The Sani

Also known in most languages as Sauna

Ah yes, there is nothing better than rest in a Sani.

A small and cosy hut often round in shape, the Sani has been an important part of the culture in the northern parts of Aewyn. They are often built into a rocky cliffside or hill, to use the natural stones as walls and warm these stones up to create the steam inside the hut.
In and around the Northern Isles and Østendal, mountains and large stone hills accumulate snow on the top, which will slowly melt and turn into small creeks and brooks that runs down the mountainsides. The brooks are what transport water to the Sanis, and that's why most Sanis are built where a brook meets the ground.

by CatRobi

Healing properties

Physical and mental sickness can be healed by going to a Sani and rest in the steamy and hot hut.

Come enjoy our steamy hot hut!

It is not only believed but is also said to be a proven fact, that people come out of a trip in the Sani feeling much better - some just feel calmer and others leave feeling healthier than when they entered.
Going to the Sani regularly is said to keep smaller illnesses away, and keeps your body and mind healthy and refreshed.
It is not believed that going to a Sani can heal any illness, but is generally believed to actively protect you from illness, and can also heal a person that suffers from an illness - it is said to be rather effective to people with any kind of mental sickness, from headaches to more serious illnesses.

Inside the hot hut

Water trickles down slowly and calmy down one of the stone walls in the hut, making a lovely and relaxing sound. Underneath a rock slab, that is placed so the water drips on it, is room for a fire. The slab is the top of an oven-like instalment, only made out of stone.
To control whether you want steam or not, there is a wooden mechanism that when turned in front of the brook, it'll lead the water away from the warm stone, and can also regulate how much water falls on the stone which in turn regulates the amount of steam created.

Average temperature

Between 50 - 90 degrees celsius, depending on what "kind of warmth" is sought after - humid warm or dry warm.
Water has a point called the dew point, where the water will fully vaporise and won't condense on surfaces, and it is above this point the air will become a dry warm sensation.

Humidity

The humidity can get dangerously high if not regulated properly, and if it does while it super warm as well, the humidity can cause scalding as the water particles in the air will be extremely hot.
If the temperature stays below the dew point while the humidity is high at the same time, lots of steam is created.

Details

Place of origin

The tradition/practice started on the Northern Isles, where the city Elmeholm is often referred to as the exact location of origin, though no concrete evidence has been found to validate that claim.

Creation year

The exact year the first Sani was made is unknown, and because of their rather simple build, they deteriorate rather quickly if not in use (on a large scale that is). The oldest one is believed to be around 100 years old and is still in use. It has been used by the same family through generations.
Though evidence is sparse, pieces of old Sanis long lost and forgotten has been found, and it points to the Sani being an important part of the northern culture and has been for hundreds of years - some estimate ~500 years and others estimates ~1000 years.

One thing is certain; the Sani is an old tradition and a way of life that has been going on in the Northern folk's culture for centuries.

by CatRobi

Foreign interest

Some countries, mostly the ones closer to the Northern Isles and Østendal has found the Sani interesting and has begun building Sani's themselves.
Sani's have popped up as far south as southern Ywaryn and northern Irai.

by CatRobi