Baern

NANOOK’S BREATH STEAMED IN THE FRIGID AIR as he trudged through the snow, each step leaving wide, deep prints behind him. The wind howled across the icy plains, but the cold invigorated him, sharpening his senses. Born of the frozen wastes, this harsh land was as much a part of him as his own blood.
Beside him, Tikaani moved with grace, her silver-grey fur dusted with ice. She held her spear of Vorak’gor, its blade glimmering blue. “How much farther to the Frozen City?” she asked, her voice steady against the wind.
“Not far now,” Nanook replied, his eyes scanning the horizon. “Its towers will soon come into view.”
The tundra was vast and unforgiving, but the call of the Frost Moot urged them forward, where the Baern would gather to honor Lir, the King of Winter, and heed the elder’s warning of a growing danger from the south. As they crested a ridge, the Frozen City appeared below, its ice walls faintly glowing.
“Yes,” Nanook said, “but our journey is just beginning.”

— The journey of Nanook and Tikaani

Giants of the Frozen Wastes

The Baern are massive beings, standing between eight and nine feet tall and weighing between 1000 and 1600 pounds, with some larger individuals reaching up to 1800 pounds. Their bodies are heavily muscled and covered in a thick layer of fur, which ranges in color from pale grey to pure white. This fur provides them with insulation against the biting cold of their homeland and allows them to blend into the snowy terrain. Beneath their fur, a layer of fat protects them from the elements, enabling them to survive in even the harshest winters.
Despite their imposing size, the Baern are classified as Medium creatures, though their Powerful Build allows them to carry, lift, and push objects as if they were Large. They move with a deliberate grace that belies their size, their powerful limbs designed for endurance rather than speed. Their large paw-like hands are equipped with thick black claws, which they can use both in battle and for practical purposes like hunting and crafting.
Baern warriors often wear armor crafted from Vorak’gor—commonly translated as Ice-Forged—a unique metal forged in the ancient foundries of their homeland. The metal is created by freezing molten steel with arcane ice, resulting in a blue-tinted alloy that is as resilient as it is cold to the touch. These warriors frequently adorn themselves with trophies from their hunts or battles, such as the tusks of frost giants or the claws of winter wolves, showcasing their prowess to their kin.

Patience and Perseverance

Among the Baern, patience is considered a virtue. Life in the Frozen Wastes is harsh, and only those who are calm and deliberate can survive. The Baern are known for their steady demeanor, carefully considering their actions before making a decision. They are slow to anger, and when they do act, it is with purpose and determination. Once a Baern commits to a course of action, they are relentless, pursuing their goals with a single-minded focus that few can match.
Baern society is deeply rooted in honor and tradition. They adhere to ancient customs that have been passed down through generations, and to break with these traditions is seen as a grave dishonor. Respect for one's elders and ancestors is a cornerstone of their culture, and the Baern revere the wisdom of their elders, who serve as advisors and leaders within the community.
Each year, the Baern gather in the Frozen City for the Frost Moot, a grand assembly where the tribes come together to trade, celebrate, and discuss the challenges of the year ahead. The Frost Moot is a time of unity, where rivalries are set aside in favor of the greater good. During this gathering, the elders of each tribe convene to settle disputes, make decisions about territory and resources, and pass judgment on those who have broken the laws of their people. For the Baern, the Frost Moot is both a celebration and a solemn duty, reinforcing the bonds of kinship and ensuring the survival of their people in the harsh north.

The City of Ice and Iron

At the heart of Baern culture lies the Frozen City, a sprawling metropolis carved from the ice of the northern glaciers. The origins of the city are shrouded in mystery, with some legends claiming that it was built by the gods themselves. The city’s towering walls and vast halls are made of ice that never melts, reinforced with a rare black iron that resists rust and brittleness. The Vorak’gor weapons and armor crafted in the city are known throughout the land for their unparalleled durability and their ability to channel the freezing cold of the north.
The city serves as the cultural and political center of the Baern people. Its great halls are used for gatherings, trade, and the forging of alliances between tribes. At the core of the city is the Ancient Foundry, a massive forge from the age of the gods, where the Baern smiths craft weapons and armor from Vorak’gor. This foundry is considered sacred, and only the most skilled artisans are allowed to work there, crafting items that are not only functional but also imbued with the power of the frozen wastes.

