully creates gifts from cloth, such as quilts, blankets, dolls, and kitchen cloth wares. Her two preteen children, Gunni and Hildi, assist her in the manufacturing of these goods, learning the trade under her watchful eye. Known for being a devoted mother, Merrit often lends a hand to Berthina, especially when dealing with the mischievous antics of Kel and Uda. Always willing to help, Merrit is a pillar of support in the Village, taking on any task that needs to be done with a warm heart and unwavering dedication.

Gunni

Gunni, a 13-year-old villager and the eldest son of Merrit, possesses a mild disposition and intelligence beyond his years. Tasked with assisting his mother in creating larger cloth fabric items like quilts and blankets, Gunni diligently helps package these gifts and send them off to Nicholas’s sleigh. His keen mind and steady hands make him an invaluable helper, though he often finds himself warding off the mischievous pranks of Kel and Uda. Despite the occasional disruption, Gunni remains focused and dependable, embodying the spirit of youthful dedication and responsibility.

Hildi

Hildi, the 11-year-old daughter of Merrit and younger sister to Gunni, closely resembles her mother, wearing a pink dress and white apron. Gentle by nature, yet resilient, she adeptly handles any issues that arise in the attic, including thwarting the mischievous pranks of Kel and Uda. Hildi assists in crafting cloth dolls and other small plush items, often helping Ola with her woolen creations and addressing various other needs in the attic. Alongside her mother, she wraps gifts and aids her brother in transporting them to Nicholas’s sleigh, embodying a spirit of kindness and unwavering dedication.

Lars

Lars, a slender middle-aged man clad in a gray shirt and trousers, is the devoted caretaker of the eight tiny reindeer who eagerly flock around him until they are called upon by Nicholas on Christmas Eve. Known for his gentle, yet firm demeanor, he allows the reindeer to roam freely throughout the Village and soar around the attic room, a sight that brings joy to all who witness it. The reindeer respond only to Lars outside of their Christmas duties, showcasing the unique bond they share. Never married and content with his solitary life, Lars is highly intelligent and lends his creative and analytical skills to any task in the village that requires thoughtful solutions.