Nords
Nords, also known as Sons of Snow are a race of men from the province of Skyrim.
The Nords have a natural resistance to the frost, which evolved due to their settlement in the northern, colder reaches of Nirn, and are known for their prowess as warriors.
Personality + Traits:
- Eager to augment their martial skills beyond the traditional methods of Skyrim, they excel in all manner of traditional warfare.
- They are known to have a fierce and uncompromising mindset in the face of adversity; likely a consequence of countless generations having successfully endured the harsh, overcast northern climates of Atmora and Skyrim.
- Nords were known for a time for their nautical prowess when they migrated from Atmora.
- Nord warriors are said to value their fierce independence, are hardy in the thankless severity of their lands, and are comfortable with appalling violence as a daily occurrence.
- The typical Nord warrior holds his or her reputation in high regard and insulting a Nord's strength, bravery, or honor in any way almost inevitably leads to violence as the offended party attempts to prove otherwise.
- Some say that the Nords are famously hot-blooded in order to compensate for their freezing environment.
- The Nords are a race of Men who typically are regarded as light-skinned, fair-haired which is often braided, and imposing in size and build.
- Most Nords wear animal skins or cotton clothing.
- Nord culture centers on the quest for honor and glory, with emphasis also on the family and community.
- The Nords had a diverse culture that spread across multiple aspects, such as music, food, the arts, education, festivals and holidays, architecture and infrastructure, and religion.
- Coming from a warlike culture, they believe that an honorable death in battle will grant them entrance into Sovngarde.
- There are two things most Nords love: music and Mead.
- Nords tend to be superstitious, and their folklore reflects this. Any unexplained misfortune is often blamed on the Falmer, or Snow Elves.
- Nordic names, often chosen based on omens, are given in a special ceremony when the child is young.
- They consider themselves to be the children of the sky, referring to Skyrim as Throat of the World, because they believe it is where the sky exhaled the North Winds on the land and formed them. When they defeat great enemies they take their tongues as trophies. These are woven into ropes and can hold speech like an enchantment.
- They are also known to revel in the imbibing of their drink of choice: Mead. Refusing a drink is seen as an admittance of weakness and is a sure way to alienate yourself from the Nords that invited you to their revelry.
- Though they may seem rude, insults are not always meant to offend and can be used as terms of endearment.
- Nords excel in blacksmithing and craftmanship. For the Nord, the creation of fine (if inelegant) weapons and armor is as important as proficiency with a blade, axe, or hammer. Such skills are learned from youth and are almost mandatory. Through the ages, the Nords have learned to manipulate steel the way a sculptor would clay.
- Most Nords are also literate and can both read and write.
- Those who value the art of speechcraft become bards. Some of these bards become skalds, who use their talents in writing, music, and poetry to record tales of the sights they've seen and the battles they've fought.
- Skyrim has nine Holds, each is governed by a Jarl, who keeps civility and order in their designated Hold. Jarls are largely independent, but swear fealty to Skyrim's High King.
- A spiritual relationship exists between the Nords and the life-force of breathing, which is associated with the Sky Goddess Kynareth. Breathing is integral to Nordic society and culture. Kyne is called the Kiss at the End, for most Nords agree that Kyne leads the dead to Sovngarde.
- While the art of speech was usually associated with the goddess Dibella, the art of breathing and the use of the Thu'um, or Storm Voice, was associated with Kynareth. Kynareth was the goddess who gave Men the ability to speak.
- Those Nords who could articulate their breath into a Shout were called Tongues. The most powerful Tongues cannot speak without causing destruction. They must go gagged, and communicate through a sign language and through scribing runes.
- Wind was fundamental to the Nords and it is said that the further north one goes into Skyrim, the more powerful and elemental the people become. Those that live in the far wastes always carry a wind with them and thus require less shelter and dwellings. The expression "Wind guide you" was a common expression in Nordic culture.
- Like all Tamrielic races (Dunmer excluded), the religion of Skyrim is focused on the Aedra and their old ally, Lorkhan(Shor). The Nords know Shor as the king of the gods, a champion of men in their struggles against the elves. He was treacherously slain by elves, yet continues to bestow favor on his people by aiding them with immortal champions such as Ysmir (Talos), another member of the Nordic pantheon.
- Certain Daedra, such as HermaeusMora, can also be found in the Nordic pantheon.
- An isolated tribe living on the island of Solstheim known as the Skaal follow a different form of faith from their mainland brethren. Instead of having regular religious worship, they venerate nature.
Nords and Other Races:
Language + Names:
The modern Nordic language comes from the Ancient Nordic tongue, which in turn copies from the Dragon Language. The semblance comes from the alphabet, which looks like claw marks and scratches. Nords can still be found using phrases from the Dragons such as "Evgir Unslaad," which means "Season Unending," or "Thu'um," which means Shout.
- Nords see themselves as eternal outsiders and invaders, and even when they conquer and rule another people; they feel no kinship with them.
- Nords often still hold a bitter resentment towards elves.
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