Amidst the rolling hills filled with Pine, and between the forest’s wondrous shadows, there are times when one can see the most beautiful of sights. They come in form of the most radiant maidens you should ever see, combing back their luscious hair, surrounded by friendly woodland creatures and adorned with gowns of flowing leaves and flowers. Slowly as you approach them you will hear their sweet voices singing their tales. Often they will sing of their queen, the resplendent Ilma. But be wary, for should they take notice of you, they will be but a blur in the wind and search as far and wide but they will not again be revealed for they are of the earth and that they shall remain and so it is the tragic fate of the Nymphs. Men can be driven mad in quest of the glorious creatures, as was the fate of the lover of Ilma, Rakkaus.

Twas’ many a years ago, back during the birth of the island, back when Ilma was still a mortal being. Rakkaus was the most handsome of men, many a maid would soon over his great strength and courage, many but not all, for he was nothing in the eyes of the beautiful Ilma. Try as he may she lay forever out of his grasp. Overcome with the desire for her hand in marriage, he pursued her relentlessly, till at last she took to the pines to hide. It was here fate would have it that Ilma met the great woodsman Zephyr and a love like no other blossomed. Zephyr showed her the way of the woods, to survive, to talk amongst the animals and most of all he showed her that for which she had always craved, freedom. She was able to run amongst the trails as a deer and frolic with the rabbits in the meadows. Their life together was one of endless joy until Rakkaus found her. Protecting his love, Zephyr gave his life so that she should run, but to no avail, for Rakkaus’s henchmen had already seized her. As she watched her beloved die, she uttered an unbreakable vow, that so long as Rakkaus should live, he shall never find her. It was then that she was no longer a woman, but a deer, she ran as far and fast as she could and when they caught her, she was a bird and forever Rakkaus chased, but never would he find her. Eventually he went mad, retelling his tale at taverns until at last not even he knew if he spoke the truth. It was from then on that Nymphs could be seen gracing the forest with their presence, a pure embodiment of freedom, never to be tied to anything but the earth.