As such please enjoy this write up and give any feedback you would like SB did say he wanted to hear what the other players thought of this.
P.S. editted it a bit from my original to try and make it easier to read.
Study of the Frost Troll
Where to begin . . . We are the Forstakkarhierran, more commonly referred to as snow or frost trolls. Among the people of the north we are known as the Hands of Gravantur, the all consuming storm. In their pitiful taverns the north men and dwarves cower whispering about giants of ice that walk un-phased through blizzards. They tell of large claw like hands shooting forth from snow banks to snatch one of their companions, the doomed soul disappearing into the earth never to be seen again.
They speak of the dangers of crossing the ice fields where a Hand of Gravantur is said to dwell beneath for surely one would be dragged under to be eaten. Franticly they whisper to each other, never let a tall stranger make camp with you before revealing his face lest it prove to be a frost troll and you never wake again. Most frequently they warn that you should have more than one fire blazing in your camps at night lest they go out and in the darkness all be damned to death or worse fates…
All these tales and more they preach in the warmth and safety of their towns but these whisperings, these stories are just a glimmering glimpse of the true nightmare that is a Forstakkarhierran in his domain.
But enough of tales, you want the bare bones of truth that you may sup the marrow of knowledge from it, for what other reason would you be reading this if you did not? So let me begin to shed some light onto what is a frost troll.
What is a frost troll?
The frost troll male:
The average frost troll male ranges between nine to twelve feet in height, they weigh generally somewhere between three hundred to one thousand five hundred pounds, mostly judged by their height and muscle mass. Let it be noted that no frost trolls are fat or bulky in size they -all- look thin and gaunt, skin stretched tight across rippling muscles. If you need a better mental image think of the tone of a panther’s muscles under it’s flesh.
Furthermore unlike other trolls a frost troll’s skin is smooth and glossy in feel and look, just like polished ice. Most frost troll’s skin color ranges between white and shades of blue. Their faces are thin, gaunt and narrow like an elf’s but stretched, cheeks seem hollow and eyes are deep set into the skull so they always seem overshadowed.
A frost troll’s ears stretch back in curved points from their skulls looking for all the world like a angled spear head. Frost troll’s tend to have very little body hair and what hair they do have is generally head or facial related. Frost troll’s wear their hair back in spikes and or braids never trimming it short, a unique way of telling a frost troll’s age is by measuring its hair length as their hair grows at an extremely slow rate. Facial hair is generally wild and free though some few trolls like to braid their beards this is viewed as eccentrics.
A frost troll’s nose is generally a long narrow and sometimes beak like thing or just a straight point. Eye colors range from yellow, red, blue, green, black and sometimes but vary rare in the occurrence, white. Furthermore though frost troll’s suffer from poor day vision their night vision and sense of smell are outstanding in capabilities.
The average frost troll can smell food or water from roughly five miles away, their endurance is strong and therefore they can travel to reach these sources upon their own personal energy for days upon days. All frost trolls have thin lips and their mouths seem unusually small that is until they yawn or grin then the true gaping horror of that maw is shown as rows of very sharp curved dagger like teeth are revealed.
Frost trolls are omnivores in there eating capabilities but prefer to eat
meat if it is available. Thus their jaws are built for rending and tearing, they have the strength to bite a man’s head off if they so desired and most do…
A frost troll’s hands and feet are generally large with long toes and fingers for better mobility across slippery surfaces. A frost troll will never lose his balance upon a slick surface unless he intends to lose it no matter if it be greasy or not they are naturally able to endure such things. This also explains how frost trolls can traverse through blizzards without being phased in the least by uncertain footing.
Most people wrongly assume that frost troll bodies naturally produce large quantities of heat, the reverse is actually true. A frost troll is virtually a walking talking glacier, their core body temperature generally resides within the forty degree range though can be much lower as weather permits. If a frost troll’s core body temperature rises above eighty degrees they begin to suffer heat sickness as a human would in hundred degree weather. It should be noted that it takes temperatues of 100 degrees Farinheit or greater to truly start effecting the core temperature of a frost troll though prolonged exposure (5 hours or more) of 80-90 degrees will also have the same effect.
The frost troll female:
The common populace believes that frost troll females must be horrendous creatures yet whispers of myth in the northern taverns talk of a creature they call the Snow Queens, a female of stature that is awe inspiring to the view but is hard to ever catch sight of. This is actually the female frost troll in her glory and what a glory it is.
The frost troll female is beautiful to the sight almost the polar opposite to a frost troll male, their ears are only slightly elongated back and their hair is like fine silk. Rare are they amongst the trolls and preciously guarded by all males they are whether they be ones mate or not. Woe unto the venturesome fool that dares to cause harm to a frost troll female.
