In the far-flung reaches of the land known as Nunatsiarmiut, now called Baffin Island, a tribe of fearless Inuit hunters once lived along the rugged coast of Kangiqtualuk. They were the masters of the sea, navigating the frigid waters in their handcrafted kayaks to bring in sustenance for their villages. But they were not the only inhabitants of the land. Lurking in the shadows was a tribe of beings far larger and far more fearsome than the Inuit themselves.

These were the Tornit, creatures of immense strength and unearthly appearance, with long arms and legs, a hulking stature, and a fur-covered body that would make them look like a bear from a distance. Although they walked upright like humans, they were more akin to large apes or Neanderthals. Their senses were also greatly dulled, with poor eyesight, and a scent that ranged from rotting flesh to skunk-sprayed.

The tales of these mysterious beings have been passed down for generations, recorded by anthropologists and chronicled in the oral traditions of the Inuit people. There are conflicting accounts of the Tornit’s nature, with some villages describing them as friendly, while others recall the Tornit as a vicious and dangerous creature. But the dominant view is that they were unscrupulous, dim-witted, and morally repugnant. The relationship between the Inuit and the Tornit was marked by fear and animosity, and there were even reports of the Tornit invading Inuit villages, killing women and children while the men were away hunting.

So what was the truth about the Tornit? Were they simply an unpleasant, brutish race, or were they a fearsome monster that hunted its prey from the shadows? Whatever the answer, one thing is for certain – the stories of the Tornit paint them as creatures to be feared, marking them as a legacy of mystery and adventure that continues to captivate the imagination of those who hear them.