Saulés Vartai

Saulés Vartai is a covenant in Lithuania at the site of modern-day Kaunas. It is the covenant of the Wednesday night game.

The covenant is located at the confluence of the rivers Neumas and Neris and is a part of a large magical forest (up to the Zvesta). Joined to the forest is a village of native Lithuanians (pagans) caught up in ongoing Northern Crusades, who seek protection from the Teutonic Order.

The covenant maintains a hospital where anyone will be treated, and be expected to pay according to their means, this is how the covenant makes its income.

Located within the forest is a magical portal - the gateway to the Nameless One's prison in the realm of magic. This is kept inoperative by the pagan gods of Lithuania lest the Nameless One and his horrendous power escape. Long ago a Koldun (dark slavic magician) tried to open the portal, but was thwarted, but now his spirit roams the forest vexing anyone he comes across.

Maps

Close up of the covenant.

Map showing the extent of the forest and nearby settlements.

The Forest

From outside the forest is only about 30 miles along its perimeter. However the regio manifests is unusual. It has no fixed threshold, without a path or a guide, you could spend a dozen lifetimes trying to cross it. There are many paths through the wood. Some are physical, marked by white stones or lengths of twine, most are more ephemeral or metaphorical. To step off the path is to wander a primal forest, infinite in each direction until discovered by a Faerie or reaching the gates of Arcadia, or just as likely dying of predators or exposure. The most important path leads into the centre of the forest. There are many paths to this place from many forests and Volkhv faithful to the Sun come from across the Slavic world via their own paths to participate in the Winter Solstice ritual, although you can only return to the mundane world along the path you arrived from (Unless the Gods will otherwise or you know the secrets of Faerie Portage). This ritual keeps the nameless one bound, although with the coming of Christianity, the number of Volkhv attending grows fewer every year. The Gods themselves sometimes appear to grace their priests with tasks, challenges, advice or wisdom.

At the forest's heart is the gateway to the Nameless One.