Synopsis

Deep in the snowy forests of Skadi wild spirits roam freely. Thaalia (MC) is the keeper of Skadi's Hearth, a shrine dedicated to the goddess which gives the forest its namesake. Her tribe has long protected the sacred places favored by the goddess, and known of ancient magic to call upon her power in times of need. Despite being home to various holy sites, they forest is widely believed to be cursed. A noxious miasma, called the Black Mist, seeps from fissures in the ground and its corrupting influence turns mundane beasts into fell creatures. To keep the miasma in check, each year the Hearthkeeper must make a harsh winter pilgrimage around the mountain, hunting monsters and lighting the ritual pyres along the way.

Shortly after starting her pilgrimage, Thaalia encounters an injured (wo)man, YC, at the edge of a mountain trail. Lacking the suspicion of outsiders her tribesmen normally have, she brought YC to Skadi's Hearth and nursed her back to health. YC feeling they owe Thaalia a life debt, swears to serve and protect her. However, winter has already begun and the forest will become ever more dangerous until the pyres of the goddess are lit.

Running theme

Gods enjoy playing games through unsuspecting mortals

Where Skadi and the other gods participate in the "Eternal Hunt" to chase away the monsters of the Black Mist. They call it the "Eternal Hunt" because the Black Mist can never really be defeated, only forced to retreat until next winter. Each god can have their own champions, some which want to the Black Mist to engulf the world, and others who want to seal it away. Lighting the pyres just happens to be Skadi's method of dealing with it, and her champion is Thaalia.

YC is one of these champions as well. And while our characters don't know it, sealing the Black Mist for good means they will have to join forces! Perhaps in more than one way ;3

My Character

Thaalia was born on an auspicious day according to her tribe's customs. That meant she was destined to be a hearthkeeper long before she ever knew what that meant. Her tribe had always been small and few, following the same nomadic lifestyle for generations. Thaalia, however, was trained in the 'old ways'. Instead of learning to hunt, she learned to commune with wild spirits. Instead of learning the songs, she was instructed on how to serve the goddess, the danger of the Black Mist, and the importance of the pyres.

Her tribe keeps a reverential distance from the Hearth and only visits to leave offerings. Despite being revered by her people, she struggles with loneliness even now. Isolated in this quiet place with only wild spirits to talk to, she has grown into a bit of an oddball. Having learned the wisdom of the spirits, she can is sharp and knowledgeable, but woefully naive about the rest of the world.

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