The Great Ice of Tyedu

The Great Ice of Tyedu

Interview Conducted by Ophiviel of Dormiria Of Luyu (Sul'Dove)

ATU Northern Culture and History Collection

The Great Ice is a place of great danger and great mysticism to the tribes of Tyedu. The glaciers that make up the Great Ice are revered above all us. They are known to be very dangerous and not just in tribal myths or beliefs but to all. To travel upon them is taking one's life in their own hands and giving it to the spirits and nature of the Great Ice to guide and protect them. To speak of them is done in awe and respect of the ice that never melts.

Death is certain in Tyedu between the harshness of the land and its people. Every tribe has its own rituals for death and the deceased. Many of them focus on returning the body to nature by leaving the body of the deceased somewhere that had meaning to the tribe or that person. So that nature and its beast can aid in the return. Other tribes will set to fire the body of the deceased and allow the wind to carry the ashes across the lands. Those of high respect or loved ones will have their body taken the Great Ice so that their spirit lives with the guiding ones and tells them of their people and what they saw in life. Some are known to travel for months just to reach the Great Ice to spread a small pouch of ash from the pyre or place a few bones of the departed.

It is believed that all of the Tyeduian spirits live on the Great Ice and that is why it is a revered place to all the tribes. Their guiding spirit lives there, it is their home, and as such is viewed with the utmost respect and reverence. To travel upon the Great ice is done in peace even if one tribe crosses paths with an opposing tribe. Respect is show and they depart in peace as to not anger the spirits. For a tribe to cross the Great Ice. They must first perform rituals to enter and must travel in silence as the spirits might speak to them. It is believed with the rolling mist appears around the travelers that the spirits of those from the past walk with them and protect them from malevolent spirits that also make their home upon the Great Ice. Maybe tribes have traversed the Great Ice and know the landmarks but that is not to say they have explored it.

The only known people to call the Great Ice home are the war band known as The Circle. Led there and protected by the spirit known as Umhiesh, the viper, the poisoned, and the deceiver. Umhiesh, is the embodiment of The Circle. A war band of those unwanted in the other tribes; thieves, murders, and those without any honor to speak of. In most tribes, the most serious of crimes against them merits one of two punishments; death or exile. Those that are exiled to the frozen landscape and live long enough upon it will be found by The Circle. If they are accepted into The Circle they might live. Beyond that much isn't known of their structure or rituals. What is known is that they roam the Great Ice and beyond raiding tribes or fighting for them as mercenaries but not for gold. If they aid you and win, then they will seek to join that tribe and a claim a prize from the battle.

The Great Ice, while just another glacier to those from the south, is the center of Tyediuan beliefs. This is where the spirits live and more than we know of. The mysteries of the Great Ice haven't even been revealed to the Tyeduians. Besides being a dangerous place to travel and a possible affront to tribal beliefs depending upon the travel. What secrets and histories do the Great Ice hide and what can learn from such a place?

About the reciter: Sul'Dove was taken as a battle prize by the Circle at the age of eight at the Battle of Thick Trees. Where the Blue Foxes and their allies the Circle fought the Blood Wings of Jechran for over a decade Sul'Dove renamed Luyu by her new tribe was raised within the Blue Foxes and taught their ways. She escaped in a snowstorm to avoid being given away to the Circle to honor them for joining the Blue Foxes. She now resides in Elysia as Bow Maiden with the Warrior Maidens of Dre'Ana, and has taken to using her birth name of Sul'Dove or Sky Dove.

About the Interviewer: Ophiviel is from the city and lands of Dormiria. She has spent her life documenting the stories of the people that come to The City of Refugees seeking new lives. In recent years, she has taken to travel and is currently employed by the Avlis Tower University for her skills at documenting the living history of people and interviewing skills.