Homebrew Vordtr Species Details

 

That which is called Álfheim is one, where dwell the peoples called Ijosalfar. "The Lightelves are fairer to look upon than the sun, their beauty and power are akin to its radiance. Their Hall Gimle shall survive even when heaven and earth are shattered, I hope that is were I will shall rest at the end of everything." - Odin All Father 
As the Dokkalfar fell to the earth of Odin's judgement, the realm he helped to forge for them was a beautiful with its chaos. The Ijosalfar in their high halls of heaven, looked on with heart heavy in their chest. But not of their fallen brethren but of envy for the unknown and escape from eternal light. To do next what would be out of a darker heart, and below a race as pure that they were, but such a thing was done. The Vor, named after the goddess to beseech her wisdom to them, born from the Ijosalfar, but cut out of the light of heaven, creating a being that could fall from their divine realm, and take a place in their stead. Thus they grew and gained favour of many, steeping far away from the image of unattainable light, and bringing forth with it their own light of protection for the realms, this and many actions gained the giants favour, giving to them their second name of Thorn by the giants, to represent all giant kind and make them as one, to now and forever be known as Vordtr.

— Mimirs Annals, Extract B:102 form the library of the Ember King.

 

Vordtr are beings descended for the light elves of Alfhiem, and blessed by the giants of Jotunn. They are beings of strength and magic, and age eternal, involved in the world around them and passing their ancient knowledge down. Usually residing in high mountain peaks, their homes and kingdoms built as close to the light and heavens as they can make them. When not built high on a mountain range their towers and buildings sore, taller than any, reaching up towards the sky. Vordtr advocate for peace, love and merriment, but also revel in a good fight, and will happily charge forward in defense of the weak or themselves. 

Mighty and Magical

With their Impressive strength and innate magical abilities, many seek to learn of their ways, as such they are wary of neighbouring kingdoms and people. They tend to be quite large in size ranging from 6-10ft tall some exceptions have been seen at 12ft. Most tend to weigh more than humans, but others of their race who are more blessed by their elven ancestry tend to be slimier and resemble fey like beings. Males and females are about the same height, and tend to be the same weight.

Their skin tends to range from a pale white to a slightly more bronzed look. The Vordtr have be known to ingratiate many other races they have grown to trust deeply into their society, letting a variety of skin tones and racial features carry through to their people, but racial features can still be pass down; Eyes of sky blue or a swirling vortex of silver and grey, like looking into a storm. Body hair and generous facial hair have been grown among the more giant inclined people, this has been thought to happen because of the cold environments they tend to favour. Even those of magic, tend to wear, well made armour stuffed with furs. Those who don't wear the usual armours tend to have ethereal clothes golden and silvery in appearance.

Eternal Watchers

Vordtr live as long as elves, but it's said they would live longer if they approached battle more candidly. It said no Vordtr will ever surrender a fight, make a deal, or bargain their way out. Even those morally compromised amongst them still hold true to this virtue. They tend to be cautious people, but those who manage to endare themselves to them find relentless allies. They are watchers of the world letting events unfold before them, but if called upon, or leave their post, they become a force that can turn a war or save a people. If Vordt interfer to much with world affairs they become either a dominant force or a ruling monarchy.

As the mountain ranges they tend to frequent Vordtr are a proud and unwavering people. Known for their battle prowess they will still turn to negotiation if the opportunity presents itself. Any forced incursion to their giant halls, or mead cellars, is met with extreme force, and invaders are quickly rooted out. Usually meeting those in battle with Heavy axes and swords, all Vordtr can handle most weapons.

Descendents of Old

The Vordt powers lie in their lineage. The old elves magic and the Giants strength. The Giants strength comes later out of a war were the Vordt saved countless giants, and people of Eldermere. The giants gave to them the gift of their strength and words. This allowed them to draw power from the old worlds and 9 realms of the Norse cosmology. This also connected them more deeply to their ancestors and the giants runic magic. While most of the Vordt live in their great wooden halls and towering castles, either training their blades or forging armour, others live in the mountain sides around these large cities, turning the icy rock, and snow covered tundra, into lush green fields and fertile forest land. Finding a Vordt city in the mountains, is like an Oasis in the dessert. Blizzards and rocky terrain will halt immediately as beautiful cedar forests and lush wildlands, as if looking through a window into another world. There buildings heavily inspired by the nordic, elven and giant influences. 

Vordt are rarely encountered outside of their homes. But when this does happen they are usually as batisons or guards of influential cities and people. Experienced Blacksmiths and scholars seeking knowledge.

