Natchilliq
Natchilliq is the largest island in the Kaa Shuká archipelago and the place where most of the Kimutaa live. Although it is most often known to outsiders by its Kitlin name, Natchilliq, which means "The Place of Seals," the Kimutaa call it Héen G̱unax̱ Káa, "the Island of the Standing Storm." According to the prophecies of the Kimutaa founder Kaagúshaan, Natchilliq will be the place best suited to survive the oncoming catastrophe, the details of which are kept secret from all but the most senior of the Yaa Háatx'i, the shamans who lead the Kimutaa.
The island is one of the most remote in the Great Ring, lying at the western edge of the Kaa Shuká archipelago and far from normal trading routes. As a consequence, very few people ever visit it or know more about it than what can be gleaned from a map.
There is one major settlement on the island, where Tleeyágnaak, the heir to Kaagúshaan, maintains his abode, called Yáa Sháawu, "the Place of Speaking." It is here that those Kimutaa who follow Tleeyágnaak gather annually to discuss their preparations for the future, hear the teachings, and coordinate their work to survive in this harsh land.
Notable Spirits
Natchilliq is inhabited by many spirits who the Kimutaa honor. The most notable of these is Shuká G̱áatl, the Atx'áani who is embodied by the winter wind, and who freezes the sea. Shuká G̱áatl is the foremost warrior of the Shuká Atx'áani, or the Harsh Gods, and obeys none save Shuká Háat Kóox̱, "He Who Oversees the Bitter Ones", who leads all the Shuká Atx'áani. According to the prophecies of Kaagúshaan, Shuká G̱áatl's duty to freeze the sea and surround Natchilliq with ice is key to the eventual survival of the Kimutaa, although the exact reason is not specified.
Geography
Natchilliq is an oval shaped island with its long axis extending one hundred and fifty miles from northeast to southwest, and with several peninsulas projecting south from the island's eastern coast. Its width ranges between twenty and fifty miles. It is a mostly flat island, with no trees and only hardy, cold resistant plant life such as mosses, sedges, and cottongrass. Seals are frequently found on the beaches, as are walruses and sea lions. X̱áatg̱un, a breed of small caribou, is also common, and polar bears are known to visit the island occasionally, traveling over the sea ice that surrounds it for most of the year.
Geographic Details
Location: Northwestern RegionLatitude: 74.83 degrees North
Longitude: 35.75 degrees West
Average Elevation: 85 ft
Highest Point: 915 ft
Lowest Point: -7 ft
Area: 6,119 sq mi
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This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
I find it interesting that most people know it by its Kitlin name. Really shows how isolated the Kimutaa are.
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Yeah - they only moved into the archipelago a little while ago (two or three generations), and the Kitlin name was on the map before then.