Jotunhall

Fjallvirki, the great keep of the Winter King.

One of the youngest nations in Forestsedge, Jotunhall was formed due to an alliance between The Guardian Council and the Jotunn tribes of The Northwyld. After King Bill came to terms with Hroarmungund The Winter King on gifting the Jotunns land, The Winter King and the other Jotunns agreed to aid the other Guardian Nations in their fight for peace. The warriors of Jotunhall have proven steadfast allies ever since.

## History and Culture

A tenuous alliance between King Bill, from The Highlands, and Hroarmungund had been building over many years, the two exchanging correspondence sporadically. Following the conclusion of The War of The Keys, Bill had known for some time that Forestsedge needed stronger allies and he felt the Jotunns could fill that role.

For their part, the Jotunns only wanted land and freedom, to escape the curse land of the far Northwyld. When Bill and The Guardian Council finally offered terms on giving the Jotunns land, the northerners readily agreed.

Thus, Jotunhall was formed, in the south west of Forestsedge, bordering The Sons Sea and Kha-Li-Daz. The terrain had previously been a cold grassland, with high cliffs and chilled mountains on the coast of the sea. Upon moving into the land and claiming ownership, the Winter King used his magic to alter the landscape to be more hospitable to Jotunns.

### Jotunns

Jotunns are Ogres created by Jornhelm to serve as his peoples and vassals in Veiltouria. Proud warriors with a rich cultural tradition, they originally hailed from the far northern ice fields, further north even than The Northwyld. Over time they slowly emigrated south as the curse on the frigid north grew worse. It has been the Jotunns goal as a people to settle more favorable land.

Large warriors, over four meters tall, Jotunns are extremely durable, though surprisingly light on their feet considering their size. Trained to be warriors from the moment they can walk, Jotunn culture is centered around combat. The greater feats of strength and martial prowess one can achieve, they more wealth and standing they accrue.

An important aspect of Jotunn culture is the Hugrekkiganga, The Warriors Path. Young Jotunns must head out into the world and battle the greatest threats they can find, before returning to their clan in a years time. If the clan Skald, or shaman, deems their deeds unworthy the warrior must set back out and accomplish even greater feats.

Magic is a complex part of Jotunn culture. The Skalds are often looked for guidance and wisdom, to follow Jornhelm's path, but they are also feared and stand separate from other Jotunns. To be a Skald is to walk a lonely path.

### Jotnarr

Jotnarr are half Jotunn hybrids. Typically difficult to birth, Jotnarr have low survival rates. Those that do survive are often found to be mighty warriors, the strength of their Jotunn heritage mixing with the natural traits of their other parent, enhancing them with the magic of Jornhelm. Once shunned in Jotunn society, Jotnarr have over the course of many years become more accepted.

## Beasts of War

The Jotunn people have strong cultural connections to beasts and monsters. Many Jotunn warriors make magical bond with one of the many breeds of warbeasts, their life forces and fate bound together. This process is known as Wyrding, and it leaves the two beings with a connection unlike any other found in Veiltouria. if a Wyrded warrior loses their animal companion, they will often end their own lives out of grief.

Some of the beasts Jotunn's use are listed below:

### Skoldwolf

Wolves are particularly sacred to the Jotunn people, none more so than the Skoldwolf. Huge, maned creatures, Skoldwolves are though to be manifestations of Jornhelm's unbreaking spirit and freewill. Notoriously difficult to bond with, Skoldwolves require Wyrding partners who understand their fierce desire for freedom and independence. Those few that do bond with Skoldwolves are immensely respected amongst the Jotunn people as noble, intelligent warriors.

Those with a Skoldwolf Wyrding partner are called Skold-Brodirs. Skold-Brodirs are often on the fringe of Jotunn society, generally considered to by wild men and loners. They fulfill the role of scouts and reconnaissance for the Jotunn army, their Skoldwolf partners enhanced senses proving incredibly valuable.

