Post by ocelot on Oct 20, 2015 0:20:39 GMT -6
Vakira-
A rather savage make-up of lands located on a cluster of islands connected to the mainland to the far North East of the known world, the mass of Vakira is generally viewed as a harsh, bitter landscape of which few are able to visit, yet alone live in, for any extended period of time. Subject to constant snow or sleet storms, bitter cold weather, and hostile wildlife, Vakira is not seen as a safe place for one to call home. Despite this, a few scattered clans of pale giants are known to call this place their home.
Vakirans
A rather savage make-up of lands located on a cluster of islands connected to the mainland to the far North East of the known world, the mass of Vakira is generally viewed as a harsh, bitter landscape of which few are able to visit, yet alone live in, for any extended period of time. Subject to constant snow or sleet storms, bitter cold weather, and hostile wildlife, Vakira is not seen as a safe place for one to call home. Despite this, a few scattered clans of pale giants are known to call this place their home.
Vakirans
Physical
Standing at an average height of eight feet tall, most Vakirans have been falsely labeled as giants by others they meet in the world. It isn't uncommon for a Vakiran to be lynched or worse in the known world, seen as a demon or unman due to their massive height, build, and ghostly pale skin. Despite their looks, Vakiran's are simply a taller breed of human than most, boasting a semi-shorter life expectancy than their smaller kin, though making up for it with the ability to crush bones with their grip. The only promise that comes with a Vakiran's looks are the ghostly pale skin, massive, muscled build, and a thick head of hair, though hair color, eye color, and voice carries the same rules as any other human.
Traits
-With the Vakiran's massive size comes a rather massive strength that few can hope to match, a single unit of ten Vakiran skirmishers easily able to smash through a shield wall five deep and fifteen wide, shields - and bodies - crumpling beneath each swing.
-Due to their upbringing, Vakiran's have an extreme tolerance not only to extreme colds, but pain itself, for living the life of a Vakiran is one where every day is plagued with pain and trials.
-With their harsh landscape, however, most Vakiran's know little of other races and their customs, though they are always quick to learn and respect other religions.
-With the recent unification of the clans, the Vakiran's have quickly become a pagan society, willingly bringing in each clan's deities with little trouble. The Vakiran is firm in the belief that each man has the right to worship his god and follow his own beliefs. However, if someone were to disrespect, insult, or belittle a Vakiran's deity, blows would quickly be traded.
-The bitter landscape of Vakira proper has limited these massive humans to small clans - there is no exact count on how many exist, however it is a well known fact that numbers are nowhere near their favor, making up for it in sheer skill and brute force.
-Berserker-wizards are a staple of most Vakiran forces - units of gifted brutes who are adorned in the best armor and carrying the best weapons the Vakiran's can find and doped up on every herbal mixture that can be carried. They are commonly sent in as line breakers, throwing their bodies and their magics with little regard for death - or overload of magic. It is not unheard of for criminals to be chained to a berserker and dragged into battle to be used as a battery for the destructive warriors.
Income and outside influences
Despite being lumped with other Northerners as raiders and pillagers, Vakiran's are actually quite against the idea. Most of their income comes from mercenary work, fur trapping, mining, lumber, and 'fishing'. Fishing for the Vakiran is quite an odd experience, due to their prized catch - a Darkoon. Each fishing expedition is usually cast out by massive ships, adorned in bits of metal and manned by hundreds of Vakiran's toting massive harpoons and traveling about in full plate armor, the ships diving into the greatest storms they can find in search of one such creature. Darkoon's are massive serpents, adults larger than most whales, and are commonly described as long, winged serpents with the skinless, eyeless head of a wolf topping it off, dozens of tendrils escaping from its body that lash and destroy any within their reach. It is unclear where these beasts came from - or why they rarely leave the waters of Vakira - but their meat is some of the most tender, skin forming some of the best leather, teeth some of the hardest and sharpest material for arrows and heads seen as massive trophies for lords and ladies across the land. Needless to say, most of the Vakiran income comes from these behemoths.
Despite being ostracized for their appearance, Vakiran's are actually quite cheery people, open to casual conversation and quick to make friends - however, they are incredibly unlikely to forget or forgive their enemies. This leads to easy diplomatic relationships, once the other party gets past the looks of the average Vakiran.
There are no missionaries to spread the Vakiran religion, and no spies for the Vakiran's.
Vakiran's are actually heavily against raiding and pillaging, being known to ride out to defend coast side villages against other Northern tribes and protecting merchant fleets for no charge.
Military
Whilst they by no means boast the largest military, the Vakiran military is one of the most ferocious one can find.
