Are Barbarians based on Neanderthals?

Discussion in 'Tips, Tricks, FAQs, and New Player Discussion' started by Thraeleiel, Mar 27, 2021.

  1. Sigrdrifa EQ2 Wiki Author

    Brien - Clan Icereaver
    This is a journal kept by a wild barbarian of the northlands who was instrumental at taking back Halas. Unfortunately, it doesn't end on a pleasant note.

    Excerpt: For fifteen years, I have been a babe. Today, on my Woading Day, I have been told why we struggle within the cold. We once had a home, but it was taken from us. Our people come from the orc city of Halas. I am so filled with rage I am crying because there is nothing to kill in front of me. I vow upon my ancestor's spirits that I will not die until I see Halas as our home again.

    Excerpt: My axe has been blessed with the blood of an orc chief today.
    I want to keep his head as a reminder of my victory, but the elders know what is wise. I took his blood and washed my weapon with it. This was but one chief. There are many more. And all of them will pay ten times over for what they have done to my people.

    Excerpt: Our clan has become much larger, and this is good. If Halas is to be ours, we cannot keep the clans separated. Though we have no chieftains, we all know our part and what we have to do. When we take Halas back from those murderous monsters, then the chieftains will be chosen. I hope we choose strong leaders that will lead us to our former glory.

    Excerpt: It has been twenty years since I vowed to take back Halas, and today my oath has been fulfilled. The orcs have been driven out of our home and scattered to the four corners of the wastelands. This is no time to rest, though. Halas is within hands of its true people. but the orcs still lurk out there in the shadows.

    Excerpt: I have been chosen by my people to be one of the six chieftains. This honor is only matched by the day I slaughtered my first orc chief. The people have chosen well, for we six chieftains will guide the True Men back to the life we once had. And I vow that I will never see Halas destroyed again. Never.

    Excerpt: My first act as chieftain was to declare the defenses of our city are to be rebuilt. The great crevice that opens the way to the frozen lands will be filled with oil. Were the orcs to dare breach our defenses by rafting across the gully, they will be in store for a nasty treat. Those that manage to struggle past the fiery inferno will then have to survive the axes being lobbed at them from the two great towers. Finally, they will face us. They should pray to the Tribunal they don't make it past the flames.

    Excerpt: A gifted shaman came to the council and warned us of a terrible prophecy. She claimed, "On the night of fire, Halas shall be consumed by earth. Blood shall flow like water, for death travels through the air." At that, she collapsed and died. We have written her words, and we dread what the night of fire may signify. Whatever it means, I have doubled the defenses so that we are prepared.

    Excerpt: My bones are weary, and my beard is as white as a bear's, but I am still young enough to stand up to a whippersnapper. Kurg Dunnbrow has been exiled from Halas for daring to usurp the council. He can flee the prophecy all he likes. We are the True Men, not savage beasts like the orcs. He can take anyone with him that also has conquest in their heart, for they have obviously turned their back on the Tribunal.

    Excerpt: My fingers do not hold a quill as steady as they once did. This does not matter. When I look to the night sky and I see the shattered moon, I realize that there are worse things that can happen to a person. We have Halas. I have a clan. I am still a chieftain. And even though my joints do not bend as well as they did when I was young, my vow still remains as strong as ever. I will not see Halas destroyed again! Never!

    Excerpt: It is hard to see what I write, for everything is much darker then it used to be. Even with sky aflame with streaks of fire, I still only see darkness. As all the great-grandchildren walk around, pointing to the pretty rocks falling from the sky, I write my last entry. It is the night of fire, yet no one understands what that means. They do not see what is about to happen. I am too frail to warn them. I am glad I cannot see far anymore so that I can keep my vow. I will not see Halas destroyed again.

    Donnghail - Clan McNaggle
    This is a copy of the journal kept by a chieftain of the barbarian people of Halas. It chronicles the sad end of Halas.

    Entry One :
    The orcs have been riled up, but I donna know what's gotten into them. It's my job to find out, though. I canna have them causing any more problems to our people than they already have. I just hope the Tribunal has judged us worthy enough to keep the peace and to smite those beasts down before they get outta hand.

    Entry Two:
    A couple of hunting parties have come back and told us chieftains that the orcs are gathering together. We're beginning to think that we should have voted differently during last thaw's vote. Choosing to stop attacking those beasts for the time being so that we don't wipe them out like the mammoths may have been in folly. I only hope this isn't an omen of things to come.

