Northman

Northmen, or northern humans is a ethnicity of humans from the norther mountainous lands of Nortascand. They come from the many Northern tribes. Most of them are Aesirites, a Norse like religion with gods such as Odin and Thor. The many tribes share many features, commonly a dark pale, almost brown of skin, with dirty blond hair. Most of them share a similar culture as well though the variation and style depends on the tribe and area. Survival is hard in the north, breading a strong and loyal people, and people eager to find adventure elsewhere. It is said they were the first to sail, and Northern longships brave the oceans, for adventure glory and gold.

## Tribes

Tribes are social groups made up of clans of Northmen. They are somewhat primitive, but home to a very strong people due to the very harsh conditions of the north. Some are more seafaring, some rarely leave there claimed territory. The harsh nature of the environment and lack of valuable resources has caused the tribes to be quite primitive, and the abundance of monsters and wizards has made them good fighters.

### Ursasworn

The Ursaswrorn have taken a special affinity to the Whitepelt Bear. They take it as there spirit animal and will wear coats taken from brown beard. Some even keep Whitepelts as animal companions. Many of them fight with claws, made by attaching claws to a leather or similar material glove. It is a affective melee weapon, along with the standard spear, hammer or axe.

They live in a grassy area south of the mountains, sheeted in snow and near a river. Many whitepelts can be found there as well as a variety of animals providing ample food to those strong enough to take it. The rivers are mostly safe, but river trolls have been known to frequent them. Some warriors from the Ursasworn will hop on there bear and ride off into the unknown seeking adventure elsewhere, in less freezing territories.

### Hammerhigh

On the side of Hammerhigh mountain, near the northern sea in the thick of the mountain territory is the Hammerhigh tribe. A tribe very faithful to the gods. They have a large temple on the highest peak of Hammerhigh mountain. On becoming a adult at 16 the member will take a name for there tribes use, a name usually containing some kind of deeper meaning.

The mountain is infected with monstrous enemies and those of the other tribes so they have to stay prepared, most learning to fight at a early age. Being near to a large source of water many will reach a age like 25, take a boat and sail off to find adventure. They try to hold to a higher standard of morals then most of the other tribes, but are just as prone to war equally as much as the others are if not more. Norg, by his tribal name Nog-Nog, comes from this tribe.

## Features

Dark brown to pale skin, normally a dirty blond hair color. But these things can change on tribe. Many wear beards of varying sizes, as they show you’ve lived long enough to be deserving of respect. The amount of time put into them varies as well though, as many are just a product of being to busy doing other more important things then to focus on your facial hair.

### Magic Resistance

A Northman, due to the inherit mysterious Magic’s of the north and generations of facing harsh magical trials have given them some level of resistance to magical powers, specifically those that would control or harm the mind. There legendary will power plays no small part in helping this though. This resistance has served them well.

### Natural Strength

Many are born stronger then other varieties of humans. This is because the natural selection of the north lands makes it so only the strong survive to pass on there genes, and thus produces a strong and hardy people. This process continues and likely will continue. The average Northman is stronger then the average normal man.

## Culture

Beer and there special fire brew is very prevalent in there culture, for it has three ability to warm up the mind and the body on the coldest of winter nights, and many tribes have become especially skilled at making varieties of brews, making it one of the most profitable and useful trades between the many northern tribes. They are also exported outside the northern lands to some choice locations, and northern style bars are a popular destination in many more civilized lands.

Religion plays a big part in most tribes. Patron gods, prayer and worship are important to a tribe. At the age of 16, in the ceremonies of manhood a child will officially pick a patron god that they will depend on more then any other god. The priests will travel between tribes to spread the word of there beliefs and help them with there faith.

Animals and spirit animals also play a big part, as many will choose a patron animal and many tribes are based around a animal like the Ursasworn and there whitepelt bears. Animals are a important part of choosing the location of a tribe, due to them being needed for the most basic survival. Eating and hunting animals is a a big part of the Barbarian life.

Many of them go on to become Barbarians, used in this sense like the dungeons and dragons class. Many ply there wares as mercenaries as there strength is well known. For example, the famed northern band was a infamous mercenary camp. It robbed many elf holds, killed many undead, and the villages they fought in still claim to see there spirits to this day.

They are famed for possibly being the first to sail. Northern longships have crashed against the waves since anybody can remember. Many will do so just to pillage and plunder, some to trade and others to simply find adventure. Or of course organized militaries, though this is somewhat rare and the longship design itself is rarely seen outside of the north lands, outside of the use of there creators the northern. Some similar breeds are sometimes used by elf’s and such, with there slim wood boats.