Frost Barbarians
Proper Name: Kingdom of (the) Fruztii
Ruler: His Most Warlike Majesty, King Hundgred
Ralffson of the Fruztii (CN male human Bbn13)
Government: Hereditary feudal monarchy; member
of the Northern Alliance
Capital: Krakenheim
Major Towns: Djekul (pop. 3,100), Krakenheim
(pop. 4,500)
Provinces: Thirteen jarldoms (all clan-based) governing
many chieftain-led villages
Resources: Foodstuffs (plus fish), furs, silver, gold,
iron, timber, shipbuilding supplies
Coinage: Kronar (gp), haf-kronar (ep), linnwurm (sp),
thrall (cp)
Population: 144,500—Human 96% (S), Dwarf 2%
(hill 50%, mountain 50%), Halfling 1%, Other 1%
Languages: Cold Tongue, Common
Alignments: CN*, N
Religions: Kord, Llerg, Norebo, Xerbo, Vatun, Syrul
Allies: Ratik, dwarf and gnome clans in Griff and
Corusk Mountains
Enemies: Iuz, Stonehold, North Kingdom, Bone
March, Sea Barons, Ice/Snow Barbarians (sometimes)
Overview: The Frost Barbarians, or Fruztii, dwell in the lands above the Timberway Forest, bounded by the Griff and Corusk Mountains to the west and north. The western edge of the Spikey Forest marks the border with the Snow Barbarians, and the southern and eastern shores of the kingdom of Fruztii end at the waters of Grendep Bay. The climate here is much more temperate than in the northern parts of Rhizia (as the Thillonrian Peninsula is named in the Cold Tongue), and farming is an important part of the economy of the kingdom (though the growing season is short). Fishing is also very important on Grendep Bay, as is mining in the eastern Griffs. However, the most notorious pursuit of the Frost Barbarians is raiding, and it often proves the most lucrative, as well.
Longships of the Frost Barbarians, often in cooperation with the other Suel barbarians, raid southward in spring to pillage along the coast of the new Great Kingdom of Northern Aerdy and sometimes further south. The crews are typical examples of barbarian warriors, wildly brave but rarely disciplined. No lack of discipline afflicts the soldiers of the king of Fruztii, however; his standing army is highly organized and well trained. The king's men are also well armored with chainmail and shield, bearing swords or battle-axes. Several companies of archers and a small force of cavalry based in Djekul are present.
The Fruztii are strongly allied to the Archbarony of
Ratik in the south. Their young king has even married
a beautiful but headstrong Ratikkan noblewoman
eight years his senior. Changes are already
apparent in the royal court at Krakenheim, with
more formal (or "civilized") trappings in the organization
of the government and the military. These
changes do not meet with the approval of many of
the older jarls, but they remain loyal to Hundgred
out of respect for his noble father.