Thule - Revision history

Twiggy at 00:29, 11 July 2025

2025-07-11T00:29:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:29, 11 July 2025
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	From extensive interrogation of captured prisoners, the Empire has built up a basic understanding of Thule history. They may have had its roots in the [[Jotun]], but split centuries before the arrival of the [[Highguard\|Highborn]] and formed a distinct nation that dominated what is today Otkodov and the northern Imperial territories. The cause of the split appears to have been dissatisfaction among several cabals of ritual-working shamans, influenced by certain 'malign ancestors.' There is no way to tell how trustworthy this version of their history is; Thule tell the story differently, claiming the Jotun were founded by traitors who forsook the protection of the Dragons and as a consequence have no understanding of true power (magic). Regardless of where they originally came from, the fact remains that the Thule have been in Otkodov since long before the [[People of the North\|arrival of the Vard and the Steinr]].		From extensive interrogation of captured prisoners, the Empire has built up a basic understanding of Thule history. They may have had its roots in the [[Jotun]], but split centuries before the arrival of the [[Highguard\|Highborn]] and formed a distinct nation that dominated what is today Otkodov and the northern Imperial territories. The cause of the split appears to have been dissatisfaction among several cabals of ritual-working shamans, influenced by certain 'malign ancestors.' There is no way to tell how trustworthy this version of their history is; Thule tell the story differently, claiming the Jotun were founded by traitors who forsook the protection of the Dragons and as a consequence have no understanding of true power (magic). Regardless of where they originally came from, the fact remains that the Thule have been in Otkodov since long before the [[People of the North\|arrival of the Vard and the Steinr]].

	For the most part, the Thule kept to themselves apart from occasional raids into Wintermark and Varushka, most commonly after particularly harsh winters. Over the last century or so, however, the Thule have become more aggressive, and have been particularly vicious in raids against [[mana site\|mana sites]], [[mine\|mines]] and [[forest\|forests]]. This culminated in ~~366 YE~~ with a serious campaign of conquest against the Varushkan territory of [[Karsk]] which fell to the Thule in ~~368 YE~~. Shortly after, in ~~373 YE~~ they attacked [[Skarsind]] in Wintermark under the aegis of a supernatural blizzard and with the assistance of a dozen enslaved [[Wintermark Magical Traditions#Artok\|Artok]] shattered the Imperial defence and claimed the territory.		For the most part, the Thule kept to themselves apart from occasional raids into Wintermark and Varushka, most commonly after particularly harsh winters. Over the last century or so, however, the Thule have become more aggressive, and have been particularly vicious in raids against [[mana site\|mana sites]], [[mine\|mines]] and [[forest\|forests]]. This culminated in 366YE with a serious campaign of conquest against the Varushkan territory of [[Karsk]] which fell to the Thule in 368YE. Shortly after, in 373YE they attacked [[Skarsind]] in Wintermark under the aegis of a supernatural blizzard and with the assistance of a dozen enslaved [[Wintermark Magical Traditions#Artok\|Artok]] shattered the Imperial defence and claimed the territory.
	===Warriors of the Thule===		===Warriors of the Thule===
	Among the armies of the Thule, certain warriors especially stand out. They include:		Among the armies of the Thule, certain warriors especially stand out. They include:

Hailmur at 14:46, 14 April 2025

2025-04-14T14:46:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 14 April 2025
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	The intricacies of Thule society are not well-known to Imperial citizens, and they seem to take pleasure in cultivating an aura of mystery. Prisoners rarely speak about the business of their nation, apparently being much more afraid of the Dragons than they are of death or of the [[Imperial Orcs religious beliefs\|Howling Abyss]]. In recent years, some information has come to light through trade and diplomacy, which is collated in the [[Thule lore]] page		The intricacies of Thule society are not well-known to Imperial citizens, and they seem to take pleasure in cultivating an aura of mystery. Prisoners rarely speak about the business of their nation, apparently being much more afraid of the Dragons than they are of death or of the [[Imperial Orcs religious beliefs\|Howling Abyss]]. In recent years, some information has come to light through trade and diplomacy, which is collated in the [[Thule lore]] page
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=thule2.jpg\|title=Thule 'dragonhawks'\|align=right\|width=174\|height=240}}~~