Valiant Warriors and Sages

Vordt are usually adventures to gain experience in the outside world. Wishing to either grow their battle skills or discover the world and learn of its secrets.Vordt that venture out in search for battle often find themselves participating in mercenary work, or aligning themselves with paladin guilds.They usually find favour with these guild and clerics, even tho worshipping separate deities, they are attuned with and have great respect for the gods and other races beliefs. Those that venture for knowledge and magics, have been known to adapt easily having innate magics already residing in them, their giants blood giving them a hardiness that not all scholars are known for. These Sages seek out ruins and magics of the old worlds, some tho venture deep into the unknown wilderness, seeking truth not from these old texts and ruins but from the land itself.

Strong and Wise

Although famed for their strength the Vordtr are an old and wise race who have offered knowledge to the world for centuries. Kings and emperors have travelled far to gain not only their old world magics and knowledge but as sword and shield by their side.

Dwarves. “Dwarves are cut from the same cloth as us. They are etched in our history, and are stubborn and almost as hard headed. If called to battle there are none other we would have by our side. We shall always be at odds tho on who can forge the better steel"

Halflings. “These small ones take stock in their humility and good nature. We should do well to learn from them as our pride always let us fall short of what we could be. Those that tend to our lands tho skilled could still learn from them. A hardy people showing us our place when we think ourselves more important than we are.

Humans. “Humans tend to put us on guard. They have stolen much from us in the past, but in turn they have suffered by our hand, when peace should have prevailed. Tho the most malice seem to be the worst of all races, the most kind of them outshine the good gracious of any, and we have welcomed many of those into our halls."

Vordtr Names

The Names of the Vordtr reflect their ancestors, but tend to lead toward nordic influences. As their child grows into adulthood they can be given additions to their names depending on their actions, these are called titles. Those that do good or evil are given titles accompanying their names, these titles can describe an event or something akin to that person eg. Troll Eater or Rock Breaker. Tho titles are usually awarded to a significant event or actions of renowned. This tradition has carried over into the world as a whole and many races do this as well. Sometimes Vordtr will recognise an outsider or one of their own, for something so astounding it may have thought impossible or unthinkable to do so. At these times those people can be gifted names of Old, which bring with them powers of the ancestors. 

Male Names: Arne, Njal, Roar, Rune, Sten, Skarde, Sune, Svend, Troels, Toke, Torsten, Trygve, Ulf, Ødger, Åg

Female Names: Astrid, Bodil, Frida, Gertrud, Gro, Estrid, Hilda, Gudrun, Gunhild, Helga, Inga, Liv, Randi, Signe

Vordtr Traits

Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of elven refinement.

Ability Score Increase

You plus one to all your stats. While also adding a plus 1 to Strength Constitution or Wisdom.

Age

Vordtr live as long as elves, but it's said they would live longer if they approached battle more candidly. Typical life span is around 800 years. Vordtr age the same as humans in terms of approaching maturity and are considered adults around 18-20. 

Alignment

Vordtr earned a lot of their racial benefits though their actions. Because of that most Vordtr believe taking  steps towards helping and saving those around yield them good favor in kind, weather it be by other races or the gods above. Most of the Vordtr lean towards good alignments.

Size

Vordtr range from 6 to over 8ft tall and have bulky builds but only if more of the giant side passes though. Your size is Medium. In exceptional cases your size can be 12ft. Your size is large now.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Runic Magic

You may choose one of the four ruins listed here, that will help guide you on your journey:

 

Áa (Land)

No obstacle stays your path, with leaps and bounds akin to giants of old, you move through all land with legs of giants might. For a minute your speed increase by 30ft. You also ignore difficult terrain.

Illd (Body)

The Iron stomach of giants. Those that starved in the ancient lands of Jotunn during the never ending battles with the Aesir give you the fortitude to weather any hardship. You have proficiency in Constitution saving throws. And may ignore the poisoned condition.

Fjall (Might)

Those ancient beings that lifted mountains and broke the lands with a foot fall, their strength now passed down onto you. Your strength increases by 2, for one minute and you add a d6 to your attacks. 

Byrõr (Life)

This magic comes from the Vanir and the giants that learned of their earth magic.You can choose to, for a minute stand in one position unmoving. All plants and life grows as if it had over a 10 year period. All creatures in a 15ft circle gain 1d10 plus your wisdom modifier. Any movement from this position dispels all effects immediately. If standing in the same place is done over a 24 hour period all plant life that grew remains.

 

Thunders Heir

You are immune to lightning damage.

Alfhiem Heritage

You gain access to the following spells:

Plant Growth

Enlarge

Call Lightning

Languages

The Elven you speak is a harsher and older dialect than what is used today. Tho it would be noted by others who speak Elvish that it is a more traditional version. The Giant language has been unchanged for eons, as well as its written form that invoke power and stories.