Nord

> *“Slumber now, child of mine, until they come with torch aflame. But do not run, your time has come, for the Men of the North make claim.”* - children’s lullaby from the northern Empire of Man.
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The Nords, also known as Northmen or Norse, are a race of powerfully build, hirsute warriors from the frigid hellscape of Vaggaland. They are believed to actually be the ‘original’ Humans. Though they are very similar to the Humans of the Empire, generations of life in their frozen environment has rendered them a very distinct people in their own right. The Nords have a distinct warrior culture, focused on raiding and honourable combat.

## **Physical Description - Ice-Blooded Strength**

With their unnatural strength and stocky builds, Nords appear intimidating and near-barbaric to Imperials and many of the other races. Their heights range just as much as other Humans do, but on average tend to be on the taller side - averaging around 6 feet or so. They are much stockier than Imperials, to, and tend to weigh on the heavier side as well. An average Nord warrior can easily weigh 200 pounds - sometimes more.

A Nord’s skin can vary in colour just as much as any other Human’s can - from nearly black to very pale. Typically, though, Nords tend to be quite pale in colouration - though not as pale as a Vampire might be. This is due to their environment, mainly the wintry conditions and lack of consistent sunlight. Nords will typically have unkempt hair and, in the case of males, long beards that are cut or braided in various styles. Their noses are typically larger than an Imperial’s and their faces longer - likely an adaptation to their very active and strenuous lifestyles.

## **Mentality - Champions of War**

Like all Humans, Nords tend to live for about 80 years on average. However, most do not reach this age due to their harsh environment and battle-centred culture. Indeed, many young Nords are taught quite early on that death is not something to be feared - but accepted and embraced. This gives them an interesting perspective on the world and, in particular, the unique landscape of their frozen homeland. To most Nords, challenges are to be overcome and objectives met without fear of the risk. They are dedicated and driven, almost to the point of stubbornness, to improve themselves and meet their goals.

The Nords are also incredibly religious individuals. Their pantheon, focused around 5 deities, is the centrepiece of their society, culture, and way of life. Many Nords will focus on gaining favour for one particular deity, typically the one they believe will benefit their lives the most. Those seeking favour with the devious and cunning Snake God, for example, will typically focus their efforts on improving the mind or magical feats. This faith drives many Nords and influences the type of person they strive to be.

As raiders and pirates, many races unfortunately dislike the Nords. However, the Nords themselves are a lot more neutral, choosing to focus on an individual’s attributes rather than those of their race. They heavily respect those that stick to their word and display honour in their conduct. However, most Nords despise liars and manipulators - as it forsakes some of their core principles.

## **Society - Raiders of the North**

Most Nords dwell in fortified encampments or fortresses, most of which are positioned along Vaggaland’s vast coastline. The Nords are first and foremost a raiding society. Their icy homeland has next-to-no natural resources of any kind and so Nords are forced to raid other peoples for their resources, like timber or metal, instead. Local Nord society is built on two fundamental pillars: battle honour and worship of their gods. In such a battle-centric society, honour and honourable conduct is held in high regard. Dirty fighting techniques are looked down on and being caught manipulating or lying is close to social suicide. The worship of the gods is also taken very seriously, with different tribes dedicated to specific gods. To disregard these pillar is considered treasonous to the Nord people, punishable by exile into the tundra.

Nords found outside their homeland are commonly adventurers or mercenaries. They are typically in search of something - whether that be worthy battles, personal fortune, or the favour of a certain god. Those that do not follow this lifestyle might be searching for a simpler life away from the hardships of their original homeland.

## **Nord Adventurers - Favour, Honour, and Plunder**

Nords take up adventuring for a variety of reasons. The main 3 are fairly simple though: favour in the eye of their god/s, personal honour and honourable challenges, or personal fortune and plunder. Nords that turn to adventuring for favour likely seek to improve their own abilities and search for challenges that will improve their standing with their god or gods. Those that do it for personal fortune simply desire resources and money, either for themselves or people back in Vaggaland. Finally, those that adventure for personal honour are likely searching to improve their own abilities and desire to find challenges that test themselves and, consequently, improve their honour.

## **Nord Names**

Nords are biologically considered adults in their late teens, just like Imperials, but younger Nords will still participate in the jobs of adults, such as construction and defence, should the situation be desperate enough. This means that many Nord children have the same mindsets as the adults do.

Like most Humans, Nords are given their names at birth. Their first names are usually derived from other words in their culture and local colloquialisms. Family names, however, are usually structured around ancestry. A Nord’s family name will typically be the name of either their mother or father (or their tribe in some cases) followed with ‘sson’ (in males) or ‘dottir’ (in females). The term typically translates into ‘son of…’ or ‘daughter of…’.

**Example Male Names -** Sighvat, Sigemund, Leiknir, Hanef, Mord, Eivor, Gellir.

**Example Female Names -** Jofrid, Turid, Svanlaug, Hallgrim, Jarngerd.

**Example Family Names -** Hakondottir, Ketilldottir, Krakidottir, Hognisson, Styrsson, Borksson.

## **Nord Traits**

Your Nord character has a variety of natural abilities and attributes, the result of your culture and frozen homeland.

* ***Ability Score Modifier -*** your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution by 1.
* ***Age -*** Nords age the same way as most Humans, reaching maturity in their late teens and living for under a century.
* ***Alignment -*** when it comes to domestic matters, Nords tend to be very lawful. They take matters of honour and faith very seriously. However, it could be argued that their raiding culture falls onto the chaotic side. They are also typically neutral, simply trying to survive in a harsh world, but other races might see their conduct as evil.
* ***Size -*** Nord height is the same as other Humans. However they do tend to be on the taller side, averaging at around 6 feet. Your size is Medium.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Cold Resistance -*** being used to a cold environment, you take half damage from cold and are immune to the chilled effect.
* ***Woad -*** using a plant concoction, you can gain 1 AC for 30 minutes. You must take a long rest before using this ability again.
* ***Tundra Walker -*** you are used to walking through difficult terrain, like thick snow and slippery ice, and thus your movement is not effected or hampered by it.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak Common and one extra language of your choice. Nords tend to have a ‘pitch accent’ with two tones that are used to stress parts of words and sentences. Though not applicable 100% of the time, their voices also tend to be on the deeper side when compared to other Humans.