    Entry Three:
    Those blasted orcs have been amassing in greater numbers since we last checked on them. Two scouting parties never returned, and the only survivor of the third have confirmed our greatest fears. The orcs now have an army that numbers in the thousands. Though it's impossible to think of it, we may have to prepare for war against the monsters.

    Entry Four:
    Our worst fears have come to pass. The massive war party of the orcs are on the move. From what the spotters have told us, they seem to be moving in the direction of our town. I've ordered the hunters to gather as much food as they can find. In one week we will draw the rafts back from the shore and allow no access into the city. I can only wonder what crime we have performed that would cause the Tribunal to sentence us to this punishment.

    Entry Five:
    They've spent the past two weeks digging through the collapsed tunnels. Those monsters can't get in, but nor can we get out. We have enough frozen food to last us a long time, but the orcs don't seem as if they're going to give up anytime soon. I've had to double the shifts of the guards, just in case those beasts breach the defenses.

    Entry Six:
    The blasted buggers broke through, but they didn't know what they were getting into. It's one thing to start a fight with us barbarians, but attack our home? ATTACK OUR HOME?! Now they'll see what unbridled fury looks like. They thought we were angry before? Now they're gonna get what's coming to them!

    Entry Seven:
    We've got them on the run! Chopping through hundreds of orcs at a time, those beasts have seen what happens when you cross one of the True Men. Axes swinging, we mowed through their numbers with a fury they've never seen before. Now it's time to hunt down all the stragglers. No one attacks Halas and expects to live long enough to tell stories about it. AHHAAA! I haven't felt this alive in years!

    Entry Eight:
    The shaman have failed us. They say the Tribunal no longer passes any judgments, nor do they respond to our questions. We chieftains will delay our vote to the last minute, in hopes that the Tribunal deems what is about to happen to Halas as a great injustice. For the orcs that our men wiped out was nothing more than the forward party. The true army of orcs is still on their way. And their numbers are in the tens of thousands.

    Entry Nine:
    We have passed a vote that no barbarian chieftain should ever have to decide upon. With a heavy heart, we have sent many of the children and elderly away from Halas before the orcs arrive. Guiding them will be the men and women who cannot fight. They will go to the city of Qeynos and request help from their troops. I pray the Tribunal guides them there safely.

    The orcs are upon us, and we fight night and day. We will not just allow these beasts to walk in with an invitation. if they want Halas, they'll pay for it with fields of their lost blood. I only hope our people make it to Qeynos. They weren't told the real reason for their exodus. They are our only hope for survival - Halas is doomed.
  2. Sigrdrifa EQ2 Wiki Author

    Good Eatin'
    This is a cookbook written by Halasian homemaker in which she details some of the local ethnic food of her homeland.

    I've put this book together so other people out there can enjoy my fine cooking. My husband always tells me there's nothing finer than a plate of my heddice. Sometimes I have to give him a good whallop upside the head as a gentle reminder to tell me, but that's because he's so busy gobbling down what I've made for him. These recipes are usually what I make for my husband and the wee ones every dinner.

    Black Pudding: I always start dinner with a tasty black pudding. In order to make this meal, you'll first need to go out there and find yourself a black ooze. Slimy little things, they cook up just fine with a couple of spices. When you're done whacking it with your mace, you'll need to bring it back to kitchen for the cleaning.

    Its very important that you clean the ooze really well before you start the cleaning. There are a bunch of little balls inside the jelly things that you gotta cut out. If you miss even one of them, you'll wind up making the pudding really bitter. Take my word for it - getting the kiddies to ear it when it's not prepared right is like pulling teeth from a mammoth.

    Once you have the ooze cleaned just right, put it in a bowl and start smooshing it with your fists. Once it's nothing more than jelly, add in a couple fistfuls of flour and start mixing. Add in some crushed ice peppers (the sweet kind, mind you) and then put it in the oven for about an hour. When it's done, you'll have a nice brandy treat that everyone will praise you for.

    Butterscotch: You can't have a good pudding without having something to wash it down with. Always make sure to offer the people eating your food a good libation. My specialty is a tasty butterscotch. Take a pound of butter and melt it in a large stein. Pour in some scotch until the container has been filled and give it a good shake or two. If you're serving to wee kiddies, just leave the scotch out.

