Alfrostuns

An Alfrostun is an extension of its Frostlord’s will. Each of their Huskards, the tribal chieftains that enforce their orders, commands a separate and distinct arm of the tribe. The Jorlbad is the ‘Fighting Hand’, the Eurlbad the ‘Eating Hand’ and the Torrbad the ‘Hand of Thunder’.

The Beastclaw equivalent of the Gutbuster warglutts, Alfrostuns are the traditional nomadic tribes of the Beastclaw Raiders. Most Mawtribes boast at least a few of these roving bands, though they are most commonly sighted fighting under the banner of Beastclaw-dominated Mawtribes such as the Boulderhead or Thunderbellies.

The Frostlord
The masters of the Alfrostuns are the Frostlords. These hulking chieftains are the biggest and toughest of their kind, second in prestige only to the Frost Kings, the legendary overlords of the Beastclaw Mawtribes. While a Frostlord’s dominance is unquestioned – at least until a challenger decides to make a play for leadership – these war leaders maintain a trio of subordinate chieftains who control the three major arms of the Alfrostun.

The Jorlbad
The most prestigious arm is the Jorlbad, or the ‘Fighting Hand’. Formed from the tribe’s most celebrated warriors, the Jorlbad is granted the greatest share of meat upon a triumphant raid, for it is they who are found at the thick of the fighting. Its Huskard is typically the Alfrostun’s most fearsome champion, second only in skill and ferocity to the Frostlord.

The Eurlbad
After the Jorlbad comes the Eurlbad, or the ‘Eating Hand’. The role of this arm is no less important than that of the Jorlbad, though it is viewed as less prestigious. It is tasked with securing the areas overrun by the Alfrostun’s vanguard forces, slaughtering any last pockets of resistance and harvesting every last scrap of meat.

The Huskards
Before each battle, the Frostlord will select which of their Huskards will command the Jorlbad and which will take control of the Eurlbad, a decision that depends on who has proven themselves most worthy during previous raids.

Composition of the Jorlbad and Eurlbad
Despite their differing duties, the composition of both the Jorlbad and Eurlbad is similar. Each is led by a Huskard mounted upon a Stonehorn. At the chieftain’s side ride Stonehorn Beastriders, deadly shock troops that form the elite Atta pack. Beneath these are packs of Mournfang riders led by sub-chiefs known as Skalgs. The exact size of these packs depends upon the wealth and prestige of the Alfrostun.

The Torrbad
The final arm is the Torrbad. Unlike their fellow chieftains, the Huskard Torr will maintain their position until death. The Huskard Torr is a spiritual figure, shaman and wise advisor whose connection to the Everwinter is invaluable to the tribe’s Frostlord. Comprising the Alfrostun’s Thundertusks, the Torrbad is the herald of winter, and Frostlords use its freezing presence to great effect upon the battlefield. Its chill also serves to draw in other creatures of winter, such as Icefall Yhetees, that add to the Torrbad’s savagery in battle.

The Skal
Unaligned with any of the Alfrostun’s distinct arms is the Skal. This is the Alfrostun’s scouting force, formed of veteran Icebrow Hunters whose task it is to seek out the richest hunting grounds. They answer directly to the Frostlord, though it is rare that the Frostlord exerts control over them; their hunter’s instincts are trusted implicitly and they are usually granted the freedom to roam and track as they see fit.

Alfrostuns of the different Mawtribes
Most Alfrostuns include a Jorlbad, an Eurlbad, a Torrbad and a Skal, though not all do. Some, such as the Thunderbellies’ beastrider clans of the Sky Roads, consist entirely of mounted Stonehorn riders, while others include several roaming Icebrow Hunter packs. The Winterbite Mawtribe particularly favours the latter.