Beneath a moonless sky
Rainfall hid the sky behind its tears, but Fainomaiken was resolved not to be deterred.
The Breath of Winter had revealed the face of his skein and still he was not afraid.
Immanoviel waited for him beyond the waters of Nutjuitoq, where the ice is a stranger to the sun.
The Skein of Fainomaiken, traditionalOverview
The hylje, the strange shapeshifting seal-folk of the northern lakes have historically kept to themselves. Only in the decade of the Empire's resurgence, have the Suaq people re-affirmed their bonds to their ancient cousins. The hylje have given aid and received aid in return, especially during the invasion of Sermersuaq and in its aftermath. Despite a somewhat ill-fated expedition to bring the Way to them which ended in tragedy, much has been learnt about these people and their way of life. They are of the world, but their nature is as different to human and orc as human and orc are to each other: nevertheless, they are clear that they consider the Suaq close kin, and the Steinr and Kallavesa good friends at the very least.
The Mediator of Hyljehal for many years has been Raal Dunn, and he has ably served to keep relationships between the Winterfolk and the hylje-folk on an even keel. It seems that those efforts have, now, born a new fruit. Koskinen, the son of one of the Palliko, the leaders of the hylje, has made contact at the Hyljehal. He delivers a message for all of Wintermark. It seems that the hylje were deeply affected and troubled by the Cult of the Falconer's recent activities. To celebrate the victory over this foe, and the many years of good relations besides, the Palliko have decided to hold a festival next season, marking the Autumn Equinox.
The hylje's lives are governed by such seasonal festivals, which they call waystones of time, and apparently they are times of great celebration and transition. Koskinen himself it seems is to be married, and crowned as one of the Palliko himself, and many others besides are to reach new stages in the journey of their lives. None outside the hylje have ever attended such a festival, but in the name of friendship, Koskinen has insisted that the friends of the hylje be permitted to attend. At the Autumn Equinox, there is a conjunction that will allow up to fifty members of Wintermark attend the Festival of Autumn's Easing at the Equinox. He says that he is clear that this means the Steinr and the Kallavesa as well - they may not be family, but they are friends, and besides they are wedded to their cousins the Suaq and that is quite like being family, anyway.
There are three matters that Koskinen would like his friends to be aware of; matters to discuss and prepare for before the meeting next season.
With Sermersuaq's cunning
- If a smuggler's cove is constructed in Tromsa, a voyage, Sail into the Cold, will be available to fleet-captains of Wintermark
- The voyage would allow them to discover more about the mysterious orcs of Fjorknae
Firstly, Koskinen brings unwelcome tidings. The orcs of Fjorknae have been paid handsomely by the Lasambrians using the plundered gold of Meade, and sent a large warband to aid the Lasambrians in the season just gone. Koskinen believes that there is a serious possibility that the warband will remain. Worse yet, it is possible that the island dwellers could send a navy. Certainly, Koskinen believes, there is a heightened risk of piracy going forward for those sailing the Sea of Snow.
Little is known of the orcs of Fjorknae. There are no records remaining of them warring with the Empire. They are Jotun, or at least they give fealty to the Jarl of Jarls - though to which Jarl of Jarls nobody is clear. Koskinen is clear that they also consider the orcs of Fjorknae a great threat. Apparently, in times gone by, they have enjoyed a close relationship with the hylje's mysterious and violent cousins, the akhlut...
If the smuggler's cove once built in Tromsa could be re-established then as well as allowing the usual gathering of military intelligence in Tromsa, there would a new opportunity. Guided by the hylje, it would also allow the fleets of Wintermark to undertake a new scouting voyage Sail into the Cold. If enough fleets were committed to this voyage, then the Empire would be gain a better understanding of who the orcs of Fjorknae are, whom they serve, and some idea of the scale of threat they pose. Thereafter, the voyage would becoming a raiding voyage, Raid into the Cold, representing a campaign of active raiding on the settlements of these orcs. This would also provide an excellent basis for the draft appraisals identified by the Civil Service recently when considering the wider problem of Fjorknae.
