Champions of Väinämöinen
Purpose
The Champions of Väinämöinen invoke images of the great hero of the Finnish saga, the Kalevala. Like the hero himself, these mages are warriors, wizards, bards, sages, prophets, and messiahs—at least in their own minds. They have dwelled among the frigid wilds of northern Finland for ages. They have broadened their twilight horizons and thwarted the vile schemes of monsters. If sometimes they must themselves be as monsters, so be it. Hard times call for hard choices and the hard wills to make them.
Dwelling apart from the Masses enables these mages to evoke the old ways and invoke the old gods. Paradox has a harder time quashing what no one notices. Through such subtle rituals, they guide Oulu and the entire region. They tap Sámi lore and Scandinavian pluck to do what must be done. Most live in harmony with their natural surroundings if those environs’ beastly protectors. Of course, when they expanded their interests, as the Council of Traditions has done at whole, they welcomed technomages who often frequent the city more than the mysticks. Yet, even as they profess kinship with the wilds, they seek not only to crush the schemes of the vampire-witch Louhi but reverse them. This chantry intends to create a world of eternal light, where the sun forever shines and banishes the darkness to the farthest corners of the Earth, whence the wretches dare never emerge again.
Chantry Policies
The Traditions’ protocols are upheld, including and perhaps especially the Rule of Shade. Their location outside of town helps, but they dare not risk the notice of witch-hunters, Pogroms, or Paradox until the final preparations for the eternal light ritual are made.
Special Events
Special events are annual (or more frequent) holidays or special ritual days that the main group or groups observe as a whole community. Attendance and participation are often expected of all members, and sometimes required.
Jako-aika
A special celebration on the Winter Solstice, this event is marked by an all-day, all-night feast in the longhouse. Special offerings for the spirits are left at all the trees that ring the pond outside. Skipping or cheapening this event can corrupt the Resonance of Syvyydenkaivo from a primordial light to a primordial darkness, which would aid Louhi.
“For all the darkness in the universe, the engines of light are irrepressible gods.”
-- Paul Aho bani Apollo, Master of the Temple of Eternal Light
