The Northmen are a non-humankin but humanoid race of peoples that dwell in the northern parts of Odenseye. Commonly called the Norts by outsiders, these hardy and tall folk have made their way in the world through both their prowess in combat and their ability to survive in nearly any situation that is thrown at them. From raiding to farming, the Northmen are skilled and durable, eking out a living in even the most difficult of circumstances. The average height of a Northman is around 6'8, but this size can vary wildly between people, with some of the largest Norts being well over seven feet tall.
Language[]
The Northmen language is one of the oldest on the continent, and its current form exists in an almost identical fashion to the Nortish dialect spoken centuries ago. It is rolling and sharp, and few but the native speakers can truly capture the nuances of the flowing words.
Letter Sounds[]
Norts use many letters in similar ways to the trade tongue. However, there are a few outliers, as well as a few modifications to existing letters that specify a way to correctly pronounce them, no matter where they are or what they are surrounded by.
– D-yeh – Starts with “D” sound and transitions immediately into a hard "Y" sound, coming out together as "De-yeh". The Correct pronunciation of Karlmaðr, for example, would be “Karl-Mah-dyeh-r
– ee – For example, Frolì is pronounced Fro-lee.
– A very heavy and short "O" sound, almost sounding like “Ah”.
– A slight modification to a normal A that indicates a pronunciation of “Ah” .
– Long O, usually used when a normal O would be too ambiguous.
– Hard "Y" sound in the trade tongue, modified by the vowel that comes after, as in "yes". For example, the "J" in the Nortish word "Jað" would be pronounced "Yah", interacting with the "a" to form a complete sound.
– long U sound in the trade tongue when used as a vowel. Kyfìr, for example, is pronounced “Koo-feer”
– A prefix, essentially, that indicates that the next letters should be rolled when pronounced. Most commonly appears before double "r"s, though not exclusively. Can make either long or short “E” sound depending on context.
– Pf sound. Both pronounced normally, one after the other.
List of words[]
Below you may find a handy list of Northmen words, arranged alphabetically.
- Aðì – Thank you
- Aleinn – Ale/Beer
- Bet – batch
- Bjǫrn – Bear
- ðrekker – Serpent
- Eru – Are
- fá – Find
- Feur – pour
- Fróð – art/drawings
- Fyrir – for
- Gerannarrr – Make Another
- Hetch – hatch
- Hìja – Us
- Höls – Passed
- ia – You
- Iar – Your
- Istumajì – Fat, fat gut
- Jað – Yes
- Joðr – good
- Kala – Fall
- Karlmaðr – Old man
- Karlvìf – old woman
- Kölmen – Confirm
- Kyfìr – quick/quickly
- Lì – Go
- Lìda – Go and
- Lö – come
- Löda – Come and
- Louv - love
- Mana – Star
- Mät – Mark/Insignia
- Niðr – down
- Öa – I/Me/I am
- Öad – My/mine
- Ök – and
- Oneanvérr – Close ones, family
- Orr - Our
- Sevelì - Hello
- Sìvl – Sail(s)
- Skyl – Servant
- Svatr - Black
- Svìja - see
- Svölt - Scouts
- Þrymja – Thunder
- Uv – of
- Vaðir – Father
- Vérr'll – we’ll
- Vìfida – Maiden
- Vìfika – Whore
- vikr – Alive
- Vjeðì – you’re welcome
- Vjell – Well/Okay
Culture[]
The Northmen culture is rich with stories, songs, and sagas.
Songs[]
Down the Hatch[]
“Niðr hetch, niðr hetch, feur aleinn niðr hetch ok vér'll gerannarrr bet, annarr bet, annarr bet, fyrir oneanvérr louv!”
"Down the hatch, Down the hatch, pour the ale down the hatch and we'll make another batch, another batch, another batch, for the ones we love!"
Stories and sagas[]
The Northmen keep meticulous records, whether preserved in paper or by the tongue. Foremost among these is the story of the Great Father, the creator of the Norts and the greatest god who ever lived. He dominated the World Serpents, domesticating them and wrapping them around his arms, though he lost an eye in doing so. Many believe that he is the same being that exists in the ancient myth of Se'Vikoral and North Elysia, named Odenskalla, but there is much debate on this subject, as the only evidence for this comparison is both deities missing an eye.