Through the Spyglass: The Northern Tribes

Through the Spyglass: The Northern Tribes is a tome stored within the Amber Archives.

## Description

Considered by many to be a companion series to the much acclaimed "Definitive Guide of Cuisine", Perrin-Christofle Vasseur's "Through the Spyglass" series offers an overview of many of the different regions of Ahlus, focusing on more general geographic and cultural details, rather than the culinary focus of his brother Abelard-Claude's writings.

## Research

### Completed by Faustus Howell - Inquiry (Study)

A harsh land of ice, stone and snow has forged a hardier folk that found elsewhere, it is often remarked, a sentiment echoed in the motto of the Realm of Courrakey - "A Brotherhood Greater Than The Struggle". A struggle is certainly a reflection on the nature of my travels to visit the lands of the Northern Tribes, and though the warmth of camp and hearthfires and the thickness of furs adorned by my hosts held back the cold for a time, I found myself quickly yearning for warmer pastures soon enough. Despite this, I do not mean for my words to dissuade any that look upon the Realm of Courrakey with wonder, for it is indeed a place of many wonders, some of which I hope to be able to convey unto you indeed, dear reader.

While austere and harrowing for the unprepared traveller, the lands of the Northern Tribes are stunning in every sense of the word. Breath-taking vistas of frozen waterfalls encased in ice for months upon end dot the landscape, crags and hills glimmering like vast gemstones of polished ice, and even the forests of pines, spruces and hemlocks make a welcome sight, whether for shelter, or as simple testament to their stalwart nature. As previously alluded to, it is not simply the surroundings that are strong and stalwart, but the people and the beasts they keep and hunt likewise. The Courrak folk, while hailing from countless tribes swear allegiance to one of three tribal capitals - that of Bodunoduron, Geredw and Llaber. Curious however, is the fluidity at which the residents of the tribes may change this allegiance. This is not an easy decision for most, however, for traditions custom that an individual gives up any items that may tether them to their past in doing so, but with new oaths sworn may instead find themselves on a new path more akin to their beliefs, desires or wishes very promptly indeed.

#### The Ger

Most enigmatic of the Northern Tribes, the Ger are rarely encountered by outsiders, residing in the far northeastern stretches of the Realm of Courrakey. With their primary competition coming from frost giants, remorhazes and white dragons, alongside the natural dangers brought by the terrain and weather, they are said to be shrewd, practical and deviously cunning. Rejecting of the Ahlusian Sixteen and the creation story of Aita's Second Gift, many of the Ger instead maintain that their earliest ancestors came to be after a great eagle scattered the blood of a titan by tearing out its eye and burrowing into the soft flesh beneath. From the spillage of gore the Ger sprung to be, and most carry a pendant of deep crimson - traditionally made through freezing any blood shed by their mother during their birth by arcane means - at their throat in recognition to this. An eagle or similar bird of prey is commonly used in Ger symbology.

#### Lakutha's Kin

It is only fitting that the lands of northwestern Courrakey share the most in common with their neighbours in the Lylcairr. Mysticism and wisdom, often in unison but not always are common place in these scattered folk, although it is for a stalwart resilience and strength that Lakutha's Kin are known. Lakutha, legend tells was a fearsome bear of monstrous might and size that defended the first people of Courrakey to the valleys, frozen lakes and forests that they now reside. Scholars have speculated the nature of Lakutha, either as an *Awakened* beast of sorts, or perhaps more likely simply a powerful Druid, but nonetheless, reverence of this prodigious spirit remains, and so the bear remains the primary symbol of Lakutha's Kin.

#### The Sons of Bodun

Ruling over the southern stretches of Courrakey from as close to a city as the Courrak have near the edge of the Notchbark Woods, the Sons of Bodun are those most frequently encountered by outsides to the Realm, given their interest in matters of commerce. Bold, forthright and courageous, they have been known to travel to fight alongside the Halhomites in their wars, though are just as commonly witnessed trading with Tulisian trading caravans with the natural resources of their land - namely iron, copper, lead, opals and rubies. The Sons of Bodun commonly utilise wolves upon their symbology, acknowledging that the pack is strongest when united, a truth reflected in their openness to collaboration with others.