Northlander

The Northlanders are a seafaring people who primarily inhabit the northern parts of the Moontide Isles. Descendants of raiders from Rhytham, the very first Northlanders were raiders whose ships were destroyed by the Great Leviathan and forced to settle among the northern islands. A seafaring people, the attack of the Great Leviathan destroying their fleets has become a cultural linchpin in Northlander beliefs and customs.
Descendants from Rhytham, the Northlanders are predominantly a sturdy, war-ready people. Unlike the Daoine, who also inhabit the Moontide Isles, the Northlanders are not interested in the subtle beauty of nature and are more comfortable out at sea. While there are exceptions, until recently the Northlanders rarely married outside of their own culture. As such their phenotype has remained relatively consistent over generations. They tend to be taller and broader in build, typically with light eyes, light skin, and lighter hair colors, although the latter can vary with more frequency.
Warriors tend to hold the highest status in Northlander society, but shamans and seers are always heeded. There is no societal difference between Northlander men and women. Each is judged on their own individual merit and ability. Northlander culture most values the qualities of courage, cunning, fierceness, strength, and skill in sailing.
While Northlanders acknowledge all of the Old Gods, they mostly pay homage the gods that are of most relevance to their needs at the time. Because of their culture and lifestyle, Ran, Tempest, and Yther are the gods most worshipped. However, all Northlanders respect the Great Leviathan and make sacrifices to the sea before any voyage in asking the Great Leviathan to allow their safe passage through the waters. Sharks have been seen as the eyes and ears of the Great Leviathan and no Northlander will willingly cause harm to a shark. If caught in their nets, they are always set free, often with an additional sacrifice to the waters to apologize for their error.
The Northlanders use the Common trade language, but most also speak the language of Rhytham, though it has changed someone over the generations and differs a bit from the language of Rhytham spoken on parts of the mainland.
The Northlanders have good relations with the Dwarves on the Moontide Isles, especially the Dwarves of Mul Lodar who live in the Grounsgrunn Mountains on the island of Hrafnel and the Jarl of Hrafnel speaks for the Dwarven interests to the High Queen. Northlanders tend to avoid Elven lands, but their interactions with the peoples tend to be terse. Northlanders don't see much of a difference between Halflings and Daoine. The Northlanders have had a longtime conflict with the Daoine. The Daoine were more peaceful and Northlanders sometimes took to raiding Daoine settlements, creating tension between the two peoples as a whole. Many Northlanders began to show more respect for the Daoine when High King Lugh Donaid repelled the Oleander Throne's assault. It was the reappearance of the Great Leviathan that moved the people. Further acceptance was made when the High King took a Northlander wife. After her death, some tensions rose again, but a tenuous peace is in place as the High King abdicated his throne and his daughter, the child of a Daoine and Northlander union, has become the High Queen.
In recent years a warrior woman only known as the Ice Maiden has risen to become the ruler of Askel. The Ice Maiden does not recognize the High Queen's authority of her people, but to date no military actions have been taken on either side.

Race: Human
Regions: Moontide Isles
Deities: Primarily Ran, Tempest, Yther 
Starting Languages: Common, Rhytham

Encompassed species

• Human