Frost Giant (Hrimur Jotun)

General Information

Language: Old Norse
Known as the Hrimur or Frost giant in common, the Hrimur are a race of giants that like the rest originates from the storm giant nation. They seem to be quite fond of ice based magics, animals, and a love for research. The nation though led and founded by Uthem would historically fall to ruin after the giant civil war. Though uniquely one of the few races known by the Collective of Pyrus who had personal representation within the nation under Uthem's rule. The Hrimur would gather slowly the peoples of many nations it is said, but as history would prove, they like many other empires would watch the rise and end of history within there nation. As no historical record was found of the nation after the Splitting.

Cities

Here we shall list the specific city info if any is listed for the cities history.

Hrimpursar's Last Hold

A city said to be at the center of the frost ridden mountains of the southern pole. It is believed that about 100 feet out from each of the mountains the weather dramatically changes back to the tropical like feel. But while within or around the city, the average temperature is said to stay at zero degrees during the day and negative fifty at night. Allowing for few to survive in the hostile terrain, though the Hrimur Jotun Uthem founded the city at the heart of the frosty mountains, granting them the name Uthem's Icy Tomb. The city itself sits deep within the mountains in a vast hallowed out city similar to the Modr Jotun in size and complexity, though the city is known for its artistic design similar to the old Khmer archeticture. The city is said to have housed thousands of animal pens, research areas, training fields, and many druids within the deepest part of the mountain.
The city itself is also noted to have a large underground opening as its on the fartherest right mountain, many trade ships have been seen trading deep within the cities merchant alcove. Though as the many smugglers, merchants, and other such travelers have learned, the city of Hrimpursar's Last Hold does not allow non Hrimur outside of the merchant alcove portion of the town. A small area where some Hrimur have been known to trade, and others who seek employment through adventuring can be seen within these areas.

Technology periods

Here we shall discuss the main technological discoveries by this race.

Hierarchy

Here we shall discuss how the overall ladder of power is designed in this races territories.

Regin

As it translates roughly to gods or powers, many believe this term to have meant the most powerful amongst the storm giants. But the actual translation in common would later be found as “One who uses the Towers power to live long”. It is believed that the Grunaga clan are the discoverers of this great and ancient tower, and that with the help if Ogeron, the towers full potential would be unleashed during the giant civil war and the helgrind war.
Time would go on though, and this title would become to be the common term for the king of the giants, or God of Giants as many other scholars believe it translates to.

Veidmadr Vikingr

A term used for the elite amongst the Hrimur Jotun Vikingr, believed to mean beast pirate, the term is actually believed to translate to "Those who raid with beasts". As the strange taming culture that has developed amongst the Hrimur for there need to keep there city warm and well developed. As the Hrimur were the first to see how quickly many of the lesser races would naturally perish beneath the grounds in the cold snowy tunnels. Thus the need for beasts of burden and creatures of note to be needed amongst the Hrimur. This elite core was noted for there powerful rangers and brotherhood like fighting style. Though only a few were able to rise to this position, it is believed that this elite group was even capable of sneaking in and stealing dragon eggs when the lords themselves slept.

Viedmadr

The term for those amongst the Hrimur for hunters and rangers, as many of the hrimur preferred game meats and the thrill of hunting in the mountains. Many would grow to tame the beasts that hunted there prey as well. Turning great wolves and gnolves to pets and household guard dogs, some even noting that lesser intelligent kobolds could be found amongst the tamed creatures of the hrimur. Noted for there position on every Vikingr ship amongst the Hrimur, this elite group of rangers would constantly go out amongst the lands while raids would go on to capture or study the local fauna.

Vikingr

Also known as sky pirates in common, the Vikingr were an elite military unit even amongst the storm giants main military units. They specialized in capturing, infiltration, and raiding. It should be especially noted that while many believed the storm giants to be conqueror's this was incorrect. The truth of the matter is that storm giants cannot reproduce fast enough to replace many of there numbers, let alone expand. Thus they became extremely well trained in hit and run tactics. Causing the storm giants to be the most adaptable military of the older races. The title Vikingr would come from the term Sky Pirates as the lesser races saw big clouds flowing down to the ground with twenty to thirty vikingr aboard. They would quickly attack, tie there victims down with a strange ore called rodinn stone, and vanish within minutes of the initial attack. They were also nicknamed the “Wolves of the Clouds” for these tactics.

