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~= The Frostbeard Clan =~


Garrond
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~=The Frostbeard Clan=~

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Known as the Azwyrtrumm in Ancient Dwarven, The Frostbeard Clan is one of the Elder Clans of Urguan, with their founder, Kaz’Ulrah, being the son of Urguan himself. Made primarily of Mountain Dwarves, the Frostbeard Clan coined its name through the treacherous conditions their ancestors had called home for centuries - The unforgiving, frost-inducing tops of the world’s mountains. Through these conditions Frostbeards found solace; despite the harsh world surrounding them, they managed to live and thrive amongst their fellow clan members. 

 

Perseverance, in all meanings of the word, defined the Clan in its entirety. To forge the steadfast minds and bodies of the Frostbeards seen today, their traditions had to be born of necessity, not fortuity. The Bear Pelts donned by the Frostbeards of today are a symbol of their hunting prowess - an ability that would have been life or death within the mountainous tundra. Their skills in combat do not originate from the legion halls of Urguan; instead, they are derived from raiding villages, fending off creatures, and proving themselves as capable members of the Clan. Tradition has kept those of the Frostbeard Clan alive for centuries, and shall do so for centuries to come; as traditions are the very things that allowed the Clan to persevere in the first place.

 

Adapting to life within the halls of Urguan was a challenge to the traditions held by the Frostbeard Clan, causing some throughout their history to rebel from the united Grand Kingdom. The most recent rebellion led to the formation of the High Kingdom of Kaz’Ulrah; the successor state to the Grand Kingdom which the Frostbeards and their allies had dissolved. However Kaz’Ulrah fell to the Empire of Man centuries ago, since then the Frostbeards have returned to the reformed Grand Kingdom of Urguan, loyal once more.

 

A sense of community has created the Frostbeards seen today, with a lineage of Grand Kings and Emperors, advisors, guild leaders, scholars, diplomats, hunters, craftsmen - anything that would serve the greater community. A small village on the side of a mountain is home no more to the clan, instead, the halls of Urguan are their home; its inhabitants, their community.

~= Customs & Culture =~

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~Appearance~

 

Physical

Being a Clan of Mountain Dwarves, Frostbeards originally were not confined to the dark, cavernous spaces associated with the Dwarven race. Without the requirement to adapt to said spaces, Frostbeards are typically taller and lighter skinned than their Cave Dwarf brethren. On average, their height ranges between 4’8 and 5 feet tall, and their skin tone is pale or ivory. Without variation, Frostbeards have consistently had black hair and blue eyes, with the only change to such being their hair’s tendency to gray earlier than most. Due to their background in hunting and combat, a muscular build is more common than not, yet variation is always possible depending on lifestyle.

 

Attire

Since their arrival in the halls of Urguan, Frostbeards have been recognized by the bear pelt worn over their head and shoulders. A tradition started by the original members, it has continued throughout the ages to assist in cold temperatures and preserve the culture from centuries ago. Clothing and armor, however, have been a topic of debate amongst the clan, with many choosing to wear a kilt, the traditional garb of Frostbeard warriors, and others full-plate armor, a newer addition to the wardrobe in typical Dwarven fashion. Regardless of their choice in clothing, the colors of blue and gray always remain the same, both of which represent the clan’s two primary colors.                           

 

Tattoos & Warpaint

An optional addition to a Frostbeard’s look, tattoos and warpaint are both used to tell a story on one’s skin. During times of war, members often cover their skin in dark blue paint, its design representing their role in the clan, past military contribution, or combat prowess. Most effort tends to be on face covering, where one’s paint is most likely to be seen. Tattoos are considered a more long-term form of storytelling on one’s skin, their symbols typically representing one’s feats throughout their life.

 

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~Ideals~

 

Perseverance

An ideal capable of defining the entirety of the Frostbeards, perseverance was all that mattered to the original members of the clan. Attempting to survive in the harshest of conditions required the group to focus solely on pushing ahead, as stopping or looking back could cost them valuable time needed to build, hunt, cook, gather - all tasks required to sustain life on the treacherous mountain sides. 

