Culture & Lifestyle

The Thojkel are a hardy and disciplined people, valuing strength and resilience above all. Living in the northern wastes of Bravøllr, they form scattered clans and villages around icy landmarks and towering mountains. Their culture revolves around survival in their harsh, frigid homeland, which fosters their independent and somewhat aloof nature. Despite their stern exterior, the Thojkel have a strong sense of duty and camaraderie within their clans, often working together to ensure their survival. Clans are fiercely loyal, and while outsiders may find them cold or unwelcoming, the bonds within these groups are deep.
  In battle, Thojkel are relentless warriors, rarely tiring and able to endure extended periods of combat without fatigue. While they are a practical people, they take pride in their craftsmanship, particularly when it comes to building strongholds and tools suited for their massive frames and icy environment. They also tell tales of a hidden city beneath the ice, a place of legend that even they claim is near impossible to find.
 

Physiology & Appearance

Standing between 8 and 10 feet tall and weighing up to 1000 pounds, the Thojkel are a towering and formidable race. Their skin ranges from pale blue to frosty azure, often smooth yet appearing cold and clear, reminiscent of ice. While they are strongly built with broad limbs and powerful muscles, they tend to have more slender waists and torsos, giving them a lean, almost athletic appearance despite their immense strength.
  Their bodies naturally exude cold, making them icy to the touch, and they are highly resistant to cold environments. However, they struggle in hot climates and must take precautions when venturing into warmer lands. Despite their size, Thojkel require less food than expected and can go without nourishment for long periods, a trait evolved to withstand the sparse resources of their homeland.
 

Religion, Spirituality, & Beliefs

The Thojkel worship the Giant Pantheon. Their primary deities are Annam, the All-Father, and Thrym, the lord of frost and cold. Reverence for these figures permeates their daily lives, with rituals often taking place during the harshest snowstorms, which they see as a gift and a test from the gods.
  The Thojkel believe that strength and endurance are divine virtues, a reflection of the gods' own power. Many Thojkel warriors seek to embody the might of their ancestors, calling upon the spirits of long-dead giants for guidance and strength. Shamans and spiritual leaders, often known as frost seers, play an important role in their society, interpreting signs from the gods and leading rituals to honor them.
 

Culture & Way of Life

Life among the Thojkel is centered around survival and strength. While they possess great physical power, they are also practical, making use of what little resources are available in their cold homeland. Thojkel settlements are built around communal efforts, with hunting, crafting, and defensive tasks shared equally among clan members.
  Despite their aggressive and gruff demeanor, Thojkel take pride in hospitality, but it is shown through action, not warmth. A stranger may be invited into a Thojkel home, offered food and shelter, but without smiles or kind words. For them, deeds speak louder than words.
  Combat training is a significant part of Thojkel life, with many taking up arms from a young age. However, they are also skilled in ice craft, using frozen water and cold-resistant metals to forge weapons, tools, and armor.
 

Social Structure & Values

Thojkel society is based on strength, both physical and mental. Clans are led by the strongest and most cunning among them, usually proven in battle or survival against the elements. Leadership is earned, not given, and respect is garnered through feats of endurance, prowess, and loyalty to the clan.
  While individualism is valued, there is also a strong sense of community within their clans. The Thojkel are fiercely protective of their own, and while they may appear aloof or hostile, the bonds between them are unbreakable.
  In their values, honesty and directness are prized traits. The Thojkel disdain subterfuge and manipulation, seeing such tactics as weaknesses. They are straightforward in their actions, whether in battle or in daily life.
 

Relations with Other Races

Due to their size and the icy aura they emit, the Thojkel tend to keep to themselves. While they are not outright hostile to other races, they find it difficult to navigate smaller settlements, and their cold demeanor often creates distance. When interacting with other races, they prefer those who share their values of strength and resilience, such as dwarves or goliaths.
  In warmer lands, the Thojkel are often regarded with suspicion, as their size and frostbound nature can be intimidating. However, when trust is earned, they prove to be reliable allies.
 

Myth & Legend

Among the Thojkel, legends abound of a hidden city beneath the ice, a sprawling giant metropolis lost to time. According to the tales, this city was the original homeland of their people, ruled by frost giants of unimaginable power. It is said that within the city lie treasures of immense value and the knowledge of the first giants, who could bend the elements to their will.
  Thojkel shamans speak of ancient spirits that roam the ice fields, guardians of the frozen lands and keepers of ancient wisdom. These spirits are believed to watch over the Thojkel and test their worth through harsh winters and treacherous storms.