In Sermersuaq's memory
- Koskinen has asked for performances which tell stories of the heroes of Wintermark
- These can be stories of heroes still living, or those long gone
- In return, the hylje will share their own stories, including what they know of the legendary Sermersuaq herself, and what they know of the Rusalka of the east
Secondly, the most welcome matter. The hylje know only a little of the heroes of Wintermark. They know most about the Suaq, but even there they are more familiar with the peoples than with the heroes. They themselves do not recognise heroism in quite the same way as the people of Wintermark, but they appreciate tales of it greatly.
Koskinen asks the Mediator of Hyljehal find a group of Wintermarkers who wish to perform a Wintermark story, something that is important to the people of the Mark. If the Mediator arranges to fill out the group with those who will most enjoy watching the two performances, regardless of their tradition, that would be most welcome.
Apparently, when the hylje tell stories, it is more common for it to be played out as a drama with many players. Koskinen claims that this is an essentially magical act and one filled with great potency. He recognises that it is perhaps different from the usual scop's tradition to perform a collective act of storytelling in this manner - but he is sure there must be some among in Wintermark who could rise to the challenge. He says that it would be especially welcome for a magical element to be included in the performance - just so long as the magic does not create any auras that might affect the hylje.
In return, the hylje will in turn demonstrate their art of storytelling and the power of the instruments of narrative. The place at which the Festival will take place is a strong regio of the realm of Autumn. With their cousin's permission, the hylje intend to perform a ritual of Autumnal magic, enchanting Sermersuaq in the spirit of the Festival of Autumn's Easing. As part of that performance, they will tell the story of the legendary Sermersuaq as they understand it. Afterwards, Koskinen's bride, Aino, would be delighted to talk of other topics that might be of interest to the assembled, such as the Rusalka of the east, which apparently the Mediator has inquired about.
As Sermersuaq strode
- The hylje may be prepared to assist the people of Wintermark in their great quest to master Tsirku
- With three measures of stardust, the hylje could assist with the exploration of the region containing Nutjuitoq
- The hylje could offer more help if Skyfall Waste and the Icewood in Tromsa were held by the Empire
Finally, Koskinen notes wryly that his people have noticed that Nutjuitoq, the lake north of Sermersuaq, has been awfully busy of late. It seems the expedition this past season has not gone unnoticed! He is excited for the Ambition and Courage the Winterfolk have shown! The prospect of a concerted effort to explore the northern wastes is one he greatly encourages. After all, Sermersuaq herself rode out from Sydanjaa, did she not? So it is only natural, in his view, that her children now return.
He says that the hylje know only a little of Tsirku themselves. They know it mainly through its southernmost lakes, Nutjuitoq and Karnakadatha. Still, their seal-forms do not mind the cold too much, which helps a great deal. However, the Northern Lights are perilous to the hylje - so they generally do not tarry long there. But if that could be dealt with, Koskinen believes that the Palliko can be persuaded to offer their aid in the exploration of Tsirku.
He says that the coming Festival of Autumn's Easing is the appropriate place for the Mediator of the Hyljehal to make such a request of the gathered leaders. If the Mediator could provide three measures of stardust, a refined form of ilium, which some master artisans know how to make, then it can be used by the hylje to fortify their own natures against sky-madness. The hylje are not themselves skilled artisans, but Koskinen believes there exist smiths of Hanhmark who know the subtle art.
If the Mediator can provide the Palliko with enough stardust, then the hylje can aid the expedition into Tsirku. They are most able to assist with the exploration with the region which contains the great lake of Nutjuitoq, once scouting efforts reach it. This will reduce the thresholds needed to gather information about that region by a fifth. This hylje will provide aid to scouts who wish to cross Nutjuitoq itself from the Suaq Wastes rather than venturing north-west from Suaq Fount.
In theory they could also provide aid exploring the region which contains the great lake of Karnakadatha, but that would require the Empire to seize control of Skyfall Waste in Tromsa from the Jotun. If the Empire did that, then it would reduce the thresholds needed to gather information about both regions by two fifths. Moreover, if the Empire held Skyfall Waste and the Icewood, and maintained control of the Suaq Wastes and the Fount, then they would definitively control access to the southern lakes of Tsirku. This would allow the hylje great freedom to move between the two. It's hard to say what benefit this would provide, but it would mean the hylje were well-placed to address challenges that might arise during the exploration.