Betanyaga

Legendary hag-spirit and demigod worshiped by the many covens in the northern Glirewood, she presides over the other ice hags in the area. For the isolated villages and hunters who chose to winter far from the light of civilization, Betanyaga is something of a combination god/extortionist. Few indeed fail to give her offerings during midwinter, for to do so is to invite her wrath. Betanyaga prefers an offering of an infant, but for those that do no have access to one, gold, raw meat (generally veal or young seal), and oil are the traditional offerings. Betanyaga will be unhappy that the supplicant has not secured an infant for her midwinter feat, but her true wrath is reserved for those who have a child and do not give; or so go the legends.

It is said that during certain winters Betanyaga herself stalks the Glirewood, exacting her terrible toll on those who have not offered her sufficient sacrifices (and perhaps some of those who have). On such a winter, referred to as a Direwinter by Nords, mothers hold their children close with trembling hands as the sun fails to rise for weeks on end.