Ymirkin
Appearance
The tall, grey-skinned people native to the sub-arctic lands of Kalevala are skilled hunters, crafters and traders who believe that they are, in fact, the shortest of the ‘Giant’ races and descended from a union between the Frost Giant Ymir and the nature deity Mielikki. They hence call themselves the Ymirkin, although to the rest of the Empire they are known by the somewhat more descriptive name of ‘Goliath’.
When first encountered by the Empire conflict immediately arose as the Ymirkin knew that the Empire desired control over their ancestral lands. Various attempts to conquer Kalevala took place, with mixed degrees of success, but eventually in the year 188 IC the Ymirkin agreed to join the Empire in exchange for a relatively high degree of autonomy.
There are a few Imperial controlled towns and forts in Kalevala but most settlements are Ymirkin run. Ymirkin however can be found throughout the northern Empire and are particularly common in Chundria and Thorast.
Lifespan
Ymirkin lifespans are broadly comparable with, but a little longer than, that of Humans. Ymirkin mature in their late teens and can live up to 120 years.
Origins
Religion
Ymirkin primarily worship the nature deity, Mielikki, whom they believe they are directly descended from.
Culture
Ymirkin culture is based around the emulation of feats of great heroes and their oral history centres on the champion, Vainamoinen (a ‘Gilgamesh’ like character who battles gods and fiends for glory and honour). Ymirkin children are taught to value strength (not just physical but also mental and emotional) and to protect what is theirs.
Originally it was thought that all Ymirkin had dark skin markings that were hereditary but Ymirkin tribes actually just have a common tribal tattoo. Ymirkin all have raven black hair. Although Ymirkin men usually shave off their body hair some do grown their hair and beards out.
Ymirkin are all fluent in “High Merebian” and also “Ymir-speak”. Ymir-speak is a simple runic language designed to be carved into rock and to convey very simple ideas and many Ymirkin prefer High Merebian or even Dwarven as a written language.
Outlook
As a people, Ymirkin tolerate Humans and even begrudgingly respect their achievements. Many Ymirkin would like to get along better with Dwarves but find Dwarven humour and culture difficult to relate to. Elves are considered to be interesting but too self-absorbed. Gnomes are seen as odd little creatures but are respected because of their mutual love of storytelling. Ymirkin and Tieflings surprisingly get on very well; they both desire self-improvement and they have both feel somewhat side-lined by human culture.
