Mantessi

Among the Ruenlak, Mantessi is the goddess of thunder and lightning. She is depicted as a thin, nearly skeletal, woman with flowing black hair wearing a long hooded cloak. She carries a wooden clapper in her right hand that resounds with the thunder that levels mountains. Her left arm bears ribbons or bolts of cloth that she uses to paint the sky with after the storm. When angered she hurls ice the size of a man's head, pelting the land and those who dwell upon it with thousands of missiles. The only protection is to be found within a stone building.

She is the goddess of virgins and all women who receive her blessing must have never copulated with a man. To those who serve her dutifully she grants them command over one of the winds that trail her presence through the sky. It is believed that she will never enter a house where copulation is happening. She disdains those lovers caught under the open sky and will send the winds to punish them for a year.

She has commanded the four most powerful winds of the world into mortal bodies of those she deems worthy.

Llanowin is the form of the youngest of the storms. She lived in the south where the sun shone brightly and the call of Mantessi could be heard for hundreds of miles. She loved the elves of the deep forests who would hang ribbons among the trees for her to dance between during the high sun. Most importantly was Rhian a singer of unparalleled skill. With no instrument she could fill the woods with the most wonderful sound. The southern storm beseeched Mantessi for her blessing. The goddess, looking kindly upon the union, found a nearby elf and gave her to the storm.

As Llanowin she has danced among the trees with Rhian, enjoying all of her time with the young woman. She is a gentle and playful woman fond of gentle rains and warm days. Those who provoke her wrath will find a dangerous tempest beneath her demeanor.

Svetlana is an old, bitter storm that was chained to the north by Preben, a giant man from the Night Ice. Long did she rage, but could do nothing to break the chains that bound her to the earth. She screamed and begged Mantessi for revenge and one day her wish was granted. In the mortal form of a great bear she tore apart the chains and chased Preben across the north. The giant was more than her match in battle - her raw fury against his skill. Several times she nearly killed him, but each time he escaped with his life. The more he escaped the more her fury grew. She destroyed thousands on the belief they harbored Preben.

The giant disappeared long ago, but she still searches for him. Anyone woman offering her aid will find that she is a strong, if unstable, companion. A man who dares approach or touch her will be killed.