    Heddice: There's only one meal that should ever be served at dinner, and that's a hearty heddice. Now, I know everyone's got their own opinion on how it should be prepared, but once you try my recipe you'll never prepare it any other way. To start, you need to go out there and whack a polar bear. Make sure you get all meat and the head too. That's the most important part.

    Now get yourself some oatmeal and a seal's heart (look for one about as big as your hand). Crush them together, adding in chopped onion for extra flavor. Once you've made a big 'ole mush out of it, set it to the side. Now take a couple of wolf livers and marinade them in chicken stock. If you can handle even more flavor, mis in some ice peppers (not the sweet kind... that's just disgusting).

    Finally, get some chicken fat and melt it over a fire. At the same time, start digging out all of the gunk inside the polar bear's head. When it's all clean inside, put the livers and the oatmeal mush and shove it inside. Pour the chicken fat over the mixture, then sew up the neck. Boil the head in a pot of water for about ten hours, and you're done! Once your family starts digging into that head lettuce, they'll tell you they've never had a better heddice in their life!

    Halas 10lb Meat Pie: When the winter get the coldest, you may want to add another plate to your meal. You can't go wrong with a ten-pounder, I always say. An easy dish to prepare, you'll need to gather a couple of ingredients first. First you gotta whip up a good, thick cream. I prefer to use polar bear milk, but use whatever you can find.

    You'll need a haunch of wolf, a brisket of bear (try brown bear for an exotic taste), a rack of mammoth and some imported lion hamburger. Soak all of these in that cream for about a day, then throw 'em in a pie tin and bake it for about six hours! Tada! One of the best desserts you an serve your family. The only difficulty to preparing this recipe is finding a pie tin big enough to hold all ten pounds of the meat (I've only been able to find ones that hold seven pounds).

    In Search of the Wooly Mammoth
    This is a story about the unnamed author;s quest to find the Wooly Mammoths of the Everfrost Peaks.

    Ever since I was a child, I remember hearing stories of great beasts that would plod across the snowy plains of the northlands. These large beasts were very similar to the ones found in the southern plains of the Karanas, but covered in a great mass of shaggy hair. I vowed that one day I would see these great beasts.

    As I grew older, I would venture out to the plains to see these beasts. I was shocked to see they were even larger than the picture my mind had painted. Standing twice as tall as a man, they had enormous ears that flapped down around their faces. Thrilled at seeing an elephant for the first time, my mind raced at the thoughts of what a Wooly Mammoth could possibly look like.

    My experience encouraged me to make the dangerous trek to the snowy northlands to find these beasts. I visited every tavern in all of Qeynos and sought out brave adventurers that would accompany me on my journey. For you see, the only way to breach the frozen tundra was to travel through the lair of the gnolls - Blackburrow.

    Gathering together several brave souls, including a barbarian native to the snowy town of Halas, we began hiking northwards through the Qeynos Hills. Being careful to heed the advice of the Windstalkers, we deftly avoided all of the bears and the wolves that made these foothills their home. Eventually, we found ourselves standing before the maw of the gnoll's den.

    My companions showed much bravery and skills in the combat arts by fending off the attacks of numerous hungry gnolls. The barbarian, Narmat MacTargle, pointed out the winding tunnel that led to the snowy tundra of the north. Lighting our torches we continued our journey through this lightless cave. Soon enough, I could feel the air getting cold.

    Eventually we would reach the mouth of the tunnel, depositing us within the cold wastes of the north. All around us were snow covered mountains and icy ground. Narmat told us that we would first want to journey to Halas to replenish our supplies. Fortunately, as with Blackburrow, he knew the way.

    Greeted by burly guards as large as my barbarian friends, we were allowed into the town just so long as we agreed to cause no harm. When I told the guards about my quest to see the Wooly Mammoths, they just snorted and suggested I speak with Old Hemma. Asking around, I eventually found where this ancient alder was found.

    Blind for as many years as I was old, Old Hemma described in great detail the mighty Mammoths. The part that I was interested in the most was the great tusks that protruded from their mouths. Pointing to large spears, cups, plates, wall hangings and even the knob on the front door, Old Hemma told me that these were all carved from the teeth.

    Telling me exactly how to find the breeding grounds of these magnificent beasts, he gave me a cryptic warning. Saying that my quest would come to an end only when I found the cost of greed, he escorted me out of his house. Looking around, I noticed that every household had some adornment crafted from the teeth of Mammoths, just as Old Hemma had within his house. My companions left the town at once, seeking a delta to the far northwest of the town.