 

Now, long accustomed to life within the halls of Urguan, this ideal continues to shape the way of the modern Frostbeard. Every task taken on, every fight, every decision - everything done by the clan is to allow them to persevere into the next day. Regardless of how hard or daunting a task may be, a member of the clan does not give up, even when pushed down time and time again - if our ancestors got back up, it is within our honor to do so as well. 

 

Community

Community is one of the most important aspects of Frostbeard life. With our ancestor’s time spent on the mountains, they quickly learned that there was no such thing as survival alone. Without a community you could rely on and work with, any efforts to try and build and thrive were futile. Within the halls of Urguan, while maybe not life threatening, community is still something held near to the hearts of the Clan. The skills required to survive in the mountain villages so long ago are now utilized to improve life underground. Craftsmen work to supply the legion, Hunters kill game for feasts, Scholars keep record of Dwarven triumphs - Whatever skills a Frostbeard has, they use to embetter those around them. 

 

Tradition

The dictating force in every Frostbeard’s life, tradition acts as a guide for the modern clan members, their intentions linking back to the very first village up in the mountains. Each lesson brought about by the harsh world surrounding the clan’s ancestors was written in stone for the future generations to follow. Despite now being within the warmth of Urguan’s halls, these traditions still guide the Clan throughout their day to day life. Ranging from Runestones to beard braidings, these traditions can be both major or minor parts of life - regardless of what they are, members are expected to follow them to the letter; if not to honor their ancestors, then to signify what it means to be a Frostbeard.

 

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~Traditions~

 

Ancestral Song

While most of Frostbeard history has been recorded on stone, some has been passed down through generations as song. These songs, used originally to accompany other traditions such as feasts or burials, are still used to fulfill those same purposes today. Despite their ancestral origins, current Frostbeards continue to add to the clan’s lyrical repertoire, creating new works of art to accompany new traditions or important parts of history.

 

((Spoiler))

 

Long after the winter comes,

And the frost is gone,

We will stand here, stout as stone

To show you the way home

(Chanting: Home, Home, Its time to go to home)

It's time to sing the song, aye lad

It's time to sing the song

We will sing with you, aye lad

To show you the way home.

(Chanting: Home, Home, Its time to go to home)

Now the time has come, aye lad.

Go unto the halls.

Tell the fathers of the dwarves.

That we have sent you home.

 

Bagpipes

Accompanying ancestral songs in the Frostbeard musical repertoire, bagpipes are the typical instrument played by almost every clan member. Originally used to be heard over the constant howling winds of the mountain side, they now frequently accompany ancestral songs, and have had multiple pieces written solely for the instrument. The bag itself on the instrument typically matches the blue and black checkering seen on traditional Frostbeard Kilts, yet tend to be customized with various charms by the instrument’s owner to stand out from the others.

 

Beard Braiding

The Frostbeard’s beard, similar to most other Dwarven cultures, is a symbol of respect that is often measured based on its length and overall size. With trimming it symbolically meaning to remove respect, clan members turn to braiding their beards in intricate patterns, often including bands of precious metal to hold said braids in place. Through this practice, one’s beard does not have to be subject to a pair of clippers to be properly maintained and handled, rather simply be fashioned within a braided design.

 

Bearserkers

A title reserved for a select few within the Clan, Bearserkers are considered to be the best warriors amongst the Frostbeards. Third only to the Clan Father and Elders, members with this title hold tremendous respect within the Clan, and typically have also proven themselves as warriors to the legion or other organized combat entities. In times of war, the Bearserkers are expected to lead the Clan’s force into battle, acting as both commander and strategian. While any member could gain said title, it is typically reserved for those who have proven themselves to the Clan over a long period of time. 

 

Feasts

Originating as a celebration for a successful hunt, feasts are a staple within Frostbeard culture. An occasion that happens at least once every two stone weeks, modern feasts occur to celebrate the Clan and its closest friends. These celebrations are accompanied by song and dance, copious amounts of food and drink, and plenty of stories to be shared around a longtable or fire. 

