Nyss
The Nyss are a rugged race that once inhabited the frozen
north amid the imposing peaks of the Shard Spires—a
region so inhospitable that even the hardy Khadorans ceded
it to them. They lived there as seminomadic tribes with
permanent structures reserved for houses of worship to
their god, Nyssor. Driven from their home by betrayal and
corruption by the dragon Everblight, they have been forced
to live among the Iron Kingdoms as refugees. Although Nyss
walk a difficult road, few others possess their strength of will.
PALE AS ICE
Physically, Nyss are somewhat reminiscent of Iosans, but there is no mistaking the two. Nyss are tall—taller than Iosans—with skin to match their snowy realm and stark hair that's either jet black or very pale. Their eyes are like ice, cold and blue or sometimes violet.
Nyss mark themselves with intricate tattoos called siyaeric, or “letters of the skin,” which relate to traditions that mark an individual as a member of a particular “shard,” or tribe. Additional modifications to these tattoos express personal convictions, family history, noteworthy deeds, or religious, magical, or spiritual beliefs.
COLD AND DISTANT
The Nyss were once more similar to the Iosans and lived alongside them, although they were never as xenophobic or insular as their cousins. Centuries ago, they undertook a spiritual exodus to the frozen wilds and adopted a new way of life, forever changing them. They adapted to the frozen peaks of the Shard Spires and became accustomed to snow and ice. They lived in small tribal villages, protecting their mountain homes from the intrusions of northern Trollkin, wild Human tribes, and opportunistic bogrin (see Gobber).
PRODIGAL RETURNS
The Nyss are a tribal people who live close to the land as superlative hunters, trackers, archers, and swordsmen. Inheritors of a long and ancient line, they have mastered the forging of superior weapons and the crafting of supple leather Armor. Considered the chosen people of the winter god Nyssor, the Nyss have an affinity for cold. Sorcery is common among them and is seen as a blessing that allows them to manifest the power of cold against their enemies. The Nyss were traditionally a strongly devout people, but their culture was recently shattered by the arrival of the dragon Everblight, who worked through his minions to enslave most of the Nyss as part of his legion. The few who escaped the dragon’s blight fled south as refugees to eke out livings as mercenaries, hunters, or criminals. Even as they tried to preserve their old ways, they relied on other peoples to ensure their survival.
The recovery and return of the god Nyssor to Ios has caused many Nyss to return to their former homeland. They still live as outsiders among the Iosans, gathering in smaller communities in the forests, but some have chosen to see it as a homecoming. Those who have not returned to Ios still live among the kingdoms of humanity, doing what they must to survive.
NYSS NAMES Nyss names are similar to Iosan ones, though the language of the Nyss is closer to an archaic form of Iosan. Nyss typically use y or ae in place of i in their names, so Asir becomes Asyr, Breir becomes Breyr, Larir becomes Laryr, and so forth.
PALE AS ICE
Physically, Nyss are somewhat reminiscent of Iosans, but there is no mistaking the two. Nyss are tall—taller than Iosans—with skin to match their snowy realm and stark hair that's either jet black or very pale. Their eyes are like ice, cold and blue or sometimes violet.
Nyss mark themselves with intricate tattoos called siyaeric, or “letters of the skin,” which relate to traditions that mark an individual as a member of a particular “shard,” or tribe. Additional modifications to these tattoos express personal convictions, family history, noteworthy deeds, or religious, magical, or spiritual beliefs.
COLD AND DISTANT
The Nyss were once more similar to the Iosans and lived alongside them, although they were never as xenophobic or insular as their cousins. Centuries ago, they undertook a spiritual exodus to the frozen wilds and adopted a new way of life, forever changing them. They adapted to the frozen peaks of the Shard Spires and became accustomed to snow and ice. They lived in small tribal villages, protecting their mountain homes from the intrusions of northern Trollkin, wild Human tribes, and opportunistic bogrin (see Gobber).
PRODIGAL RETURNS
The Nyss are a tribal people who live close to the land as superlative hunters, trackers, archers, and swordsmen. Inheritors of a long and ancient line, they have mastered the forging of superior weapons and the crafting of supple leather Armor. Considered the chosen people of the winter god Nyssor, the Nyss have an affinity for cold. Sorcery is common among them and is seen as a blessing that allows them to manifest the power of cold against their enemies. The Nyss were traditionally a strongly devout people, but their culture was recently shattered by the arrival of the dragon Everblight, who worked through his minions to enslave most of the Nyss as part of his legion. The few who escaped the dragon’s blight fled south as refugees to eke out livings as mercenaries, hunters, or criminals. Even as they tried to preserve their old ways, they relied on other peoples to ensure their survival.
The recovery and return of the god Nyssor to Ios has caused many Nyss to return to their former homeland. They still live as outsiders among the Iosans, gathering in smaller communities in the forests, but some have chosen to see it as a homecoming. Those who have not returned to Ios still live among the kingdoms of humanity, doing what they must to survive.
NYSS NAMES Nyss names are similar to Iosan ones, though the language of the Nyss is closer to an archaic form of Iosan. Nyss typically use y or ae in place of i in their names, so Asir becomes Asyr, Breir becomes Breyr, Larir becomes Laryr, and so forth.
Genetic Descendants
