Arvik (ˈaɹ.vɪk)
Arvik is a tiny island in the Avannarleq Sea, located roughly fifteen miles north of Hval. It is a flat, rocky islet that boasts a freshwater spring, a few groves of spruce and birch, and a decent variety of berry bushes, particularly blueberries.
The island is named for the Arvik Tuniit, a collection of four ilagiit who live on the island for part of the year. The Arvik Tuniit have taken up more whaling than other Selkie communities, and spend much of the year on their sinaaqs, hunting in the deep waters. They trade whale oil with communities on Hval, although not as much as they could. The Arvik insist on never wasting any part of the animals they hunt, and will not kill if they will be unable to put all the parts of the whale to use. This limits how much whale oil they will collect in a single season, and there are some Ðuring and Eyjamaður whaling ships who have begun to hunt the same waters, with less scruples.
During the times of year when the sinaaqs are at sea, Arvik is a quiet place with only the very young and the very old in residence. But during the great celebrations, the island comes to life with music and celebration, as all the sinaaqs return for the holiday. Feasts are held, friends are reunited, and news and gossip spread like fire. Even those who travel far from their home will often make the attempt to come home for Nuliajuk Ataatasiq in the height of summer, when the Arvik celebrate the Sea Festival in honor of Silakpak.
Notable Spirits
The Arvik Tuniit hold to the worship of Silakpak as their most important deity, as do most Tuniit. They particularly revere the aspect of Silakpak that is connected to the deep waters and the whales that live there, calling on Silakpak Kesalul, or Silakpak of the Deep. This division has not yet resulted in a division of Silakpak into two persons, but those who study the evolution of the gods think it may happen in the future.
While Silakpak Kesalul is their patron on the sea, the islet of Arvik has its own patron spirit as well. The patron of Arvik is called Ŭnănmk, the Walrus. He is a quiet god, and sleeps much of the time. Those of the Arvik who live upon the island pay little tributes to Ŭnănmk, thanking him for the berries and the trees. It is in times of danger that Ŭnănmk rouses himself. He has been known to bellow an alarm heard across the island when danger threatens the Arvik. Most recently, he warned them of a fire that could have killed many if not doused, and in earlier times he warned of raiders and even manifested as a walrus-like Selkie to help drive the invaders away. He is not the most powerful of gods among the Anirniit, but few wish to challenge a nine-foot tall walrus-man in melee.
Geography
Arvik is a crescent shaped island, facing to the west. The coastline measures eight miles around. A small hill is found roughly in the center of the island, with a small shrine to Ŭnănmk at its summit.
Ecosystem
There are no large animals living on the island, although seabirds frequently roost among the rocks and in the trees. The waters around the island are filled with life, and the lobsters near Arvik are considered particularly fine eating.
Geographic Details
Location: Northeastern RegionLatitude: 65.59 degrees North
Longitude: 25.39 degrees East
Average Elevation: 3 ft
Highest Point: 39 ft
Lowest Point: -7 ft
Area: 2.01 sq mi
Comments