Rimecrowned Stag

"The rimecrowned stag is not a creature to hunt, nor a beast to tame. It is a spirit of the frost, to see one is a blessing; to harm one is a curse you will carry until the snow melts from your very soul."

— Faraelis, Northern Sage

 

The Frost-wreathed Horns

  In the endless expanse of the tundra, where the winds carve patterns in the snow and the stars shine with an unnerving clarity, the rimecrowned stag roams in silence. Towering above mortal deer, its body is a tapestry of snow and frost, shimmering with an ethereal light under the auroras. Its fur shifts from pale silver to the deep blue depending on the angle of the light, while its massive antlers resemble jagged frost crystals, refracting the faintest glimmers into a cascade of colour that dances across the ice.   Legends say the rimecrowned stag is not merely a creature but an embodiment of the tundra's will. It is said to appear in times of great imbalance; when the icy winds grow too harsh or when the first bloom of spring threatens to encroach too far. Wherever it walks, snow falls gently in its wake, blanketing the land in a soft, protective frost. The air around it carries a profound stillness, muting the clamour of the world as if even the tundra itself pauses to listen to the rhythm of its steps.  

The Antlers of the Arctic

  The stag's nature is both guardian and judge. It watches with ancient, luminescent eyes that seem to pierce into the hearts of the those who encounter it. Travelers who act with respect and humility often find themselves inexplicably guided to safety. However, those who bring harm to the tundra or its denizens are met with silent, chilling retribution. The rimecrowned stag does not strike directly; instead, it seems to summon the land itself to exact justice. Blizzards rise, paths vanish, and the offender's warmth is drawn from them until only ice remains.   Few have studied the stag closely, for its appearances are fleeting and enigmatic. Scholars speculate that its antlers are repositories of ancient magic, capable of healing even the most grievous wounds or granting insight into the forgotten truths of the world. Yet to seek it for such treasures is foolish as the rimecrowned stag chooses who is worthy of its gifts.   It is a creature of balance and mystery, a fleeting glimpse of the tundra's soul, leaving those fortunate enough to see it humbled and forever changed.