 

Funeral Pyres

The treacherous mountain sides originally called home by the Frostbeard Clan were unforgivable, even in death. The almost constant freezing temperatures rendered the ground beneath their feet solid, making it impossible to farm, set solid foundations, and most importantly, bury their dead. Instead of leaving the frozen bodies of their fallen out in the open, Frostbeards took to using Funeral Pyres to burn the bodies of their dead - a practice which the clan believes allows their souls to escape their frozen carcass. In more recent history, some Frostbeards have chosen to be buried normally, yet others continue to practice this tradition in honor of their ancestors.

 

Runestones

Not to be confused with the runic magic, Frostbeard Runestones are large stone structures in which their history is inscribed onto. Written in Ancient Dwarven to continue with the tradition set by the original members, each stone is inscribed with the history of a realm, with a new stone being added each time a new realm is settled. The original Frostbeards documented on these stones due to resources such as paper being scarce in their surroundings, yet they still wished to document their history for generations to come.

 

Standard Bearers

A wartime tradition, the Clan’s standard bearer is an honored dwed who is given the responsibility of bringing the Frostbeard’s flag into battle. The individual who holds this responsibility is one who has proven himself to his fellow clan members, as they are the sole carrier of the flag - something the bearer both takes pride in, and a burden of worry to ensure they dont fail. To decide who is to be given the privilege in battle, the Clan Father and Elders meet and discuss potential candidates. The individual agreed upon by the majority is then therefore the Standard Bearer for the next upcoming battle. This title is not one that is carried for the rest of their lifetime, yet is decided prior to each and every battle.

 

~= Clan Structure =~

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Clan Father

An individual of endless knowledge and respect, the Clan Father of the Frostbeard Clan is the individual tasked with both representing and leading the clan in their everyday life. This member is expected to have a vast understanding of the Clan and its history, and is to lead by example to those who follow him. This position is capable of being filled by a woman, yet has never been done so in Frostbeard history. To be elected Clan Father, one is either to be appointed by the current inhabitant of the title as their successor, or is to be voted in by the Elders if no such appointment was made. This position is typically held until death or resignation, yet is capable of being vacated by majority clan vote if the current Father is deemed unfit to hold said position.

 

Clan Elders

Advisors to the Clan Father and role models to Clan Members, the Elders of the Frostbeard Clan are those who have proven themselves over time to be true representations of the Frostbeard Clan. Appointed by the current Clan Father, these individuals are to assist the Father with leading the clan in any way necessary. These individuals are typically the next in line for the Father position or have held it in the past, therefore are expected to understand or learn how to be an effective leader of the Clan.

 

Bearserkers

The strongest warriors and strategians of the Clan, Bearserkers are individuals tasked with commanding the Frostbeard forces into battle. Third only to the Clan Father and Elders, these members are respected warriors who have proven themselves in battle to both the Clan and the Grand Kingdom. While not holding any leadership in times of peace, they are expected to be ready to take over commanding positions during times of war. These individuals are appointed by the Clan Father directly, and are capable of being stripped of the title at any time. 

 

Clan Members

 The base of the Frostbeard Clan, Members are individuals who have completed their trials and shown themselves to be true Frostbeards. Members hold little responsibility towards clan leadership, yet typically occupy important roles such as craftsmen, hunters, warriors, etc. While not directly in leadership, those who are are expected to take their opinions into consideration for any decisions that could affect the clan as a whole. 

 

Clan Beardlings

Individuals who have recently joined the ranks of the Frostbeard Clan, Beardlings are those who have not yet completed their trials, yet are still considered to be of Frostbeard kin. Once their trials are completed alongside an Elder or Father, they will become fully fledged Members. 

 

~=History=~

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A History of the Frostbeard Dwarves; From Aegis to Almaris - Dwarves - The Lord Of The Craft

 

~=Family Tree=~

 

Frostbeard Family Tree


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Garrond
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Meylis 'The Raven' Frostbeard clears the blood from his bear skin cloak and grunts in approval upon learning more of the history of his clan. He says to himself.
"Perhaps blades of Frost are just the image we need... my axe could use a cool touch." 

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"Ye know noffin, ye dumb Frostehs." Proceeds to wonder why the parchment contains so much fancy writing.

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