Finnish Mythology: From the Beginning

[@jan-mikaelmattila4595]

found you on tiktok it gave me goosbumps how good you tell the stories i really enjoy listening to Finlands mythology you tell them so good

[@BlackDragonTavern]

So very glad you could join us here, I hope you enjoyed both visits, and I will look forward to seeing you seated for future stories 😁💚

[@BlackDragonTavern]

And thank you kindly for the compliment 🙏

[@annelirantala8689]

Near my home in Kemi is northest giantchurch 5500 years old, our area have oldest stones in earth, and many areas in Finland have storyes of giants.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Wonderful stories I'd be willing to wager 😁

[@danielmalinen6337]

One important thing is that the Kalevala is a semi-bad source for Finnic mythology and folklore even though it is based on Finnic folk poems collected from Finland, Karelia and Estonia by several collectors. Kalevala is an editing works and sort of like fanfiction created by Elias Lönnrot (YT channel Irish in Finland has made a good KZbin video about this), as Lönnrot combined boldly independent poems into a coherent narrative, changed some passages to harmonize the narrative and invented his own poems and characters to fill in the gaps (more about the creation and editing history of Kalevala in the book "Kalevala-lipas" by Matti Kuusi ja and Pertti Anttonen). If you want to get to know Finnish mythology more academically from the point of view of folkloristic and scientific research, I can recommend the extensive works of Anna-Leena Siikala, Uno Harva and Martti Haavio (important note: these books are only available in Finnish due to the lack of international interest in Finnic mythology which is why they have not been translated into English). I wanted to say this because too often for too many people thinks that "Finnish mythology = Kalevala", although it is not that simple and this is an easy misconception to get with a thin surface acquaintance.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

I am actually well acquainted with Irish in Finland, he's a swell lad! And you are correct. Sadly, this is the case for most compiled myths. I am fortunate to have a rich culture of storytelling in my family, and my grandfather exposed me to many traditional storytellers of Finland and amongst the Sami people. Sadly, I've touched on these things before and when I bring up that these texts should not be taken as Gospel Law for the cultural storytelling of various cultures I get many academic Kings Men who will then harass other patrons of the tavern. So I stick as closely to common texts as I can for most of my storytelling videos. I have read a version of Kalevala-lipas that my grandfather owns that was translated into German. But that was ages ago, and I can't say that I remember all its details, only what I have written in my own journals. I appreciate your insightful and respectful comment💚🙏 I hope you enjoyed your stay in the tavern

[@PerfectBrEAThER]

A lot of it is free and in English. Just gogle *Finnish folklore: information sources in English: Studies on Finnish Folklore* SKS Open Access Publications Folklore Atlas Matti. Finnish Folklore Atlas. Ethnic Culture of Finland 2 PDF. 4th partially revised edition. 2009. Mythic Discourses Studies in Uralic Traditions Frog, Anna-Leena Siikala, Eila Stepanova (eds.) Creating Diversities Folklore, Religion and the Politics of Heritage Anna-Leena Siikala, Barbro Klein, Stein R. Mathisen (eds.) Tradition through Modernity Postmodernism and the Nation-State in Folklore Scholarship Pertti J. Anttonen Peasants, Pilgrims, and Sacred Promises Ritual and the Supernatural in Orthodox Karelian Folk Religion Laura Stark Thomas A. DuBois is also a good source.

[@CeraisianAlchemist]

I'm doing a DND campaign where the Feywild is loosely based on Finnish mythology. This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Always a pleasure and a privilege to help some new adventures along their way 😎

[@CrankyJoeJr]

Im from Finland and i sensed a Finnish Mythology video

[@BlackDragonTavern]

I have been made aware that the Finns have a 6th sense for when they are mentioned, and you are most welcome in the tavern 😂💚

[@ApocalypseRider]

You summoned me? 😄 Thanks for introducing finnish mythology to viewers, even if it was just a scratch and good thing that you didn't tell that finns can actually cast spells. That might scare people... Have a great end of the week and sunny summer! Greetings from the North!

