Avaltan

The Everlasting

History

The History of Avalta is most commonly portrayed by word of mouth. The stories over time have changed greatly, and are vastly varied between clans. However, there are many similar aspects which align for those of the Avaltan people, which are classified by their similar beliefs and appearances. They have never been a singular Avaltan people though, often holding many clans in their areas. The similarities in the story of their birth do begin with a singular man however. A man of many names, ranging from "The Frost Giant" to "The Man of Ice". Historians most commonly refer to this figure as 'Akdun' or forbearer. The first settler into the brutal lands of Avalta, even before the snow elves, this man was fabled to have single-handedly grown all the trees, and from that life have grown all the plants and animals for his people. Growing rather bored of this life, the deity would cut off his hand, each finger forming the first five men and woman to roam these planes. Their harvests bountiful, the people would repopulate until a large division had sprung in their beliefs. What this division is is widely unknown, and many scholars are uncertain why the people did not wish to unify.

Still, the ones of the frostblood would come into holdings and bountifully pillaged the lands provided to them. It is said they are only a fraction of the size of Akdun, dome rumoring his height to have been over twenty feet tall. These people often came into conflict with local snow elves and dwarves, forcing most of the northern dwarves to seal themselves away underground. Those of Avalta would look down on any of those who would implement the blood of the elf with their own, and exile them from their own lands. It is said the Jarls who rule these clans are most connected to Akdun in lineage, yet scholars have yet to decipher if this is truly the case.

Physical Description

The Avaltan people are most commonly associated due to their physical similarities. Most of these humans are quite tall, ranging from around five to nearly six and a half feet. Their skin may commonly be characterized by the stronger pink tint it holds, yet some are entirely pale. These people can hardly tan, even when pushed into hotter climates, and will more likely burn and become more pink, or merely remain the same color during this time period. Their eyes would most befit their surroundings, being Pale Blue like that of Ice, Green like that of Pine, and Amber like that of a Fire or some Barks. These people tend to be quite physically built, some even more stout than other humans, but most fit in line with what one would imagine a human to be. These 'barbaric' people also tend to have broad facial features, and eyes which are somewhat sunken into their visage. Dimpled cheeks would also commonly be within their spectrum. Their hair ranges from soft browns to blonde, none of these people having red or black hair usually.

The most common attire adorned by these people would be that of thick furs and pelt. Each person is generally required how to tailor their own clothes, and more often than not they are tattered, worn, and would be considered brutish by onlookers. Cloaks are considered a sign of status, and the more prestigious and difficult the hunt of the animal, the more the person is to be respected. Often the only skin showing whilst traveling would be that of the upper nose and eyes for the person to see, the rest of their body being entirely concealed. In camp, the only difference of this would be the display of their faces and heads. Hats are common among the people to maintain body temperature and to keep their ears warm.

• Common Height:
  • Male: 5'9"-6'6"
  • Female: 5'6"-6'2"
• Common Build: Mesomorph, Endmorph
• Common Eyes: Pale Blue, Amber, Green, Grey
• Common Hair: Brown, Blonde, White, Platinum, Ginger
• Common Skin Tone: Pale with a Pink Tint, Pale White

Culture

The people who have the Avaltan blood hail from bands of tribes found in the lost northern regions, most commonly occupying the sparse forests near the snow covered mountain ranges, and most commonly having been found near the frigid pine forests. This race of men are said to have come from a distant continent to the northeast of the provinces. Some scholars who study this culture of people believe however that the location might not actually be tangible, but rather apart of their religious practices as outlined in their stone tablets, which may be found littering the lands. The culture of this enigmatic people might be viewed as strange to outsiders, most considering them heathenistic and rather repulsive in their ways. These laws and stories have since been documented in the Fro Saga, or the tales of frost. Many Avaltans are not repulsed by the dead, and are often ignored by hostile creatures of the ether regions.

One major facet of their society would have been their rather strange religion. These people do not follow the strict aspect of any such religion, seeing the standard concept of "gods" as a foreign influence. The Avaltans were very superstitious, attempting to keep their distance from too much involvement in organized religion. The rulers of their small clans or Jarls, as most called them are seen as lesser, demi-god type deities. These rulers are said to have the blood of the ancients in them, which grants them their ability to rule over others, and why many in the tribes naturally respected their leaders without hesitation. Upon death, these nobles are said to ascend to what they term as Vaetgard, or "Drinking Hall". In this ethereal plane, it is said that eternal pleasure is gained, where men and woman alike are allowed to hunt and drink to their content. Should one not be a proper part of their tribe, are exiled, or otherwise punished, they are said to Torgard, their equivalent to a Hellish domain. Some scholars dictate this being similar to the realm of the lost god Belek, yet no Avaltan would agree to such comparison. In Torgard, the wicked and the enemy are punished alike, their souls manifesting as animals in Vaetgard repeatedly for men to hunt, to those of the higher realm's ignorance. This may not be considered faith to some outsiders, as there is a distinct lack of regular worship that sets them naturally apart from most other cutltures that existed. They mostly follow the word of their elders and of their chief, and use faith as a moral code instead of a lifestyle and purpose.

When a child completed their coming of age trial at the young age of twelve, they were put to work and often apprenticed under their fathers and mothers in their trade. There is little divide in terms of genders associated with jobs, and Avaltans are often encouraged to do what they are most skilled at. The Avaltan people often do not have skills, and are mostly illiterate except for a few village elders who have taken up the practice of etching stones. Most of these people do become wonderful hunters, some even considered the very best. Upon their first kill, the person is to paint in the blood of the animal, and eat their heart. This is traditionally done to show strength of the hunter. The diet of these people is often derived of meat, and very few greens. Water is commonly imbued with small amounts of alcohol, with children consuming less of the substance to "purify" their drink.

Riddled across the lands of the north would be stacks of stones, and large boulders with broad etchings on the outside of them. These stones signify where a previous hunt has been held for a tribe, each often holding their symbol, which more often than not is the symbol of an animal which they use to represent themselves. The boulders, however, are carved from the village elders, and are meant to impart knowledge on those who pass by for many generations to come. These messages could range from everything to travel guidance to moral codes and statures they find important, or that they may have adopted whilst in the area.

Mechanics

• Lifespan: 65-80 years old on average.
• The Avaltan people have a strong resistance to the cold environment they hail from.
• Avaltans will have all forms ethereal undead (ex: Ghosts, Revenants) be naturally passive to them unless magically altered, and will not strike them outright.
  • If stirred into combat or provoked, these beings will not hesitate to attack the Avaltans.
• Avaltans are immune to the effects of Whistle Pine.

The Realm of Ephimoria • Beyond the Fracture