Each new year starts with the great storm. This is a storm that rolls across the land. It is a huge violent storm that slowly rolls across the land every year. All cities, and town are built with some set of bunkers for the citizens to hunker down in during them. This yearly storm is violent but does not generally do a lot of damage. Farmlands and wilderness areas tend to be fine during the storms. The storm moves slow enough that it hovers over most cities for several days. For some it is a time of fear, for others it is a time of celebration. This storm charges up power crystals. Constructs will be left outside during the storm. They are strapped to heavy stone walls and made to protect them. Their power crystals must be left exposed to the storm. This adds power for their continued use.
Most people, even the very poor have small broken pieces of power crystal. These fragments are only good for creating light. Bags of crystals will be set out on hooks. This will recharge them as well. If the light is used sparingly these crystals can last the entire year.
There is a lot of risk while out in the storm. There are typically only three types of people out during the storm: Messengers, Storm Runner, and Prisoners.
Messengers: Messengers are only out when delivering a message. This is a very dangerous job. This is one of the few times Mul are paid to do a job. Some make enough during a storm to become free. This job for the Mul’s is seen a privilege as this may lead to a new future for them. Many see this as some false hope and death. It is not always voluntary for the messengers to go out into the storms but by tradition, they are always paid for the service.
Storm Runners: Storm Runners are out in the storm by choice. They find it empowering. They believe the storms give them power just like the crystals. Most Wild mages live out in the storms.
Prisoners: For prisoners, this is usually a death sentence. If they survive, they are released. They are released but placed into slavery. A very small group of prisoners will choose this, so they do not go to the mines in Cloudhorn.