Hulwif (/'hʌl.wɪf/)

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Hulwif was Vitat's only surviving child, and fortunately shared his water handling abilities.  She was an inspirational focal point for her generation as much as Vitat was for his.  In particular, the Ralcondray-born colonists were concerned with building Vitgrud with future survival in mind, while their parents were still hoping for rescue.  Sick of their input being consistently ignored, Hulwif and Stannu organized a number of other young adults and set off to build a village according to their ideas.  Within two months they were tracked down by a search party, but the group had made enough progress that Vitat allowed the experiment to continue, setting a deadline of the half-year day its completion.

Hulwif and her cohort returned on half-year day as promised, only to find the colonists had neglected the winter preparations.  Vitat had disappeared at the height of summer, and Grudain's successor was unable to maintain discipline without the Dancinglight.  The Dancinglight mantle was still there, which Hulwif took as a sign of Vitat's intent that she was to take his place.  She directed the winter preparation efforts personally and strictly.  She was more concerned with being obeyed than being liked, and though many chafed at her overbearing manner, no one could deny that she worked harder than anyone else.

After that winter proved the success of the new settlement's design, Hulwif decreed that the population would transition from the original village to the new one.  Five years later, she instituted the formal observance of the Trial of Life to ensure Vitgrud's steady growth.

She coached both Zimmira and Ard in water handling, but prepared Zimmira specifically for the responsibilities for becoming Dancinglight. Hulwif passed the title on to Zimmira when it became clear that Ard's firstborn, Gorles, had good water sense, and spent the remainder of her life in training him.

Life

1983 Vol 2033 Vol 50 years old

Circumstances of Death

Hulwif died of infected wounds after a construction accident.