Volkmont
A child of Urz is doubly-blessed
to trod upon her form
and make his home beneath her flesh
to stay himself from harm
— Urzan lullabye
The Volkmont are collection of nations who trace their common ancestors back to a mountain-dwelling people called the Urzan ("stone-misers") by the Aelda. Their arrival coincides with the emergence of man, with whom they often shared trade alliances.
The Urzan originally hailed from the mountainous region of the same name, Kel Urz, and were a hardy folk. They shared with the Aelda a love and reverence for nature and a respect for its power, but unlike the Aelda they wished to possess its riches—this desire mainly took the form of a material greed for rare gems and minerals; whereas the Aelda appreciated the beauty of these things, the Urzan coveted them.
Those descendants of the Urzan who survived intercine civil wars and the Tribulation went on to found the great mountain kingdoms (called "Kel" in their tongue) of the known world.
Physiology
Urzan are fairly strong and hardy
- +2 ST
- +2 Fatigue
Anatomy
Urzan are short humanoids with a tendency towards stockiness. They are thick-chested and muscular and the shorter they are, the smaller their trunks tend to be in proportion to their arms, legs and head. The tallest Urz of record is King Odir of Kel-Thekel ("Odir the Giant", "Odir Aeldblud"), who stood 5'5".
Elderly Urzan are subject to limb and joint pain, which is exacerbated by cold and dry weather—for this reason many older Urzan retire back into the mountains.
Behavior
The Urzan of Kel Thekel and Kel Doras are a boisterous, lively people. Broad of heart and gregarious. Those of Kel Kozaad by comparison are a more somber and circumspect people. The people of Kel Urz are stolid and proud and those from the reaches of Kel Mordyr are cautious and deliberate.