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Cheers to that my friend, so glad you could join us in the Tavern 🙏💚

[@robinhood2008]

Thanks for this, as a Finn American I don't get much info about Finnish history, or mythology.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

It is my pleasure and privilege friend 🙏 I'll have more soon, in the meantime enjoy whatever stories you like here in the Tavern 😁

[@teyanuputorti7927]

This was a great introduction thank you Castle

[@BlackDragonTavern]

My absolute pleasure Teyanu, it's always wonderful to see you in the tavern my friend 🙏

[@teyanuputorti7927]

@@BlackDragonTavern it great to always be here

[@BlackDragonTavern]

@teyanuputorti7927 💚🙏

[@LadyForestflower]

First! Really love your videos, you have so interesting and a bit different mindset how you proceed with each subject😊 And of course as basic finn must say now Torilla tavataan also!

[@BlackDragonTavern]

I am so very glad you enjoyed my friend 🙏💚 And I'll see you in the market square 😁👆

[@Pub2k4]

My favorite Finnish story is the one about Lauri Törni. He hated the Russians so bad, after Finland and Russia signed a treaty during WWII, he went and joined freaking SS. Then, after the war was over, he moved to the US and joined the US Army. He’s credited as being one of the founders of the US Army Special Forces. He died in the Vietnam war at the rank of Major. His name is on the Vietnam Wall, and he is the only former Nazi to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. He’s also the inspiration of one of Sabaton’s best songs. On the idea of Sisu, there was actually a soldier in WWII that bore that name, and he 100% lived up to his namesake. There’s a movie about him. It’s called “Sisu.”

[@BlackDragonTavern]

You are always a wealth of knowledge my friend, I didn't actually know any of this, but it is all truly fascinating 😮🙏

[@Pub2k4]

@@BlackDragonTavern I highly recommend the Sabaton song. It’s called “Soldier of Three Armies.” On Lauri Törni, when he came to America he changed his name to Larry Thorn. There’s a John Wayne movie loosely based on him. It’s called “Green Berets.” I’m a bit of an annoying know it all, but I’m glad you appreciate my contributions 🙂

[@BlackDragonTavern]

@Pub2k4 ooooh, I've heard the song, I wasn't aware that was what it was about, that's awesome!

[@byronlee8745]

Now I really need to study more Finnish culture! ❤

[@BlackDragonTavern]

It is well worth the gander 😁

[@JulianLopez-rt6kp]

I admit, I know nothing about finnish mythology. This sure will be interesting.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

I do so hope you enjoyed 😁

[@oup6009]

I love your videos but why have you put on this false deep voice? Is it for the storytelling aspect? You sound much different than your original videos and you already have a nice voice!

[@BlackDragonTavern]

I am most glad you enjoy your time in the Tavern. It's actually the other way around, I used to put on a voice to sound more approachable and more American. Over the last year my wife has convinced me to stop putting on that voice, because eventually people will meet me in person and realize I don't speak that way. It's a bit of a long story, so I won't bore you with it, but when I moved to the US my accent was quite thick and my voice quite deep, and due to bullying (I was 14 when I started university) and a very bad relationship, I changed how I spoke and that carried over into my professional life. This last 3 years have been a returning to my roots

[@oup6009]

​@@BlackDragonTavern In that case I whole heartedly welcome your natural voice! Just for clarity, your natural voice is also very nice!!! I did not mean to say it wasn't. I'm sorry you went through such experiences in the US. Very impressive that you were in University at 14 but also extremely disappointing in all the adults/people that treated you that way. Thank you for sharing that part of your journey and I'm glad your wife urged you in this direction :)

[@BlackDragonTavern]