Kaupmadr (In common, Sky Merchant)

A known class of cloud giants that is believed to be the lifeblood of the nation. Well known for being groups of races flying under a core cloud giant group on large sky ships, those who bore the mark of a ruby volcano on there skin were allowed free passage within any port area of the cloud giant lands. Many believe that while the other giants had grown far stronger militarily, the good relations between the cloud giant Kaupmadr class is what would lead to its vast defensive capabilities. As even the lesser races would continue to offer trade throughout the wars, some even noted that dragons of lower clans could be seen amongst the kaupmadr. Creating a sort of merchant of death class amongst the cloud giant culture that acted as mercenaries in times of war, and merchants in times of peace. It is believed the old giant saying of "A man who is king of his ship bows to no ruler" came from the Kaupmadr Kebbles "The Shoe Nosed" a kobold known to take after a red dragon. Though as he was noted to say this to one of the Imperlias's Vinir, it was also noted that Kebbles "The Shoe Nosed" was later renamed Kebbles "The Limped Nose" as he had his legs taken from him and allowed to walk only on his nose.

Nobility

Here we shall discuss notable noble houses through the time periods.

Regin Uthem "One Eye Slayer" of clan Grunaga

Known as a respected ice mage, raider, and warrior. Uthem is most notebly believed to be a prideful yet shrewd ruler who would do anything to be worshipped. Though while many others at the time had similar beliefs to being worshipped. Uthem was one of the few who chose to do it by providing for his people, and building his legend through raw power and capability. While many Hrimur worshipped Uthem, in truth his real worship is known amongst a small cult of niwarves due to him having slain a few young beholder who had spawned from the niwarves god. Though in his younger years Uthem was noted as one of the more powerful ice mages, it is also believed that he favored druidic magic and beast taming. With his full understanding and capabilities, he was rumored to sell powerful intelligent monsters to other world leaders to use the animals as his spies. Though these are only rumors after all.
The majority of the information on Uthem does come second hand from the Collective of Pyrus who sat at his court in exchange for information sharing between the two nations. It its noted that Uthem strongly believed himself to be Ogeron's true successor, and a god amongst the giants as a whole. Many of what the giants considered lesser races, Uthem looked on with petty, as some would note his great acts of charity but in truth they were ways for Uthem to sway those around him to his great power. Uthem was in the end, a strong, prideful, shrewd and intelligent king who was believed to be ahead of his time. Though it would be later discovered that Uthem on his birth was noted for having had his father attempt to sacrifice a god in offering for the child. This would be told to Uthem that his birth was blessed with the sacrifice of a forgotten god to history. Giving him as many historians have stated both a gift and a curse, gifted with great expectations, but in the end cursed by the god that was slain to always get close to success and fail.

Military

Regin Uthem "One Eye Slayer" of clan Grunaga

Noted as having an army of around 5,000 Vikingrs and 200 Veidmadr Vikingr , 10 lesser clans numbering 5,000 citizen milita and around 200 sky ships, 200 Kaupmadr, and 500 slaves that can be mobilized

Wars

Here we shall discuss the notable wars for each period and who they were against.

Events/Holidays

We shall begin to discuss notable holidays and events in this culture. Explaining further on where they come from and what goes on during them.

The Blota Gnaefa

Roughly translating to the Sacrificial Tower celebration, this was a time that happened with the turning of each season. The Hrimur would join the Storm giants in there belief that each time the world would change its weather, a sacrifice must be made for new power to grow. And thus the annual raids would start off the first week with every willing and able body joining in as they would set out to capture any and all they could.
After a week long raiding, the raiders would all return to present there sacrifices to the Regin and those whos sacrifices are chosen for the Regin themselves get to partake in the power the tower has to offer.
The third week follows with the winning raiders being allowed to attend the main ceremony upon the massive tower where a block of stone with strange etchings and the stains of blood can be found. Here they will drink of the blood of the sacrificed while the Grunaga clan completes its ritual. While in truth, drinking the blood did very little, it is believed that it would cure any wounds, ailments, and grant you a few years extra life. While the ritual caster would gain the entire lifespan supposedly of the sacrificed. Though it should be noted that the Hrimur never had managed to get ahold of one of the sacrificial towers, they had unearthed by the end of there age a strange tower deep within the mountains that would allow adventurers to travel within it. Though many believe this tower was fed slaves heads by Uthem, there is no written proof of this by those who served by his side under the Collective of Pyrus.

Religious beliefs

Here we shall discuss the different religious beliefs in this races history throughout the periods.