Ok enough of my heaping praises upon the frost troll female, in size they range from seven feet to nine feet in height. Weight wise they are around a hundred fifty to six hundred pounds though this is evenly distributed across there bodies, narrow in waste large in bust with full pouting lips and almond shaped eyes that sparkle in the moon light a frost troll female is every male’s dream.
The reason they are so heavily protected is due to their very small lack of numbers, note that frost trolls have no form of marriage in their society a frost troll female may roam as she pleases and will nest with whichever male she chooses. To have one choose you for a mate is considered a deep blessing to that male and he cherishes his time with her greatly.
Other things of note, females tend to have blue to grey eye color well and are most commonly compared to sapphires. Hair can range from white, black, blue and or shades of these three. Their skin tends to be the color range of snow white to pale light blue though some have been noted to be a deep blue color.
Side note I forgot to mention: No frost troll is fat looking if you are wondering about where most of the weight is this is in their bone structure, these bones might as well be granite for how tough they are.
Frost Trolls have Society!?
Ok jokes aside yes frost trolls have a form of society bare bones as it might be it is still precious to us. Most believe us to be stupid monsters and there could be no way for a society to exist amongst us as surely we are not known to commonly band together and form towns so surely we have nothing like laws… right? Wrong, first and foremost a frost troll cherishes and obeys his people’s laws in all things, these are the backbone that binds all frost trolls together.
To begin the frost troll laws are known amongst us as the Unspoken Laws, some think this means we don’t talk of our laws, in reality it just means its so expected of a frost troll to know and live by these laws that they are never mentioned for they are obvious.
Law One: Forstakkarhierran shall never harm another Forstakkarhierran for NO reason whatsoever unless the Kormok’s deem a frost troll hazardous to his/her fellows. This means insane for those of you too dense to understand what I’m speaking of.
Law Two: Forstakkarhierran shall never steal from fellow Forstakkarhierran. (It should be noted that frost trolls will generally give to each other or trade/work for something one wants from the other.)
Law Three: Forstakkarhierran will always help another Forstakkarhierran in need.
Pretty basic and simplistic hmmm? Until you realize how deep these laws are embedded within the frost troll soul. That is to say that no frost troll will even attempt to circumvent these laws an example to clarify: A frost troll wouldn’t even hire mercenaries of another race to go and kill another frost troll to break law one. Likewise a frost troll will not lie to another frost troll as this could cause harm in the long run.
Other things of note:
Frost trolls have no cities but far in the northern most regions of the north lands there is a cliff where in resides the elder council of frost trolls and the list of names of all frost trolls since the beginning is carved upon this rocky face.
Frost trolls in breeding with other races do not produce half breeds but just more pure frost trolls. Such is the gift of the world mother to help our failing race stay somewhat strong. As such females of other races are highly prized amongst us for this sole reason. Note for birthing of frost trolls from another race of creature, the frost troll will for the first part of birth seem almost wholey of the other species during its first five years of life afterwards it will start changeing into a frost troll. The world mother is not cruel to the females of other races and never expected them to pop forth fifty pound whelps.
Frost troll lifestyle:
Most frost trolls are naturally inclined towards a solitary lifestyle, this is just the way things are to help with not over eating in an area and quite frankly most of us enjoy our solitude and peace. Despite rumors we are not a warmongering race so much as just being highly hostile to intruders of our domains.
Frost trolls normally don’t band together unless its to take over a trade route due to lack of food and or to rescue another frost troll in need of help. Aside from that they will stick to there own lands and tend to keep to themselves. Though a few have been noted to single handedly control trade routes to tax for treasures.
The frost troll society is really lacking when it comes to any singular leadership or judicial systems yet we do follow the -advice- of the Kormoks otherwise known as our council elders. As far as judicial things go that is handled by our Narns.
Where as the Kormoks are wise old frost trolls who try and help all the frost trolls prosper the Narns are the Judicators, they are judge, jury and executioner if necessary. Let it be noted that though the Kormoks advise us it is not necessary for us to follow them. Also the Narns rarely have to do anything as most frost trolls can easily resolve disputes amongst themselves.
We as a race are very territorial creatures, the frost troll male will generally claim a region of five miles radius that has the essentials for him to survive. That being water, food and shelter of course. Some think that frost trolls devour everything in a region and whisper of an all consuming hunger in their tales. This is complete and utter stupidity.
