Schnai - Snow Babarians

The Snow Barbarians, or Schnai, are the most powerful of the Thillonrian tribes, renowned for their naval prowess and relentless raids on the Great Kingdom and Sea Barons. Though they once ruled the Frost Barbarians, their grip has weakened, and they now watch warily as the Fruztii ally with Ratik, potentially altering the balance of power in the north.

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History

The Snow Barbarians (Schnai) are the most powerful and numerous of the northern Suel peoples, ruling the eastern reaches of the Thillonrian Peninsula (Rhizia). Several decades ago, they seized the eastern tip of the peninsula south of Glot from the Ice Barbarians and also subjugated the Frost Barbarians (Fruztii) to their west. However, the Fruztii have recently regained much of their independence, remaining vassals in oath only.

For centuries, Schnai longships have raided the Great Kingdom and the Sea Barons, viewing them as rich and easy prey. While they often war against invading humanoids from the Corusk Mountains, they always muster forces for their traditional summer raids to the south.

Politics and Society

Despite past conflicts, the three northern Suel barbarian nations maintain a general alliance, bound by cultural ties and shared enemies. Although occasional territorial disputes flare up, they largely cooperate in facing external threats and raiding southern lands.

However, the Queen of the Schnai is rumored to be keeping a watchful eye on the growing cooperation between her former vassals, the Fruztii, and the Barony of Ratik. There are whispers that Ratik has proposed an ambitious alliance between all the Rhizian tribes to invade the Hold of Stonefist and the Bone March, promising territorial gains for the barbarians in return.

Religion

The Schnai honor the Suel deities, with Vatun being the most revered among them. As warriors and seafarers, they also pay tribute to gods of battle, storms, and the sea.

Military

The bulk of the Schnai army consists of fierce infantry, armed with axes, bows, swords, and spears. Their cavalry wields spears and scything axes (treat as battleaxes with the reach property, dealing 1d8 slashing damage). Since Schnai forces can be swiftly transported by longships, they rarely engage in prolonged inland campaigns.

The Schnai are regarded as the finest sailors among the northern Suel, making them highly valued allies in any naval expedition. While their warriors are battle-hardened and skilled raiders, they still maintain enough forces to defend their lands from monstrous incursions from the Corusk Mountains.

Current Affairs and Rumors

The Schnai have held their southern coastal conquests for decades, despite frequent conflicts with their Ice Barbarian neighbors. However, their influence over the Frost Barbarians has waned to little more than a symbolic claim.

There are persistent rumors that Ratik seeks to unite the northern barbarian tribes in a grand campaign against the Hold of Stonefist and the Bone March. It is said that the offer on the table includes Glot and Krakenheim as rewards for the Schnai, while the Fruztii and Cruski would divide the Hold of Stonefist, with part of Timberway returned to the Frost Barbarians and Ratik claiming rule over the Bone March. Whether the Queen of the Schnai will accept such a proposal remains uncertain, but his spies carefully observe the growing military coordination between the Fruztii and Ratik.

One thing is certain—the Snow Barbarians remain a formidable force, ready to carve their destiny upon the tides and battlefields of the Flanaess.

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Proper Name: Northern Kingdom of the Schnai

Ruler: Queen Ingrid of the Schnai (human)

Government: Independent feudal monarchy with hereditary rulership, loosely governing powerful jars; jars meet yearly at the Assembly of Knudje (without queen present), then send representatives to Soull to negotiate with queen or have her resolve judicial dispute, queen and jarls each have a retinue of advisors (priests and skalds)

Major Settlements: Soull; Knudje

Resources: Copper, gems (I, II)

Population: Human, Dwarf, Halfling, Elf, Gnome, Half-elf, Half-orc

Law: CN

Allies: Cruski (sometimes), Fruztii (sometimes), Ratik (sometimes)

Enemies: Empire of Iuz, evil humanoids and giants in the Corusk Mountains, Aerdiaak, Sea Baronies, Bone March, Stonehold, Fruztii (sometimes), Ratik (sometimes), Cruski (sometimes)

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