Race Idea - Jotun

Would it be okay if I posted information on a race I'm thinking of?

Sure, go ahead. That's what this board is for.

Jotuns -
Jotuns are a humanlike predator race found to the north-west. They range from as small as 50 feet, to up to 100 feet. Physically, they are a lot like humans, but with certain differences. They have pointed ears, tusks and a tail that resembles that of a cow.

Jotun dress in simple clothes, the leather farmed from large beasts that live far to the North-west. Jotun also like to tatto themselves. A common trait among Jotuns is that they have very messy hair. Jotun are tribal and live in a large cavern system in clans. Jotun really value family. Thus a Jotun that has lost it's family often becomes very depressed or despondant and will constantly wander, looking for some place to belong. They are generally friendly and enthusiastic, with a love for the fun parts of life, although they have a serious side dealing with honour and family. Jotuns have a high tolerance and love of alchoholic beverages. Like most Felaryan predator species, there seems to be a much larger concentration of females in the population and the males do not really have dominance. Thus, most Jotun males keep several mates, or several mates keep them. Usually there is one male for a small clan of Jotun.

It is common to see a bit of a packrat trait in some Jotun. Jotun's often hunt larger animals and like to take the skins of those or the skins of already dead beasts, often making simple clothes. They also collect bones and rocks and make simple weapons. But Jotun's like treasure most of all and will pick up anything shiny. Some other predators are disdainful of this, feeling the Jotun are less "wild". But the Jotun don't intend any of these things for real practical use - they just like making and collecting stuff. Jotuns use treasure to decorate their cavern, trade them with other Jotun, or give them out as small gifts. Of course, Jotun's don't have a comparative value system for human sized treasure. A Jotun may give you what they consider a shiny sword, but is a powerful magical artefact.

Jotuns are a predator species and see smaller things mostly as food, anything really. Jotuns believe in reincarnation, so they don't really see the problem with eating people. (The Jotun religion states that you are reborn as an even better person if you try hard in your life. A Jotun who reaches the pinnacle of honour then gets into Jotun heaven, where there is fighting and feasting for all time.) A hungry Jotun will eat anything, though some have odd eating habits. The absolute favourtie Jotun meal is elf females, followed by human females. (Jotun will insist females taste better. They can't explain why when asked. That's just the way it's always been. Why else would the ancient Jotun capture so many princesses?) However, one cannot expect to escape because of eating preferences. The chance that there is enough of a particular race or sex to satisfy them in the general area is slim.

Jotun's are proud of their powerful digestive system. To protect their stomachs, the Jotuns have developed a curious reverse digestive system - inorganic materials are digested long before organic and harder ones first. Thus, a soldier swallowed by a Jotun will find their sword, armour or guns destroyed almost instantly, removing a chance to use them to escape. Jotuns can also hold off their digestive systems with remarkable control, saving a meal in their stomach until they need the food. Some Jotun brag that they have learned how to even digest individual prey among a group in their stomach - but for now this is assumed to be a rumour.

Jotuns have a very complex and ancient system of honour, which could fill a book with all the rules and regulations. You have to check twice to make sure a Jotun is actually on your side. When a Jotun has figured out what it's fighting for, it can be very dangerous, as they are raised as children on tales of valour of the ancient Jotun and many strive to be as mighty as their heroes, who slew the mightiest beasts, rescued the most beautiful Jotun maidens and found the most delicious princesses to eat.

Jotun mainly stick to the Efisga Valley, in the mountains to the North West. If you go there, you have a good chance of running into one. It is good in this situation to know Jotun feeding habits. If the Jotun is not hungry, you may be able to just befriend it right there. You have to be very courteous and some flattery helps as well.

If the Jotun is hungry, then you're prey. Jotun admire strength and intelligence - outwit them long enough and they may let you go out of respect. However, most humans aren't capable of impressing a Jotun. If they do catch you, you can still talk your way out of it, if you keep calm. There are certain things to avoid. Begging, bribing and threats get you nowhere. Above all do NOT try to offer someone else as food. Jotuns hate what they see as traitors.

One way to try is to ask the Jotun to listen to your life tale, so it may be recorded. This requires someone with very good storytelling abilities. If the Jotun is impressed enough by it, they may befriend you. Another way is ask the Jotun for a challenge. Challenges cannot be physical ones (You already had the chance to run). A common one is a Riddle Contest, where you trade riddles to try to trick one another. Jotun love riddles and if you keep a game going long enough, they may let you go even if you lose.

The area with the largest number of Jotun is the area called Jotunsberg in the Efisga Valley, where Jotun families live in caves carved all along and up the side of the mountain, with most of the caves connected behind the rock wall as well. There is also a tribe of humans here that are actually allied with the Jotun and are protected by and from them.

----

Efisga Valley (Home of the Jotun and Others)

Previous thread with Trolls:

https://felarya.forumotion.com/new-ideas-f2/halloween-inspired-ideas-t850.htm

That is just wierd... Similar in some ways, even though I didn't see that. Well, I better change the name...edit time.

This is an idea related to the Jotun, but something I feel influences Felarya as a whole. While starting with the Jotuns, it is among many of the religions found across Felarya. This is more of a new religion idea.

The Jotun Religion

The Jotun have a rich religion and cultural history. Their religion is not restricted to their homeland, being common in the Cold Zones to the north as well, spread by Jotun Explorers. It can even be found among the many religions that are endemic to Negav City - there has even been a Jotun Temple built there! It is estimated that soon the Jotun may not be the majority practicing their own religion. Followers call it the "Jotun Path" or "The Endless Path".

