Avvars

[The Maker]

The majority of the Avvarian people live i subsistence conditions, with the greater part of their days spent gathering the necessities of survival with little time given over to activities without an immediate practical application. Ornamentation is rare among Avvar-made goods that aren`t religious in nature. They prefer well-made items that endure the Frostback extreme weather.

The Avvars have a decent relationship with the dwarven kingdom of Orzammer. The Avvars trade furs, goat milk, and free passage rights for dwarf traders (allowing them to travel over the Frostbacks in peace) in exchange for arms and armor. The dwarves regard the Avvars as a useful deterrent against both Ferelden and Orlesian ambitions.

Avvarian Holds and Marriage
Since each Avvar hold is made up of several extended family clans, Avvars often have to marry outside their hold to avoid their relatives. This is seen as a good thing, for it brings in new blood and extends the ties among Avvars. Avvar men go about securing brides by kidnapping them. This is partially arranged in advance by approaching the elders of the target clan and announcing one`s intention. Failure to do so can lead to a blood feud.

Once permission has been given, a warrior is expected to prove his skills by slipping into the hold and removing his new bride. A warrior who is caught in his first try can expect a severe beating, but nothing worse. If he Is caught again on the second try, though, he is likely to become lunch for the clan`s sacred animal. Avvarian men may approach a lady directly if they wish to secure her agreement (or assistance), and some Avvar women make it known that they desire a specific man.

Avvars are expected to put loyality to hold before blood. Even a kidnapped bride is expected to renounce her former ties and cleave to her new clan. Indeed, her old clan and family are forever after slightly suspicious of her, even if she was taken against her will.

Avvarian Shamans
The Avvars gods are more capricious than cruel, demanding appeasement for perceived sleights rather than wantonly casting misfortune on their people from lofty heights.When Avvars suffer, it seldsom occurs to them to blame ill luck, but instead, to wonder which of the gods they have offended. If a warrior surffers a wound, he is concerned that he may have slighted Haakon. If a hunting party returns empty-handed, their only thought is to placate the Mountain Father; indeed, they will not go forth hunting once more until they have decided on how to mollify Korth – there would be no point in it, as they would surely fail again.

When forced to consider complex spiritual matters, the Avvars turn to their shamans, the lore keepers of the mountains It is they who watch the migrations of birds seeking wisdom from the Lady, they who keep the old songs and retain the knowledge of the proper rites to honor the gods and spirits of the mountains. The majority of the Avvars shamans are powerful mages whose traditions stretch far back beyond the foundation of the Circle of Magi. Neither the Chantry nor the Prophetess means anything to the Avvarians, and Templars are not welcome in the Frostbacks. This is wise, as many of the shamans rituals would horrify the Chantry. Even mild rites invite spirits to speak through the casters for a time, to say nothing of some of their more pwerful ceremonies. The Avvars are well aware that some spirits are reluctant to depart human hosts willingly, but they have means of dealing with such recalcitrant entities.