Hellighoyde

The Hellighoyde is a collection of pine covered hills in the eastern Hesterherre that are sacred to the horse tribes of the surrounding plains. The area is revered by the Norse and is often referred to as "The Father of Storms" and the "House of Skadi". The hills rise up more than 2000 feet above the plains below and are covered in tall pine trees. The tops of the hills are usually obscured by a cloud bank on most days of the year, leading the surrounding tribes to believe that the storms that often sweep the Hesterherre peninsula originate in the hills themselves. Twice a year, the horse tribes leave gifts for the jotun Skadi. Following the Spring Handelmote gathering, and again in the fall, the tribes gather gifts in the form of foods and silver art pieces and march them from the eastern shore of the Handelmote following a small spring creek that flows out of the hills. At the base of the hills, they leave these gifts for the god who lives in the hills. The horsemen themselves are forbidden from entering the hills, with the exception of specialty priests who venture into the hills following the presentation of gifts, and return several days later.