Navy:
The Vakiran navy is actually a rather strong one, due to their placement and need to travel from island to island. While their ships boast no cannons, they do boast mighty ballistas and harpoon throwers. Build wise, the ships are usually completely oversized, used to hunt Darkoons, and covered in small sheets of metal. They are quite slow, however, and require a large amount of crew to man.
Ramming speed is a commonly used phrase - moreso than turn in any direction.
Army:
While outnumbered by most conventional armies, they make up for it with massive, incredibly armored soldiers that rarely tire in battle. Most of their weapons and armor are not finely made - simply giant hunks of metal that serve their purpose of murder. There are very rarely cohesive formations, though this is often seen as a lack of tactics when, in reality, the massing and spreading of units makes it harder for the enemy generals to properly respond to their movements.
Clans
Clan Wulfthan
Clan Tarka
Clan Pooslan
Clan Arkena
Clan Kilklunda
Clan Yosta
Clan Iiega
-With the Vakiran's massive size comes a rather massive strength that few can hope to match, a single unit of ten Vakiran skirmishers easily able to smash through a shield wall five deep and fifteen wide, shields - and bodies - crumpling beneath each swing.
-Due to their upbringing, Vakiran's have an extreme tolerance not only to extreme colds, but pain itself, for living the life of a Vakiran is one where every day is plagued with pain and trials.
-With their harsh landscape, however, most Vakiran's know little of other races and their customs, though they are always quick to learn and respect other religions.
-With the recent unification of the clans, the Vakiran's have quickly become a pagan society, willingly bringing in each clan's deities with little trouble. The Vakiran is firm in the belief that each man has the right to worship his god and follow his own beliefs. However, if someone were to disrespect, insult, or belittle a Vakiran's deity, blows would quickly be traded.
-The bitter landscape of Vakira proper has limited these massive humans to small clans - there is no exact count on how many exist, however it is a well known fact that numbers are nowhere near their favor, making up for it in sheer skill and brute force.
-Berserker-wizards are a staple of most Vakiran forces - units of gifted brutes who are adorned in the best armor and carrying the best weapons the Vakiran's can find and doped up on every herbal mixture that can be carried. They are commonly sent in as line breakers, throwing their bodies and their magics with little regard for death - or overload of magic. It is not unheard of for criminals to be chained to a berserker and dragged into battle to be used as a battery for the destructive warriors.
Income and outside influences
Despite being lumped with other Northerners as raiders and pillagers, Vakiran's are actually quite against the idea. Most of their income comes from mercenary work, fur trapping, mining, lumber, and 'fishing'. Fishing for the Vakiran is quite an odd experience, due to their prized catch - a Darkoon. Each fishing expedition is usually cast out by massive ships, adorned in bits of metal and manned by hundreds of Vakiran's toting massive harpoons and traveling about in full plate armor, the ships diving into the greatest storms they can find in search of one such creature. Darkoon's are massive serpents, adults larger than most whales, and are commonly described as long, winged serpents with the skinless, eyeless head of a wolf topping it off, dozens of tendrils escaping from its body that lash and destroy any within their reach. It is unclear where these beasts came from - or why they rarely leave the waters of Vakira - but their meat is some of the most tender, skin forming some of the best leather, teeth some of the hardest and sharpest material for arrows and heads seen as massive trophies for lords and ladies across the land. Needless to say, most of the Vakiran income comes from these behemoths.
Despite being ostracized for their appearance, Vakiran's are actually quite cheery people, open to casual conversation and quick to make friends - however, they are incredibly unlikely to forget or forgive their enemies. This leads to easy diplomatic relationships, once the other party gets past the looks of the average Vakiran.
There are no missionaries to spread the Vakiran religion, and no spies for the Vakiran's.
Vakiran's are actually heavily against raiding and pillaging, being known to ride out to defend coast side villages against other Northern tribes and protecting merchant fleets for no charge.
Military
Whilst they by no means boast the largest military, the Vakiran military is one of the most ferocious one can find.
Navy:
The Vakiran navy is actually a rather strong one, due to their placement and need to travel from island to island. While their ships boast no cannons, they do boast mighty ballistas and harpoon throwers. Build wise, the ships are usually completely oversized, used to hunt Darkoons, and covered in small sheets of metal. They are quite slow, however, and require a large amount of crew to man.
Ramming speed is a commonly used phrase - moreso than turn in any direction.
Army:
While outnumbered by most conventional armies, they make up for it with massive, incredibly armored soldiers that rarely tire in battle. Most of their weapons and armor are not finely made - simply giant hunks of metal that serve their purpose of murder. There are very rarely cohesive formations, though this is often seen as a lack of tactics when, in reality, the massing and spreading of units makes it harder for the enemy generals to properly respond to their movements.
Clans
Clan Wulfthan
Clan Tarka
Clan Pooslan
Clan Arkena
Clan Kilklunda
Clan Yosta
Clan Iiega