Snow Ogre

A subspecies of ogre adapted to the cold. They have started to become known as snogres.

Basic Information

Anatomy

These 10ft tall ogroids stand a little taller than their better known kin, though this seems to be a result of a slight difference in skeletal structure rather than a difference in size. The snow ogres have straighter spines, and the shoulders are angled slightly differently so that it is easier for their arms to reach upwards. While they have the same thick skin as other ogroids the snow ogres also have a thick layer of white and grey hair covering their bodies.

Ecology and Habitats

Snow-ogres are native to the Savage Lands and are believed to have originated in the mountains of Andaxius’ Domain. There thick hair helps to protect them from the cold of their homeland but can cause them to overheat if they venture anywhere warmer. They favour mountainous terrain and make their lairs in caves.
The snow-ogres prey on any creature they can find, though like their southern kin they prefer an easy meal compared to one they have to fight for.

Behaviour

Snow-ogres are territorial and usually live in extended family groups. Each family claims a large area which can make it easy to accidentally trespass. When an intruder enters a claimed area the snow-ogres usually try to scare it off first. If that fails and the intruder looks like it could be killled by the family then they will attack. If an intruder seems too strong the snow-ogres will usually bide their time and wait for it to be weakened.
If game is scarce then these creatures will usually force out the weaker members of the family. This rarely results in actual fighting as threat from the stronger members of the family is usually enough to subdue any opposition. Similarly if a family of snow-ogres is forced to migrate then conflicts with other families are usually resolved through threats and posturing. The exception to this is if two families are relatively close in strength in which case there may be a fight. Families that grow too few in number may welcome wandering members of their kind in an attempt to bolster their strength. These wandering snow-ogres are usually weaker though as they tend to be the ones forced out by their previous families.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

There has long been a question around the intelligence of the snow-ogre. Ogres are not renowned for their intelligence but many speak at least a rundimentary form of giant, goblin, or common. On the other hand snow-ogres do not appear to speak any language. Some have suggested that the growls they use may be a language but studies carried out by scholars from The Alliance indicate no discernable pattern that may indicate words.
On the other hand, the snow-ogres demonstrate a cunning in their hunting, setting traps and ambushes for their prey. Whether this is instinctual or intelligence matters little to the victims of these often effective tactics.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These creatures have an excellent sense of smell and can see heat the way most creatures see light. This makes them excellent hunters in the mountains but can cause problems if they are confronted with a large heat source like a bonfire as it can temporarily blind them.

Lifespan

200 years

Average Height

10ft

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The colouring of a snow-ogre is unique to that individual, with each one having a distinct pattern of grey and white patches. The bature of this pattern makes it extremely hard to see a snow-ogres in their native mountains as the pattern helps to break up the shape of the ogre. If it is snowing then it becomes almost impossible to spot one, though those who have survived a snow-ogre attack describe a feeling of pressure just before being attacked.

Geographic Distribution

• Andaxius’ Domain
• Savage Lands

Trained for War

Following the fall of Andaxius his former territory was contested by a number of powers. This put a strain on the prey normally hunted by the snow-ogres and some of them came down out of the mountains and began raiding the Mktulax Domains. Dealing with these creatures was a challenge for the hobgoblins until they learned that they could be trained to fight in battle. Whether they were training animals or enslaving thinking beings made little difference to the hobgoblins of the Unstoppable Force. The only thing that mattered was how effectively the snow-ogres could kill.

Immune to Bribery

Unlike regular ogres these creatures have no interest in shiny objects so they are difficult to bribe. However, they can be distracted with the prospect of an easy meal. Those wishing to explore Andaxius’ Domain will find that bringing along a few sheep or goats will make getting through snow-ogre territory a lot easier.