The Pale Folk
Vicious, violent and dangerous, the Pale Folk make their homes in The Crystal Gorges of the north and survive off of whatever they can steal, kill or take from others. Only rumors persist on the main continents of their ways; but all agree the Pale Folk do not take kindly to intrusions from others.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Pale Folk speak a guttural, harsh language known as Icetongue, a dialect unique to their people that has evolved to be spoken even in the howling winds of the Pale Slopes. It consists of clipped, sharp syllables, with a heavy reliance on body language and gestures. This language has no written form, as the Pale Folk pass down their history, knowledge, and traditions orally through stories and songs. These oral traditions are integral to their culture, with elders serving as the keepers of knowledge and history.
Culture and cultural heritage
The Pale Folk are notorious for their hostility toward outsiders. Stories of their savagery and brutality have spread across the main continents, painting them as monsters to be feared and avoided. Encounters with the Pale Folk are rare, as few dare to venture into the Crystal Gorges, and those who do often do not return.
However, the Pale Folk's reputation is not entirely undeserved. They see outsiders as threats to their way of life and treat any incursion into their territory as an act of war. To the Pale Folk, survival is a constant struggle, and they view those who enter their lands as competitors for scarce resources. As such, they are fiercely protective of their territory and will launch brutal raids against neighboring settlements or travelers who come too close.
Despite this, there are rare instances of trade between the Pale Folk and other races. Some brave or desperate traders have managed to establish a tenuous relationship with certain Pale Folk clans, exchanging goods for valuable resources found in the Crystal Gorges, such as rare furs, bones, and the highly sought-after Frostglass—a rare, crystalline material formed in the deepest, coldest parts of the Pale Slopes.
Shared customary codes and values
The Pale Folk live in a harsh, isolated environment, and their society reflects the brutal conditions of their homeland. They are organized into clans, each led by a chieftain or warlord who has proven their strength and cunning in battle. Leadership is earned through combat and survival prowess, and challenges to a leader's authority are common. The Pale Folk value strength, resilience, and the ability to provide for the clan above all else.
Survival is the central tenet of Pale Folk culture. They are skilled hunters and gatherers, living off the land by hunting the large, ferocious beasts of the Crystal Gorges, fishing in the icy rivers, and foraging for the sparse vegetation that can withstand the cold. However, they are also raiders, preying on the weak or unprepared who venture too close to their territory. The Pale Folk have no qualms about taking what they need by force, viewing it as a natural right of the strong to claim from the weak.
Despite their violent nature, the Pale Folk have a deep spiritual connection to the land. They believe that the spirits of their ancestors inhabit the icy winds and the towering cliffs of the Crystal Gorges, watching over them and guiding them in times of need. Rituals and sacrifices are made to honor these spirits, especially before raids or significant hunts. The Pale Folk also hold a reverence for the great beasts of their land, believing that the spirits of particularly formidable creatures become guardian spirits for their clan.
Common Dress code
Due to the extreme cold of the Pale Slopes, the Pale Folk wear thick, fur-lined garments made from the hides of the beasts they hunt. Their clothing is functional, designed to retain warmth and allow freedom of movement. They often wear heavy cloaks, layered tunics, and trousers, all crafted from the pelts of creatures native to the region.
Armor among the Pale Folk is typically made from bone, chitin, and the hides of large predators, often decorated with simple, geometric patterns etched into the surface or adorned with trophies taken from defeated foes. These armors are not just for protection but also signify the wearer's status and accomplishments within their tribe.
Common Myths and Legends
The origins of the Pale Folk are shrouded in mystery, with much of their history lost to time and the brutal conditions of their homeland. According to their oral traditions, the Pale Folk were once a more peaceful people who lived in the warmer, more temperate regions of the world. However, a great cataclysm—referred to in their legends as the Icing Over—forced them to migrate northward into the Crystal Gorges. This event, whether a natural disaster or the result of some ancient magical conflict, is said to have transformed their ancestors, hardening their bodies and souls against the cold and driving them to embrace a harsher, more violent way of life.
Historical figures
One of the most famous legends among the Pale Folk is the tale of Thorgir the Frostborn, a legendary chieftain who is said to have united the warring clans during a particularly harsh winter. According to the story, Thorgir led his people on a great raid against a rival tribe that had been hoarding food and resources, defeating them in a brutal battle and securing the survival of his clan. Thorgir is revered as a hero among the Pale Folk, and his tale is often recounted to inspire warriors before battle.
Appearance: The Pale Folk are a formidable and imposing race, towering over most humanoid species. Standing between 7 and 8 feet tall, they are heavily built, with an average weight exceeding 400 pounds. Their skin tones range from ghostly white to a pale sea-blue, with subtle variations often influenced by their clan or region within the Pale Slopes. Their hair is typically dark, ranging from deep black to shades of gray, and their eyes are often a piercing icy blue or pale gray, reflecting the cold, harsh environment they inhabit.
Their physiques are powerful, built for survival in the unforgiving icy wilderness of the Crystal Gorges. Muscles ripple beneath their thick skin, and their bones are dense, providing them with resilience against both the cold and physical confrontations. Despite their size, the Pale Folk are agile hunters, capable of swift, brutal attacks. Their hands and feet are large, with thick fingers and toes tipped with blackened nails that resemble claws, useful for gripping ice and stone in their mountainous terrain.
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