Wintermark look and feel
Overview
The Wintermark look is rugged and practical but strives to express the wearer's individuality. Each of the three traditions - Kallavesi, Steinr, and Suaq - has their own style of dress and way of expressing this unique personality. Sometimes minor elements of one tradition's style will be used by another, especially where a character has embraced an archetype more often associated with a different tradition (for example, the runesmith magical path is strongly associated with the Steinr, and Suaq or Kallavesi magicians who embrace it often include elements of a more Steinr style in their day-to-day garb). Regardless of these accents, it is generally a matter of pride for the people of Wintermark to demonstrate the style of their chosen tradition as strongly as possible.
Winterfolk art tends to be intricate and detailed. Stone, metal and wood are carved with runes, so crafters can show off their skills. The people of the Wintermark use bright scarlet for things like banners because they can be seen for miles through snow and atop mountainsides.
General Breakdown
Feel: Iron, hard, firm, strong, unmoving, earnest, well-crafted, perfectionist (Steinr), practical (Suaq), dreamer (Kallavesi), individual, heroic.
The look of Wintermark is much more varied than that of some other nations due to the presence of the three traditions. Regardless of which tradition someone follows, however, certain traditional elements remain widespread through the entire nation. The differences between the three traditions are expressed in the way they add to and adorn this basic style.
The traditional costume for Winterfolk of any tradition is either a thigh-length tunic of linen or wool worn over trousers, or a close fitting dress.In case, trousers are close fitting, often with wrappings ankle to knee.
fitting dresses are popular regardless of tradition.
The Viking apron dress exists but is considered slightly old fashioned.
On the battlefield, Winterfolk favour heavy, layered armour with thick leather plates over chain. Only the Steinr make extensive use of shields, generally favouring round shields. Tear-drop shaped kite shields are also popular and provide an acceptable alternative to those who desire more full-body protection. Suaq and Kallavesi warriors tend to eschew shields altogether in favour of two-handed weapons, especially bows (for the Suaq) and spears (for the Kallavesi).
Weapons vary by tradition and individual choice, but are usually marked with runes
Also see Wintermark Costumes and Wintermark Icons and Artistry.
Kallavesi
- Influences: The Kallavesi tradition draws on images from Finland, the Kallevala], and the Crannogmen from Game of Thrones. As bog-dwelling shamans, their look is heavily informed by their mystic customs.
- Materials: Homespun checked wool, linen, fur, leather, wood and wicker, polished semi-precious stones.
- Colours: Greys, duns, moss, smoke, with occcasional bright flashes of colour. Dark feathers, especially black feathers.
Kallavesi clothing consists of the standard Wintermark thigh-length tunic over tight trousers. The fabric uses is often more roughly woven than that favoured by the Steinr. Fur - with the fur side out - is used as an embellishment. Feathers are common - especially the feathers of crows and ravens - and the Kallavesi are even more likely that the typical Winterfolk to work feathers, avian bones, and bird imagery into their dress.
The Kallavesi are a tradition rooted in deep mysticism, and it is very common for even the most prosaic among them to wear personal totems, fetishes, and amulets with spiritual or magical significance.
Kallavesi Clothing
Kallavesi costume often includes a cloak of wool or fur over the top of the traditional tunic. Garments use more drab colours and more worn looking fabric. They embellish their appearance with feathers, beads and fetishes and ideally an animal headdress of some kind.
Kallavsi Warriors
Light leathers and furs. The Kallavesi decorate their armour with feathers and beads and many wear an animal headdress. Kallavesi warriors wear fur over mail or simply leather or fur by itself. The Kallavesi decorate their armour with feathers and beads and many wear an animal headdress.
Kallavesi favour axes, staves, fishing spears, and gutting knives.
Kallavesi rarely make use of shields, and when they do they favour small wicker bucklers.
Kallavesi Images
Steinr
- Influences: Rohirrim, Tolkien’s Dwarves, Beowulf (2005), Saxons, Skyrim.
- Materials: Metals, furs, leather, stone, woollen cloth; richer fabrics may be appropriate for high status Thanes.
- Colours: Dark shades of green, blue, red and brown, also dark metals – iron, coppers, bronze.
They are a warlike people by necessity, they nonetheless love to create unique things of beauty and purpose. Many Steinr are warriors or smiths, but whatever their calling they are bold, uncomplicated, and outspoken, and as the loudest voices in the nation are often seen as its political core by outsiders.
Steinr Clothing
Steinr clothing is designed to show off the owner’s wealth. It may be dyed a bright colour, be intricately embroidered or have decorated hems in a contrasting colour or material. Clothing is often worn with jewellery with torcs and cloak pins common.
