Human Tribes of Vindenfel (Ethnicity)

The many tribes of Vindefel are famous across the world as savages, barbarians and outsiders. Though this is not always the case none of the tribes are strangers to war or battle. There are three major races that make up the majority of the tribes in Vindenfel, Humans, Wood Elves and Orcs.
The human tribes are the most common and most widespread. They are not all savages or barbarians but their hardy land has bred a hardy people, under constant threat of Orc pillagers many tribes view war and battle as more than just a part of life but part of the very essence of their culture.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Nidbiorg, Holmlaug, Asgard, Gæierlaug, Hild, Frida, Vigdis, Gudrun, Skur, Siv, Aslaug, Gudfinna, Ogn, Gudrid, Asleif, Ljot, Ingirid, Torhild, Jaddvor, Ottkatla

Masculine names

Thometill, Øybiorn, Halfdan, Freystein, Gils, Galti, Throst, Ioketill, Bragi, Gunnleif, Atli, Bolverk, Gudvær, Onäm, Ketilbiorn, Oleif, Klakkr, Svartbrand, Bjorgolf, Geri, Gest, Aleifr

Family names

The tribal people of Vindenfel do not have family names, instead they use the name of their tribe as their surname. These include Blackhand, Middle Bone, Strong Spear, Brown Mountain, Strong Wolf and many others.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

There are several languages spoken across Vindenfel that are all loosely related to one another though it is difficult to pin point exactly where the tree started, most of the tribal societies having their own dialect.

Culture and cultural heritage

Much of the tribal history and culture is only recorded orally so it's known by few outsiders but many of the tribes have a rich spoken history.

Common Etiquette rules

There isn't much in the way of etiquette amongst the tribes of Vindenfel though it is generally advised not to get into an argument with a tribe member, it is common belief that fighting is the best way to solve disputes and they tend to stick together.

Common Dress code

There is no unifying dress between many of the tribes, generally they wear simple leather, cloths and furs but they are known to scavenge useful pieces of armour or clothing given the opportunity and the chief of the Halfhand clan famously wears a breastplate taken from an Urdinian Guard Captain.

Art & Architecture

Many of the tribes are nomadic and do not have any statis architecture though they do travel with low round tents which are erected where the tribe is currently situated. They will usually remain at these locations for a few months before moving on to their next ground.
The static tribes however tend towards longhouses made from wood, they are usually situated in defensible locations with good access to water. These longhouses usually house three or even more families.

Coming of Age Rites

The tribes of Vindenfel have few unifying traits however the harsh world they live requires strong people, it is common to send a teen on the edge of adulthood into the wilderness with nothing but a spear. They are not to return until they bring back something to the tribe. Their position in the tribe is dictated by what they return with. If it's resources they join the gatherers of that resource, if it's food then they become part of gathering or hunting, if it is an enemy then they are imitated into the house of warriors.
That is not to say that only those within the house are warriors but more that they are considered the greatest champions and are afforded a better societal place.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The like many of the tribes of Vindenfel the human tribes all revere strength both willpower and physicality in men and women. They are often competing in physical activities.
Adornment and decoration is also popular amongst the human tribes and tattoos are common and both genders often wear jewellery and in some tribes even more extreme body modifications are are practised such as scarring and filing teeth into points.

Courtship Ideals

In most of the human tribes strength is so revered that the strongest tend to pair off together but it is not uncommon that two members of the tribe might get together based on love.

Related Organizations

• Ice Render Tribe