Pomola, the Thunderbird (Ave de Trueno), is the guardian spirit of the mountain forests in the northern peaks beyond European maps: an embodiment of nature, a channel of natural magic, and the frontier that has stopped European penetration eastward.
| Type | Creature (nature spirit, guardian) |
| Spanish entry | Pomola |
Description
It is “the great giant bird” that flies, and also a mixed form seen on the peaks: a giant eagle-man with “deer curves” in its body. It is said to be “of giant blood”. Witnesses disagree on its color and wingspan.
It is highly intelligent and speaks, but best with animals; it does not consider that culture and language contributed much, and it does not communicate with humans as humans do. No human protocol, flag or charter guarantees the outcome of meeting it. It is rare and remote: one must go looking for it.
Powers and role
- Help or transformation. It may help the visitor or make them part of nature. The intention decides: «Puede transformarte, hacerte parte de la naturaleza, o ayudarte: depende de qué vayas» (“It can transform you, make you part of nature, or help you: it depends on what you go for”).
- Channel. Its powerful attributes equal those of other powers; where it is, natural magic flows.
- Commissions. It sent a company to stop the Dutch and the cursed ship.
- Promises. Part of the promise made to it was the sinking of Manhattan.
- Frontier. It is why Europeans have not crossed these peaks, a line of mountains marking the eastern limit of their advance. Its favor was the key to access to Manhattany and to continuing the journey.
Conflicting accounts
- One account treats Pomola as a single named power, the Thunderbird who commissions and receives promises.
- Another speaks of “the Pomola”, plural guardians of giant blood that appear wherever strong natural power exists in the mountains.
Open questions
- Whether the commissioning Thunderbird is the Pomola or a Pomola.
- What “giant blood” means: lineage, stature or magical quality.
- Whether the sinking of Manhattan is literal, and whether it has happened; the pact’s terms are unknown.
- Plumage, voice and the barrier’s exact extent are not recorded.
- What decides whether it helps or transforms.