Dangers

Living in the cold and snowy mountains, Icewarg face many environmental dangers. Avalanches are one of the most dangerous as they can take out a large group within the blink of an eye and it doesn’t take much to set one off. Another common danger, especially within Iringard, is the tunnels created from Jormu. Due to their construction, it is not unheard of to have a tunnel collapse and be either caught in the rain of heavy stone, or stuck on the other side with no way out. It is very important to watch where you go and where you step. And lastly, as heavy snow drifts across icy structures, crevasses can hide in disguise and what appears to be a solid bridge of snow, turns into a death fall. Be careful where you step!

Faith

Icewarg of Iringard are devoted primarily to Fenrir and his role as one of the Guardians of Hvalla. Their justice system was crafted with his lawful fairness and sense of calm consideration in mind. It is believed that Fenrir himself joined the largest and most important battles in Icewarg history, such as the great battle against the Jormu, when the Icewarg claimed the mountain as their home. Artwork and tapestries within the Temple of Fenrir illustrate his strength and power in battle, which many believe ensured their success. Any conflicts that may require violence or the spilling of blood are superseded by several days of prayer and offered sacrifices at the Temple. To anger or disrespect Fenrir is to risk his absence in future battles and conflicts that may arise. The Icewarg rely very heavily on Fenrir’s strength and wisdom to bless them and keep them safe. The Great Shield resides within the Temple of Fenrir. It is an ancient relic that the Icewarg believe was used to defend Hvalla before The Great Winter. Encrusted by gold and the diamonds of Jord, the Shield is viewed as a source of power and justice within Iringard. It acts as a physical symbol of Fenrir and is often prayed to and worshiped.

Valhalla

Believed to be the true land of excess, Valhalla is a shining mead hall where those who have passed in glorious battles and Khagi and thanes long past remain living. It is most desired for icewarg to pass into Valhalla when they join the dead and it grants security amongst those still living that they might have something to look forward to. Valhalla, like Hel is believed to be a place not just spiritual, but physical, the entrance to the afterlife accessible by the highest peak of Niflheim where the snow touches the sky on a full moon night as the stars shine brightest and most fiercely.

Hel

Believed in far Southern lands, Hel is envisioned as a patchwork of desolate landscapes, divided by thick rivers littered with the weapons of the fallen. Long walls stretch high, littered with broken stones and spikes on every side of the entryway to the rivers as a message to those living souls who would dare attempt to cross its borders. Those who die dishonorable deaths, or those who succumb to the elements, are trapped here in an endless void of bitter dread, drowning and lost, wandering amongst a Fog so dense it is impenetrable, save for the passing of other tortured souls.

Howling winds tear fragile spirits asunder, and those strong enough to withstand the currents are hunted by malicious warriors who cannot sate their lust for a battle long since lost. War is a constant in Hel. Battles erupt and end across the landscape, and the mysterious patron of this realm oversees them silently and mercilessly. The Icewarg believe you could eventually earn your freedom or escape, given the right circumstances, but none have recorded what those circumstances might be. In the deepest texts of the Emerstead library, wargs recorded that the Jormu dug tunnels deep enough to reach Hel, right through the centre of the earth. Though the tunnel has been searched for over the centuries, it remains a myth.

Language

Being the race that traded their wares to both Stonewarg and Woodwarg, Icewarg primarily communicate in Common and are well-versed in written Futhark. A discerning ear may catch subtle differences in their accents and terminology compared to the other races. In the era preceding the Cataclysm, to further enhance their trade relations with the Stonewarg, some enterprising individuals among the Icewarg once ventured to learn Fjelltunge.

Justice System

Laws within Iringard are voted upon by the Grandwargs and upheld by the Lawspeaker and his kin; a distinction held solely by Clan Bosry, who also run Bosry Lawhouse & Prison. The Lawspeaker answers only to the King, and is responsible for recording and reciting all laws that were voted upon favorably by the Grandwarg, as well as acting as judge during trials. Their knowledge and records are integral for enforcing justice within Iringard and being sure peace is maintained.

