Everwinter's Crown
The crown of Everwinter is a mythical object said to be the source of her powers--the source of winter itself, which across Hjemtir but in Halmark especially is an extremely harsh and dangerous season. The myth of the mysterious ice queen Everwinter is one of the oldest in the region, possibly even predating the War of the Semi-Immortals. Legends exist of heroes who set out on quests to defeat Everwinter and destroy her crown, thus putting an end to winter and all the lives the season claims, only to never return.
Despite there being no record of anyone having encountered either Everwinter herself or her crown, descriptions are surprisingly consistent. The crown is made of twisted white gold, its base studded with diamonds that shine brighter than a clear winter's morning sun. In the middle is an eye-shaped opal. Everwinter herself is usually described as a beautiful wraith-like figure who can barely be seen against the snow, though she is sometimes depicted as a frost horse, and her crown chills the soul of anyone who attempts to look either her or the crown in the eye. In some versions of the myth, the crown is not just the source of her powers, but an entity in itself, either in league with or controlling a formerly mortal wraith. In any version, the goal is clear: destroy the crown, no more winter.
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