### Aettarbjorn

   One of the most common and powerful Jotunn war beasts, Aettarbjorn are massive, tusked bear like creatures. Ill tempered with poor vision, Aettarbjorn are juggernauts on the battle and fulfill the role of shock cavalry for the Jotunn armies.
Those who Wyrded with an Aettarbjorn are generally hotheaded and sociable, the Aettarbjorn packs feeling like home to both beast and rider. These warriors are called Aett-Brodirs, with large contingents of them serving as auxiliary forces for other Guardian Nations. It was the Aett-Brodir cavalry that broke the final stand of the army of Devilsarm during The War of The Horns.

### Hraddurtuska

The single most powerful beast within the Jotunns forces, Hraddurtuska are monstrous mountains of flesh and ice. Born on the glacial mountains far in the norths, Hraddurtuska are engines of ice death. Born with the innate ability to generate and channel ice magic, Hraddurtuska use this to unleash a powerful frost breath rivalling that of a White Dragon.

Though they are immensely powerful, Hraddurtuska are also incredibly long lived, and quite rare. It is uncommon for them to take to the field of battle unless absolutely necessary. Typically they can be found on the highest peaks with their Wyrding partner. Outside of combat, Hraddurtuska are incredibly gentle and soft nature, and their Wyrded partners generally become Skalds. Those Wyrded to a Hraddurtuska are called Tuska-Brodir.

### Vetragyald

Raging monsters with horns of stone, Vetragyald are the largest, most aggressive animal that Jotunn bond with. Creatures of immense power, Vetragyald need to unleash their aggression or else slowly descend into a maddening rage. As a result, Wyrded warriors partnered with Vetragyald now wander Forestsedge, searching for monsters or unfortunate criminals unlucky enough to stumble upon their path.

Only the oldest and wisest warriors can attempt to the Wyrd with a Vetragyald. It takes a seasoned Jotunn, who knows true rage, to temper their paired animal. Those that succeed are called Vetrans, and are highly respected amongst the citizens of Jotunhall.

### Skelfilegur

The main source of food and furs amongst the Jotunns is the Skelfilegur. Large, gentle creatures, the Jotunns treat the Skelfilegur with the utmost respect. A Skelfilegur may only be harvested if it is old or dying. Their people refuse to harvest resources from their war beasts, so the Skelfilegur fulfill the role of livestock, pack animals and sentries.

Warriors do not typically perform the Wyrd with Skelfilegur, though it has happened. Typically those who perform this bond are unique, individuals who walk their own path against the typical flow of Jotunn culture.

## Major Cities and Settlements

Jotunhall, due its recent formation as a nation, is still developing its own infrastructure and settlements. As a result, the number of cities and settlements within the region remain relatively few. The current locations are listed below:

### Fjallvirki

Functioning as the capital city of Jotunhall, Fjallvirki is the fortress city of The Winter King himself. The castle structure covers a huge expanse of land, and is fortified to withstand a hundred year siege. Within its walls, Jotunn warriors live in lodges, grouped together by family bloodlines.

Fjallvirki also has the largest herds of Skelfilegur, or Dire Moose as they are commonly known.

### Arctos Outpost

The Arctos Outpost is a tower forged from ice and magic situated directly on the coast of The Sons Sea. Used primarily as a watchtower and a bastion against invasion from The Eldritch Citadel, it has become a very desirable place to live for the Jotunns, as it has close proximity to a constant source of battle as well their dwarven neighbors. Kha-Li-Daz ale is highly prized amongst the Jotunns.
### Vaggahalda

Vaggahalda is the northern most Jotunn settlement, and serves as a forward staging ground for the mercenary like forces of the Grimmirmenn. It is Vaggahalda that most non-Jotunn people visit, so it has become somewhat tempered in its ferocity compared to other Jotunn settlements. A contingent of Jotnarr, grouped together from the various Forts located in The Northwyld settled in Vaggahalda, to later spread out and join various Guardian adventurer bands across Forestsedge.