Fremennik

This page serves as a source of information about the Fremennik as it is applicable to World 42 roleplaying characters. Everyone is invited to add to this information.

Brief History
The Fremennik people arrived on Gielinor from their home world of Teragard, the birthplace of humankind, during the First Age, when Guthix first began to populate Gielinor. For a very long time, the Fremennik remained a nomadic people who traveled the land, but the majority eventually gave up this life style and formed a settlement, which they named Rellekka. Some Fremennik disapproved of this, as they saw it as a disgrace to their heritage, and a small number split off from the main population to remain nomadic; this group still exists today, being known as the Mountain Tribe.

As time passed, the Fremennik people explored the Northern seas, finding what is today referred to as the Lunar Isle. What was found on the isle turned out to be the very first rune essence mine, and those that discovered essence found that they were able to craft runes from the very rock itself. This discovery sent shock waves rippling through the Fremennik population, as up until then they believed that only the gods were worthy of creating runes, and many were fearful that this would bring forth punishment from them. While those that discovered the runes insisted that they could be used to defend their people from invaders. The dispute became so heated that those who discovered the rune essence broke off from the Fremennik tribes, and formed what is today known as The Moon Clan.

Other islands were found as well, where the Fremennik came to settle. One story tells of two brothers who left the mainland to find their own lands to rule. As the brothers hated each other, they separated and one found a barren island with good fish stocks and metal deposits, while the other found a lush green island that supported grazing yaks. When the two found out that the islands they discovered were right next to one another, they and their fellow settlers battled with one another to control both islands. Eventually, their father, who was the chieftain of the Fremennik at the time, had to intervene. When he asked who owned the islands, one of the brothers instantly claimed he owned both and it was the truth, causing the other to say "Neitiznot", and the first brother claimed "Jatizso". The father split the two away from one another and gave them the islands they claimed, which today are named after the words of the brothers; the islands of Neitiznot and Jatizso. Two more islands came to be settled; at first they were named Miscellania, but a civil war broke out between the inhabitants, and the smaller island broke away to become known as Etceteria. Despite the conflict, these island nations remained faithful members of the Fremennik tribe.

During the early days of the Fifth Age, the Fremennik caught wind that the Moon Clan had branched out onto the mainland of Gielinor, and were creating special altars where runes could be crafted. The Fremennik saw this as an affront to the gods, and they stormed down from the North; attacking and pillaging the South, and destroyed every altar they came across. These series of campaigns against runecrafting became known as the Rune Crusades, and is still remembered as a vicious piece of history by many. The crusades forced the Moon Clan back to their isle in the North, where they remained on the defensive for the rest of the Fifth Age. From the destruction caused by the Rune Crusades rose up yet another splinter group of the Fremennik: the Barbarians. The Barbarians were born from a standstill in the Crusade when they failed to receive orders to attack Varrock, and they stayed where they camped; creating the settlement of Gunnarsgrun. Unlike the other splinter groups, the Barbarians maintained a healthy relationship with their parent group, the Fremennik.

It was only towards the end of the Fifth age that relationships between the Fremennik, the Moon Clan, and the Mountain tribe were finally repaired, thanks to the help of a great Adventurer. This Adventurer, as it turned out, was written of in a set of prophecy tablets that predicted the second rise of the Dagannoth. This adventurer, as it was written in the tablets, brought the clans together once more in peace, and through a joint effort, defeated the Dagannoth scurge. Since then, the tribes have improved relations, and now coexist in peace. The end of the Fifth age also saw the great pillaging of Daemonheim; as the Fremennik came to the dungeons to test their might against the monsters found within.

Accepted Lore

 * The Fremennik are a group that has existed for a very long time, and has remained true to their Teragardian roots; as when Fremennik die they go to Teragard's underworld, not Gielinor's. As such, the reaper Death does not collect their souls.
 * This is because the Fremennik, no matter how tied they are to the Northern lands, do not actually view Gielinor as their home.
 * The Fremennik spirt world, their place of life after death, is called Valhalla. This was confirmed by the Valkyrie known as Eir.
 * When a Fremennik child comes of age, they undergo a rite of passage into adulthood, referred to as the trials. They seek out prominent members of the tribe and preform tasks for them. When enough members of the tribe vouch for them, they are allowed into adulthood. After they are pledged as full members of the tribe, they shed their childhood name and are given a new name as an adult. This name stays with them for the rest of their lives.
 * Although it is rare, non-Fremennik people from the South may undertake the trials and become a member of the tribe. While some Fremennik are against this, others are happy to help Southerners remember their Teragardian heritage.
 * No true Fremennik would accept the crafting of runes as an acceptable act, and they have reacted aggressively towards it many times in their history.
 * That being said, while many Fremennik distrust magic, they do not truly shun magic. The Fremennik still have a collection of runes that were made for them by Guthix himself, which they use to fight the Penance Demons. They also make use of old non-runic magics, of which little is known.
 * Fremennik are naturally gifted warriors, drinkers, and survivors. They have proven themselves adept at surviving whatever has been thrown their way over the centuries.
 * While relations have been repaired between the the Fremennik and their splinter groups, there is still a little animosity between them due to the time they have been apart (excluding the Barbarians).
 * The Fremennik operate under several systems of Government. The main tribe back on Rellekka and the Barbarians exist under a chieftain that is selected from the population. The islands of Neitiznot and Jatizso hold a system akin to monarchy, with Neitiznot being closer to the chieftan system and Jatizso being closer to monarchy. The islands of Miscellania and Etceteria operate under a true system of monarchy.
 * The Mountain Tribe and Moon Clan operate similarly to the mainland Fremennik; as the Mountain tribe has a chieftain and the Moon

