Northern Wilderness

Regions of Enelis

People of the Northern Wilderness

Dyrferd

The Dyrferd tribes are shamanistic semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherer tribes of the north. These people cling to very old traditions that predate Noradrie culture. They descend from the people that managed to escape enslavement by the ancient Jotun empires. Many tribes venerate a specific animal spirit that embodies the spirit and attitude of the tribe. The tribes tend to settle temporarily for the short summers gathering what they can of the northern forests and plains. In the long winters, the tribes follow the herds of reindeer, caribou, or elk across the land to ensure their survival in the harsh climate. Some tribes also follow and hunt the mighty mammoths that roam the wild grasslands.

The Dyrferd people exclusively wear hides and furs, draped over their bodies and tied with sinew. Many consider the Dyrferd to be wild barbarians and their physical appearance would not disagree with that assessment. They wear various animal totems as jewelry and are quite fond of horns and ivory. Physically the Dyrferd people greatly resemble other Noradrie, however, they tend to have darker hair colors and a ruddy, sunbaked skin-tone. Most Dyrferd only speak their tribe’s variation of the Dyrferd language, though some also speak a common language known as Dyrferd, an ancient Old Noradrie that is used as a trade language between the tribes. Dyrferd people have an animalistic religion overseen by their shamans.

Nupik

Nupik Villages: Sednaniq (630), Natsiqaq (350), Kilalurak (430), Nertornartok (670).

The Nupik tribes are semi-nomadic groups of humans that originate from an unknown land. During a change in climate, the Nupik tribes migrated across the north pole into northern Ularin, following the seals, walruses, and whales into new territory. Now that the climate has warmed again, some of the Nupik tribes remained in the northern-most parts of the continent, still hunting their favored prey. These people are adept hunters on the sea, using kayaks made from hides. During the winters, they create shelters called igloos composed of solid ice and snow.

The Nupik people are quite short compared to the Noradrie, with stout, somewhat chubby bodies that provides them with insulating layers of fat. They typically have black hair and tapered eyes. Their skin is usually quite pale in color. Most Nupik only speak their own language, Nupik. However, some may speak Noradrie as a trade language. The Nupik have their own small pantheon of spirits and beasts.

Skintathunmar [Frost elves]

The Skintathunmar [frost elves] are various tribes of elves that left the Aegis Forest many centuries ago to dwell in the Whitepeak Forests. These tribes are primarily hunter-gatherer bands that often skirmish with the Dyrferd tribes over the life-giving herds of reindeer, caribou, and elk. Though these elves are so rare that many in the region consider them to be of mythical origins.

Skintathunmar have a very pale, almost blue skin with shimmering hair that comes in various shades of white. They speak the Elven language, but often also know Dyrferd or Noradrie. These elves follow a druidic tradition.

Frostblood Goblin Tribes [Blue Goblins]

The Frostblood goblin tribes dwell in the region’s mountains and caverns. They have a characteristic bluish skin, but otherwise behave and act like their green-skinned brethren. The Frostbloods are mostly found in the Frostpeak mountains and do not typically associate with the orcs. However, frost giants often employ these goblinoids as slaves.

Frostblood goblins have skin tones of blues and whites on their hairless bodies. They dress in crude clothing of various furs stitched together with sinew. Unlike most goblins, Frostblood only speak Jotun, a remnant of their time as subservient to the giants. The Frostblood tribes have a shamanistic tradition.

Jotun Tribes

[Giants of many various types]

The Jotuns, or giants, the children of Gigas, are an ancient people that have lost much of their old culture. They once had a mighty empire that dominated all the region. Now, most Jotun tribes are scattered throughout the northlands living as no more than hunter-gatherers or small settlements. The Jotuns, much like the elves, split into many varieties as their heritage split form the Firstborn. Thus, there are many different ancestries of giants: hill, cave, frost, fire, stone, etc. However, these disparate tribes of Jotuns hate each other as much as they hate the “inferior”, smaller ancestries. Occasionally, the Jotuns will join with an orc tribe to wage war against other orcs, to raid a Noradrie village, or to attempt an assault on the dwarves of Kalavar. However, these alliances are tentative at best.

The physical characteristics of the Jotun vary greatly based on the tribe and type of giant. All giants speak Jotun, with many also knowing Orc, Noradrie, or Common as well. The Jotun have an ancient pantheon of deities that they worship.

Regions of the Northern Wilderness

Whitepeak Forests

On the most northernmost area of the coast is a great taiga biome that stretches to the polar tundra. The trees are primarily pines and spruce with the occasional birch or larch. The waterways of the forest are filled with numerous fish and birds. There is also plentiful hunting game. These forests are home to wandering Dyrferd tribes, frostblood goblins, Skintathulmar elves, and hunting Nupik tribes. The occasional orc band can occasionally be found roaming the forests as well. Other dangers include predatorial beasts that also hunt intelligent prey, such as dragons, drakes, and giants. Also the region is home to various megafauna, such as glyptodons, megaloceros, smilodons, and mighty mammoths.

Frostpeak Mountains

The mountains known as the Frostpeaks are particularly dangerous for most folk. It is a known haven for dragons and giants as well as the primary home for the frostblood goblin tribes. The Nupik tribes can often be seen near the mountains, as their favored prey tend to prefer the rocky cliffs on the northern side of the mountains that border the sea.

Hvitr Fyri [Shining Forest]

The forests of the Hvitr Fyri, or Shining Forest, is rumored to be home to various fey creatures. The Krungi tend to avoid the forests, believing it to be haunted by ill-tempered spirits. Nupik tribes dwell on the eastern edge of the forest along the sea where whales and seals are quite plentiful.