    The journey was long and hard, but we eventually found the delta as Old Hemma had described. And this is when I understood what the old sage meant by finding the cost of greed. For all throughout the delta were the intact corpses of these once magnificent beasts, frozen to the ground. Intact save for one small detail - all of the Mammoths had their tusks removed. In the end, I started my quest too late, for the Mammoths were driven to extinction for no reason other than their two front teeth.

    Local Color - Halas
    This book collects the colorful sayings of the barbarians of Halas

    Don't waste time thinking about doing something, just go out and do it!
    Why fish for a single trout when you can jump in the water and grab an armful?

    Don't go smacking down a baby bear when you haven't first looked around for its mamma.
    Knowing this is what separates the men from the dead ones.

    Booksmarts don't feed you when the deep winter comes.
    If you don't believe that to be the truth, try filling your belly with a whole plateful of paper and see what that does for you!

    If you get in a big row with your mate down at the pub, buy him a drink when the clobberin's done.
    This way he knows that you're still a gentleman.

    Don't go testing your wife's temper.
    She puts up with more than enough from you to begin with, so there ain't no need to add any insult to the injury you're about to get.

    When you're painting a woad on your face, make sure it's one that fits you.
    Don't think you're gonna be another Tundra Jack and start painting your face all crazy.
    You wanna instill fear in your enemy, not kill them by laughing them to death.

    You only got two arms.
    Don't go trying to grab up five or six tusks from a Mammoth and think you're gonna make it home all right.
    All them blasted orcs are just waiting for a dumb barbarian carrying ten times his body weight to go crawling by.

    The bigger they are the harder they fall.
    That what Stumpy McGee always says when it comes to fighting Ice Giants, that is.

    Fair words never made the pot boil.
    Being polite is good only when you're talking to your missus, but not out on the battlefield.
    If you want to be a sissy, go spend time with those soft people living in Qeynos.

    If you ever get in a fight with someone bigger than you, don't back down.
    First of all, there ain't that many out there that are gonna actually be bigger then you.
    And secondly, there ain't room for two bigshots walking around the place.
    There can only be you.

    Over Halas
    "Over Halas" by Nicholl Silverfrost of Clan MacNeacail, bard. This is an excerpt from a much larger poem that describes the Shattering, its impact on the Northlands and how even after living in the south for generations, the Northmen dream of returning home.

    Though snow fell soft as silk
    Upon stone and street, now silent
    Flames and fire finished Halas
    Stone rains falling from the sky
    My father's fathers were there
    My mother's mothers as well
    Standing uncertain, outside the walls
    Across the sky, the moons aglow
    Gazing upwards, seeing the stars
    Breathing in the beauty of the night
    Then in silence, a shining spark
    A streak through Luclin's side
    Stars are simply ice in the sky
    Snow and ice surround Halas
    The lake's icy surface gleams
    In the reflected light of stars
    Across the silent, snowy hills
    Snow sparkles in the sun
    And under the stars as well
    The sky, streaked with silver
    And so they stared upwards
    The father of my fathers
    And mother of my mothers
    Stars across the moon like tears
    All now look towards Luclin
    Packs on shoulders strapped
    Sledges pulled along the trails
    In splendor and silence, Luclin falls
    Falls now on Halas stone rains
    Fires feasting upon our fortress
    Streets of stone burst beneath
    The fiery tears of the falling moon
    Orcs could not crumble her
    Nor gnolls gnaw at her bones
    Over Halas, Luclin shattered
    Into silver stars across the sky
    Sons of the fathers before us
    And Northland daughters wait as well
    For day we find our way northward
    For the day we rebuild our home
  3. Sigrdrifa EQ2 Wiki Author

    The Blood of the Bear, Part One
    Legends are often told of ancient times. The storytellers of the Northlands tell this story as a legend, even though it is from a relatively recent past.

    In the time of Growth, when the birds return to the trees and the sun rises higher in the sky, the children of the Northlands look to the awakening of the bears as the final signal that Growth is upon them. Hungry from their long sleep, the bears come closer to the villages and towns. Therefore, each village has a family whose duty is to ensure the bears do not come into the village and threaten them.

    One day,a young woman named Kiva went into the forest to gather firewood. As she turned to head home, her foot slipped on a patch of ice and she stumbled, scattering the firewood across the snow. Before she could stand again, a large hand reached toward her and she gasped, staring upward at the tallest man she had ever seen in her life.

