Homebrew Bluddgolch Viking Species Details

Who are the Bluddgolch?

The Bluddgolch are a people residing exclusively along the Bluddcoast - a gulf that makes up a significant portion of the Guardian Isles' northern coastline.  Life on the cold sea makes them hard of body and mind when performing duty, but they are known to be compassionate with friends and freely giving of their own provisions.  They are proud and tall, and broad of shoulder -- perhaps the largest of all men at an average of 7.5 units tall.

What is the culture of the Bluddgolch?

According to their own history, the Bluddgolch are a warrior race from the faraway Celestial Sphere, Elleposs.  There, they lived as in paradise: sailing the endless oceans, seeking glory in combat with the great serpents of the deep, and protecting their waters with ferocious honor.  When their paradise was attacked, they were summoned to battle by the Guardian Rufus who called them his sons and daughters.  So they left their Elleposs to secure the future of all those who lived.   

Now, in the Guardian Isles the Bluddgolch seek to live as their ancestors did; compassionately giving of themselves for the sake of others.  The Bluddcoast is their home, but they are a roaming people who rarely leave their great wooden ships.  Small settlements dot the coastline hidden by trees and snow, holding provisions for the occasional resupply or overnight docking. When young, they will often take the name of their mother or father until their 10th birthday, when they are named by the Matriarch of their clan.  

In the few villages that congregate regularly, the words of the Diarchy are given out.  The Viking Queen rules matters of state and culture, and the Viking Lord presides over military and justice.  In times of peace, the Queen rules - and in war, the Lord.  Currently Queen Astra and Lord Thundaar rule over the Bluddgolch as a married couple, and they live in the largest permanent settlement: the capital of Froolki, the Pine Skyline.

How do Bluddgolch military units operate?

The Bluddgolch are oft called War Turtles, because of their slow and observant approach to battle.  The shield is a non-negotiable for most professional militia, who pair them with maces or short swords.  Stealth is where the Bluddgolch truly shine, however.  Moving silently through magical darkness and mists summoned by their Matriarchs and Magi, they quickly overtake blind or unexpecting forces either up close, or from afar with their mighty Quailbows.  

What are their Clans?

Unlike their close kin the Hislanders, Bluddgolch Clans are not operational bodies - rather, it is their word for family.  Each family lives on a Longboat captained by a Matriarch, and is represented by a coat of arms.  One such example is that of Clan Goldoar who live in the Longboat Goldoar.  Their coat of arms is, aptly, two golden oars crossed over a blue field.

Who is Guardian Rufus?

Guardian Rufus is the chief 'Deity" figure of the Bluddgolch, and is the Lieutenant of the powerful Guardian figures, who serve as a manifestation of a race’s strength and ideals, and acts as the liaison between their people and the Divine One, Elorha.

Rufus represents Compassion, Honor, Consideration, and Oceans

 

Bluddgolch Viking Traits

The Bluddgolch are strong and friendly, if a bit slow.

War Turtle

You have +2 Dexterity, +1 Strength, +1 Constitution, and +1 Charisma BUT -1 Wisdom and -1 Intelligence

Shipwrights and Seafarers

Ships are as much a part of the Clan as each individual.  All Bluddgolch therefore, have a deep knowledge of boats and are able to build and repair them without difficulty.  Also, balance is never an issue as your body is perfectly attuned to the ebb and flow of water.

Homeland is where the Heart Is

The Bluddgolch are silent warriors by nature, and are experts at war within the bounds of their homeland; but they are made uncomfortable by city-streets, where the ground is hard and the navigation stars are blocked by roof and torchlight.

You have proficiency in nature, and roll with advantage on ability checks when in a forested or coastline environment, BUT roll with disadvantage on ability checks when in a city environment.  Also, when in a nature environment, roll with advantage on stealth checks.

Languages

Gulchspeek is very similar to Hislish, and their writing system is considered the standard for the Guardian Isles.