The spirits of life are engaging into battle with the forces of The Ice.
Every ten thousand years or so, a powerful force, simply called "The Ice" by most,
threatens to overtake the planet, burying all living creatures under it and
preserving their bodies and souls in an eternal motionless slumber.
But Life as we know it is not prepared to abandon its assets that easily. The
three aspects that the Ice wants to overcome form into corporal existence,
becoming spirit creatures that have the ability to walk amidst those that
believe in them, to guide them and to protect them against the influence of The
Ice and those that follow it. They take the form of different species, not
always the same and able to change their species, gender and age as appropriate.
But certain points of recognition always stay the same.
The Ice
Symbol of stagnance and eternal slumber, The Ice threatens to enclose the entire world in its frigid talons. It is more a force than a physical entity, and lures living beings to its bidding by seducing them to eternal peace; abandoning all the aspects of corporeal existence -- the hunt for food, the strive of procreation and the endless cycle
of birth and death. Followers of The Ice become transformed; their pelt or hair turning white, their body temperature dropping and their eyes become a light, bloodless hue of blue. They are as walking dead, and are hated and feared by all living things.
The Chief
Tornarsuk, (The Chief) is the most powerful of the spirits, representing the eternal cycle of birth and death. He always appears as a pitch black animal with yellow
glowing eyes and a mystical aura of peace around him. He is the guardian of the
Netherworld, where all souls go when they are waiting for their reincarnation.
He guides and accompanies those souls on their transition.
The Hunter
Haokah (The Hunter) is master of the Hunt, protector of both herd and predator. Though he teaches the ways of claws and fangs, he also teaches respect and restraint; that the deadly game never favors one side. He always appears as a very powerful and aggressive individual of a predatory species with red glowing eyes. His coat and stealth hide him so well that he is rarely seen.
The Mother
Yoskeha (The Mother) oversees procreation and the rearing of young, the future of each animal's kind. Like love itself, this spirit is sometimes fickle, but she seems to enjoy interceding in the lives of living beings and is seen somewhat more often than the other spirits. She appears as a stunningly beautiful female of any species, with softly glowing green eyes.
Lesser Spirits
There are many more spirits who may aid in the battle against The Ice, but they are generally more secretive and lend their aid less frequently. Some better-known of these lesser spirits are The Trickster and The Seeker.
(Written by Tornarsuk, with help from Yoskeha. 11/26/00)
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