    "I did not mean to frighten you," he said, his rich voice lilting with an odd tone Kiva had never heard before. He pulled her easily to her feet and helped gather the scattered wood. He carried the wood for her to the edge of her camp and smiled at her. "Who are you?" she asked. "My name is Benno," he replied. "I am glad to be of service." Benno bowed low, then slipped away into the woods as silently as he had appeared.

    Kiva belonged to the family of bear watchers of her village. She looked forward to sitting the long watches of the night with her spear by her side, guarding the village. Kiva loved sitting just outside the edge of the camp fire's light to gaze upon the stars. Though Growth was upon them, the nights were still long, crisp and clear and the stars so bright she felt as though she could reach out her hand to touch them.

    One night as she sat watch, she heard a rustling sound in the nearby brush and stood, gripping her spear. "Who is there?" she called, cautiously approaching the area, but she saw nothing but the tracks of a bear in the light crust formed on the top of the snow. Furrowing her brow, she resolved to keep a closer eye on the village and not on the skies.

    During her watches now, Kiva thought about Benno. He was not of her village; his voice had an odd inflection she could not place. But he spoke Halasian as did she and he was very handsome. Gazing upwards into the stars, Kiva wondered where he came from and whether she might see him again. At that moment, she heard the rustling in the woods again where the bear had left its tracks. Kiva grabbed her spear and edged her way toward the noise, careful not to make any sounds

    Benno stood at the edge of the woods. He smiled at her, "I hope you do not mind; I wanted to see you again." Kiva blushed and Benno stepped closer. "When first I saw you sitting here beside your fire and looking to the sky, I knew you are a dreamer, as am I," he said. Suddenly, they heard a bear in the undergrowth nearby.

    Kiva gripped her spear and looked toward the noise, but Benno put his hand on her arm. "The bears do not come to kill; they come to look," he said softly. "Some say the bears come to find a mate among the Northmen, so they may share their strength." A large, shaggy bear emerged from the woods, looked at Kiva and Benno, then lumbered away again.

    "You see? He did not come to harm you," Benno smiled, then slipped into the woods with a quick wave. Though she looked for him again over the next few days, Kiva did not see him. Kiva began to think she had hit her head that day she fell with her firewood and had imagined him into being.

    Though Growth was upon the Northlands, the changes were not as sweeping as they are in the distant south. Snow and ice still cover the ground, but the lands feel more awake to those who know them best. The children of the Northlands, scattered by the invasion of the Horde, looked to each new season with hope in their hearts that this season, they would retake their homes. The Horde had not come yet to Kiva's village.

    The Blood of the Bear, Part Two
    This is the second part of a legend among the Northlanders concerning the Age of War. In Part One, Kiva met Benno, who was not of her village.

    Though the Horde had not yet come to their village, Kiva's people were prepared. With the Growth season upon them, they knew that ways previously impassable were now easier to access. They had dug in defensive trenches lined with sharply spiked branches and stakes. They had watches every night, both for the bears that were awakening and for any sign that the Horde might be advancing their way.

    Kiva was near the river gathering more wood when she again saw Benno. He stood at the edge of the melting ice, staring intently into the water. Before Kiva could call out a greeting, Benno reached into the water and with a quick swipe of his hand had knocked a fish onto the icy shore.

    As he picked up the fish, Benno noticed Kiva watching him. "I have never seen anyone fish that way before," she said, coming closer. Benno laughed and bade her stand back from the icy edge. He braced himself on the riverbank and stared into the black waters. He stood still for so long, Kiva wondered whether he had frozen in place. Suddenly he bent forward, darting his hand at the water and flinging another fish to the shore.

    "That is how we fish in my clan," Benno said, picking up the fish and putting it into a rough bag he had at his belt. Kiva laughed and said, "I have never seen that before; your clan must not be from around here." Benno glanced at her and said, "No. It is not." He turned to leave, then said hesitantly, "Are you curious to see where my clan is from?"

    Kiva paused, considering, "Is it far? I am on watch and must be back before dark." Benno nodded, "You will be back before dark." And then without warning he scooped her into his arms and crossed the water. "Benno! The river ice is melting!" Kiva gasped, "The water bites with cold; are you mad?" He laughed and said, "This is nothing; I am of the North!"

