Northern Tribes
The Northlands are frozen tundra, ice fields, and glaciers with a wide range of inhabitants that can withstand the bitter cold of this unforgiving land. Winters can kill even the strongest adventurers but that is only if the hostile creatures and battling tribes don't kill you first.
There are three different groups always battling over dominance of the land, the Barbarians, Goliath and the Snow Orcs. Leadership is constantly changing due to this simple concept; only the strong shall lead. Challenges for leadership are always taking place. Almost twenty years ago, the strongest of barbarians was able to pull the three mighty clans together under one banner, it was only a matter of time until the Empire would come to their lands. His son leads this northern tribe nation, which is no easy task as fights among themselves are commonplace.
Each of these clans consist of many different tribes that banded together under one leader who will always be the strongest of them all. Inner clan troubles are dealt with by the clan's leader, but if it affects the nation, it falls upon the leader of the Northern Tribe Nation. There are scarce laws within the Northlands, as traditions are more commonplace. Each tribe, each clan and each leader deals with issues in their own unique way depending on their traditions. What is acceptable in one area may get you killed in another area.
Twice a year, once before and once after the dark winter, the clans meet on natural territory. During this week-long gathering, there are many competitions to demonstrate strength and power. From throwing a small boulder, cutting down a tree with the fewest hits, to the most popular event which is hand to hand combat. All clan disagreements and challenges are taken care of with hand-to-hand combat, in front of an audience of fellow tribesmen. Outsiders are welcomed to partake, but clans take no responsibilities for limbs being pulled off inside of the combat ring.
Throughout history, the proud tribes of the barbarians stood strong through the ages. Spread thin throughout the frozen wastes, always fighting one another at the chance to prove their own tribe the strongest. The majority being of human descent, however it’s not uncommon to see other hardy races mixed in. The humans are closely related to those of the empire, but this is all they share in common. Eager for a good fight, quick to anger and always looking to prove their strength to others.
Within the mountainous areas live the Goliath, roaming the high mountain peaks and accepting any challenge in front of them. They prove themselves worthy of the tribe with feats of great bravery and strength. They mostly leave the mountains only for tribal meetings with the other clans or the tribal competitions as they are highly competitive.
In the most northern parts of the land, you will find the savage Snow Orcs with their many scattered tribes. Among the Orc tribes are a mixture of ogres, trolls, half-orcs and orogs. Out of the three clans, they are the most unpredictable as they are power hungry and prone to fits of rage which could lead to inner clan wars breaking up the tribes.
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