Droyma - Winter
In Droyma, winter is not a passing season but an era unto itself, lasting a lifetime. The transition into winter marks a profound shift in the daily life of every settlement. As soon as the deep cold settles in, everything north of the Droyma Mountains falls into stillness. The ground hardens into ice, and all living growth comes to a halt. While every season in Droyma is long, the impact of winter is particularly harsh, as nothing can be grown for an entire generation. Preparations for this frozen epoch are meticulously planned during the spring, summer, and autumn, when the land yields enough to support both present and future lives.
The northern regions, being the coldest and most exposed to the elements, suffer the brunt of winter’s cruelty. Towns and villages here rely heavily on their immense underground storages. During the long summers, the people of the north work tirelessly, harvesting crops every hundred days or so to stockpile food for the comming generations. Vast granaries, dug deep into the mountains, are filled with grains, preserved meats, root vegetables, and dried herbs. These storages are designed to last entire lifetimes, passed down from generation to generation.
When the sea freezes over, the north becomes completely isolated. Trade routes to southern settlements are cut off, leaving the northern towns to survive solely on their stored resources. Families carefully ration their supplies, knowing that the slightest miscalculation could lead to starvation. However, their ingenuity has created sustainable systems. They preserve food through salting, drying, and fermenting, ensuring it lasts through the entire winter era.
In the south, while winter is still severe, it does not lock the land in quite the same icy grip. The southern lands, with their denser forests and more abundant wildlife, offer some relief to those who know how to hunt. While the ground freezes, it does not harden to the extent seen in the north, allowing for more movement and the possibility of finding food. During the long summers, hunters gather enough game to fill the storerooms with dried meats, smoked fish, and other provisions. Winter hunting continues, but it becomes more dangerous, with deep snow and the bitter cold making every expedition a risk.
The south has also access to trading with the warmer Kanohi. There is also a flow of people moving from the north down to Kanohi and beyond. The children of these people often return to the land of their parents’ childhoods of which they have only heard stories.
The southern coastal villages often rely on the sea for survival. While fishing directly from the ocean becomes nearly impossible once the waters freeze, the clever fishermen have developed methods for catching fish even under the ice. They drill holes in the frozen sea and set traps, drawing fish from the dark depths. These fresh catches are a rare treat in the depths of winter and often celebrated when brought home to the village.
Community and survival go hand in hand during Droyma’s winter. The long, frozen season fosters a deep sense of kinship and interdependence. Villages and towns hold close-knit gatherings, where food is shared, and stories are passed from one generation to the next. These communal efforts to survive are celebrated, as the people of Droyma know that the winter will outlast them, and it is their duty to ensure the next generation is well-equipped to continue.
Winter in Droyma also represents the final season for many, with some being born into it and never seeing the thaw of summer. There is a quiet acceptance of this among the people, who understand that the cycle of life is long and unchanging. However, they take comfort in knowing that, though they may not face the warm days of autumn again, their preparations during the bountiful seasons ensure that their descendants will.
In Droyma, winter is a constant presence, looming over every action taken in the brief warmth of summer. But it is also a season that defines the resilience of its people, who have learned to adapt, endure, and thrive in a land where the seasons outlast those who live through them.
Comments