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 Avaltan, 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 Northern regions, most commonly occupying the sparse forests near the snow covered mountain ranges, and most commonly being found near the frigid pine forests. This race of men are said to have come from a distant continent to the Northeast of Aversia. 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.

The major facet of their society would be their rather strange religion. These people do not follow the strict aspect of any such religion, seeing the gods as weak. These people are very superstitious as well, attempting to keep their distance from the gods. The rulers of their small clans or Jarls as most call them are seen as lesser, demi-god type deities. These men are said to have the blood of the ancients in them, which grants them their ability to rule over others, and why many in tribe naturally respect their leaders without hesitation. Upon death, these nobles are said to ascend to what they term as Vaetgard, or "Drinking Hall". In this ethereal plain, 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 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. In this way, most of Avaltan Blood are not willing to invoke this hate, nor will they break laws commonly as they need to remain apart of their tribes to successfully survive in these frigid lands. This many not be considered faith to some outsiders as well, as their is a distinct lack of worship. However, they mostly follow the word of their elders, and of their chief, and use faith as a moral code. 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 etherium.

These settlements are often made of less permanent buildings. Often made of thick hide tents and furs, the town would often be assembled quickly, made to withstand the frigid nights, yet still easily moved to better weather or hunts. The size of the tent in which the reside is often a symbol of status. The largest of the tents is always owned by the Jarl, and should one attempt to surpass this, it is seen as a personal slight, and worthy for execution of those who reside within it.

When a child completes their coming of age trial at the young age of twelve, they are put to work and often apprentice 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, 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 the symbol of the tribe, 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 can range everything from travel guidance, to moral codes and statures they find important, or that they may have adopted whilst in the area.

In the Southern border of the North would reside those Avaltan who have over time settled down. Whilst holding some similar culture, and the same blood and worship, they have been outcasted by their northern, more nomadic brethren, who often refer to them as 'The Ao' or the 'Weak Kneed'. These Southern folk have shed their hunting and traveling in favor of beginning more stable farms in the south. In turn, they have been able to create larger towns to reside in, but most of these live in small farms, to which only their family resides in.

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, and will not strike them outright.
• If stirred into combat or provoked, these beings will not hesitate to attack the Avaltans however.
• Avaltans are immune to the effects of Whistle Pine.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier