Daughters of Ice and Wind

The Daughters of Ice and Wind predate the Ruenlak People, going back to the first human settlements in the Rakarian Valley. Women who only bore daughters were said to be blessed by Aesir, the wind, and Jadwiga, the ice.

A woman's life among the Ruenlak was dependent upon her children and house. Her ability to give men children would entice men into her home. The man would bring gifts to the home to show his favor, these gifts belonged to the woman - as did all children. A woman who bore only daughters was said to be blessed by the goddesses, but come to the attention of the Daughters of Ice and Wind. If the Daughters visited her home and found such a blessing they would take her children from her and give them to other women - the home and all of its belongs would be burned.

The woman, without home or children, would be taken by the daughters into the mountains. Through a year-long ceremony of gluttony and fasting she would be tested. If the Aesir and Jadwiga favored her she would survive. One year after her taking she would become a member of the coven. She would be able to command the many faces of the goddesses.

Aesir

The breath of life and the kiss of the summer breeze, Aesir, is the bringer of the warm wet summer winds. She awoke the sun from its long slumber allowing the crops to grow and feed her people. The great jundari and thunderhawk the flew upon her winds were the sign of her pleasure or anger. People born under the sign of Aesir were remarkable in their arts, farming, and nurturing.

Jadwiga

Jadwiga is the huntress, the bringer of death, who lived in the icy mountains and stalked the nights. From her flows strength and to joy of the hunt. What Aesir nurtured, Jadwiga killed for the good of the hunter. She fed her people, but never so much they grew indulgent and idle. Children born under the sign of Jadwiga were great hunters and warriors. They were the leaders of the people.

Coven

The daughters gathered in groups called covens. A coven was not set by tradition or holy writ, instead they gathered around the strongest among them. Each solstice the Daughters would gather at their hidden places in the mountains (Jadwiga/winter) or the plains (Aesir/summer) and renew their vows to themselves, their goddesses, and the sisterhood. New covens would form with each daughter choosing who, if anybody, she would follow.

Most covens where two to four (2-4) women. Nearly a fifth of their number were in covens by themselves. The largest coven ever centered around Horenski, thought to be the strongest sister ever blessed. Nearly thirty (30) women followed her at her peak. Her coven lasted nearly eight years until the arrival of the Mladovians.