	===5 things to know about the Thule===		===5 things to know about the Thule===
	* '''Magic is power''' - their nation is built around the study and casting of magic. Otkodov is a magocracy, ruled by its magicians.		* '''Magic is power''' - their nation is built around the study and casting of magic. Otkodov is a magocracy, ruled by its magicians.
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	* '''Pity is weakness''' - life in the frozen north is harsh, and the Thule are not against using cruelty to achieve their strategic aims, though they do not relish it as the [[Druj]] do.		* '''Pity is weakness''' - life in the frozen north is harsh, and the Thule are not against using cruelty to achieve their strategic aims, though they do not relish it as the [[Druj]] do.
	* '''Patience wins''' - they are always playing the long game, and will wait and prepare rather than act suddenly and rashly.		* '''Patience wins''' - they are always playing the long game, and will wait and prepare rather than act suddenly and rashly.
			{{CaptionedImage\|file=thule2.jpg\|title=Thule 'dragonhawks'\|align=right\|width=174\|height=240}}
	===What the Thule are not===		===What the Thule are not===
	* '''Cannibals or Sadists''' - Despite old rumours to the contrary, the Thule do not consume the fallen nor do they engage in torture for its own sake.		* '''Cannibals or Sadists''' - Despite old rumours to the contrary, the Thule do not consume the fallen nor do they engage in torture for its own sake.

Rafferty at 14:17, 14 April 2025

2025-04-14T14:17:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:17, 14 April 2025
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	Only I saw him. A lone, orcish figure, hulking and black against the ice of the mountainside, a twisted black iron staff in his hand. Perhaps it was my imagination, but he seemed to acknowledge me, one hand raised in a mocking salute. His cold laugh carried on the wind towards me, and my heart turned to ice at the sudden knowledge that we had all been tricked, and that the real attack was elsewhere. </ic>		Only I saw him. A lone, orcish figure, hulking and black against the ice of the mountainside, a twisted black iron staff in his hand. Perhaps it was my imagination, but he seemed to acknowledge me, one hand raised in a mocking salute. His cold laugh carried on the wind towards me, and my heart turned to ice at the sudden knowledge that we had all been tricked, and that the real attack was elsewhere. </ic>
	[[Category:~~Barbarians~~]]		[[Category:Foreigners]]
	[[Category:The World]]		[[Category:The World]]
	[[Category:Bestiary]]		[[Category:Bestiary]]
			[[Category:Thule]]

Rafferty: /* The Nation */

2025-04-14T14:15:58Z

The Nation

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 14 April 2025
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	The Thule were slavers, until they gave up the practice in the hope of securing imperial aid. Slaves were poorly treated and sometimes worked to death. Now that they are free, the former slaves labour in hard conditions for scant pay, but they are significantly better off than they were. For years there were also allegations that the Thule fed their slaves on the remains of other slaves. From information gathered since the Thule abolished the practice of slavery, it seems unlikely this ever actually occurred. Instead, it is likely that this was deliberate misinformation spread by some overseers amongst their slaves to keep them in line. Every example which has been found was of slaves being told that another overseer, to whom they might be sent if they did not shape up, engaged in the practice.		The Thule were slavers, until they gave up the practice in the hope of securing imperial aid. Slaves were poorly treated and sometimes worked to death. Now that they are free, the former slaves labour in hard conditions for scant pay, but they are significantly better off than they were. For years there were also allegations that the Thule fed their slaves on the remains of other slaves. From information gathered since the Thule abolished the practice of slavery, it seems unlikely this ever actually occurred. Instead, it is likely that this was deliberate misinformation spread by some overseers amongst their slaves to keep them in line. Every example which has been found was of slaves being told that another overseer, to whom they might be sent if they did not shape up, engaged in the practice.