A frost troll will viciously protect any deer, moose, elk and or any other herbivores that decide to move into his region of territory. Normally he will keep several herds if he can and only cull the sick and weak from these herds. Thereby just doing nature’s work for the herd and causing no harm to the majority of the younger stronger members of the herds. Bears, Wolves and any other carnivore will be killed on sight as they are a threat to the stability of his food source. This is the strong relationship between troll and herd as the herbivores would rather deal with one predator that defends them than hundreds that don’t.
Frost trolls mark their regions in various ways but the most common is to hide a few claw marks in out of the way areas, other frost trolls know how to look for these markings but I won’t give that information away. On a side note frost trolls don’t fight over territory and roamers are welcome to pass through as long as they don’t hunt without permission. Other races, however, are not quite so welcome.
Rumors among the north men tell of how frost trolls live in massive castles of ice or have bastions of stone to defend their huts, ah what a foolish myth. Frost trolls don’t build homes above ground nor do they favor castles exposed to the elements. Instead a frost troll will dig his home deep into the earth, these lairs can go as deep as fifty feet if not deeper, it all depends on the troll.
Theses lairs will have one entrance and two or possibly more, bolt holes. The main entrance is dug straight down about twice as deep as the troll is tall and roughly six or more feet wide in circumference. Once down as far as they want to go, the entrance will slope downwards then open into a common room which is connected to their food storage, treasure and bedroom. That is the rough general layout of every frost troll home though it varies with the tastes of each troll.
Positions within Frost Troll Society:
I’ve mentioned a few of these earlier but here I will go a bit more in depth on what our few trolls of rank do for us.
Kormok (Elder Council Member): This title is held by thirteen of the
wisest and oldest frost trolls. It can be held by male or female. The position only becomes open when a Kormok wishes to retire or dies. In either event the Kormok in question will have already groomed their successor to take over their position once they are gone. The Kormoks are the leaders of the frost trolls and they guide us in anything that requires all of us to gather. Let it be noted that unlike the rule of a king or emperor the ruling of a Kormok is not necessarily forced upon us, we may choose to go against their advice if we please though most frost trolls don’t.
Narn (Judicator): The Narns are the enforcers of frost troll law. Like the Kormoks their position is highly respected and their decisions are abided by all. In total there are five Narns, they are by far the strongest of the frost trolls and to face one in combat is to face your doom. This position is held by male warriors though occasionally a shaman will rise to it. Like the Kormoks, Narns are expected to train and their successor in the event that they retire or die.
Tijeck (Artificer): Tijeck are the few frost trolls who choose to dedicate their lives to the preservation of frost troll knowledge and artifacts. Not only do they help us remember who we once were, they drive us onwards towards bettering ourselves. This is done so that we the frost trolls do not degenerate into mindless savage beasts. The position of Tijeck is held mainly by the eldest and wisest of the female frost trolls.
Gallmongar (Wanderer): This title isn’t so much a position of respect but rather one to label a few very eccentric trolls. Their duty is valued by the community but due to their roaming nature they are considered strange by most other frost trolls. The Gallmongar are the few frost trolls who choose to wander from the frozen lands of the north in search of knowledge, treasure and other things to help their people. Thus they are valued for the work they do but ostracized for their far roaming habits.
That would be it for the titles and ranks amongst are people. As I mentioned earlier they are very few.
Religion and holidays:
Frost trolls still revere most of the heavenly family but the past and time have shifted their views upon whom they love the most. In order of most revered to least this is the correct accounting: Zhakata, World-Mother, Tarsus and Arikel whom we hate.
After the sundering it was Zhakata and World-Mother who saved us from Tarsus’s wrath and Arikel’s treachery. Thus its them we most revere, though we still care for father Tarsus, his continuing wrath has caused us to turn from him. Arikel we revile our vile sister whom we shall never forgive.
Holidays:
Mok’Nathal (Moon Dance): Once a month when Zhakata shines her brightest and fullest all frost trolls across the world dance for her. They sing praises and offer food & drink all in thanks to her. For she is the one that guided our fore fathers north and protected them from the aftermath of Tarsus’s wrath.
Yeleth Vok’Nara (Embrace of the Honored Mother): Once every fifty years a troll will bury him or her self a hundred feet or more down in the soil. During this time they go into a month long hibernation in the arms of the World-Mother. There are many benefits that occur due to this ritual but I am not at liberty to discuss them my apologies readers.
Symbar Mar (Festival of Fire): Known among us as the time of repentance, the festival of fire is the day we show Tarsus we still love him. At the start of the new year all frost trolls that can, gather together to spend the day in sunlight with bonfires raging as we eat, drink and make joy. We sing songs of praise to Tarsus but also sing of how we will continue to endure his punishments. For we will prove to our father our strength and our humble will to endure until he forgives us.