Punishments are determined solely by the Lawspeaker in accordance with Iringard’s laws. Small infractions are punishable by temporary imprisonment, forced labor, or fines, which can be deducted via garnishment of wages or property. More severe crimes are punishable by longer prison or forced labor sentences, total loss of property, or death. Rehabilitated wargs who have served their terms and are released back into society are branded with an “Ø” upon their left shoulder and are referred to as “outlaws” within the community, despite serving their sentence. Unfortunately, this often leads to discrimination and societal outcasting for the branded outlaw.

Disputes may be brought to the Lawspeaker, who will determine the means in which a dispute should be settled. Berja, or the act of a duel, may be issued to settle a dispute. The loser of the Berja (determined by who draws first blood) would be subject to paying a fine to the winner. Death sentences are incredibly rare within Iringard, as Icewarg are considered far more valuable alive, even if their punishment is hard labor for life to repay their debt to society or the family that was wronged. The mortality rate for Icewarg is already high given their participation in monster hunting, so death sentences would only contribute to the decline of the population and disrupt the balance. Make no mistake that a sentence of “hard labor” is nothing to scoff at, as many Icewarg often wish for death early on in their sentence. Debts may be paid in wares (weapons, armor, etc.), wages (food, coins), or labor. General laws include, but are not limited to:

• The right to life. Murder is strictly forbidden within Iringard and may only be permissible if one individual was protecting itself or its property from another. A trial would still take place to verify that deadly force was required and appropriate.
• The right to protect your home, family, and your property by any means necessary.
• The right to a fair trial in the event of a law being (allegedly) broken.
• The right to property. In the event of an Icewarg’s death, property laws dictate that their possessions will be returned to their families. This includes armor, weapons, jewelry, housing, and coin. Generational items are typically branded with the family’s insignia so it can be identified and returned if lost or stolen.

Politics

All clans owe their allegiance to Clan Gravenrail, the clan of the King, though not all of them honor their duty to the crown. Those that don’t are typically lower class clans that inhabit the poorer districts of Iringard. Only the most loyal, wealthy, and powerful clan leaders, or Grandwargs, are officially recognized as advisors to the King. Their families are typically high class and afforded the most security and luxury within Iringard. Classes are primarily determined by how well a clan may individually prosper. Clans may move up in class based on their wealth, ability to produce quality wares, their ability to repay debts, purchase property, and maintain their clan’s numbers. Alternatively, a clan may experience a lowering of class within Iringard if they fail to repay debts, lose property or numbers within their clan, and are unable to produce wares that meet the high standards of the Icewarg. Iringard’s current political climate is rocky and uncertain given the failings of Clan Gravenrail at the hands of the previous King. Some believe a new Clan and King should be selected, though many fear the judgment of Fenrir should a leader outside the First King’s bloodline be chosen.

Economy

You will find no better armor or weaponry in all of Hvalla. The isolation of the Icewarg and founding of Iringard during Grothgar’s rule graced his people with one gift — peace. Centuries of peace and quiet allowed them to thrive within the mountains and focus on their crafts and building a magnificent city. Armor, weapons, jewelry, and clothing all enabled Iringard to be very prosperous. Opening up their borders to the surviving races will only improve the health of their economy even more; especially when trade routes are reestablished. However, all of this prosperity is dependent upon a delicate balancing act. Iringard commands a powerful army of warriors that wield some of the highest quality weapons around. These often upper-class warriors protect the people and peace of the mountains, be it from monsters or invading races. In return, the often lower-class people provide the materials and craft those weapons that help keep them safe. They also harvest and prepare the food that feeds the armies. One class cannot exist without the other.