	The intricacies of Thule society are not well-known to Imperial citizens, and they seem to take pleasure in cultivating an aura of mystery. Prisoners rarely speak about the business of their nation, apparently being much more afraid of the Dragons than they are of death or of the [[Imperial Orcs religious beliefs\|Howling Abyss]]. In recent years, some information has come to light through trade and diplomacy, which is collated in the [[Thule ~~Lore~~]] page		The intricacies of Thule society are not well-known to Imperial citizens, and they seem to take pleasure in cultivating an aura of mystery. Prisoners rarely speak about the business of their nation, apparently being much more afraid of the Dragons than they are of death or of the [[Imperial Orcs religious beliefs\|Howling Abyss]]. In recent years, some information has come to light through trade and diplomacy, which is collated in the [[Thule lore]] page
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=thule2.jpg\|title=Thule 'dragonhawks'\|align=right\|width=174\|height=240}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=thule2.jpg\|title=Thule 'dragonhawks'\|align=right\|width=174\|height=240}}

	===5 things to know about the Thule===		===5 things to know about the Thule===
	* '''Magic is power''' - their nation is built around the study and casting of magic. Otkodov is a magocracy, ruled by its magicians.		* '''Magic is power''' - their nation is built around the study and casting of magic. Otkodov is a magocracy, ruled by its magicians.

Rafferty: /* Playing the Thule */

2025-04-14T14:15:38Z

Playing the Thule

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 14 April 2025
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	* Their armies are often supported by the Hollowed, failed shaman with no emotions, who serve as conduits for the will of the Dragons. They make very little noise and don't talk above a whisper.		* Their armies are often supported by the Hollowed, failed shaman with no emotions, who serve as conduits for the will of the Dragons. They make very little noise and don't talk above a whisper.
	* They supplement their armies with undead husks, ritually summoned creatures, and magically twisted or enslaved beasts and monsters		* They supplement their armies with undead husks, ritually summoned creatures, and magically twisted or enslaved beasts and monsters
			==Further Reading==
			* [[Thule lore]]
	<ic>		<ic>
	First came the mist.		First came the mist.

Rafferty at 14:14, 14 April 2025

2025-04-14T14:14:57Z

Show changes

Hailmur at 23:50, 10 August 2023

2023-08-10T23:50:10Z

Show changes

Hailmur: /* The Imperial Orcs */

2023-03-15T11:06:20Z

The Imperial Orcs

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:06, 15 March 2023
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=thuleferesh.jpg\|title=Thule version of the Feresh rune\|align=right\|width=314\|height=240}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=thuleferesh.jpg\|title=Thule version of the Feresh rune\|align=right\|width=314\|height=240}}

			<!--
	===The Imperial Orcs===		===The Imperial Orcs===
	The Thule despise the Imperial Orcs. Given a choice between attacking Imperial Orcs or attacking human warriors, most Thule will choose to attack the Imperial Orcs. Unlike the [[Jotun]] however they are more likely to try and slay the Imperial Orcs from a distance than to engage them in melee combat.		The Thule despise the Imperial Orcs. Given a choice between attacking Imperial Orcs or attacking human warriors, most Thule will choose to attack the Imperial Orcs. Unlike the [[Jotun]] however they are more likely to try and slay the Imperial Orcs from a distance than to engage them in melee combat.
			-->

