The Mists of Trudvang: Veil Between Worlds
In the cosmology of Trudvang, mist and heavy fog are rarely interpreted as simple meteorological events. Instead, they are viewed as a physical manifestation of the supernatural—a thinning of the barrier between the mortal plane and the Otherworlds. To the inhabitants of this rugged land, a rising fog is not merely an obstruction of sight, but an intrusion of the Realm of the Death (Dimhall) into the land of the living.
Misthal: The Liminal Borderland
The primary metaphysical function of the mist is to serve as the Misthal, a grey borderland that acts as a buffer zone between Trudvang and Dimhall.
When the fog thickens, the material world overlaps with this liminal space. Travelers who wander off the path during these conditions risk more than simple disorientation; they may physically step out of Trudvang and become trapped in the Misthal, or worse, slip entirely into the realm of the dead. Consequently, these shrouded areas are potent conductors for necrotic energy, frequently birthing undead horrors such as Sálheles (spirits) and Draugr (risen warriors).
Dimgates and Planar Travel
In areas of extreme magical density, the mist coalesces into Dimgates. These naturally occurring portals defy the laws of time and space. While often manifesting as an impenetrable wall of vapor, they may also appear as innocuous natural features, such as a cave mouth or a pair of twisted, dead trees.
Passing through a Dimgate is a gamble with high stakes:
- Displacement: Travelers may be transported instantly to distant regions within Trudvang or to vassal kingdoms of the underworld.
- Temporal Distortion: Gates leading to legendary realms, such as Othwa (the Kingdom of Heroes), suffer from severe time dilation. A single day spent in Othwa may equate to a year passing in the mortal world.
Cultural Interpretations
Different cultures within Trudvang interpret the mists through the lens of their own spiritual frameworks:
- Gerbanis (Stormlanders): Followers of Gerbanis believe the Storm and Chaos gods cloak themselves in fog to walk unnoticed among mortals. The arrival of the “Daal Fog” on the island of Daalheim is so thick that early colonists believed they had accidentally sailed into the underworld.
- Korpikalli Elves: To the elves, thick mists represent the Othiwhaalio, the raw chaos essence of creation. They view the mist as a link to the unshaped life force of the universe, particularly evident in the ruined city of Turvanaika on Soj.
- Dwarves: Even deep underground in Muspelheim, the mist intrudes. The lowest region, Nifulong, is known as the “World of Mist,” suggesting that the barrier to Dimhall is equally fragile in the subterranean depths.
Manipulation of the Veil
While often a natural occurrence, the mist can be weaponized. The Tinderswamp in Ejdland is perpetually shrouded in a warm, supernatural steam that prevents the ground from freezing, hinting at a localized geothermal or magical anomaly.
Furthermore, practitioners of Vitner (magic) can manipulate these forces. Those aligned with the Dimvitner school specifically channel the humid, death-touched energy of the mist to inflict harm. On a smaller scale, malicious entities like the Lyktgubbe utilize the “Lykt Eyes”—a projection of enchanting fog—to lure travelers into fatal bogs.
I wonder…
- How do the Dwars of Nifulong navigate the underground mists without the celestial markers used by surface dwellers?
- Is there a connection between the mental “fog” of madness often cited in Trudvang sanity rules and the physical mist of Misthal?
- Can a Dimgate be artificially stabilized by a high-level Vitner weaver, or are they purely chaotic phenomena?
- Does the Great Forest actively generate mist as a defense mechanism against intruders, independent of Dimhall’s influence?
References
- RiotMinds. (2017). Trudvang Chronicles: Game Master’s Guide.
- RiotMinds. (2017). Trudvang Chronicles: Jorgi’s Bestiary.