Akin.

The Shadow of the North.

Written by WDMichael

Northern Lights in the White Mountains National Recreation Area in March 2016. by Bob Wick

Introduction:

The hunters of Wolveshire and the fishers of Kaltvindur have been spreading myths surrounding the uninhabited peninsula in the northern reaches of Worheim for centuries. The harsh weather and the voracious beasts who inhabit the land unchecked have made settling the area near impossible. Some brave adventurers venture into the territory, fewer have returned. A favorite tale from the Ice fishers of Kaltvindur is of a mythical shapeshifter the Akin; a powerful beast that kills with impunity.

The Shadow Of the North:

The Akin is a mythical creature of fairy tales in the land of Magmoia. Tales depict a great shadow stalking the land and sea around the icy uninhabited peninsula of northern Worheim. Commonly referred to as the Shadow of the North. The Akin is a voracious beast, killing any animal it feels as it gets hungry, culling the icy region of the north. Blood trails leading to the ocean with large paw prints pulling a carcass into the sea are a commonality in the tales.

Blood In the snow by Jennifer Boyer

Common Physical Descriptions:

No one alive has seen the body of the beast, just the shadow of a monstrous creature with piercing purple eyes.
Despite never seeing the beast descriptions of the creature's appearance still exist. A more standard version of the Akins appearance depicts the animal being taller than any elk, with the scales of a water lizard, the body of a wolf, fangs of ice, and eyes with an eerie purple center.

Akin Sketch by Jesse

Current Usage:

The tale of the Akin is an old fable now used as a means to keep children from playing too far from home, or past sunset.

Story of the Akin told from a mother to her child:

Years ago, a young Dwarf lived in this very neighborhood, and he had three older siblings. As the youngest dwarf in the family, he would sometimes be picked on or bullied by his older siblings. Being bullied in his own home, the child left his family and went to live alone in the mountains. He packed enough food and water to survive a few days, and he would create a cabin and live here for as long as he needed. The young dwarf unexperienced in navigating the terrain soon became lost. He ate all of his food within the first day, stepped in a puddle of water and soaked his foot in ice water, and even lost his satchel when he ran from a hungry bear. Now lost in the woods and far from home, the young dwarf tried to find shelter for the night near the edge of the forest. The sound of the ocean and the wind hitting the tips of the trees could be heard as the young dwarf hunkered down for the night. Unfortunately, that was not the only sound. Out of the water came a colossal splash followed by a loud thud as a massive beast stood on the edge of the ice. The young dwarf poked his head out to see what caused the noise, and as soon as he did, the terrifying purple eyes were upon him. He tried to hunker down deep into his hole that he crafted and covered himself in branches. His actions were folly for as soon as he laid down the beast tore through the twigs and dragged the boy into the ocean. Never to be seen again.

Mother reading to child by Unknown engraver

A Hunters Recount Of The Akin:

A hunt last winter brought me into the base of the Ice Peninsula as I tracked some large elk through the fresh snow. I had finally caught the herd in an opening between the forest line and the ocean. As I was getting ready to move in closer to the heard for a good shot a massive black shadow flew out of the woods and crushed the head of the heard, a large male with an enormous rack of horns. As quickly as the shadow came, it grabbed the bloody carcass and pulled it towards the shoreline. As it reached the edge of the water, I stood up to try and get a better view of the creature who stole my kill, as I began to stand, the beast stopped at the edge of the water. Its kill dropped from its mouth, and the creature looked up at me with those purple eyes, and for a split second, I knew it saw me. The shadow grabbed the elk and vanished into the water. I turned and ran until I couldn't run any further.

— Bulzad of Wolveshire