Story (The Finnish War x Sotidrokhima: Finlandsaga)

This is the story for *The Finnish War x Sotidrokhima: Finlandsaga.*

## Age of Heroes

More than 2,000 years ago, the Age of Heroes was well underway. In this time, the north was a hostile place where many legends were born, and mighty warriors such as Vainamoinen and Lemminkainen reigned.

Around 50 AD, the warriors of the northern realm of Kalevala encountered their enemy, the realm of Pohjola, in battle. Driven to conflict by their kingdoms' patron gods, the armies clashed in a massive battle, where Vainamoinen saw his brother-in-arms Lemminkainen killed. Lemminkainen's last words to his companion were that there will be more heroes to take his place one day.

Vainamoinen knew he would need to be there, to find, and guide these heroes.

## Return of Vainamoinen

After many adventures, Vainamoinen, the ancient seer-warrior of Kalevala, left his realm from the way of the spreading Christianity - he did not see a place for himself anymore in the changing world. Vainamoinen departed the shores of Kalevala - in modern-day Finland - but swore to return one day in Finland's time of need.

True to his word, Vainamoinen returns to Finland in the 21st century, and finds the world changed. He is back because of a re-emerging threat he thought long buried - the impending return of Louhi. The evil sorcerer of Pohjola, Louhi was Vainamoinen's nemesis long ago in the Age of Heroes, until Vainamoinen imprisoned him in ice after a battle. Now, the Pohjolan sorcerer is returning.

In need of heroes - such as those in the past ages - to help him fight Louhi, Vainamoinen plays his magical instrument the *kantele*, and calls upon the ancient winds of magic to bring him heroes from Finland's past. And answering his call, the winds bring him two heroes...

Sotidrokhima, a Karelian warrior from the 13th century, and Sandels, a Swedish general who proved himself in the Finnish War, are brought to the modern world much to their amazement. They encounter Vainamoinen, who guides them, explaining why he has brought them here.

## The journey begins

The three heroes must first venture to Suomuvuori fell, a small mountain where Vainamoinen expects to receive a vision from Ukko the High God on an ancient seerstone. This should guide the heroes onward in their quest. Sotidrokhima and Sandels then protect Vainamoinen as the seer is having a vision, since enemies from Vainamoinen's past - Louhi's cult, the Sons of Turisas - are upon them. The cult intends to prevent them from stopping the return of Louhi.

Soti and Sandels - the latter of whom has gained mercenaries hired by Vainamoinen under his command - fight the Sons of Turisas and win. Vainamoinen gains a vision, telling him that Louhi is indeed returning from his prison of ice, which is located in the Kola Peninsula in modern Russia. This is where the trio must head next.

## Into Russia

Arriving to Russian border, Vainamoinen uses his magical instrument to lull the border guards to sleep. The heroes then cross over to Russia, encountering many Sons of Turisas along the way.

Arriving at the White Sea, Vainamoinen realizes the group has no time to go around it into the Kola peninsula - ancient Pohjola - since Louhi will undoubtedly be awakened before this. Thus, the seer-sorcerer uses his kantele to sing a spell; one that proceeds to freeze over the sea before them as they cross.

Vainamoinen then receives a vision on the frozen sea; Louhi is awakening...

## Evil reawakens

Louhi is freed from his icy prison, after more than a millennia. Attended by several Sons of Turisas, among them the Northswarden, Louhi is informed of the current year and the proceedings of his ancient nemesis, Vainamoinen.

Louhi attempts to open the gates of Tuonela, the Finnish underworld, to bring the armies of the dead on Earth and devastate Finland. This would enable him and Son of Tuoni - the guardian of the underworld - to reshape Finland in their likeness.

The heroes continue their journey across the frozen sea, fighting Russian soldiers and Sons of Turisas along the way.

Finally, they arrive to the shores of Kola Peninsula - ancient Pohjola...

## Pohjolan shores

Arriving to Pohjola, the heroes are immediately confronted with a Russian army. After a long battle, Sandels decides to sacrifice himself with his remaining troops, stalling the enemy in order to give more time to Soti and Vainamoinen to escape.

Meanwhile, Louhi is on the move. Having fetched a northern shaman, Louhi dispatches the shaman to visit the underworld, through means of a magical trance. There, the shaman encounters Louhi's ally - Son of Tuoni. The ruler of the underworld claims that he awaits for Louhi's sign - preparing to move the armies of the dead to the mortal realm once Louhi opens the gate.

Soti and Vainamoinen move toward the Lovozero Massif, a place in the peninsula where Louhi's hideout is found. Vainamoinen receives a vision where Louhi transports himself and his Sons of Turisas in a magical whirlwind towards the gates of Tuonela. The gates are located under a raging rapids, once sealed by the gods.

## At the gates

Soti and Vainamoinen finally reach the gates, arriving their after Louhi, who hasn't yet managed to open the gates.

The two heroes battle Louhi's forces, and Sotidrokhima kills the Northswarden. Louhi explains that Vainamoinen's kantele, playing divine music, is the tool used to open the gates of the underworld - as they once were sealed with godly powers, so too must they be opened.

Vainamoinen, realizing his instrument has been aiding Louhi in opening the gates during the battle, throws the kantele into the maelstrom blocking the gates. Louhi, enraged, crosses the river with magic and arrives to confront Vainamoinen and Sotidrokhima. Taunting Soti, the latter proceeds to not answer with words, but instead a fist through Louhi's armor after awakening his inner power of Kaleva. Louhi flies into the maelstrom, and drowns.

The Russian army arrives, bringing two helicopters. Vainamoinen sends Sotidrokhima back to his own time, with the quest completed. The helicopters fire missiles which blow up the maelstrom, burying the gates of Tuonela and killing Vainamoinen.

In the underworld, the dead Vainamoinen wanders until he encounters Son of Tuoni. The underworld's guardian is angry at Vainamoinen and explains how he wished to destroy the modern Finland and reshape it again, to believe in the old gods once more. Vainamoinen, understanding the motives of his enemy, claims that while the old Finland and its gods and heroes are gone, Finland still thrives, because it still has heroes.