The wild hunt is a supernatural phenomenon that occurs around the winter solstice in Sydonia and the North. The existence of the Wild Hunt is also present in the ancient lore of the Elven Diaspora.
In Sydonia
Every year around the winter solstice in Ærrageola and leading up to the winter feast of Gēola, the people of Sydonia report seeing great hosts of black-clad huntsmen riding across the countryside. These huntsmen are thought to be led by Woden atop his 8-legged horse Sleipnir. According to legend, the wild hunt was conjured forth during the war of the dragons to hunt down the remaining dragons following their defeat. It is thought that the wild hunt's quarry remains the same, but any who are unlucky enough to be in their path may fall victim to them. Sydonians leave baskets of food for the huntsmen and their mounts and hounds outside their homes in the days leading up to the feast of Gēola, lest they fall prey to them.
In The North
In the north, the wild hunt is referred to as the
Odens jakt or
Odin's Hunt and occurs around the winter solstice in Ýlir, leading up to the festival of Jól. During this time, Odin rides across the world in a one-wheeled cart pulled by black goats, accompanied by his hunting wolves. Anyone he comes across is slain unless he is presented with a gift of steel, or his wolves are presented with meat. Structures built along his path are set ablaze. It is believed that the
Vikingr summoned Odin long ago to drive out the giants from the north, and that he still hunts them during this time. Witnessing the
Odens jakt is considered a bad omen and a sign of coming strife.
Among the Elves
Among the elven diaspora, legends of the wild hunt are similar to the Sydonian tales with some small differences. Some believe these stories are merely appropriations of Sydonian myth, but others believe the wild hunt may originate in the cultural exchanges between the elves and men in the days of peace before the betrayal of Sydonia. Among the elves, the wild hunt is led by the spirit of
Gwythyr the first kin-slain. The huntsmen ride giant elk and cross over into the world from the Fey through magical mist. They are thought to hunt down enemies of the Elven people and destroy man-made structures to avenge their betrayal. In Sydonia, stories of the elven wild hunt are considered heresy, but the elves secretly pray for the wild hunt during difficult times.
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