Foreign Relations

After hundreds of years of isolation within the icy tundras of Niflheim, the Icewarg had opened their borders to the other races and had re-established trade routes with the Woodwarg and Stonewarg. It was believed that the Icewarg were entering into a new golden age of trade and prosperity (though, not all Icewarg were pleased or comfortable with the notion), as traders and tourists of the other races were being welcomed into Niflheim and Iringard for the first time in centuries.

Legendary Icewarg craftsmanship meant that many traders from Aflheim and Jotunheim would come north with raw goods such as wood, ores, and cloth to trade and would return home with finely made furniture, weapons, armor, silks, and jewelry that would fetch high prices in their local markets. Niflheim also became a major exporter of fish, leathers, and raw materials from northern monsters that Gorsimi would bring home from the tundra.

A Sugary Delicacy

One curious byproduct of a trade relationship that was only just burgeoning before the darkness came was a delicacy called ice cream. Woodwarg merchants and agriculturists first introduced sugar and sugarcane to the Icewarg, and it very quickly became a popular and expensive commodity in Niflheim’s markets. One Icewarg thought it might be a lucrative and delicious endeavor to mix it into cold cream, churning it and adding in additional flavor… and the popularity of this new ‘ice cream’ skyrocketed with visiting patrons. Transporting it proved difficult, but with the ingenuity of Icewarg craftsmanship, an iron ‘ice box’ was created to store the treat for export. Since the Cataclysm, however, ice cream has become an extremely rare and quickly disappearing treat.

Military

The Vaskyrian Army, or the King’s Army, is the primary military force within Iringard. Led by highly experienced Vaskyr Generals, it is one of the few areas of Iringard where both male and female Icewarg share leadership responsibilities in an equal capacity. Males focus on combat training, while females focus on weapons training. Both male and female Generals contribute to strategy and tactical warfare. Though rarely used or called upon, the Vaskyrian Army is a formidable force upon the battlefield. Their frontline, commonly referred to by soldiers as “The Avalanche,” typically consists of Iringard’s largest warriors. The sight of them alone thundering forward in a great wall of fur, muscle, and impenetrable armor is enough to swiftly diminish the enemy’s morale early on. Icewarg of great size and strength are highly sought after within Iringard for the purpose of fueling The Avalanche. Being on the frontline is viewed as both prestigious and honorable, though also highly dangerous since they are the first line to collide with the enemy. Most Icewarg relish the opportunity to represent their families and their bloodlines in battle, and being a part of The Avalanche affords them that chance.

Bases or other areas of interest:

Snarfjall Mountains
Iskar Keep - Ruins of a military base.

Fimbulvetr Forest
Hel’s Outpost - Military outpost. Constantly harried by monsters.

Singasteinn
Dierne’s Keep - Expansive mountainside military keep. Historical home of Clan Bosry.

Chain of Command & Military Structure

Halda and Fleinnvar (Footsoldiers, Mages and Bowman)
The Halda and Fleinnvar are organized into small groups comprising around twenty wargs, which are in turn directed by one Haldanar.

Haldanar
The Haldanar is responsible for coordinating and caring for their group of Halda and Fleinnvar, and this individual reports to a Captain.

Captain
A Captain reports to their Major, and oversees five Haldanar, and thus, around one hundred Halda and Fleinnvar. Those in the Captain rank are typically also a Vaskyr, but not always.

Major
A Major oversees up to one thousand Halda and Fleinnvar, who are under the custodianship of fifty Captains and two hundred Haldanar.

Vanguard Commander
Controls the Vanguard, dictating the tactical movements of the frontline Hadla. The Vanguard Commander reports to the King. Any Majors in the Front Line report to the Vanguard Commander. Typically, the Vanguard Commander is from Clan Gravenrail or Bosry.

Rear Guard Commander
Controls the Rear Guard, which is typically composed of Fleinnvar and Halda operating any siege weapons. The Rear Guard Commander reports to the King. Any Majors in the Rear Line report to the Rear Guard Commander. Typically, the Rear Guard Commander is of Clan Gravenrail, Bosry, or in some rare instances of history, Clan Grizzlehorn.

