Norfolk
Those who make their home within the Great Ice are called Norfolk, though in truth there are several discrete groups living in the North.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
The Norfolk are based largely on real life Northern Peoples: I take inspiration from Inuit, Nenet, Aleut, Chukchi, Yupik, Kerek, Koryaks, Sami, Yukaghir, & others.
Much like the predators of the Northlands, many groups of Norfolk follow the great herds along their yearly migration routes. However, not all of the Norfolk follow the herds; many have -as is traditional- chosen instead to stay in permanent village outposts, where they reside for six months at a time or even year-round, depending on the settlement's location. Settlements are often located near the herd migration routes so that Herd-Following Norfolk may rest among their stationary kin while the great herd is passing through the area.
Art & Architecture
Norfolk who follow the migrating herds use tents made from the skins of reindeer and elk, and sometimes also crude houses made from snow or ice. The tents consist of long wooden poles, arranged in a circle, each leaning inwards and all of them tied together at the top. Around these poles are wrapped a sturdy canvas made from animal skins.
Settlements are built more elaborately, buildings usually dug into the ground and built from wood or bone, then covered in sod or stone.
Coming of Age Rites
Young Norfolk who have reached their age of majority often go on the Great Hunt, following the herds through their yearly migration. Some choose to follow the herds through many years, while others follow them for only one before settling down either in their home village or in another community.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Norfolk burn their dead on tall pyres; believing that Arithal guides the spirits of the dead to Raquilid's waters by the light of the burning pyre.
They believe that without the light of those fires, Arithal cannot guide spirits to Denythar; those spirits will instead fall under the preview of Chemoch, unable to find peace in death.
Related Locations