The Bargain of Winter

Unlike other races, the Baern do not worship a pantheon of gods. Instead, they honor Lir, the King of Winter, an ancient and powerful entity who they believe controls the harsh winters and protects their people from the dangers of the frozen north. The Baern make offerings to Lir, seeking his blessing for their hunts, their harvests, and their survival in the icy wastes. While the Baern do not have clerics in the traditional sense, many of their elders serve as warlocks, having entered into the Bargain of Winter with Lir. These warlocks wield Lir’s icy power, using it to protect their people and maintain the balance between the Baern and the forces of nature.
Rangers and druids are also found among the Baern, though they are less common. These individuals have a deep connection to the natural world and are able to harness the power of the elements to aid their people. While traditional spellcasters such as wizards and sorcerers are rare among the Baern, those who venture beyond the Frozen Wastes may learn new forms of magic, adapting to the mystical traditions of other lands.

Of Family and Tribe

Family is the cornerstone of Baern society, and the bonds of kinship are deeply respected. A typical Baern family consists of a mother, father, and two to three cubs, though extended family members often live nearby or within the same tribe. Cubs are raised with care and patience, learning the ways of survival from their elders. Grandparents play a significant role in the upbringing of young Baern, passing down the stories of their ancestors and teaching the skills needed to survive in the frozen wilderness.
As Baern age, they undertake the Korrak’tul—commonly translated as The Final Journey. This is the Baern’s final walk to the far north, where they seek Lir’s blessing and hope to be granted eternal life in his frozen domain. The journey is long and treacherous, and many do not survive. Those who reach the Endless Winter, a mythic land of eternal snow and ice, are believed to be welcomed into Lir’s realm, where they live forever in his icy halls.

Isolated and Reserved

The Baern are a reclusive people, preferring to keep to themselves in their icy homeland. They rarely venture beyond the mountain ranges that separate the Frozen Wastes from the southern lands, and they have little interest in the affairs of other races. However, the Baern are not entirely hostile to outsiders. On occasion, they will trade with travelers who have proven themselves worthy, offering weapons and armor crafted from Vorak’gor in exchange for goods they cannot produce themselves.
Those who earn the trust of the Baern may be invited to witness the Frost Moot, a grand event where the tribes gather to celebrate their culture and reaffirm their unity. However, even trusted outsiders are viewed with caution, and the Baern are slow to fully accept anyone who is not of their own kin.

Baern Names

Baern names reflect their deep connection to nature and their harsh, icy environment. Their names are often gender-neutral and symbolic, embodying the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it. The names also carry great significance within Baern society, with many names being passed down through generations.
Male and Female Names: Nanook (polar bear), Tikaani (wolf), Qannik (snowflake), Panikpak (little daughter), Sesi (snowy), Inukshuk (stone figure), Nuliajuk (sea woman), Uki (survivor), Aulajuk (ice-born), Tuktuq (caribou), Sivutik (future)

Baern Traits

Your Baern character has the following racial traits.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Baern reach adulthood at the age of 18 and live around a century.
Alignment. Baern tend toward lawful neutral, reflecting their adherence to tradition and honor. Some, however, lean toward neutrality, focused on survival above all.
Size. Baern stand between 8 and 9 feet tall and weigh between 1000 and 1600 pounds, with larger individuals reaching up to 1800 pounds. Despite their size, they are Medium creatures.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Accustomed to the long, dark nights of the north, you have superior vision in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Natural Survivalist. You have proficiency in the Survival skill.
Natural Armor. Your thick fur and hide grant you a natural Armor Class of 12 + your Dexterity modifier.
Ferocious Charge. When you move at least 20 feet straight toward a target and hit it with a melee attack on the same turn, you can make a bonus attack with your claws. If the attack hits, it deals an additional 1d6 damage, and the target must make a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus) or be knocked prone.
Mighty Paws. Your powerful claws deal 1d6 slashing damage and count as light weapons for attacks.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Blessing of Winter. You have resistance to cold damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common (Landrian) and Baern.

Playing a Baern

To play a Baern is to embody the strength, patience, and deep-rooted traditions of a people shaped by the harsh, unforgiving cold. As a Baern, you come from a world where survival is paramount, where honor is bound to family, and where the ways of your ancestors guide your every decision. Whether in battle or in conversation, your presence commands respect, and your resilience is as enduring as the ice itself.