	===History===		===History===

Beeswax at 15:52, 20 June 2022

2022-06-20T15:52:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:52, 20 June 2022
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	* The '''Black Maggots''' (as the Winterfolk call them) are units of semi-elite warrior-Thule who focus on looting battlefields. They are usually light skirmishers, moving wherever the fighting is drawing to a close. They are especially despised by the Winterfolk, and their sole purpose appears to be stealing crafted items and resources from the fallen for use by the Thule. They are indiscriminate; they loot their own warriors with as much gusto as they strip fallen Imperials. They are killers, dispatching fallen warriors on either side who they judge cannot be saved; but they are also healers. The Thule themselves call them ''Cruel Ones'' or ''Grasping Hands'' and treat them with a mixture of fear and respect, because they often carry potions or bandages that can be used to save warriors they deem 'worthy'.		* The '''Black Maggots''' (as the Winterfolk call them) are units of semi-elite warrior-Thule who focus on looting battlefields. They are usually light skirmishers, moving wherever the fighting is drawing to a close. They are especially despised by the Winterfolk, and their sole purpose appears to be stealing crafted items and resources from the fallen for use by the Thule. They are indiscriminate; they loot their own warriors with as much gusto as they strip fallen Imperials. They are killers, dispatching fallen warriors on either side who they judge cannot be saved; but they are also healers. The Thule themselves call them ''Cruel Ones'' or ''Grasping Hands'' and treat them with a mixture of fear and respect, because they often carry potions or bandages that can be used to save warriors they deem 'worthy'.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=thule3.jpg\|title=Thule 'pack of hounds'\|align=right\|width=208\|height=480}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=thule3.jpg\|title=Thule 'pack of hounds'\|align=right\|width=208\|height=480}}
	* The '''Hollowed''' are sinister figures who seem to serve as advisors to the warlocks. They are often painted with runes, but rarely wield weapons or wear armour. Their eyes are said to be 'empty' - examination of corpses has shown a distinctive discolouration of the eye sockets, like a spreading black bruise that appears to be 'natural' rather than the result of make-up or tattoos. They are believed to be the results of Thule shaman who have been found wanting and been 'hollowed out' - they have little or no personality of their own, and serve in some fashion as 'vessels' for the spirit of a Dragon. The Dragon can see through their eyes, speak through them, and (potentially) even perform magic using them as a tool. No hollowed has ever been captured alive - the Dragon that controls them seems able to destroy the vessel at will. By use of the hollowed, the Dragons can maintain a watch over the nation and provide a level of communication and cohesion that other armies can only dream of ... but at great cost. Imperial scholars speculate that the Dragons turn any Warlock who steps out of line into one of the hollowed, while others believe that the majority of [[shamans]] meet this fate at a young age.		* The '''Hollowed''' are sinister figures who seem to serve as advisors to the warlocks. They are often painted with runes, but rarely wield weapons or wear armour. Their eyes are said to be 'empty' - examination of corpses has shown a distinctive discolouration of the eye sockets, like a spreading black bruise that appears to be 'natural' rather than the result of make-up or tattoos. They are believed to be the results of Thule shaman who have been found wanting and been 'hollowed out' - they have little or no personality of their own, and serve in some fashion as 'vessels' for the spirit of a Dragon. The Dragon can see through their eyes, speak through them, and (potentially) even perform magic using them as a tool. No hollowed has ever been captured alive - the Dragon that controls them seems able to destroy the vessel at will. By use of the hollowed, the Dragons can maintain a watch over the nation and provide a level of communication and cohesion that other armies can only dream of ... but at great cost. Imperial scholars speculate that the Dragons turn any Warlock who steps out of line into one of the hollowed, while others believe that the majority of [[shamans]] meet this fate at a young age.