Avalanche Commander
Exclusively of Clan Gravenrail, this individual is in direct control of the Ottlaus and Vaskyr. The Avalanche Commander reports to the King, and may confer with the Vanguard Commander for coordinated assaults using Halda as support or to change the flow of the battlefield.

The King
While in charge of the military body as a whole, the King is also responsible for directing and controlling the midline, or the center guard. Any Majors in the Center Guard report to the King directly, or can report to the Vanguard Commander in an emergency.

Infantry

Halda
Meaning “hold”, this group is composed mainly of mercenaries and melee troops, as well as trained civilians. Any and all clan members can be found here, utilizing any weapons available to them, though typically swords, shields, hammers and axes. Those infantry forming battle lines would use spears. Close quarters magic would also be employed here as necessary. Typically in the Center Guard or Vanguard. These wargs are also responsible for operating any siege weapons, and could be found in the Rearguard.

Fleinnvar
A subsection of the Halda, the ‘arrows’ are skilled archers and ranged tactical troops. Any and all clan members play a part here, utilizing crossbows, longbows, shortbows and any long range magical abilities. Typically in the Midguard or Rearguard position.

The Avalanche

Vaskyr
Used as shock troops, charging the main body of the enemy at the height of a battle. Brutal, armed to the teeth, and typically composed of those large enough and skilled enough to mow down any opposing force and turn the tide of battle.

Ottlaus
Meaning ‘fearless’, these icewarg are assigned various roles including deterring enemy scouts, foraging, skirmishing one-on-one, pursuing and eliminating retreating enemies, deterring or thwarting enemy scouts, ensuring any warg in retreat are allies, and reuniting any separated groups of allies together.

Education

Due to being isolationists for centuries, the Icewarg of Iringard focus primarily on inherited knowledge and passing skills on to the next generation through “family businesses.” Icewarg families are all about tradition and most businesses within Iringard can trace their ownership back to when the city was first founded. Icewarg believe in “family roots.” Female Icewarg are the primary educators of their families/children, while males are responsible for combat training and lessons in hunting. Females also teach their children how to craft and properly use weapons and armor.

Traditions

Marriage

Male Icewarg are “heads of households” in Iringard. They typically take on one mate who almost exclusively rears their children, but some may also have a Bikkja, or “mistress” to satisfy their lusts on the side. Bikkja are typically hired at Zauhaus, but single and barren females may also apply. It is important to note that while males may satisfy themselves outside of their marriages (and vice versa, depending on the household), nothing is more important to them than their wives and children. They are always provided for and protected and given the highest priority in their lives, while their Bikkja are on their own and hold no place in their hearts. Their relationship is (almost) always purely physical. Marriage ceremonies are as simple or as extravagant as the couple chooses and can afford. Mateships do not require the approval of the King, as he trusts the men of Iringard to choose wisely and not let their relationships interfere with their commitments to him and their duties to Iringard. By default, only the best and most talented Icewarg are chosen as clan leaders (Grandwargs), so the assurance of strong bloodlines requires little maintenance.

Gather the Grandwarg

An order given by the King to gather official clan leaders (Grandwargs) for consult. This typically only happens when a great threat faces the mountain and is the equivalent of a “siren” going off. An announcement at the foot of the Palace’s ruins (at Sharlaveen’s Theater) can be expected shortly after the King consults the Grandwargs.

Crimson Mask Ceremony

This happens when a Grandwarg’s position is challenged. Both the challenger and the current Grandwarg dip their faces in beast blood prior to the fight. The blood is purely theatrical and serves as a form of intimidation. The two Icewarg wrestle each other within a specified space that is marked off by a circle of white sand. The goal is to wrestle and push their opponent out of the ring of sand as quickly as possible (like sumo wrestling). It is no easy task, as teeth and claws are not to be used, only the strength and cunning of the body, as well as a high level of maneuvering ability. This ritual harkens back to a more primal time in the Icewarg’s culture, where fighters’ goals were to blind their opponent in order to claim victory and earn the right to lead. This resulted in gnarled, bloody faces from various head wounds, thus providing the ceremony’s name: crimson mask. Such primitive methods are no longer necessary, as the wounds inflicted from such battles would cost the Icewarg some of their best warriors.