Personality

Baern are slow to act but deliberate in their decisions. They speak sparingly, and when they do, their words carry the weight of careful thought. You are not easily angered, preferring to keep a calm demeanor even in the face of conflict. However, once a course of action is chosen, a Baern is unwavering. As you roleplay a Baern, show your connection to the traditions of your people, your respect for the wisdom of elders, and your devotion to the honor of your family and tribe. Your stoicism reflects the endurance you’ve developed in the Frozen Wastes, and your bond with your companions runs deep, though trust may come slowly.

Roleplaying a Baern

As a Baern, your culture and upbringing in the Frozen Wastes shape how you interact with the world:
Measured and Deliberate: Baern are not impulsive. You take time to weigh your options before acting, showing respect for the consequences of your decisions. Reflect this in your interactions with allies and enemies alike.
Honor-Bound: Your actions are governed by a strong code of honor, passed down through generations. Breaking this code would be unthinkable. In moments of moral conflict, ask yourself how your ancestors would judge your choices.
Protector of the Weak: Though Baern can be reclusive, they are fiercely protective of those they care about. Whether it’s your tribe, your family, or your adventuring companions, you stand as a guardian, always ready to shield those under your care from harm.

Why Venture Out?

Baern are not often found far from their icy homeland, but when they do travel, it is usually for an important reason:
Duty to Your People: Perhaps you were chosen by your tribe to investigate an external threat, recover an ancient relic, or fulfill a vision seen at the Frost Moot.
Exile or Redemption: If you have been exiled for breaking a sacred tradition, your journey may be one of redemption—seeking to restore your honor by completing a near-impossible task.
Curiosity of the World Beyond: Though rare, some Baern are driven by a curiosity about lands and peoples beyond the Frozen Wastes. You might be one of these individuals, seeking knowledge to bring back to your tribe or to better understand the world.

Baern in a Party

As a Baern, your strengths make you a valuable ally. Your physical power and resilience in combat situations make you an ideal front-line fighter, able to endure blows that would bring others down. Your Survivalist background means that you are well-suited to navigating harsh environments and guiding your party through the wilderness. However, your methodical nature and quiet demeanor may clash with more impulsive party members, who might find your patience frustrating at times. Over time, you can grow into the role of the party's steady protector, a source of calm in even the most dire situations.

Example Heroes

The following are some example character ideas for player heroes.
Nanook, the Baern Barbarian
Nanook, son of the Frozen Peaks, is as enduring as the glaciers surrounding his homeland. Raised with stories of Baern legends and the wisdom of his forebears, he bears the weight of tradition with solemn pride. His powerful form cuts an imposing figure, and when danger looms, he becomes an unstoppable force, channeling the primal fury of the north itself. Yet, his rage is not one of reckless abandon but a carefully honed weapon to protect his kin. Calm and introspective outside of battle, Nanook is the first to step forward when the Frozen Wastes face threats, driven by duty rather than ambition.
Tikaani, the Baern Ranger
Tikaani’s silver-grey fur and sharp eyes blend seamlessly with the frostbitten landscape she calls home. A scout for her people, she moves silently through the tundra, ever watchful for the great beasts and dangers that roam the icy wilds. Tikaani is a guardian of her tribe’s lands, her skills as a tracker and survivalist honed through years of solitude. She speaks sparingly, preferring action over words, yet her quiet wisdom and attunement to the land earn her the respect of all who know her. Like the northern wind, she is swift, silent, and fiercely loyal to her people.
Uki, the Baern Warlock of Lir
A wanderer drawn to the mysteries of the north, Uki is one of the rare Baern to have entered the Pact of Winter with Lir, the Fey Elder revered as the King of Winter. This pact grants him power over ice and cold, which he wields with a quiet, reverent control. Though his curiosity sets him apart from his kin, he remains deeply loyal, venturing far across the frozen wilds to uncover secrets that may aid his people. Uki’s connection to Lir has altered him, his eyes now glinting with a frosty gleam and his voice carrying the echo of howling winds. He is both a guardian and a seeker, returning to his tribe with stories and newfound strength to ensure that the Baern may thrive even in the harshest winters.