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Unspoken Rules of The Nordic Countries
The trees are not malicious. They will not purposely hurt you. But they will not help, and they will not care if something else comes after you. You are not relevant.
Be careful of which small hills you traverse over. Not all of them are hills. Don’t wake what sleeps under the dirt and rock.
Always be respectful towards what lives in the forest. It will increase the chance of them leaving you alone.
If you leave an offering of food to them, the trolls will keep an eye out for you. Nothing else will.
Make sure you’re clear about who the offering is to, or something else might take it.
Always check the back of the people you meet in the forest. If it looks hollow, or if something’s moving at their waist, quickly but politely part ways with them. Do not follow them anywhere.
If they help you when they find you, thank them thoroughly. If they offer to lead you out, decline politely and ask them to point you in the right direction instead. You wouldn’t want to waste their precious time. Do. Not. Follow. Them. Anywhere.
Be alert of snow in cities. Be wary of snow in the country, and always cover your eyes. It can and will blind you.
If you’re one of the few that go to church on important holidays, don’t look behind you until you’re on church ground. The ones who were here first do not like that newcomer from the desert, and they don’t like you for abandoning them for him.
Be especially wary during Christmas. They do not like the way those desert folk and their three part god twisted their celebration and then called it their own. There’s a reason the Nordic folk still call it Yule.
If you hear violin music from a pond, a lake, a river, turn around immediately. Or else he might ensnare you and convince you to join him at the bottom.
If you hear music in the woods, take another path or return from where you came. They’ll try to ensnare you too, but they might be a bit more merciful and let you go after. But do not tempt fate. Mercy is unlikely, and they will definitely not give it to you twice.
The mountains and hills do not move. If they do, they are not mountains or hills.
If a deciduous tree is still in bloom during winter, do not approach it. Especially not if the earth around it is warm.
The ravens are always watching. They know everything. Never tell a secret in the presence of a raven that you aren’t willing to let them whisper on to something else.
If you find a child standing alone of the side of a road, greet them politely. If they ask for a name, give them one, preferably your own, if possible. They will not do anything bad with it, and will treasure it forever. You will never see them again in the world of the living, but they will remember you fondly.
If you hear the cry of a child by or under the floorboards of a house, ignore them and do some research into your family. If someone you’re related to lived in that house a couple centuries back, pray what’s locked under there never gets loose.
If a dead family member knocks of your door, answer. They have come to tell you important information.
Evil people who die violent deaths rarely pass on. They’re still there. Watching. Planning.
There are few places where no one has died, and much sorrowful history. But do not be afraid. Usually the ghost wish you no ill will. Usually.
Never board the silver metro train unless you wish to be lost forever.