Clan Origins

Easily the youngest of the Clans, Emerstead was founded by an elder Icewarg named Wilarald, who was formerly of Clan Grizzlehorn before he retired from his services and pursued a career in academia. Obsessed over the lore and stories told to him from bards and travelers that began to frequent the city shortly after King Thorvin reopened the gates in 807 A., Wilarald dedicated himself to collecting tomes and lore from all corners of Hvalla (typically purchasing them from travelers and traders that passed through the city). Those within his family have also begun cataloging the history of Iringard and its people, and as like-minded Icewarg flocked to him, Clan Emerstead was born, and the Emerstead Library was founded. Emerstead Library is always desperately underfunded, despite the significance it plays in both housing and recording the world around them. To become a member of Clan Emerstead, one must study under Wilarald (or another appointed scholar) and pass a series of verbal and written tests that prove intelligence, mental acuity, and the ability to organize thoughts and details in scripture.

Clan Culture & Values

For as long as it has been in existence, the drive of Clan Emerstead has been the accumulation and dispersal of knowledge. Knowledge is the key to the betterment of the Icewarg. Those that live and breathe the Clan’s values put much faith into history and lore and the studying of these topics, because with the mastery of one’s studies, one gains wisdom. And those of Clan Emerstead know (perhaps with some level of bitterness) that wisdom is a trait left largely unregarded by the Icewarg, especially within the past few generations. It is their profound belief that through wisdom and knowledge, the Icewarg and the citizens of Niflheim can finally know peace. This is the dream of Clan Emerstead.

Most Icewarg of Clan Emerstead have employment or center their lives around the Emerstead Library, or are otherwise primarily based in Iringard. To find Icewarg of Clan Emerstead outside of the Thuelheim Mountains is rare, and those that do venture further are considered researchers. Since the Cataclysm, many (if not most) of them are believed to be lost. They are also rarely involved within the military, most of whom attribute to their passion for peace, which perhaps alienates them from many of the other Iringardian citizens.

Clan Politics

Clan Festivals & Events

The Harvest Retelling - Summer

Towards the end of summer, as winter approaches, Clan Emerstead hosts a small festival within Iringard that, historically, has seen low attendance. Without the funds for a grander display, members of Clan Emerstead take to a few select stages throughout the city over the course of a week to recount some of their favorite stories held within the Library and to relay some of the information that the Clan has managed to gather over the course of the season. Drinks and food are free for all those in attendance.

Moonlight Respite - Winter

An event open exclusively to Clan Emerstead (though, in recent years, members of Clan Arshaw have quietly been invited to partake), this two-night Clan festival is when all members of Clan Emerstead are welcome to sleep and feast within the library. During the day, they work on restoring artifacts and old books and making repairs where they’re needed throughout the library. When evening falls, a small feast is held (away from the books, of course), and the Clan stargazes before all sleeping in close quarters in bedrolls and makeshift cots within the Library.