Note

Giants on one of the few mortal species who have no pantheon they worship, although the five sons of Ogeron Grunaga are considered to be the closest thing to religious icons in the giant world. But even then, giants saw the gods themselves as nothing other than powerful enemies like the dragons they fought against time and again. Instead they worshipped at a trade of sorts, creating living sentient gods from items or the environment itself.

Mesomusa

The great volcano in which the fire giants lived would be said to come to life in the very end. That at night it would whisper to its two children, ones who lived within and those who lived above. Asking for them to get along and like a sad father, Mesomusa was always saddened as they refused. And like a sad father, his sadness would turn to rage and eventually cause a mass eruption or so the legends say.

Known diseases

Here we shall discuss known diseases to be active and/or discovered or cured during the different time periods of these races

Old Jotun Breath

A disease noted more to be similar to old age amongst the Hrimur, the disease seems to come on to only those who would normally be at risk of death by over exertion. However in the written archives the disease is noted as slightly different, while it only affected older Hrimur, it seemed to strike at mainly Viedmadr. It would be noted that after a long life served many Viedmadr upon returning to there homeland to live a quieter life, seemed to find themselves begin to breath colder and feel there bodies growing colder with time. As there final tamed beasts perish, it seems that many Viedmadr would be found laying amongst the final resting places of the beasts, completely cold.

Frosting

A term used for those who would return from the mountains or a long adventure abroad and have strange blackened toes and fingers. Some having there entire arms or other limbs growing darkened and hard to the touch. Strangely it is believed that hrimur were the most susceptiable to the extreme colds as they seemed to ignore it naturally. As if cold was normal for them, this was common to find young Hrimur curled up in the deep mountainous areas, frozen to death. Thus the disease or curse was believed to be on the hrimur, for those who had survived would live rougher lives with the darkened portions of there skin found to be completely useless.

Economy

Here we shall discuss the unique economics of different nations as needed.

Coins

Here we shall find how the coins look, what materials they are made of, and what the value of the coins are on the overall market.

Diamond Crowns

The first coin that replaced the common platinum that the dragons used for its shininess. Giants though, are not dragons, thus the more common material of liquid diamonds would be harvested from the cores of the volcanoes in the heart of the magma as it was believed. This material would be farmed to make coins and other magical items.

Ruby Volcanos

Believed to be equivalent to the gold piece commonly used by the lesser nations including dragons. Thus the Jotun-Modr pioneered the coin in the shape of their homeland to be used by those sworn to them. These simple coins are individually 5cm by 5cm like the other coins, however it is clear and seems to sparkle from its craftsmanship only possible by the Jotun-Modr who individually made each coin.

Sapphire Hills

Sapphire hills were thinner coins due to there higher rarity, though most giants valued sapphires less then rubies and only slightly more then emeralds. Thus most recognized this simple hill drawn with sheep grazing into the individual sapphires as a silver coin.

Emerald Plains

Lastly and most common in the Jotun-Modr volcanos were emeralds. As the material was farmed simply from their individual Rok-heap herds. Thus simple grass would be carved into the coins as apprentices practiced there arts on the coins.

Trade Goods

Here you shall find the trade goods this race has on offer in the nations they inhabit.

Wild Beasts

Known to be the direct rivals of the Beastmail clan of the Kllozin, the Hrimur specialize in domesticating wild beasts and breeding them into working and personal animals for nations. It is believed that many druids and rangers travel far to see the Hrimur's large beast collections. Though it is said that no predator has ever been seen within the cages with an intelligence higher then six. Allowing for the Hrimur to sell there beasts with the slogan of "Its intelligent enough to be trained, but not enough that you would feel regret for eating them".

Monster Research

Known to be one of the few races to study monsters biologically, the monster research that is said to be possessed deep within the Hrimur mountains of the southern pole was said to rival even the Collective of Pyrus. Believed to have been one of the few races who spent many of its early years studying the local creatures, the Hrimur Jotun have managed to create some of the highest valued books on the subject. They also are noted for having been the race who mapped the apex monsters of the world in exchange for the forbidden knowledge of the Collective of Pyrus.

Quechua

A frost giant like wolf species known for its extremely dense fur, powerful bite, and high intelligence, the creatures are used by the frost giants as both beasts of burden and as a domesticated species. Many subspecies of the animal has been created, but with its large amounts of fur, its extreme food motivation, and its lack of territory outside of Uthem's Icy Tomb mountain range. It is no wonder the species thrives within the Hrimur society, though there are few more warmer climate variants that the Hrimur offer for trade, as they are just as large but seem to be only meant for battle, and are to aggressive to be rode into battle. Many believe these are the rejects of the breeding program, but there is no denying there capabilities in battle and for the original breed of quechua its many types of fur.

