The Lean Years

The Lean Years was a period of Stenza history between -6691 and -6630, during which the populations of animals Stenza relied on for food plummeted sharply. The true cause eluded Stenza researchers for some time, but was eventually found to be outbreaks of numerous fungal diseases, an event akin to the Black Plague on Earth. The worst famines drove Stenza to forego the customary organ offerings to Hunter in their capacity as a food spirit, leading to the remarkably morbid Stenza saying "organs and all" (to denote with some trepidation that an individual is completely committing to whatever (usually very stupid) thing they are about to do).
Greater Pass Stenza religious expert Pentho lived during this time, and her life is heavily mythologized and often used in modern times as a template for appropriate interactions with the Snow Pups and Snow Warrior (in fact, Pentho is credited with inventing many modern religious practices, among the Greater Pass people specifically, although this claim has dubious historical backing). The most famous tale of her life, Pentho and the Warrior, is probably set during one of the worst famines (as evidenced by the warrior pursuing Pentho into the Frozen Wastes to his own demise).
The Lean Years have left their mark in the biology world, as well; aside from the obvious, this era radically altered the way Stenza kept track of the herds they depend on, with some even starting to make it a full-time job.

Type

Natural