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Gulldahn: Eisengarm clans: History

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The Eisengarm Clans were historically a very secluded people. With their homes built high in the mountains North of Dahnizya very few dared to venture to make contact. For some time it was even questioned whether the Eisengarm existed at all. Any who did dare climb the mountains never returned, assumed to have perished to the weather or fearsome beasts. Some even believed the Eisengarm to be beasts themselves. The few tales of people in the mountains told of large relentless warriors, half human, half wolf. These myths however were just that, myths.

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In reality the Eisengarm were what remains of the various mining settlements of the Ancients. The Ancients selected the hardiest

workers to go with them in to mountains and mine the metals used in their great cities. When the Ancients disappeared the workers found themselves isolated and stranded. Many had been born and raised in the mountains and knew nothing of the world below. Without the Ancients to protect them from the beasts they sheltered in the mines that they had carved in to the rocks. This safety however was short lived as they quickly began to run out of food. They knew that they must venture out and become the hunters. The older workers took it upon themselves to learn how to use the mighty smelters previously built by the Ancients to assist humans. They used this knowledge to create weapons and armor for the young who were to become hunters.

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It did not take long for hunters from different mines to meet in the wilderness. This often led to conflict as no hunting group wanted to give up their prey. Some mines were brought to an end because of this harsh reality. If the hunters could not bring back enough meat then the entire mine would starve. The cold environment did not allow for crops to be grown as an alternative. One hunting party happened to stumble across a mine that had met this fate. The hunt-master was sickened to see the results of their selfish gathering. His mine often enjoyed glorious banquets after taking down mammoth beasts. He knew something had to change.

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The hunt-master decided to seek out other mines and make peace with them. He wanted to bring together all of the mines under one banner. This way the more powerful mines could assist those that were struggling. He started to domesticate the wolves that were abundant in the mountains. They could then be used to transport between mines. The more docile beasts were also to be farmed instead of outright hunted to near extinction. This newly formed network of mines soon became known as the Eisengarm Clans. Shaped by the ordeals they faced against nature itself, these people became some of the hardiest warriors in all of the Continent.

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Not all of the Eisengarm clans heeded the call, however. One of the largest clans started committing raids on the smaller settlements, thinking themselves above all others, why should they submit their power to others? This bred open conflict between the unified Eisengarm and the Clansmen of the Red Claw, led by one Leisha the Red. Her Raiders brought no less than two settlements to near ruin. Were it not for the Hunt-master's decisive action, they could have been lost and more. When the Red Claw came back, they didn't encounter desperate defenders, but well trained troops. A mere handful, shield in hand, easily held the mouth of the mining complexes, superior numbers proving detrimental in small spaces. This then led to a full-blown stalemate, long enough for a hunt to come back from patrol and thoroughly trap them. The Red Claw Raiders were decimated, Leisha the Red and a handful of troops managed to escape the trap and are still, to this day, at large.

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This quality was used to great effect in the third Gulldahnian war. The Dahnizyan Kingdom sought out the Eisengarm hoping they would be the weapon that turned the tide of war. That is exactly what happened. When the Eisengarm first took the field alongside the Dahnizyan army, many of the Gullajran soldiers reportedly fled the field. They had heard the tales of horrific half human, half beast warriors and could only conclude the Dahnizyans had coaxed them to their aid.

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Appearance and Approach

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An Expedition or unit of troops is reffered to as a "Hunt". Ranged fighters are "Hunters", Melee troops are refferred to as "Raiders". It is common for Hunts to include Raiders in the mix when at war, but in Eisengarm culture, it is encouraged to specialize in your field. It is rare for a fighter to be equally skilled in both, those who do are often deemed to be less useful to a hunt. Hunters will bring knives or short blades to skin animals or defend themselves in a pinch but if they are ranged hunters, that's their proficiency. Pistols are scarce in Eisengarm as they sacrifice accuracy and range for concealment, a reminder of when outside tribes sent in infiltrators to start a panic while their troops stormed the mine.

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The lands of the Eisengarm, if you can call frozen over rocky mountains "Land", Is not well suited for human habitation. Clothing is therefore practical and life preserving. Very little is done solely for decoration. Boots are tall, Coats and cloaks are long and armor is designed to protect against man and voracious beast alike. Most decoration or styling is based around striking fear into opponents. Grey and white wolf pelts are worn when it is cold, many wear wolf head trophies on their heads to give the look of wild beasts when hunting or fighting. Higher up members (Leaders of troops in Eisengarm are referred to as a "Skawl") often have armor with gilding and intricately patterned fabric in their clothing, but this is only as an accent to their kit. Survival is the highest priority. No necklaces or Pendants that could be used to strangle you, no rings that could freeze to your fingers in the harsh climates. Any trophies or salvage is often tied to their Hunt's banner as a mark of victory.

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Armour is generally flexible to be able to keep low while hunting or to run from predators when needed. Maille is common, kept under a long coat to keep it from freezing and becoming brittle. Helmets are worn under pelts, worn over thick padding to separate bare skin from cold or, more-so in modern times, treated to resist the cold. Bespectacled helmets are common, often given a glass coating to protect the eyes from cold, sometimes tinted to help deal with the stark amount of white during winter snowstorms. If not, Goggles are a common sight among hunters who prefer lighter armor such as thick, padded leathers. It is commonly thought that the eyes give away your intention in battle, hence a common thing is to hide them or obfuscate them. Those who wear Bespectacled or low brow helmets or Trophy pelts also paint their eye sockets black to help strike fear.

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Swords and Axes are Broad and bear little decoration unless you are a Skawl, Shields most commonly circular and painted to confuse beasts.

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(The style of this nation is a mix of heavy Nordic influence with an evolution of Russian WW1/2 kit. Long trenchcoats of canvas or wool, fur trims, etc. In hotter climates, think about a long linen or light cotton coat down to at least the Knees. Greens can easily be worn to help identify with Gulldahn forces but Greys are more indignant of Eisengarm.)

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Customs and Traditions

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Many wolves can slay the biggest bear

The mountains that the Eisengarm reside in are home to some truly ferocious beasts. Giant bears are scattered throughout the range that can easily eat a human within minutes. As such the Eisengarm quickly learned to hunt in groups. They had seen the effectiveness of the mountain wolf packs in hunting the huge beasts. This mentality has also carried on to the battlefield. Eisengarm units will often utilize walls of shields that protect their heavy hitters during the advance towards the enemy. They also send in groups of berserkers to disrupt and overwhelm the enemy formation.

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Forged in Ice and Fire

Each year in the deep of winter Eisengarm Clans will lead their aspiring soldiers in to the wilderness to face their Trial of the Frost. This is a trial in which only the most resilient and strongest survive. The young soldiers often in their teens are left in the wilderness with minimal clothing, crude weapons, and only each other for companionship. They must then hunt for furs, food and shelter. Otherwise they will perish to the weather or beasts. Any who make their way back to their mine are accepted by the clan as worthy warriors. Those who do not are honored and respected for their ambition. Most other Gulldahnian citizens disagree with this tradition, seeing it as cruel and barbaric. Almost all Eisengarm however defend it, even those who have lost their family for it's dangers.

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