Mythology · 06
Ancient Creatures
In Finland's forests, swamps and rocks lived creatures that were not encountered by day and not spoken aloud. Some were large and stupid, some small and cunning, some mere shadows of a human's own fear.
MythologyWhat the old tales tell
The forest was full of väki that could not be seen. It was not empty or silent — it was full of gazes, footsteps and sounds that vanished when you turned your head. The hunter knew they were not alone, even if they saw no one. Väki walked on paths whose names were unknown, and lived in places that must not be disturbed.
Hiisi originally meant a sacred place — a sacrifice ridge, a grove or a stone. With Christianity the meaning turned, and hiisi became giants and trolls. Giant's cauldrons — deep round hollows in rock — were the grinding stones of hiisi. What was holy became frightening, and a sacred place received new väki.
Earth-folk lived under hills and stones. They were small, strong and easily offended. Their world was our mirror image: upside down, backwards, everything the other way around. If a human built too close, the earth-folk could cause sickness or misfortune. By asking forgiveness and offering a gift they could be appeased.
Näkki swam in waters and lured children into the depths. It was the danger of water, long-haired and cold. Mothers warned: do not go too close to the pier, do not look into the water too long, do not follow strange sounds from the reed bed. Näkki did not take everyone — it took only those who did not heed the warning.
The troll was a large, stupid and dangerous giant, but easily misled. Tales told how a swift-footed shepherd led the troll into a swamp or a cave crevice. The gnome was a small, cunning and jealous creature that stole, cheated and vanished before anyone could grab it.
The nightmare, Mara, was the terror of the night that sat upon the sleeper and squeezed. It drained vitality and left its victim older, greyer, emptier. Awakening to it was cold sweat and feeling of suffocation. It was physical — it pressed, and it was felt.
Will-o'-the-wisps were wandering lights on the swamp, 'väki that has lost its home'. They led travellers deeper into the swamp, called out names and showed the faces of strangers. The aarnivalkea was their opposite: an orange, stationary beacon fire that revealed a sacred burial mound and did not mislead. It was a sign of treasure, not a trap.
The kalmanväki was not a single creature but a force that clung to death. It remained in graves, places of death and the clothes of the dead. That is why hands were washed and clothes burned after funerals. Kalma was not evil — it was simply a force that sought a new host if the old one was gone. More is told in the Tuonela article.
In the game worldHow this appears in Sammuneet Revontulet
Hiisi are enemies in the game: hiisi_jaa, hiisi_sarvi, hiisi_sieni, hiisi_varjo. 'Angel of Frost' is a hiisi chained under a snow shroud, whom Kipinä frees in the ninth episode. It releases a cry held back for centuries.
Earth-folk live in their own castle and control the power of the earth in mines. As enemies: maahinen_kaivaja, maahinen_kuningas, maahinen_mage, maahinen_sieni.
The Groke slides out of the darkness in winter. Its eyes are empty and full of loneliness. It longs for the warmth of a soul. The player can give it peace or banish it with the light of the aurora.
The Nightmare (Mara) is locked in a decorated box in the forest. It is a dark, furry shape that sits upon and drains vitality. Awakening to it is cold sweat and feeling of suffocation.
Will-o'-the-wisps are wandering lights on the swamp — 'väki that has lost its home'. The aarnivalkea is their opposite: an orange, stationary beacon fire that reveals a sacred burial mound and does not mislead.
Hiisi
Ice hiisi
Mushroom hiisi
Shadow hiisi
Earth-folk king
Earth-folk wizard
Will-o'-the-wisp
Spirit gas
Cursed guardian
Shaman troll
Related articles
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