Tossup

Scholars connect this character with the concept of synty through a passage where he explains the origin of iron to an old healer. That passage exemplifies a common epithet of this character, translated as either “trusty old” or “steadfast old.” This character falls into the sea and drifts for eight days after his horse is shot by a crossbow. This character crawls into the stomach of a sleeping giant to learn the three missing words of a magic spell. After a baby chastises this character for causing Aino to drown herself, this character sings up a magic boat and sails away in exile. (10[1]-5[1])This character (10[1])kills (10[1])a pike and uses its jaw to create the first kantele (“KAWN-teh-leh”) while on his way to recover (-5[1])the magical Sampo from Louhi, (10[1])the ruler of Pohjola (“POH-yo-lah”). For 10 points, what bard is the central character of the Kalevala? ■END■ (10[1]0[3])

ANSWER: Väinämöinen
<MS, Mythology>
= Average correct buzz position

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