@oup6009 I appreciate you saying so, understandably it is a subject brought up a lot, it is quite a jarring difference, so I fully understand the question. That stage of my life led me to understand my voice and allowed me to learn the art of voice acting, and I bring many people great joy with my character readings. So while it was certainly uncomfortable at the time, I am happy to have taken that path to be here now. I appreciate your patronage here in the Tavern, and I hope you know it is a privilege to be your storyteller, be it just this time, or many days and weeks to come. Thank you 🙏

[@GothGF-ArcaneBunny]

why you talking like that

[@BlackDragonTavern]

That's just how I talk friend 😅

[@Anttimation]

This AI slop in is quite sad and unnecessary. Makes me not want to watch even if the videos themselves are good.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

Are you referring to the AI generated art work? I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea. The art we generate is owned by us and uses only open source(historical paintings and works) and the work of the lady of the tavern. It's not ideal, and we would prefer to do illustrations for every scene and animations for illustrative purposes, but we are a small independent Tavern. We don't often take sponsors, and we don't charge for the content. If you take grievance with the free videos that are made entirely by the effort and resources of my house, which are not excessive, then there's not much I can do friend. If you'd rather not support the tavern, I will thank you for your visit, and hope you find enjoyment elsewhere. I wish you had chosen constructive criticism instead of overt and rude negativity. But I won't seek to change your ways. But in the future, if you ever return. We prefer to converse civilly here, avoiding insult, especially when nothing of value was added in the aftermath. Cheers 🙏

[@Anttimation]

@@BlackDragonTavern yes, that's precisely what I refer to. It is not possible to generate AI imagery using non-stolen works as its fuel unless it's with a program you've built yourselves, which, I assume, is not the case. I apologize for the harsh tone, but when Silicon Valley tech bros have decided to decimate my industry using the uncredited and uncompensated works of said industry against it, the response tends to be harsh. I'm well aware of the effort required to run an indie channel as I do the same myself :) There is a decent amount of public domain works on the subject of (Finnish) mythology that are absolutely free to use. They also work better, as AI imagery is mostly enjoyed by boomers - unless they're your only target audience.

[@BlackDragonTavern]

@Anttimation @Anttimation Well, we use stable diffusion, which accesses a localized library of public domain art, and the art work of the lady of the tavern, who is a professional artist with nearly 15 years of portfolio work. I understand it's a sore subject for artists, I myself have been a writer for 20 years. But we either evolve and use the new tools of our trades, or we die pushing our stone wheels and cursing the men in wagons. As far as we are aware, the programs we use only access our library and the public domain. So if something stands out as not being so (i.e. something actionable and worthy of criticism) then I am more than happy to change it and credit and I form the injured artist. But, as a supporter of the arts and a practitioner, I believe I have done my due diligence. Which would have been more easily observed, had you begun with a question. There are some good Public domain works, and I have even purchased rights to some for Finnish works. Sadly, there are not many, and the ones that do exist have been used to death on social media. I make more than 500 pieces of content every year for an audience of persons aged 13 to 65, and I don't look down on or speak ill of any of them. I find it uncouth to do so, when my job as a storyteller would not exist without them. I hope my answer has satisfied you, and if it has not, I hope our future interactions can at least be more civil and constructive. And if you know of any artists who would like to collaborate to have their work highlighted, I am not a large channel, but I am always happy to do so. Cheers 🙏

[@BlackDragonTavern]

@Anttimation Besides, I thought the Greek Kardashians one came out pretty good 😂

[@Anttimation]

@@BlackDragonTavern Stable Diffusion still runs on the LAION dataset of 5 billion+ images meant for research purposes which they've repackaged and resold into a commercial product. The local library guides the output of your prompts but it does work without the uncredited, uncompensated works. Not to mention releasing their CSAM tool which makes assosiation with Stable Diffusion incredibly problematic. Re: Finnish illustration - have you checked out Tero Porthan? Maybe you have but I missed at a quick glance. Could fit well with your videos. Other than that, stock footage of nature, forest, bears etc works quite well too. I know how much work it is to illustrate everything yourself ;)