	* The '''Dragons''' have not been encountered on a battlefield to date, but are believed to be extremely aged ~~orc men and women~~ who are both potent shamans and extremely skilled ritual magicians. Their number is unknown, and they are believed to occupy a cavern complex in the heart of Otkodov. Rumours and myths about the Dragons are rampant among the Thule; they say that they can somehow "''walk as spirits''" and observe anything that happens in lands claimed by the Thule; that they are physically immortal; that they are living ancestors, possessed by the spirits of the greatest Thule who have ever lived; that in times of need they can assume the form of unique and terrible beasts with their magic; that they feed on [[materials\|magical materials]] and [[Game_items#Mana_Crystals\|mana crystals]]; and that they travel bodily to other realms where powerful spirits offer them fealty.		* The '''Dragons''' have not been encountered on a battlefield to date, but are believed to be extremely aged orcs who are both potent shamans and extremely skilled ritual magicians. Their number is unknown, and they are believed to occupy a cavern complex in the heart of Otkodov. Rumours and myths about the Dragons are rampant among the Thule; they say that they can somehow "''walk as spirits''" and observe anything that happens in lands claimed by the Thule; that they are physically immortal; that they are living ancestors, possessed by the spirits of the greatest Thule who have ever lived; that in times of need they can assume the form of unique and terrible beasts with their magic; that they feed on [[materials\|magical materials]] and [[Game_items#Mana_Crystals\|mana crystals]]; and that they travel bodily to other realms where powerful spirits offer them fealty.

	* Unlike their cousins, the Thule do not make much use of subject peoples on the battlefield; rather they make extensive use of '''beasts''', creatures, undead husks and spirits in their armies. They are known to enslave and magically manipulate various creatures, creating useful ~~battle-field~~ minions. Examples include the [[Wintermark Magical Traditions#Artok\|Artok]] used in the attack on [[Skarsind]]; the undead husks they are using extensively in their current campaigns; conjured eternal mercenaries; and a variety of twisted beasts such as the semi-humanoid [[mundane beasts#Dire beasts\|dire wolves]] that have been spotted in some parts of [[Karsk]].		* Unlike their cousins, the Thule do not make much use of subject peoples on the battlefield; rather they make extensive use of '''beasts''', creatures, undead husks and spirits in their armies. They are known to enslave and magically manipulate various creatures, creating useful battlefield minions. Examples include the [[Wintermark Magical Traditions#Artok\|Artok]] used in the attack on [[Skarsind]]; the undead husks they are using extensively in their current campaigns; conjured eternal mercenaries; and a variety of twisted beasts such as the semi-humanoid [[mundane beasts#Dire beasts\|dire wolves]] that have been spotted in some parts of [[Karsk]].

	===Magic===		===Magic===
	Magic is at the heart of the Thule nation; where others may value physical strength, the Thule value the use of magic. They are ruthless in their pursuit of mastery, and heartless in its application; but they are still orcs. Thule magic is visceral and passionate, bound up in pounding drums and invocations of their ancestors as much as it is ~~channeled~~ through runes or implements.		Magic is at the heart of the Thule nation; where others may value physical strength, the Thule value the use of magic. They are ruthless in their pursuit of mastery, and heartless in its application; but they are still orcs. Thule magic is visceral and passionate, bound up in pounding drums and invocations of their ancestors as much as it is channelled through runes or implements.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=thuleferesh.jpg\|title=Thule version of the Feresh rune\|align=right\|width=314\|height=240}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=thuleferesh.jpg\|title=Thule version of the Feresh rune\|align=right\|width=314\|height=240}}

Hastur: /* Playing the Thule */

2021-05-01T07:43:59Z

Playing the Thule

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:43, 1 May 2021
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	* They are patient, careful and smart.		* They are patient, careful and smart.
	* Look is dark robes, blue under-layer, staffs and furs. Mage armour is common.		* Look is dark robes, blue under-layer, staffs and furs. Mage armour is common.
	* Their shamans are called Dragons and lead the ~~tribe~~ as a whole.		* Their shamans are called Dragons and lead the nation as a whole.
	* Their armies are often supported by the Hollowed, failed shaman with no emotions, who serve as conduits for the will of the Dragons. They make very little noise and don't talk above a whisper.		* Their armies are often supported by the Hollowed, failed shaman with no emotions, who serve as conduits for the will of the Dragons. They make very little noise and don't talk above a whisper.
	* They supplement their armies with undead husks, ritually summoned creatures, and magically twisted or enslaved beasts and monsters		* They supplement their armies with undead husks, ritually summoned creatures, and magically twisted or enslaved beasts and monsters