Vohl

Vohl are a long-lived race of demi-humans native to a foreign landmass known as Ord. They are a rare occurrence in Templehelm and Ateon at large. Almost all Vohl are skilled in some form of artisanry or trade, as it is rooted in both their cultural and religious beliefs. Many also serve as hunters and warriors, working hard to protect their lands from threats; the most well-known of these being the hungering Brognag and the bloodthirsty bands of Udyr.

Etymology
According to accounts from one of the first Vohl to have arrived in Templehelm, the word ‘Vohl’ comes from the supposed tongue of the gods. This language is only fluently known and spoken by the highest of religious figures in their society; however, the rough translation or meaning behind the word is “the chosen of the gods”. This alludes to the Vohls’ belief that they were the last creation of the gods before they went to sleep; their magnum opus, whose purpose was to continue to shape the world and thrive until they could awaken once more.

Appearance
Vohl stand taller than the average humanoid, usually ranging between 7 and 10 feet in height. Their physical builds can vary; from lean and sinewy to brawny and robust. Most Vohl tend towards an athletic build and care much about their physical health. The most defining characteristic of all Vohl is a large pair of protruding horns emerging from their heads, unseen in most giant-esque races. These horns can vary in size, shape, and curvature; however, they typically resemble those seen on wild oxen and aurochs.

Lifespan
Vohl can live for several centuries, with the oldest known Vohl said to have made it halfway into their second millennia. The physical features of a Vohl in their second century are equivalent to a Human in their thirties.

History
Little is known about the Vohl as they are sparse throughout Ateon and Templehelm alike.

Templehelm
The first Vohl to arrive in Templehelm is Aksel, who came in the 3rd Era.

3rd Era
In the 3rd era, Aksel the Vohl of Garmrdis is one of the principle defenders of Templehelm from the threat posed by the Drakes.

Outlands
The Vohl are from a land beyond the Setlian Sea known as Ord. It is a place of crawling hills, deep valleys, and golden fields. There, they are oppressed in secret by a race known as the Gothya who impersonate their priestly caste.

Religion
Faith is a large part of Vohl culture. They believe themselves to be the greatest creation of their gods, who were said to be great artisans who could shape the world on a whim.

The Cold World and the Arrival of the Gods
Little is known about what the world was like before the coming from the gods. Though, the story goes that the world was once a cold place; filled with jagged rock, deep ocean, and empty skies. A world devoid of creativity, as the Gothya would put it.

Then, the first of the gods made landfall in Ord, arriving in great sailing ships made of banded gold. Gulbrandr, the eldest of the gods, stepped foot on the cold earth and brought about great change. The jagged rock flowed like waves, forming high mountains and rolling hills covered in large swathes of golden grass. Then, Eindriði disembarked, and sang a glorious song heralding their arrival.

Soon, more and more gods made landfall until all had finally come. Once together, they burned their great vessels to the ground, as to prevent any from returning to their previous realm and prevent any would-be outsiders from seeking it out as well.

The Framing of the World
There were many gods who arrived in Ord, each with their own series of stories to be shared across generations. For now, we will highlight some of the more popular deities. . Belegr, the Sculptor - An idol for potters, masons, and stoneshapers. . Eindriði, the Orator - The poet of the gods and keeper of stories, it was they whose dreams revealed the fate of the gods; the coming of a deep, unending slumber. . Gulbrandr, the Builder - The first god to make landfall. Shaper of the earth. . Ástríðr, the Weaver. . Heroides, the Physician - Mixer of biles and tinctures. Created many of the beasts that roam Ord, such as Aurochs. . Hrúsi, the Binder - They who learned to bind the magics that flowed through the earth using intricate sigils and glyphs, often with the purpose of warding off threats to their creations. . Skrymir, the Hunter - He who hunted and slew the first Auroch.

The Birth of the Vohl
Soon enough, the gods one by one began to fall into a deep slumber, just as [the orator] has perceived in their dreams. Knowing that their time was limited and there was still much work to be done in the world, the gods pooled together their power and skill to create their greatest and final creation: the Vohl.

Belegr sculpted their bones and muscles from the clay, sand, and rock. Ástríðr wove their sinew, flesh, and hair from the finest of threads. Heroides filled their bodies with all manner of life sustaining tinctures, including the blood of the gods themselves. Eindriði sang a magic poem to produce and channel souls into the bodies, which were finally bound by Hrúsi using a series of magic runes and sigils.

And thus, the first Vohl were born.

The Gothya
The Gothya are believed to have been the first Vohl created by the gods. They act as religious leaders and advisors in the absence of the gods. None have seen their faces, for they are always fully clothed and masked.

Every few years, the Gothya will hold a series of trials. These trials will test the Vohls’ physical and mental skills to the extreme. The best of the competitors would be chosen to become the Gothyas’ new scribes, where they would abandon their original lives and instead dedicate themselves to recording the works of the Gothya deep within their Temple. These Vohl are never seen again.

Law
Vohl tend to live in small villages, often comprising of five to ten different families. These villages are led by a chief and their advisors. Village chiefs often come from the same family, unless that family line perishes and is in need of replacement. Disputes between villages are often settled through the guidance of the Gothya.

Combat
Vohl are often forced to protect their territories from the two other works of the gods: the Brognag, Ord’s equivalent of giants, and the Udyr, which roughly translates to dogmen or beastmen.

Brognag are mindless beasts who wander the land in search of food, killing anything and anyone that cross them. Vohl will tend to lure giants that wander to close to their villages into deep valleys or high-treed woodlands, using large amounts of food. Once there, Vohl will use high vantage points to strike at the giant’s weak spots; its eyes, ears, and neck. At the same time, others will swoop in from below and strike at the being’s heels in the hopes of toppling it.

Udyr are not so easily dealt with. Unlike Brognag who keep to themselves, Udyr roam in large warbands in search of food, wealth, and blood sport. The most effective that has been found has been to scare them off with a show of force. This sometimes leads to skirmishes, which could cost the lives of several Vohl before the Udyr have either been scattered across the hills or scared into the mountains.

Notable Individuals
Aksel

Forum Links
A Giant's Tale: The Burning Tree - Illustrates the villainy of the Gothya, a race which oppresses the Vohl outside of Templehelm.