Tùgwlduin - Ice Giants
Emoild lis blânds ad tùgnit dâdd scâ ên blui.
Only the clinking of the ice promises a new beginning. - Idiom of the Frost goblins -
The Tùgwlduin in the cold north of Brictaelgis are partly icy mountains and partly bizarre ice formations, which is why the Adocodix gave them the name ice giants. In contrast to the lush meadows of Âdocôris or the green forests of Taen Wôtris, the nature is barren and uninviting.
The Brictaelgian winter here lasts not just three or four, but about seven months with temperatures of up to minus 30° Celsius. During the rest of the year temperatures range between 0° and 10° Celsius and the tundra blooms and thrives.
Although the region appears rather inhospitable, the ancestors of today's Frost Goblins settled here in the 6th millennium BEC, who particularly appreciated the simple life and the silence of nature here.
Ice dragon at the gate to the interior of the Tùgwlduin by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage
At a Glance
Largest cave: Waterfall Cave 2,589 m²
Temperature: -30°C winter / 10°C summer
Species: Ice-finned finfish, Cryoolms,
Snow cat, Cave beetle, Snow marmot,
Ice goose, Arctic Grain, Snow arugula,
Cave Fern, Snowberry, Ice & Cryo Mushrooms
Sights: Ice Cathedral, Hall of Stalactites,
Thermal springs, Cenote gardens
Ecosystem
Even though the frost goblins call the Tùgwlduin ice giants, the mountains are relatively small at around 800 meters. They have extensive cave systems that have various types of caves such as karsts, some with cenotes, ice caves or stalactite caves.
Despite the cool or frosty outside temperatures, the temperature in the cave systems is a pleasant 15° to 20° Celsius. Brictaelgian researchers have discovered that the mountains have narrow channels that transport warm water from thermal springs upwards, thereby warming the cave systems.
The ice formations and icing on the mountains arise when the warm water escapes and freezes slowly or immediately, depending on the outside temperature. As soon as summer sets in, the ice giants thaw again and the water flows over small waterfalls in small lakes or collects in the cenotes of the karst caves. The researchers suspect that the constant change between the physical states of the water has formed the channels and caves over the millennia.
The mountain lakes feed small rivers that lead directly to Esladrùs in the northwest or Oinâni in the northeast. In winter, the lakes are frozen with a meter-thick layer of ice right up to the lake-river mouths. This means that both can only be used in summer and most of the trade occurs in the warm months. Narrow waterways lead from the lakes to small harbors inside the caves. Traders try to sell their goods until winter breaks so as not to be stuck in the caves for six months or have to take the more difficult overland route.
Life between ice & tundra
Flora
The plants living here are adapted to the low light conditions because they hardly carry out any photosynthesis, but are much more mycohytherotrophic. Due to the lack of chlorophyll, many plants in the darker sections of the cave appear either white or ice blue.
The thermal springs and rising humidity in some caves cause simple lichens, mosses and various fungi to grow.
Brighter caves with cenotes are used as small gardens by the frost goblins, who grow arctic grain and snow arugula here.
Cenote Garden by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney
On the hunt by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage
Fauna
In the summer, on the outer slopes of the ice giants, you can see snow cats hunting snow marmots or ice geese. In winter, many larger animals hibernate.
In the waters of the caves live animals with small or vestigial eyes such as cryoolms and ice fins, some of which are bred by the frost goblins for capture.
Below the Ice giants in the tundra live dwarf moose, snow foxes and tundra bears, which the Frost Goblins hunt all year round.
Humanoids
Some Frost goblins have built entire cities in the larger caves. Thermal holes are meeting places for everyone, where business is also occasionally arranged.
After the Mirror Rebellion around 2,820 BEC, some people used the caves as hiding places to build the "Harp of Wrath" and arks for flood survivors.
Some people stayed here. Their descendants regained the trust of the Frost Goblins over the millennia and now live side by side with them.
Cozy village of the Frost goblins by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney
Oooo, cold. I bet it is beautiful when it blooms in the warmer weather though. Love the different flora and fauna that can be found there.
Explore Etrea
Yes, the article is a nice way to cool down during this hot summer (at least in Germany) - Thank you very much, I can also imagine it very well when summer brings the tundra to life.