The nordanbjorn are mighty sapient bears. They are led by the bjornajarl, Thorek Ironhide. He lives in a cave halfway up a mountain with his sleuth of lesser bears (14.00). The nordanbjorn have few material possessions and no knowledge of technology; however, they have a rich oral culture and their epic sagas recount events that may have occurred many centuries ago. One of Thorek Ironhide’s subordinates is an old bear-bard named One-Eyed Kevanjr, who is said to be able to recite in their entirety seven sagas of seven days’ duration each.
The bjornajarl does not spend much time in his cave, for he is usually roaming the lands of his marche, an area deemed to be under his protection. Within these lands, monsters are much less prevalent, but instead it is possible to meet the Winterjarl or some other bears. Any attempt to disrupt the peace of the marche is dealt with harshly. The people who live in the marche have no choice in the matter, but most of them greatly respect Ironhide for bringing peace to their lands.
The Zoar Rajak (11.01) feel differently. They believe that Ironhide is responsible for the blight upon their oak trees, that he is dabbling with foul sorceries from an accursed cave high up on his mountain. Meticulous explorers will discover that there is indeed a cave from which eerie lights issue on cloudy nights (15.00); but this cave is higher than the one where the nordanbjorn traditionally dwell. Thorek Ironhide scoffs at the goblins’ accusations and denies even the existence of the upper cave.
Connections
- The small village that was founded by the troll Prophet of Grahakzahak (15.01) is part of the marche of the bjornajarl as are the Skullcrusher orcs (13.01) who are more peaceful than their name suggests.
- The acolytes of the Farthest Hermitage (15.00) pay tribute to the winterjarl in the form of manual labor.
- The villagers of Ritethal (18.03) are strangely diligent when it comes to paying tribute to the winterjarl, even though they live far from his cave.
- One-Eyed Kevanjr’s sworn enemy is Arinlag Fivefish, who currently lives in exile (35.04) after losing a duel to him over the hand of Thorek’s daughter.
- The previous jarl of the bears lies frozen not far from here (14.01).
- The nordanbjorn feud with the owl-riding strigoi.
Hooks
- Who else lives within the marche?
- What is the truth behind the dispute between the goblins and the bears?
- Where else have the nordanbjorn established themselves in this world?
