History
A clan of warrior craftsman, claimed to have lineage tracing back to the times of old, when Giant clans ruled Meranthe with no merit to their tales. A clan rising from decline, one of Giants by old tale and rumor alone for as long as the living can remember, having fallen into obscurity over the ages until the awakening of Ymir's blood in Surtyr. Despite their loss of renown in the current age, they survived due to their skill in bloodshed and the forge, prized skills in Vdalion. Surtyr the chieftain of the Folhammars in the present day, was showing promise until he became fascinated by the slumbering throes of Vdali below, and he seemed to hold no interest in anything else.
The clan declined, skill and mythical claims failing to endure the prospect of an estranged leadership. Until five years ago when he was thought lost after a failed communion with Vdali resulted in his conscious being swallowed by the cyclopean mind of the primordial. For three days he remained below, before emerging a figure of astounding stature and skin red as fire, yet lumbering. His proof of heritage came with a price, a changed self within and without.
In his awakening, he has spent the last five years rebuilding the clan in a new image, one of spiritual craftsmanship and reverence to Vdali and Ymir. Surtyr says himself, 'They are so mighty they shape the world in their wake. To craft, is to pray to them, our true purpose made clear.' It is with this mantra the Folhammar clan is going through reform, even accepting new blood into the fold should a prospect come to be of likeminded belief.
Shamans, and Shapers
The Folhammar clan is one consisting of warrior craftsman initially, however Surtyr's recent reforms have brought forth a new identity. They are a shamanic, spiritual clan that reveres the source of the Giant heritage, Ymir, and his child Vdali, their patrons and focus of worship when they shape stone, wood, and metal. In the last few years this has earned intrigue and confusion alike, yet their skills are irrefutable. Few will craft a better ax or atgier than a Folhammar.
Dedicating to a craft is a defining requisite to carry the clan name, and the members with the highest standing within the clan itself are those who commit to an 'artisan's prayer', where the crafter shows reverence and homage to the gods with their work. Setting themselves apart, and shifting towards the direction of not only clan but religious collective.
A member of the clan can be recognized by the crest marking their right hand or bicep. A blood-relative of the chief family having it upon their right hand, and 'new blood' receiving the crest upon their bicep after going through apprenticeship and producing their first artisan's prayer, after learning the rites and techniques of the forge that came to Surtyr in dreams after his encounter with Vdali's mind.
Clan Structure
The clan consists of a hierarchy based on skill and mastery in it's modern iteration, not being a noble line resulted in Surtyr's decision to accept new blood, and also for these newcomers to have opportunity to rise in the clan. The hierarchy goes as:
Forgeseer - The leader and spiritual mentor of the clan.
Augur - Advisors of the clan's leader and masters of artisan prayer. Often oversees inducting 'new blood' and ensures clan trades go as desired when the Forgeseer cannot. This role is mantled by the most loyal and talented of the clan.
Woldhammer - Typically the path which most Folhammar take when their focus in practice leans more towards warfare. The martial role within the clan, and as fierce as expected of Vdalion warriors. They often bring in new trade and apprentices by displaying the power of Folhammar crafted weapons and armor and spreading the clan's dogma.
Meistari - The path taken by those who truly wish to have their craft be their scripture and prayer. Meistari perform rituals during the crafting process, whatever form of craft they hold expertise in. Their attention to detail and passion for praising the gods with their craft sets them apart from a mere craftsman. The weapons they make are scripture that truly slays one's enemy.
Novice - New blood and the young of the Folhammar clan both start here, working to complete their training and make their first true work of their craft in a coming of age rite to prove their skill to graduate to one of two paths.
[If you wish to start as a Folhammar, please reach out to me at kiha#7408 on discord]