Statue of Väinämöinen decorating the Old Student House in Helsinki.
I was blogging while writing Seith and Sword and an astute reader mentioned how they were looking forward to seeing Finnish mythology laid in comparison to Norse myth.
I didn't know there was a big difference.
I was wrong, so wrong.
As such I am very happy to have read the Kalevala. It is the national epic of Karelia and Finland. It is just as beautiful as Norse mythology but more mystical; full of wonder and sorrow.
It centers on the wizard Väinämöinen, his part in the creation of the world, his stewardship of his home Kalevala, and his diplomacy and struggles with the northern land of Pohjola.
It inspired my novel in a major way. In fact Väinämöinen, Louhi, and Lemminkäinen all show up in it. I hope I did them justice.
For Dream Chaser, Reema is very much inspired by Louhi, the witch queen of Pohjola. In the Kalevala she is a powerful sorceress, an iron-fisted ruler, and a loving mother. She's a woman shrouded in tragedy. Even though Väinämöinen is the kindest wizard I've ever seen in myth, and even though she ended up his mortal foe, I felt for her deeply.
The song music was also inspired by the Kalevala. There's one part where Väinämöinen sings spells that cause the sky to crack and create a bog around arrogant Joukahainen, who nearly sinks to his death until the wizard frees him.
Kiah's not quite that strong.
I think the struggle between Great Mount and White Haven, was influenced by the struggles between Kalevala and Pohjola. Though, to be fair, both Serene and Reema were far more ruthless than even Lohi.
As a side note, there are a lot of familiar names in the Kalevala:
Ilmatar
Loviatar
Mielikki
I think, but I don't know for sure, that Meilikki and Loviatar of the Forgotten Realms are true to the Finnish myths. Ilmatar is completely different though.
If I meet up with Ed Greenwood again, I'll ask him if the Kalevala influenced him as well.
Either way, go read it. Or at least listen to it's haunting melody
Also, if you like metal, check out Ensiferum whom I'm sure were also inspired by the Kalevala.
You'll be glad you did.
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