Balgr

The Balgr people are a group of humans who inhabit the Northern Reaches.

History and Culture
The Balgr humans originally followed migrating caribou and mammoth herds from the northwest into the Northern reaches about SM 7000.

The Balgr are hardy humans of stalwart spirit. Their culture tends toward stoicism, and they are generally on excellent terms with their dwarf neighbors, whose craftsmanship they greatly admire and often emulate. To a foreigner (or even a local elf who is too aloof to care), the Balgr demeanor, clothing, and metal- and leatherwork is indistinguishable from that of the dwarves of the region. A trained or discerning eye can quickly notice differences, however. And those who have a hard time distinguishing Balgr from dwarves should not be judged all too harshly, as some members of Balgr communities do indeed have some, usually quite diluted, dwarvish blood in their veins.

Characteristics
The Balgr people are taller than many but not all the humans of Istellan. Men of well-fed communities often reach 6’, and women 5’6”. The average height for a healthy man is just under 6’. Men from poor communities who hardly get vegetables, however, rarely pass 5’6” and women 5’1”. Balgr people are blue or sometimes grey-eyed and generally very fair skinned. Individuals from coastal communities who subsist off fish rather than reindeer meat have swarthier skin and darker hair but still have bright eyes. Their hair is generally rusty or brown in color. Some individuals have bright red or blonde hair. Their shoulders are broad and their noses and brows are strong. Their eyes are deeply set. Their features and stoic nature give most Balgr a countenance very grave to anyone unfamiliar with it. Beneath their chilly exterior, however, most Balgr have spirits that burn hot with passion for their families and duty within their clan.