Frost Clan
The Clans of the Scattered Snowflakes on Wind
Preface
Bloodkeepers that live within cold plain regions have the moniker of both Frost Clan and Tundra bloodkeeper. The two are often used interchangeably; most beings who aren't well versed in their culture, or using slang will simply refer to them as Tundra bloodkeepers. The name 'Frost Clan' is the closest Common translation of what the Clan calls themselves, some bloodkeepers say that it's far more eloquent in their own language than its translation. The direct translation with corrected Common syntax is along the lines of <<The Clans of the Scattered Snowflakes on the Wind>>.Magic
Frost Clan bloodkeepers are adept at ice Elemental Magic while suffering reduced aptitude for direct opposing magic, such as fire. They can learn the other Clans' specialties and other elemental magic but require training and magical aid. It isn't strange to see them wearing jewelry or items to help them with other types of magic. It is believed in their culture that all creatures have Mana within them, and drinking some of a beings blood gives them a bit of the target's magic ability. It is not bizarre for Bloodkeepers to consume a drop of blood from respected peers in an attempt to have some of their innate skill in magic.
Bloodkeeper Magic Affinity
| Species | Earth | Air | Fire | Water | Light | Dark | Lightn. | Ice | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloodkeeper | 2 | 2 | 0/1 | 2 | 4 | 0/1 | 3 | 0/1 |
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
All bloodkeepers speak a similar subset of Demonic; one that is full of guttural growls and snarls. Frost Clan members rely heavily on expressions from the nose up, as their face is often covered to protect it from winds. The same sentence can have multiple meanings depending on upper facial expression. They also have a distinct set of hand signals they use as they speak.
Culture and cultural heritage
The Esteemed Ones
An important rank among bloodkeepers of all Clans, the Esteemed One is a rank in which a single bloodkeeper is viewed as the leader of their respective Clan. This event doesn't occur very often, and the rules rarely change. Typically Frost Clan Esteemed Ones are chosen by the lightest fur colour for the bloodkeeper's age, as it shows self-restraint. However, if there are two similarly furred bloodkeepers that are both attempting to take the role, it will be combat to first blood.
Shared customary codes and values
Fur Colour
While it is known that all bloodkeepers are born with white fur, the culture around tinting their pelts varies. Frost Clan members value white and light tinted fur above all else due to their environment. Once a Frost Clan bloodkeeper has reached certain threshold of darkness in their fur, they are highly likely to be shunned by their community members, and depending on how dark it is it can even lead to exile. This belief is tied to an important view that the consumption of limited blood is a form self-restraint, and bloodkeepers that can restrain from gorging or over-indulging on are valued. An older bloodkeeper that still has light-coloured fur shows an incredible amount of restraint, as they have spent more time around blood and prey, but have not over drank.Fur Colour as Related to Religion
As stated above, tundra bloodkeepers often avoid darkening their fur with the consumption of blood and find dark fur shameful. This causes conflict, as their god Silence has pitch black fur. Along with camouflage reasoning, many bloodkeepers claim that to drink until their fur is pitched is sinful; that it is an attempt at reaching godhood and that the individual is mentally unfit with delusions of grandeur.Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Markings
Markings are an important cultural symbol to bloodkeepers, as it allows other tribes to know family relations at a glance. To obtain these markings, bloodkeepers's fur is stained with heavy dye, which is re-applied every year in a celebration of their birth. Each community displays the marking in a different area.
Frost Clan
Tundra Bloodkeepers put their markings along their arms and hands, which are important during communication. They do not mark their face due to the fact it is often covered to protect it from the elements. Due to the cultural importance of hand gestures in their culture, hands and arms were decided the best place to mark; they are often covered as well, but exposed when within homes and warm places. Sometimes the symbol is done on only one limb as most families have asymmetrical markings.It isn't uncommon to see it done on both arms when the marking is more simple; Due to the size of their potential canvas, Frost Clan bloodkepers usually have larger, and spiraling family markings that are full of curves and not many straight lines as they have to re-apply them yearly to keep the dye dark..Birth & Baptismal Rites
Birthday Celebrations
Blood Drinking
Tundra bloodkeepers celebrate their birthdays in a far more restrained manner than their desert and forest counterparts; while the other bloodkeepers will consume cups or full sips of blood, Frost Clan bloodkeepers live by the view of 'less is more' and will consume a single droplet of blood. This allows their fur to stay lighter for longer, and a Frost Clan bloodkeeper with a slight tint to their fur shows their age with pride. Of course, accidental double 'drips' so to speak occur, and when they happen at ceremonies, it is explained that the mana was drawn to the bloodkeeper, and that it was not a drink out of gluttony.Family Marking Application and Renewal
When a bloodkeeper is first born, as well as every birthday after, the familial marking on the bloodkeeper's body is renewed with a combination of berry dye and other dark liquids; the combination varies Clan to Clan. The marking will be the same as their father if they are male, and the same as their mother if female though there are circumstances where this may be changed. The mark will be applied by The Esteemed One or a different member of the community if the individual being celebrated requests so.Common Taboos
One of the highest taboos within Frost Clan culture is the act of over-indulgence in regards to the consumption of blood. Due to the fact that bloodkeepers' fur tints with the consumed mana gained through blood drinking, having too much can cause their light coats to become darker.
A Frost Clan member who is young and has dark fur is considered gluttonous and undisciplined; whereas an older member is typically given some leeway due to having more cultural celebrations involving the consumption of blood. That isn't to say that they get away with having darker fur, an adult still is scrutinized for having unusually dark fur for their age.
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