Special Events

Resting Moon

Every year in the dead of winter, at the coldest time of year, the Icewarg celebrate the Resting Moon Festival, a time of rest and rejuvenation for the wargs of Niflheim. The nearly month-long festival begins with the first new moon after the winter solstice and goes through the subsequent new moon. During this time, it is expected for all major projects and work to come to a halt, as securing food and hunting monsters to protect Icewarg homes year-round is recognized as an exhausting endeavor. Even servants of major households are expected to be sent home and not report in to work to spend the necessary time with their loved ones.

Silent hours are implemented from sunset to sunrise in all major city centers of Niflheim, where emphasis is placed on peaceful rest. The Resting Moon Festival is a time for family and loved ones - many of the days are spent baking, eating, and relaxing, and Icewarg are encouraged to take part in silent parades on safe, designated pathways where they can admire the scenery and the kingdom that they have built over the centuries.

In Iringard, during the time of the full moon, all Icewarg families regardless of station or status, are welcomed to a three-day-long grandiose feast where each family is expected to bring a dish to share with the community at large. During these days, gifts may be exchanged amongst friends and family as a reminder of how cherished and appreciated the bonds Icewarg have created are.

Historically, tourists and visitors have not been allowed at the feast. In recent years, however, should a visitor to Niflheim have a dish to contribute, they are tentatively welcomed into the Icewargs’ midst.

Gorsimi Festival

A massive and exciting yearly event that celebrates both the monsters of Niflheim and their slayers. Food, weapons, armor, furs, bowls, etc. made from the beasts hunted by the Gorsimi are the primary focus in the Marketplace. Icewarg dress in costumes and perform in great shows at Sharlaveen’s Theater that depict some of the year’s fiercest hunts. Fallen Gorsimi and their families are honored with a bonfire and lantern lighting ceremony upon the frozen iceways. Life events (marriage, birth, death) are all celebrated as well with craft meads and songs. Travelers and tourists are welcome to attend the event.

Cuisine

Meals are typically very hearty and filling in Iringard and are comprised of soups, stews, porridge, meat, potatoes, and breads. The more fattening and calorie-dense the diet, the better. Icewarg rely on their fat storage to help shield them from the bitter cold climate of Niflheim, much like bears.

Large game/prey animals: Grunox, elk, seal, walrus

Small game/prey animals: Fish, eel, shellfish, snow hare, deer, fowl (mainly summer)

Vegetables: Mountain mushrooms, potatoes, onions, carrots, and other root vegetables are most common, as their growth beneath the dirt is imperative given the harsh environment.

Fruits: Mostly imported, though wild frost berries and some citrus fruits can be found near the flood plains of the glacier.

Desserts: Thick cakes and pastries stuffed with sugar and fruit are rare treats that require a lot of traded materials (fruit, flour, sugar, eggs, etc.) to create. They are considered delicacies and are highly sought after by Icewarg.

Craft meads are typically created by individual Clans and sold at the Marketplace. Each family has its own recipe for meads and spirits. Competitions showcasing meads specifically are common at special events and festivals.

Terminology

General Terms

Frostfever: The Icewarg version of the flu. The patients body temperature drops significantly, so they feel cold to the touch and shiver a lot.

Gorsimi (monster hunters): Primary hunters of Iringard, these fearless beasts venture far beyond the safety of both the city and Mt. Hundrolf to find food and materials attainable only within the frozen plains of Niflheim.