Modr Chua

Another species exclusive to the territory is noted as the "Fire Boar" as noted in common. The giant boars are noted for being as large as the Quechua, and rich in meat and flavor. The boars were named as such for there bright red eyes, and yellow fur, noting these creatures not to have a direct predator. They seemed to thrive within the deep underground of the mountains and are said to taste delicious when served with sweeter berry sauce. Though the rumor that Uthem named the species this after his younger middle brother Sunna are currently unknown, it is confirmed that Uthem had kept one of the largest boars skulls and mounted it with the name "Sunna's mindset" carved into a plaque beneath it.

Imports/Trade Routes

Here we shall find the trade partners and trade routes.

Specialists/Population

Here we shall find what this race tends to specialize into, and what sort of population they have to each town.

Herders

A group of the population known specifically for mastering animal empathy. These herders are capable of taming any non predator animal with a simple glance it is believe. But in truth they are a highly skilled group of druids who serve the ruler of the Hrimur and manage a grove deep within the mountain that is said to be unapproachable to all but the herders themselves.

Anatomy

Here we shall both provide a design as well as an explanation of the anatomy of the race in question. (image of )

Ability score increase

Frost giants typically have a lot better composure when dealing with others thus they gain a +2 to charisma but many tend to lack for a proper trade thus giving them a -1 to wisdom.

Age

The average frost giant lives for around 5,000 years from what we have discovered, however this has been hard to find many bodies that proved this but those that we have, dated back to before the age of chaos.

Phenotypes

Deep blue or light blue skin with blue or black eyes, the frost giants are often mistaken with the storm giant in portrayed in history. Thus it has happened that many a time the two have been mixed up and information skewed. The most obvious difference however is that frost giants do not grow beards while storm giants favor their facial hair. Thus if you ever see a beardless storm giant they are probably a frost giant.

Height and Weight

Standing at 20ft to 27ft on average, frost giants are massive but tend to be also very hefty coming in at around 6,000lbs due to the amount of fat seen on them. This is believed to add to the insolation for the harsher winter climates they prefer.

Alignment

Typically good, however the frost giants have been known to be a little mischievous with the lesser races and thus can be more commonly neutral or chaotic.

Speed

With a tall frame and strong legs, the average frost giant walking speed is around 45ft.

Founding

Here we shall explain when the race came to be, how it came to be, and whom it is credited to and where.
The old tale goes that every frost or fire giant seems to originate from a single island. We know the island today as the Isle of Man but once it used to be much smaller. Here the younger sons of Ogeron Grunaga the first storm giant king would reside. With the last of his young children landing somewhere in the now dwarven territories. We know him as Endrick the father of the hill, stone and crystal giants.
The older of the two and the middle child known as Uthem Grunaga would found the faction known as the frost giants. He would spend his youth raiding and pillaging the lesser races. Attacking the snow dwarves in particular and eventually even managing to gift them the ability to craft the snow and ice to their whim with the help of strong magical spells only the storm giants knew.
Uthem would master the arts of ice based magic and learn much from those he deemed as cold veden. He would craft a great city out of the highest peak on the small island he had laid claimed to. This city would itself be made of ice and snow, and only allowing those who claimed his descendance or who worshipped him as their god. For Uthem was proud yet shrewd, and enjoyed the idea of being worshipped as a god as his father was. For he must be the strongest and greatest candidate for the throne of the storm giants. With this the storm giants who followed Uthem would eventually be deemed the frost giants. For the longer they stayed on that mountain, the more they changed to be heavier, furrier, and more isolated. This however would not stop Uthem from joining his father in the War of the Storm and almost managing to kill his older brother and the heir to the throne Faltharn.
It would be this war that would also bring about the deep hatred between the Fire and Frost giants. For Uthem’s younger brother would side with Faltharn out of pure spite for Uthem’s great power. Leading to the two to constantly fight, and even to this day. As the weather changes on the isle of man, many declare that the war has become either one sided or even depending on the time of year. For the winter was the month of Uthem to take the win and summer his brothers. But if ever should the winter forever stay, those who live upon the Isle of Man will know that Uthem has won the war and summer would never again return.