The basis of the religion is the Circle. Jotun believe that nothing has or ever had an ending or a beginning. There simply is. Thus, whenever a person dies, they are reincarnated, traveling along the circle, their new life reflecting how well they led their last one. All dead souls are judged by the Jotun Gods. A follower who has done something extremely honourable may be allowed in the "Center" of the circle, ensured a paradise.

There are a few things Jotun consider are needed to be in favour with the gods. One must maintain honour, one must be able to fight to defend (wether through strength, trickery or magic), one must reject fear and one must seek the truth. These are the four basic points of the belief. Jotun honour includes a variety of guidelines, on fighting, hunting, helping the less fortunate and other matters.

Eating others is not seen as a crime. The Jotun path states that survival of the fittest is the correct way of the universe - as everyone is reborn, no one should have fear of death or fear of killing and eating is a natural instinct. The prey cannot blame the predator for being hungry, any more than the predator can blame the prey for escaping.

As mentioned, there are followers of the Jotun Path across all of Felarya. Followers from other species sometimes identify themselves with a tattoo of a circle with a raven drawn inside - this is supposed to represent the shield of the primary Jotun Goddess, Idex. There are only a few Jotun gods who are prayed to for various problems, being four major ones known to all followers. It is accepted that they will come to the aid of those they consider worthy.

The encouragement of dispelling of fear or doubt has made this a unique religion in that it is followed by both prey and predator species. Many people admire the religion as a way to cope with the mind-numbing panic that most little people feel when they are wandering in Felarya.

Jotun Deities.

Idex – Idex is the primary Jotun Goddess. She is portrayed as a tall strong Jotun, with ice blue long hair and eyes, carrying her sword and shield, spear and axe and is often depicted using a large raven as her mount, the raven known as Thrum. She is brave and stubborn. She is the goddess of ice, winter, moon, bravery, honour, determination, hunting, survival and battle. She is also the goddess of death, taking honourable Jotun after they have fallen.

Knalid – Knalid is the clever giant human husband of Idex and is the god of the lakes, rivers and streams. During winter, it is said he lives on the highest peak with Idex. When the spring thaw comes, he leads the melting water through Felarya to the sea. It is said that he often travels among mortals as a mysterious wanderer, bringing changes in fortune. He is the god of water, waterways, the ocean, sailors, merchants, travelers, mages, cunning, artisans and luck.

Egalle – Egalle is the centaur goddess of the forest. She is said to be a pale, beautiful rangitaur that moves quietly through the forest. She keeps watch over all the plants and animals. When winter comes, she leads the animals safely to their burrows to hibernate. It is said she will also appear to guide those lost in the snows back to their home, especially children. She is the goddess of the forest, sunlight, animals, plants, farming, family and the home.

Navala – Navala is the naga godess of fire. She is portrayed as being strong and beautiful, with golden hair and dressed in ornate armour. She is said to have been the daughter of a fire titan who swallowed her at birth, afraid of her future power. She survived, using her hard scales and the heat of his belly to forge a dagger with which she escaped and killed him. She is the silent goddess of fire, revenge, warriors, war, miners, blacksmiths and weaponmakers.

----

Ah’tek – Ah’tek is a feared figure in Jotun Mythology. She is a dark elf goddess and half-sister of Idex, often portrayed as being carried by her harpy daughter, Suja, the goddess of cowards, fear and dishonor. Ah’tek is said to create storms in an attempt to break down the mountains and flood the world, but that she is always foiled by Idex. She is the goddess of storms, harsh winds, lightening, thunder, disease, unfortunate death and treachery.

Great idea here ! I especially like the detail on each gods. Great work !

We just need to find a name XD

Great work! It seems well suited to Felarya. I particularly like the idea of prey species adopting the religion so as to cope with their own fear.

Satyrs and fauns
Also called the Children of Pan, Sons of Pan or Daughters of Gia, they look exacly like the sound: Half goat, half human. The upper half of both are exeddingly beautiful, despite some human descriptions.They are about the same size as humans, slightly taller, and tend to have an omnivorus diet. They will sometimes farm, though it's more common amoung fauns, and hunt heavily, sometimes eating small prey whole and alive. Also, much like humans, there has been a battle between the sexes going on for ages, actually resulting in the formation of what could be called two different races. Much like Dridders, both gender simply mate outside their own kind. Unlike Dridders, the offspring produced is not always the same sex as the Satyr or Faun parent. This can result in some major issues, as each gender lives permenatly in their own communties.

To compare either group to the other is highly insulting, and to generalize them as Children of Pan in front of them is practically suicide. Each fiecrely believes that they are better then the other: Satyrs are crude, lecherious, and primative, and fauns are too sensitive, moody, and weak. There has only ever been one recorded case of two of this race pairing, and that was in legend, between Marick the Younger and Medes of the Forest. Though most of them would tell you the idea is revolting, this legend is intrical in both cultures.

For instance, the basis of what is beautiful to both is heavily based on this story. For instance, a Faun with dark red, curly hair and deep green eyes is held in the highest regard. That is, if she sufficently proves herself. Also, it is thought that the tradition of sending young Satyrs into the wilderness to survive was started by this tale as well. There is even something called the Ordeal of Medes, a hellish punishment given only to the harshest of criminals


just an idea, what do you think?

Uhm... is there a reason for the post above this one? Just wondering... Just going over this thread again for ideas and noticed it...

I guess not ^^;

Where the heck are the Jotuns' tusks located? Are they like an elephant/warthog's tusks? Or do they grow IN the mouth and pierce through the face like a Babirusa? Are they Fangs or are they just Horns?

The closest thing I could compare is the tusks the trolls have in world of warcraft. Another good comparison from that is the comparison in tusk size between males and females. On females its actually pretty small, though quite large and noticeable on males. Sort of like elephants, or boars.