Qos

The People of the Great North, as the qos are sometimes called, are strong, tough, and yet are vary of violence. Whether they are living in dense taigas or high up in the mountains, qos are hardy survivalists that prefer more humble settlements. They value tradition, seeking simple lives working simple trades. They believe in strength through community, and that every member has something to contribute. The qos are peaceful, and often rather quiet. Unlike their Vikiri cousins however, they are far from stoic.

At the center of qos culture is their love of story craft. Their customs are passed down orally, and their elders and leaders are great storytellers. The qos believe that story is a window into the souls of each living creature, able to reveal truths about the world and oneself that they never could by themselves.

While they aren’t pacifists by any means, they qos find violence confusing. War only brings suffering, and so why bother with? Because of this very innate belief, seldom through qos history were there battle fought between communities. However, this by no means reflects on a qos’ ability to fight. The North Sea is home to dangerous clans frost giants, marauders, and monsters, and defending ones home is vital. Qos are a sight to behold in battle. Their sheer size and strength giving them a natural edge, and many underestimate their skill with weapons.

Qos are large folk, with there being little difference between male and female. They are tall averaging well over 6 feet and have large builds. Their skin varies within shades of light greys to pastel blues. Many qos have their body and head tattooed with lines and glyphs that have a special meaning, often linked to a specific memory or formative moment. The often grow their hair out and like to style in interesting and unique ways. For some communities, shaving one’s head is a sign of ostracization, though this practice has become more uncommon.

Qos Cultures & Ethnicities

Matanos

Matanos refers the mountain-dwelling qos. They often have greyer skin, and the veneraion of nature sprirts is more prevalent in thier societies.

Tundira

Living in the tundras, plains, and tiagas of Wardruna, the Tundira people have bluer skin, and live in larger communities than the Matanos.

Traditional Language
Qos
Lifespan
120 years
Average Height
1.9m - 2.1m
Average Weight
110kg - 145kg
Average Physique
Bulky

Size
Medium
Traits
Humanoid, Qos
Hit Points
10
Speed
25 feet
Ability Boosts
Consitution, Strength
Languages
Qos, Uman
Additional Languages
Equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive)
Children of Winter
Your body is acustomed to cold environment like no other. You gain cold resistance equal to your level, and you treat environmental cold effects as if they were one step less extreme. However, unless you wear protective gear or take shelter, environmental heat effects are one step more extreme for you.

Geographic Distribution