History

Exhausted and covered in fish guts from his special fishing technique, Narwhal ran into quite a rude apex who immediately began to mock him for his appearance. While he first reacted grumpily, after realizing they were both headed in the same direction, they decided they may as well stick together in this foreign territory for now. After journeying together for a few years, they developed a close bond, and upon discovering a beautiful frozen lake deep in the south, isolated from the rest of the world, they decided this would be where they would settle down, as both were nearing the end of their rites. Two became three, became five, and now, an entire tribe lives next to this lake.

Diet

Being so deep in the mountains, Glacies members most often obtain their food from the nearby lake. Much of their diet consists of fish, along with other smaller vertebrates that they may fish out now and then. They will usually gut extra fish that the catch and hang them up on the drying racks, covered in salt, to save for later. When it's very cold outside, they will also sometimes opt to bury them under piles of snow instead to preserve them for later. During the summer months, although it never truly warms up, storage becomes harder, and so salt becomes the condiment of choice.

One special item that certain toskals often enjoy are fresh fish buried under a pile of snow, stuck onto a stick. Noah refers to these as fishcicles, and will often bring them to his nephews and nieces when traveling. Some other popular snacks include fresh snails when the Halladen or Sakhr tribe members stops by, along with salted crab legs, fished from the lake and covered in salt from the nearby salt caves.

While they primarily feed on fish, they do manage to hunt the odd animal from the landscape, whether that be larger bear-like animals, or smaller rabbit-like creatures. However, in general, wildlife is considered sacred and not to be touched unless for self-preservation reasons, so any occasion when a large animal is accidentally downed is marked by a feast, whereby all toskals in the tribe regardless of rank will get a piece of the meat, to both allow everyone to appreciate what nature has given them, as well as remind everyone of the inevitable progression of the circle of life.

Although the toskals themselves don't frequently hunt large game, many of the animals Versace and Tsume tame require large prey. While they are perfectly capable of hunting for themselves, when the odd seal-like creature is captured from the lake, Glacies happily give these to their large feathered friends as peace offerings. From time to time, when it's more difficult for the creatures to hunt, Versace and Tsume will also set out themselves to hunt down medium sized game to keep them fed. As this falls under the need for self-preservation for the animals, it does not contradict their customs.

Practices & Beliefs

After an experience with one of the largest predators in the land, Versace decided that they deserved the respect they commanded. After being in the presence of such an incredible god-like creature, he believes that they are not to be taken lightly, for he believes they hold power over the weather and seasons themselves.

As such, Glacies members are not permitted to kill nor hurt any apex predators in the region unless it is absolutely unavoidable. They believe the larger animals of the land to have some connection to the gods above, and hence will not harm them in any way, and actually house a few of the scircs that are on friendly terms with Versace in their animal stables.

Religious Events

Living in the south has its perks : one of them being the presence of the southern lights. Glacies members revere these lights as a sign of the existence of higher powers, though they don't attribute it to anything specific. The mysterious appearance of these bright rays in the sky always marks the beginning of a ten day long festival, full of feasting and games. They will also leave offerings far away from camp to these lights, thanking whatever forces are out there for another year of full bellies and peace.

Celebrations

Whenever a big event happens in the tribe, like the birth of a new litter of pups, or the return of a newly made adult from their rite, Glacies will celebrate with a feast. They'll all share the stock of salted fish they have saved up along with gifts from nearby tribes and stuff themselves until their bellies can't fit anymore while dancing around the campfire to the music played by their talented musicians.

Specialties

The tribe is well known for its special fishsicles, which are basically salted fish on a stick. In addition, they will also trade salt itself to other tribes to help preserve food. Although they don't frequently partake in trading, they have the capability to harvest ice and provide it in large blocks for any tribes that seek it.

Interactions with Strangers

Upon finding a stranger near their tribe, Glacies members generally don't find themselves overly welcoming to strangers seeking them out. Although a toskal that requires assistance will be helped, they are very guarded and would not allow the toskal to stay in the tribe beyond anything necessary for survival. Any signs of malice would immediately be treated with hostility, and such a toskal would find themselves kicked out into the snowing landscape.

However, a random toskal on its rite that looks to just be passing by will most likely not be confronted. They would be observed from afar to ensure that they are not a danger to the tribe, but would not be interfered with in any way. Versace does not believe in oppression, and as such, Glacies members would not attempt to enforce their belief system on any innocent stranger passing by, even if they were to violate their fundamental beliefs.

Due to their closed nature, Glacies does not usually allow random strangers into their tribe. While there have been exceptions to this rule, it does not occur often. (From time to time, I may allow a few new members into the tribe without the usual firewalls, but they will not display any glacies pelt traits.)

The only ways to join the tribe otherwise are by either acquiring an adoptable (from gachas or glacies adopt batches), or by bonding to an existing member within the tribe. To acquire a toskal with their physical characteristics, you can either acquire an adoptable, or obtain a canon breeding to a toskal in the tribe with the glacies traits.