Wokari Bar (Time of Defiance): This is the night upon which we show Arikel our hatred, reminding her with our rage that we have not forgotten her treachery nor shall we forgive her crimes against all trolls. This ritual is a most unusual thing for outsiders to view as it consists of each individual troll throwing blazing torches high into the sky on a moonless night, until the dawn comes.
How the frost trolls came about.
In the time when Arikel was gathering her Ogorach followers there was one whom her seductive ways did not corrupt. This Ogorach went by the name of Kemoshk. Now Kemoshk was not one to lie especially not to himself, he could not deny that he too felt the pangs of jealousy towards the Torolach but the love he had for his brethren would not let him conspire against them.
So Kemoshk, poor foolish and far too trusting Kemoshk, went to speak to his Ogorach brethren and turn them from this path of madness. To his gathered brethren he spoke, pleading that there must be a better way for surely Tarsus did not despise them as they too were his sons. Yet the gathered Ogorach would have none of his talk nor would they be swayed by his words.
With crazed eyes they did grab Kemoshk, spilling his blood with their steely knives. With cruel hands they did punish him greatly for he was one of them and thus they felt most betrayed by his actions. Then did Burbul come forth and with vile laughter upon his lips he slit Kemoshk’s throat. Then did the gathered Ogorach cheer as Kemoshk gasped and wept his pain.
Then did the Ogorach leave Kemoshk upon the cold blood floor, yet four of them did lag behind and when they went unnoticed they returned lifting the bleeding Kemoshk to his feet. Where upon they worked their healing magics to save him. Though in great pain Kemoshk did smile his heavy heart gladdened that at least a few had turned from the path of planned murder.
Straining to speak through blood choked mouth he bade them to take him to Gravantur, his Torolach brother. Quickly then they carried Kemoshk to Gravantur who was wrought with rage at the sight before him. By this time Kemoshk had finally healed and he recounted his tale bidding Gravantur and the four Ogorach to save as many Torolach from the party as they could.
Sadly though they moved as quickly as they could Gravantur and the four were only able to gather twenty nine of the Torolach and only fifteen of the women. For far too quickly did Arikel blind Tarsus’s sight and eclipse the world into darkness.
Gravantur did rage when he heard the sounds of battle during the eclipse, it was in his heart to enter the fray to charge into the battle and wreak vengeance upon the treacherous Ogorach but Kemoshk did calm him bidding that they all flee to the safety of the forests. Kemoshk that soon Arikel would free Tarsus’s sight and that the wrath of the sun god would rage across his children then.
So the gathered giants did flee from the melee and whence they reached the trees they turned as Arikel did free Tarsus’s sight and then they wept to see their brethren burning in the consuming rage of the sun god. Then did Kemoshk turn to Gravantur and said with a heavy heart, “No longer are we Torolach or Ogorach . . . We are Orbonok…”. The others did look at Kemoshk with shock but slowly didst they all nod their heads in sad agreement. The had all failed to stop this madness thus they were Orbonok, those who failed.
Aftermath: The long walk.
Under veil of night and sleeping trees did Kemoshk confer with Gravantur on what to do. Long did they talk and ponder upon the problem before them until the idea struck to ask Zhakata to guide them to safer lands for surely she did still shine kindly upon them. So then did they call to Zhakata requesting her help and thusly there eyes did change as Zhakata did shine her light revealing a path of silver heading north. Then did her sweet voice whisper for them to travel the night upon her path and she would guide them to a better place.
Then did the Orbonok sing praise upon her and begin the long walk into the unknown. Long was the journey but they did travel by night and by day were hidden by Zhakata’s magic. Thusly did they travel and so were not destroyed by Tarsus’s sight, neither did they hunger or thirst for Zhakata’s light did renew them each night.
Then did their journey end where the clouds always blotted the sky and the waters froze. Yet here there were forests and herds so it was a paradise of a different sort. Still the Orbonok did rejoice and sing praises once more to Zhakata thanking her for her kindness as their journey had finally ended and here they could live in peace.
Kemantur, The Great City.
So it came to pass that the Orbonok built places to live close together and this place between two cliffs they did name Kemantur, after the ones they honored most amongst them. Seeing it was good they bade Kemoshk to lead them but Kemoshk chose instead to teach them to lead themselves. Thus he became the first Kormok and chose four others to train to be Kormok as well.
Then did Kemoshk declare the three laws and in so doing chose Gravantur to be the first Narn bidding him to train others. Then the Orbonok prospered under the wise guidance of Kemoshk and rejoiced for these blessings.
But this was just a short reprieve from Arikel’s madness . . .