    Benno pushed through the snow-covered branches that hung low to the riverbank. Kiva had never walked on this side of the river before and she was fascinated. The trees grew tall and thick and were so closely set that no snow reached the ground. They came at last to an enormous tree, and at its roots, Benno pushed aside a leafy bush, revealing a hole into the ground.

    Though Kiva had to stoop to enter (as did Benno, who was taller than the tallest Northman), she could stand upright once inside. The cavernous hole seemed to go on and on into the darkness. Benno lit candles and offered her honey mead. It was warming and delicious. He brought her dried berries.

    "Where is the rest of your clan?" asked Kiva. A shadow passed over Benno's features. He said softly, "I am the last of my kind," then he said as though correcting himself, "Of my kin." Benno sat silently for a moment. "We lived in this place in the time of Growth, but at other times lived in other places. The Horde found us elsewhere. I alone escaped."

    "I am sorry," Kiva said. "The Horde has not yet come here."

    "But they will," Benno said quietly. "They will never get what they seek. The time has come for them to be defeated. And when they are gone, I will join another clan. My strength will be theirs."

    Looking around the empty cavern, Benno said, "Come! It is time for you to return to your people." He took Kiva's hand and stood for a moment, studying it closely; it was so small in his palm. Then he smiled at her and led the way through the bush into the woods.

    The Blood of the Bear, Part Three
    This brings to a close the Northland legend told of Kiva and Benno, who helped bring victory to the Northmen.

    Once they reached the river, Benno picked Kiva up to carry her across the icy water. An arrow flew past them, then another. Without breaking stride, Benno retreated into the woods with Kiva still in his arms. He made an angry sound that reminded Kiva of a growl. The Horde had come to this part of the Northlands at last.

    "We will cross lower down," Benno said, his dark eyes glittering. "I will take you back to your village; they are here for me."

    Kiva said, "The Horde care nothing for whom they kill."

    Benno shook his head. "They have seen me and know where I am from." He put Kiva gently on the ground and took her face into his hands. "I am not what I seem," he said and Kiva gasped as she recognized him. He was of the bear people.

    Benno nodded. "It is true; I am a bear. From the moment I first saw you, I knew that I must stay with you; that is why I am in this form. Now, we must hasten away. The Horde hunts me for my blood. They drink it, thinking it will give them my strength -- but that is not how one becomes a bear." Benno kissed her forehead and said, "You are now marked by a bear."

    Kiva listened intently; the mark Benno had placed on her forehead gave her the sharp hearing of the bear. She could hear the Horde cursing farther up the river. Staying close behind him, Kiva followed Benno as he loped through the woods until he came to a place where they could cross the river safely. Picking her up again, Benno crossed the river and they headed toward her village.

    "Your people will be safe in my cave," Benno said.

    Kiva shook her head. "No, we will not hide," she said. "The Horde thinks to overrun all the Northland but we cannot let them. If we defeat them here, it will give strength to our people."

    Benno nodded. "Then we will fight. I will go with you." The pair ran swiftly back to Kiva's village where they sounded the alert. The defenses were swung into motion while they made their plans.

    "The Horde is at the river; orcs only and I sense they are afraid of something," Benno told the village elders once Kiva introduced him. "I know not what. This is the time to push them back. Push them back beyond Halas." The village leaders agreed. This time they would be the aggressors and slay the Horde. "I go with you; I must avenge my clan," said Benno.

    Kiva said, "We should drive them into the river and let them freeze. They will sink under the weight of their gear and be unable to reach the riverbank."

    Benno added, "I will cross and attract their attention; while they are looking at me, push ahead." After a quick debate, the elders agreed that this plan might work. If nothing else, it would reduce the numbers of orcs that they would need to fight hand-to-hand. The villagers set off for the river.

    They found the Horde milling along the riverbank, obviously intending to cross it but unable to agree on how. Benno slipped away and soon enough, they saw him on the opposite bank near the woods. So did the orcs. Howling, they turned to face him, stringing arrows and aiming their spears. Benno stayed just out of reach, taunting them.

    "Now!" cried Kiva. She and the villagers burst out from their hiding place. The surprised orcs did not know which way to turn. Some fled into the river. Some turned toward the villagers. There was enough confusion that the villagers pressed the orcs back until they were all in the icy waters. They were too heavy-laden to reach the riverbanks and either froze or drowned.