Debated Lore

 * While the Fremennik have long revered Guthix, it is not clear on whether or not they ever worshipped him, as there have never been any observable altars in any land owned by the Fremennik or their splinter groups.
 * While it is not clear if the Fremennik actually worship anything, they do seem to believe in the existence of certain nature spirits, such as the Fossegrimen (a lake spirit).
 * The Fremennik may have been the first humans on Gielinor brought by Guthix, but their relations to the Southern cultures are a little murky. It is believed that most, but not all, Southern humans are descended from the Fremennik in some way; either from the main tribe or one of their splinter groups.
 * This is supportable from the nomadic lifestyles of the early Fremennik; as their people continued to grow and move across the land it is likely that groups split from one another, while the main tribe continued on the move. These groups likely formed the Southern settlements we know today.
 * Women do not seem to take much part in being warriors for the tribe, and instead preform more home-oriented tasks. Because of this, some argue that Fremennik women should not be warriors at all, and this has put off some female role-players from taking part in the Fremennik lifestyle. Although, there are a few known instances where women have helped in the battlefield, such as in Daemonheim, where two warrior women are seen outside; direct proof that some women can become warriors.
 * It is unknown if the Fremennik would be open to summoning, though it is possible since it does not require the use of any runes, and deals with spirits (which Fremennik seem to hold some respect for).

Common Mistakes

 * While the Fremennik are based off of real life Norse Vikings, they are not the same, forming a group that more closely resembles the Vikings would not be lore-worthy. Please follow the information placed in this guide.
 * While the Fremennik are often natural warriors, fishermen, and sailors, they are not born this way. While their heritage and culture may help them, they are as every other human group out there; they must train to become great, just as the Moon Clan mages must train to become worthy at their craft.
 * While Fremennik may be based off their real life equivalents; the Norse, names that sound Norse are not always Fremennik.
 * Fremennik are, loosely, a united people. While Fremennik might attack Moon Clan members or Mountain Tribe members, it is incredibly rare for Fremennik to fight one another to the death on a large scale. There would have to be a huge reason for Fremennik to attack other Fremennik on a war-sized scale.
 * Likewise, some role-players like to have their Fremennik characters raid other places; Fremennik would not raid and pillage other Fremennik under normal circumstances.

Other Information

 * During the winter months, a pair of spirits, godlike wolf brothers, attack the Fremennik province. Hati, the winter wolf and lesser of the two brothers, is said to be destined to devour the moon, according to Fremennik myth. The larger brother, Sköll, is said to be destined to devour the sun. When both brothers devour their chosen meals, the Fremennik prophesize that the end of things will begin.
 * To prevent this, the Fremennik actively hunt both brothers each year. Hati is drawn to the glow of fresh fallen snow, as it is said to shine like the moon, and they hunt him down in the forest. They lure Sköll in by building an enormous bonfire to mimic the sun, and when he comes they commence the hunt. After each hunt, trophies such as pelts, bones, and paws are taken by the victorious hunters.
 * Few Fremennik have seeable last names, instead most prominent Fremennik have titles rather than last names.
 * The Fremennik have long been engaged in bloody conflicts against a neighboring race of amphibious reptiles, whom the Fremennik have nicknamed "Daggermouths", called Dagannoth, which have been living on Waterbirth Island for as long as anyone can remember.

Trivia

 * The Fremennik are based off of the real life Nordic peoples. There have been many references in RuneScape to that very fact.
 * When Hati and Sköll succeed in devouring the moon and sun, the Fremennik believe the end of things will begin. This is a direct reference to the Norse belief of Ragnarök.
 * Likewise, the npc Eir is referred to as a Valkyrie, and the Fremennik spirit world as Valhalla: a direct allusion to the Norse.