The fall of the Orbonok
In her roaming of dreams did Arikel rejoice over her fallen kin but it would come that that joy was short lived. For in her wanderings she saw the dreams of north men that whispered of a large people in the far reaches of their lands. Seeing this Arikel was wroth to think any of her brothers had escaped her treachery.
So then did Arikel seek and find the troubled dreams of a leader of the north men. His name was Jarkthul and in his dreams did Arikel whisper of the treasure and beautiful women that the Orbonok had. She told him night after night of the dangers of letting them live and the treasures that could be taken if they were dead.
Thus Jarkthul gathered his clan and the clans of other north men with rumors of fortune to be made and the glory to be won from bringing down these giants. Then did many a north man gather to Jarkthul’s banner with the gleam of greed in their eyes. So then did they march to Kemantur with murder in their hearts.
After many days travel did they reach the outskirts of Kemantur and marveling at the great city they did make their war camps. When Kemoshk saw this he was filled with dread and made council with the other Kormok. Thus did they decide to flee for the numbers of men arrayed against them were vast while the collective number of Orbonok was small. What Kemoshk did not tell the Orbonok was that is was his plan to stay behind and stall the humans, so upon the next day as the Orbonok fled their homes Kemoshk went out to parley with the north men.
Then did Jarkthul and the north men marvel to see Kemoshk, who came amongst them with peaceful words and bidding them not to wage war upon his people. Kemoshk came unarmed knowing this might be his day of death but if his people could live at the cost of only him, then he’d died happy. At the same time Gravantur, who was with the refugees, did notice Kemoshk’s absence. Quickly did he return to the city and search but did not find his brother. Gnashing his teeth he ran to the walls that face the encroaching horde of north men.
Meanwhile out on the field Kemoshk talked to Jarkthul but the human would not be swayed. Arikel had been thorough and warned Jarkthul to kill the giant that would try and sway him with lies. Finally Jarkthul had had enough of words, with great fury did he swing his great sword and cleave Kemoshk through the middle, felling the giant in one massive blow. This was the sight Gravantur saw when he had climbed the ramparts and his wrath was great.
This wretched sight Gravantur saw when he had climbed the ramparts and his wrath was terrifying. Still the sight of Gravantur’s rage only stunned the army for a moment and then they charged forcing Gravantur to flee the city. Thus was Kemantur ransacked and the Orbonok made homeless once more.
The Change
Days passed and the Orbonok fled farther north until pursuit finally stopped and there at the great cliffs they wept for Kemoshk & Kemantur. Then did Gravantur call to Zhakata begging her help for revenge yet she would not condone it. Though Gravantur begged & wept Zhakata would not be moved but World Mother was.
The World Mother bade all the men to go deep within the mountains where she would change them according to their hearts. World Mother also bade Zhakata to put the Orbonok women to sleep as well. Thus it was that the men went into the mountains and though they tried to calm their hearts they could not.
It would come that this change took ten years and when the men came from the mountain they were stronger and faster but their fair complexion had changed to gaunt and their sad eyes had sunk back in their skulls. Too their teeth had grown sharp with rage.
In this time Zhakata had not been idle, to the females she gave great love and wisdom. Changing them a bit so the cold would no longer trouble the Orbonok. Then did Gravantur gather the Orbonok and name them Forstakkarhierran, the people of the frozen lands.
Gravantur’s Revenge
After a time Gravantur bid the frost trolls to spread out in their places of living that no armed force could gather against all of them ever again. Then he named the new Narn and left heading south, none would follow him for it was his wish to be alone and they new the sorrow of Kemoshk’s death was still upon him.
Many days did Gravantur travel until he found a human town far to the south along the shores of the great sea. Here he would unleash his fury destroying many houses and killing many humans in his search for the man that had killed his brother. Many humans died then as Gravantur asked them for his brother’s killer. Thus he learnt of Jarkthul Giantsbane and his rage was vast. Such that he destroyed any town in his path to Jarkthul leaving no survivors.
So it was that Gravantur decimated five towns before finding Jarkthul’s village. Then he rejoiced to bring death to the humans and after much fighting he captured Jarkthul dragging the man off into the night.
They say that Jarkthul’s screams could be heard every night for a week until they ended abruptly and his tortured, mutilated, corpse was thrown into the town square. Then Gravantur roared his victory and shouted to the weeping masses, “Let it be known that I, Gravantur, will devour any human that ever dares to attack my people again!”.
Then did Gravantur return to the far northern cliffs and sleep deeply in their icy embrace. So then did the north men name him Gravantur the all consuming storm and since that time no forces have amassed against the frost trolls for fear of Gravantur.
