Ngorrhali (Frost Sentinels and Tribal Ngorrhalis)

Alias: None (ancestral names erased for Frost Sentinels)
Origin: Ngorrhal (high-altitude mountain passes); some Frost Sentinels in Thazvaar

The Ngorrhali consist of two distinct populations native to Ngorrhal’s extreme high-altitude passes: Frost Sentinels and tribal Ngorrhalis. Frost Sentinels are elite hunters and warriors known for towering stature, resilience, disciplined silence, and endurance. Tribal Ngorrhalis are smaller, reclusive groups in isolated enclaves. Historical conflict during the Ngorrhali Unification Wars and Thazvaar intervention shaped their political divisions and migrations. Frost Sentinel DNA was later used in Engineered programs though cultural ties are rejected.

Terrain

Ngorrhali inhabit Ngorrhal’s high-altitude passes and rocky cliffs. They thrive in cold, frost-covered terrain with thin air and sparse vegetation. Frost Sentinel descendants also appear in Thazvaar’s coastal regions following Northeastern migration. They are absent from low-altitude, humid, or volcanic biomes.

Lifespan

Adapted to Geba’s gravity, Frost Sentinels and tribal Ngorrhalis live 80–120 years. Maturity: Sentinels 18–22 years; tribal Ngorrhalis 15–18 years.

Height

Frost Sentinels: mature 2.0–2.3 m, some males to 2.5 m; weights 150–200 kg. Northern Pass descendants taller (2.1–2.5 m; 140–180 kg) and faster than Western Pass (2.0–2.3 m; 160–200 kg). Tribal Ngorrhalis average 1.6–2.0 m and 100–140 kg. Juveniles are proportionally smaller.

Uses

• Ecological Role: Frost Sentinels historically managed high-altitude fauna via hunting, aiding ecosystem balance. Tribal Ngorrhalis have minimal ecological impact due to small, dispersed populations.
• Cultural Significance: Frost Sentinels serve in the Emperor’s Directive as elite guards. Their silence, resilience, and Thundered Dirge chants are culturally revered. Tribal Ngorrhalis preserve crafts and oral traditions of Ngorrhal’s heritage.
• Guidance: Approach Frost Sentinels with respect for disciplined culture. Engage tribal Ngorrhalis cautiously. Avoid disrupting territories during expeditions to prevent conflict.

Notes

Documented during the Era of Early Dominion (6,000 to ~3,500 years before modern Geba), Frost Sentinels rose after the Ngorrhali Unification Wars. Northern and Western Sentinels, with Geban support, defeated the Thazvaar-backed Northeastern faction; survivors established presence in Thazvaar. Tribal Ngorrhalis were nearly eradicated following attacks on relay systems. Frost Sentinel DNA contributed to Engineered lineages, though Sentinels reject cultural association. Frost Sentinels are a prominent group in the capital while tribal Ngorrhalis persist in remote Ngorrhal regions.