Järvi

Maidens of the Lakes

Spirits can already seem quite mysterious to us, but from what I can tell, the Järvi is the strangest of them all. While one of us could seek out a typical spirit to borrow their power or to ask for guidance, a Järvi cares not. They are ones who do the seeking.

— Guide to the Haltja

The Järvi is a type of spirit that lives in or around lakes. They seldom communicate or show themselves to anyone, but they have left a strong impression on the Saralians and everyone else that considers themself a Haltjanist. The Järvi, also known as the Maidens of the Lakes or simply lake spirits, have played a crucial role in the life story of King Vesse the Blessed and in the human discovery of the spirits. From what the tales tell, a Järvi, if they choose to present themselves, has the appearance of a young semi-transparent woman who wears very little in terms of clothing, if anything at all.

Rarity

Due to their rarity, it is unclear whether one lake has multiple lake spirits or just the one. Most Haltjanist hiiekars are of the opinion that only one Järvi maintains a lake. Still, a number of the same people also believe that larger lakes, or lakes that hold more significance, could potentially have more than one of them.

It is also unclear whether a lake spirit can leave their old home behind in search of a new one. If that's something that they aren't willing to do, then the spirit of Lake Kersta may hold the anwsers to the mysterious death of King Vesse the Blessed of Sarala.

Romantic Relationships

There have been many examples in history of people forming something close to resembling a true friendship with a spirit, but a romantic relationship with one has been considered impossible for centuries. Despite the deep-rooted belief that something along those lines was out of the question, recent evidence has suggested that an exception exist.

In 1550 AA, a man from a minor noble family had left behind his entre old life of privilege and luxury, just to live beside the lake near his home. No one could explain what had driven him to do such a thing, but what was clear was that with each passing day, his devotion to the spirits and Haltjanism grew.

The man seemed to be happier then he had ever been before, but eventually tragedy struck. He had fallen ill from some unknown disease. His family's servants found him suffering in the mud, mumbling incoherently. They brought him home, hoping that proper medicine and care could save his life. Even after receiving help from the best physicians that their noble house could afford, the man knew that his death was closing in. Instead of dying alongside the family that had tried their best to keep him alive, he requested that they would help move him back to the lake, where he could die peacefully alongside what he held most dear.

His behaviour and the words he said were reported to the local hiiekar who then brought it to the attention of many others. Theories started springing up, but none could come up with a reasonable explanation that didn't involve plain old madness.

Eventually the King of Sarala, Tambet of House Sarap, heard what the scholars and hiiekars had discussed about and he came up with a theory of his own. As a decendant of King Vesse the Blessed's sister, Queen Tuuli, the king was well aquainted with the story of Vesse and his connection to the lake. Realizing that he was on to something, he decided to reread the old records of his life and reign as the monarch. From those dusty tomes he found quotes of the old king mentioning that his heart had belonged to another and more information surrounding his death on the shores of Lake Kersta. King Tambet published his theory early in 1551 AA. In it, he stated that both the nobleman and the old monarch had fallen in love with a Järvi and that he believed the lake spirit was capable of loving them as well, otherwise the noble wouldn't have been happy.

Spirit Magic

Normally by using Spirit Magic, a person may draw a spirit into themselves, temporarily gaining their power before the spirit leaves, but a Järvi is the xception.
No one has ever found one by purposefully searching for them. Järvi stay hidden, guarding their lakes until, for reasons unknown, they choose someone to assist. Being able to communicate with a Järvi is a privilege that few have had, and even fewer have written about. Because of their reserved nature, little is known about their personality.
From the accounts of King Vesse the Blessed, a Maiden of the Lake has the power to enter a human, or at least an unconscious one, giving them their powers that allow the host to survive underwater. The commonly agreed-upon powers that one would get from a Järvi are underwater breathing and additional warmth to prevent hypothermia.