    This victory marked a turning point against the Horde. The villagers spread the word as quickly as they could, heartening the clans and giving them the hope to take back their own towns. Then the clans united to take back Halas. Kiva and Benno married then and through their union, the strength of the bear still flows in the veins of the Northmen.
  4. Schmetterling Well-Known Member

    ok , to begin with the Pics were short , and so where the Romans .
    The Germanic tribes on the other hand were tall and more heavy built , they scared the living daylights out of the Romans ,
    because they fought topless with bare chests , and their woman were right there at the battle field providing their man with fresh weapons , arrows and encouragement . Unfortunately for the Germanic tribes the Romans quickly got wise on those Barbarians tactics and figured out they were not invulnerable .
    Barbarian is a term created by the Romans , and simply means the bearded ones .

    Neanderthals were not brainless brutes , they actually taught their cousins some things they needed to survive in the harsh European environment . The so called modern humans were ill prepared for the cold winters .
    Neanderthals had a language and buried their dead , they created jewelry and beautiful cloaks out of bird wings .
    Their Shamans or healers did use antlers ( not horns ) as head piece but only for ritual purpose .
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  5. Sigrdrifa EQ2 Wiki Author

    What's really funny is that, when we look at the skeletons, the Germanic people and the Vikings weren't the giants we might assume. It's only in comparison to the Romans or other people of the era they were tall. That, and the fear of their enemies, who allowed that fear to magnify the stature of the northerners.
  6. Soulwhisper New Member

    How did an army of Orcs take out Halas? Did Rallos Zek back the orc efforts while the tribunal and the Marr's ignored the savages, I mean barbarians?
  7. Schmetterling Well-Known Member

    Maybe the Barbarians did not give the gods the due respect , and so where punished failing to do so.
    Ok I should have said the Germanic tribes were taller .
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  8. Ra'Gruzgob Well-Known Member

    "Ο όρος Βάρβαροι είναι ονομασία που χρησιμοποιήθηκε αρχικά από τους Αρχαίους Έλληνες και αργότερα από τους Μεσσαιωνικούς Έλληνες ως εθνογραφική ή γεωγραφική ένδειξη, με την οποία, μέχρι τον 6ο Μ.Χ. αιώνα, χαρακτήριζαν όλους εκείνους που δεν ήταν Έλληνες, τους αλλοδαπούς" (https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Βάρβαροι). so "barbarians" were not only bearded (inhabitants of many neighboring countries in relation to greco-romans in pre-islamic period). and by way, some of emperors of romans and other representatives of aristocracy wore beards for themselves, and few called them barbarians, and only if they were "barbarians" before citizenship. and not at all because of beard..
    "**** neanderthalensis or **** sapiens neanderthalensis)[8] are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans who lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthal) - this is certainly not true. now only 7529 (+/-1) year from Adam. perhaps in museums skulls of some primates, mayhaps lived before Flood (it's perhaps that mentally degenerated (becomed like animals due to bad morals) people who lived, however, after above date, are closer to us, since **** sapiens has always been characterized by development of frontal lobes of brain, starting from Adam (preservation of eye structure at all times elementarily refutes "theory" of evolution invented by ignorant. modern felines looked at world with same eyes as ancient ones. laws of physics remain unchanged and lens remains lens). radiometric dating (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiometric_dating) is akin to fortune telling on coffee grounds. if someone doesn't believe (doubts, looking for any evidence in powerless attempt to refute what is natural) to God's Revelation, then he should not doubt that he is thereby blaspheming.. with ensuing consequences for him in his present and future. in present - such as mental blindness..
  9. Tannie Member

    I like my explanation much better.
  10. Schmetterling Well-Known Member

    I could go on and on explaining about archeological digs and what was found there but that won't take us anywhere .
    The first skeleton that was found and in the Neander Tal was bend over so people thought this species must be closer to an ape .
    More modern findings showed that this remains were those of an old individual with Rheumatic Arthritis , not a brute .
    Neanderthals traded with other people and man made items were found in their dwellings from as far away as Asia.

    I just remembered the real term the Romans used for all Northern tribes " the Unshaved Ones"
    It means they just let their beards grow in to a thick bushy something , did not care to trim it or shape it in a cultured way ,
    braiding the beard was not fashionable for Romans so even such care was considered , uncultured , and thus Barbarian
    meant uncultured .

    There are always new discoveries made , and our views of the past will change all the time .
    So I won't hold my breath on any of this .
    Geroblue and Breanna like this.
  11. Soulwhisper New Member

    I feel there are two different conversations going on in this thread.
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