Anvari (crafters): These Icewarg are capable of crafting armor, weapons, apparel, pottery, jewelry, and more. A majority of their supplies are provided by the warriors after their hunts, with even more rare materials obtained by the Gorsimi.

Vaskyr (warriors): Soldiers and guardians of Iringard, these brave Icewarg patrol the tunnels of the mountain. They may also escort visitors to Iringard’s marketplace and often double as Bosry guards by upholding peace within the city.

Frelsa (healers): Almost exclusively female, they are the “saint bernards/rescue dogs” of Iringard. Capable of enduring the most treacherous weather Niflheim can throw at them, it is not uncommon for Healers to find (and guide) lost travelers attempting to explore the North. Their medicinal supplies are harvested from the mountain’s tunnels, as well as remedies taken from the kills of the Gorsimi.

Fenrir’s Breath: The northern lights, ie: aurora borealis. May also be used as an exclamation, typically when in awe or admiration.

(Name's) Curse: Whiteout; when snow falls so hard and fast that distinguishing anything close by is nigh to impossible

Snowblind: A term used when someone goes temporarily blind by the brightness of the sun on the snow

Iringardian(s): Demonym for a citizen of Iringard

Insults

Scud: Lowly, unworthy dirt-person

Ice licker: General insult, suggesting that someone is a pushover, brown-noser, or an idiot.

Puddle Jumper: A warg who is unable to commit

Soft-bellied Worm: Insinuation that one is a coward and holds no honor

Piddler: Wargs who can’t stand up for themselves and bow to other’s opinions

Furfluffer: An airhead

Monster Addled: A term used to describe a warg who is impulsive and fickle 

Slush Puppy: Wargs who constantly goof off and get everyone involved in the process

Phrases

“Put your tongue on the ice” Got caught doing something wrong.

“By Grothgar’s Greed!” An exclamation of disappointment.

“By Jormu’s Teeth!” A general exclamation usually used when surprised or frustrated.

Local Legends and Customs

Cursed Axe of Worm’s Bane

A local legend

During the age of the Jormu, when the Icewarg were battling for dominance in the tundras of Niflheim, it’s said that a legendary warrior hero named Cuthbert of Clan Grizzlehorn was amongst the most stalwart and strongest of warriors. The axe that he wielded, which he called Worm’s Bane, became a legendary figure in its own right - the axe and the warg became synonymous in identity. So much so that, when Cuthbert fell in battle, his family wished that the axe be placed with him on the pyre instead of returned to them, so that it might stay with him even in death.

This would not be so.

In the dead of night before Cuthbert’s cremation, however, a treacherous thief, who had once been a friend of the family, stole the axe and escaped with it. The family, and other members of Clan Grizzlehorn, enraged by this dishonor, hunted the thief down and left him tied to a post in the middle of an ice field for the Jormu to take him. The axe itself was never found.

Icewarg claim that the axe, poisoned by the greed of the nameless thief, will forever be cursed until it is returned to Cuthbert’s ancestral home. It is also said that, in the dead of night when the moon is new and its light isn’t present in the sky, one might even see the ghost of Cuthbert wandering the tundra in search for his weapon, or the thief’s mangled soul seeking revenge. Many Icewarg mothers tell this tale to warn their children of the dangers of stealing. It also helps with keeping them indoors at night. Cuthbert is also featured in Iringard’s Garden of Heroes.

Northern Lights

A local custom

Especially common on winter nights in Niflheim, the northern lights come with a deep and spiritual meaning, especially for those of a religious inclination. It is believed that the lights are Fenrir’s breath and song itself, escaping and dancing across the cold night sky in the same way that breath puffs in a visible smoke when an Icewarg speaks or breaths in freezing air.  Many say that perhaps the song being sung across the sky is Fenrir calling to Jord in the south - this idea has become especially prominent ever since Niflheim’s borders have opened. Oftentimes, hymns can be heard from temples when the northern lights appear, an answering call to Fenrir’s light and song.