Steinr tunics may be layered to show off hems that are decorated with a contrasting fabric or braid. Theoden’s costume from Lord of the Rings shows the sort of outfit a wealthy and powerful Thane might wear to display their prosperity - the tunic is made from a rich fabric that is intricately embroidered.
Steinr Warriors
The Rohirrim in Lord of the Rings epitomise the Steinr warriors. Layered armour, leather or less commonly plate over mail, but with the armour intricately tooled and embellished.
Heavy, layered armour (chain with dark leather/plate over), intricately decorated and personalised so each person’s kit looks different.
Steinr favour long swords, spears, and Dane axes. Their weapons are heavy and practical, almost invariably decorated with runes.
They favour tear-drop shaped kite shields, although round shields are an acceptable alternative.
Steinr Images
Suaq
- Influences: Think of Sami reindeer herders and Inuit; independent scouts and hunters.
- Materials: Furs and hides, ivory, scrimshaw carved bone items.
- Colours: Light, washed out tones of cream, ivory, taupe, pale grey.
The heavy coats of the Suaq protect them against the cold. Reindeer and seal skins are turned fur side in for warmth. Ideally the heavy fur coats should be richly decorated with important symbols — designs of animals and enemies the warrior has killed. In warmer climates the coats may be leather and in the imperial heartland in summer they may chose to wear linen or canvas versions.
Suaq Clothing
Suaq often wear a long tight coat of animal skin (skin side out, fur side in) or lighter painted deerskins in warmer parts. Clothing is emblazoned with drawings and symbols of animals, which are usually painted onto the leather or material.
Suaq Warriors
Adorn with heavy furs that offer protection against the cold.
Kallavesi and Suaq warriors wear fur over mail or simply leather or fur by itself. The Suaq paint their armour with symbolic designs of animals.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Suaq favour hunting weapons. They are the tradition that makes the most use of bows, and they favour both one- and two-handed spears in melee. Some also make use of staves, which serve the dual purpose of being weapons and aiding in crossing treacherous ice or snow.
It is uncommon for a Suaq to carry a shield, but when they do they favour leather stretched over wood frames.
Suaq Images
Wintermark Magicians
Each of the three traditions has their own magical heritage. Any Wintermark magician might embrace any one of these paths, but they tend to be drawn towards the approach that matches their tradition. Where they follow a different path, they often combine elements of their tradition and their magical approach to create a unique look.
Runesmiths
Runesmiths are a predominantly Steinr tradition. Even more so than other Winterfolk characters, their possessions will be marked with the powerful magical runes that are the focus of their study.
Mystics
Mystics are primarily drawn from the Kallavesi tradition. Most supplement their tradition's iconic costume with an animal headdress decorated with feathers and fur.
Icewalkers
The Suaq make up the majority of the savy icewalkers. They wear clothing appropriate to their tradition but supplemented with jewellery and amulets. Unlike runesmiths, their magical accoutrements are more likely to be adorned with stylised animals or symbols of a person nature with only a scattering of runes. Non-Suaq Icewalkers may adopt the Suaq tradition of painting animal totems on their mage armour or clothing.
Magician Images
Wintermark Priests
In general, priests of Wintermark dress like the people they live alongside and counsel.
Those who embrace the path of the stormcrow wear a traditional ragged, heavy cloak and a costume adorned with tatters of material and fetishes. Even stormcrows who are not of the Kallavesi tradition are likely to incorporate some elements of the mystic look into their costume - especially when it comes to feathers and ceremonial masks.
Wintermark Priest Images
Wintermark Children
Children generally dress in the same style as their parents, at least until they are old enough to express a preference for one tradition or another. Even before they have passed their Citizenship tests, some Winterfolk children feel drawn enough to a tradition that differs from that of their parents to favour dressing as if they were already a member.
Camps
Images to avoid
An LRP setting is defined as much by what you leave out as by what you include. In defining the Wintermark look we have actively chosen to exclude some elements. Please do not use any of the images or looks seen in this section. In particular please note that the Winterfolk were inspired by Saxons rather than Vikings and the setting does not include longships and the associated imagery.
Avoid: Hero pants
The ideal Wintermark trousers are tight not baggy. The more Viking or Rus style hero pants are perfect for Varushka. It's perfectly acceptable to wear hero pants in Wintermark, it is simply that they are more suited to Varushka.
Picture taken by Daniel Wolfen
Avoid: Thor’s hammer
Thor’s Hammers have become as evocative and iconic as a crucifix. They are irrevocably associated with Thor, a deity who does not exist in the Empire game setting, so please avoid this specific piece of jewellery.
