Hallatonttu
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Lifespan: Average 120-160 years
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Average weight: 50-70 Kilograms
Biology
Hallatonttu are a race of diminutive fey, averaging a scarce four feet in height. With bone-white to bluish skin and eye color ranging from purple to amber, they are highly unusual in appearance.
What they lack in physical strength they make up with resilience, and are able to survive harsh conditions unlike any other race in Auria. In battle, the Hallatonttu rely on advanced technology more than physical strength.
Military
Hallatonttu are a tribal society, lacking a formalized military. Despite this they are a surprisingly fierce enemy; lacking physical strength or agility, they primarily fight with the aid of mechanized weapons and exotic beasts from the southern ice-wastes.
Crossbowmen fire volley after volley of lightning-tipped quarrels, while hallatonttu with spears surprise foes with spring-loaded spearpoints or dart-launcers built into their weapons. However, they do not fare well in the melee; to compensate for this they will unleash shaggy-furred beasts from the far south.
More mystic elements of the Hallatonttu frequently wield lightning or ice magic against their foes.
History
To call the Hallatonttu an enigma would be a vast understatement. they are native to a distant southern land far too cold for any other civilization to survive, and only seldom appear in the historical record at all.
What is known is the Hallatonttu are shockingly advanced despite their semi-nomadic, tribal civilization, as well as highly xenophobic. Hallatonttu tribes began to spread into the Auroran Penninsula mere decades ago, and have rapidly established a presence in the snow-capped peaks to the distant south. With ingenious weapons of war- repeating crossbows, staves that cast bolts of lightning, and self-propelling battering rams- they have cast out the Dragar from the southernmost reaches.
Technology
As far as can be told, the Hallatonttu are the most technically advanced race in Auria. With the ability to craft metal automatons, and create high quality metals, they have devised numerous innovations that would be outlandish even to the Abryssians. Boats that propel themselves with lightning, reloading crossbows, and autonomous battering rams are just some of the innovations the Hallatonttu have crafted.
Despite this the Hallatonttu seem primitive to many other races. They live nomadic existances, using spears for fishing and hunting, The strange devices they use for fabrication of their technology are carried on the backs of large white-furred beasts of burden.
As far as can be told, much of the Hallatonttu's technical prowess can be linked to the Ice-worm, a strange bioelectric creature which lives on that southern continent. Extract from these creatures is vital to the production of most Hallatonttu technology, imbued with resonant lightning.
Their civilization is strung out on humble villages or nomadic encampments. Mines and shepards produce the raw materials for the production of their technology, while the nomadic elements of their civilization hunt or fish, trading food for advanced technology.
Society
The Hallatonttu are a widespread confederation of numerous tribes, some nomadic and some sedentary. The true extent of their civilization is unknown, as they live primarily on the far southern continent which is far too cold for other civilizations. They are sparsely populated, living in villages or shepherding herds of white-furred goliaths through the icy tundra.
Hallatonttu tribes usually have a chief and shaman-artificer, the latter of which serves to maintain or construct their technology.