Tryggvi

The northernmost parts of the Snowsquall Tundra mark where Clan _______'s influence ends. Even if they only officially control some islands on the arcane half of the island chain, the clan guard watch over the entire archipelago, protecting the trade ships that sail between the two flights. But once those trade routes reach the mainland, what happens to them is the problem of some other clan.

Or if they're paying, it can be Caetano's. His home village is nearby one of the ice flight's major northern ports, and if he's around he can be found on the docks, looking for work as a caravan guard. Some might prefer a massive gaoler as a protector, but the help Caetano can provide should not be underestimated. He knows exactly which routes through the tundra can be traversed quickly and safely, and which have been recently buried under avalanches or flooded out when some of the snow melted under the summer sun. And unlike a draconic guide, Caetano can negotiate rest and resupply at any of the beastclan settlements on one of his routes south. Any night not spent camping outside in the ice and cold is a good night. You shouldn't underestimate the skill behind every swing of his handaxe, either. He's the hero of his home village for a reason.

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And that reason happened late at night, during one of Tryggvi's scouting missions. He'd flown much too far south to make it back to shelter before nightfall, so instead he chose to go even father south, and find somewhere to rest on the mainland. While trying to remember where the dragon city was, Tryggvi sensed something. Anger. Bubbling, irrational rage at every last living thing. The usual mental state of a coarsefur yeti. Rest at the port didn't matter any more. Instead, Tryggvi rushed to the lights of a small longneck village he could see in the distance.

Landing gracelessly in front of the village chief's house, Tryggvi warned the longnecks to bar their doors and hide. They thanked him profusely, offering food and a house to sleep in overnight in exchange. Graciously, he accepted, until he sensed the worry of a few longnecks muttering about one hunter who hadn't made it back home yet. Tryggvi made an irritated noise under his breath. It looked like he'd be going back out there tonight. Those longneck's worry would be keeping him awake otherwise.

Tryggvi found the hunter taking quick shelter from the icy wind behind a large rock. It took him longer that he'd expected, as he couldn't sense any emotion from the lone longneck. But perhaps that had something to do with the biting wind and the overwhelming anger coming from somewhere far too close for comfort.

He tried to warn the longneck of the oncoming danger, but Caetano waved him away dismissively. Tryggvi tried yelling louder, but Caetano was wasn't answering. He was too busy looking out across the icy ground, repeatedly wiping off the snow that was building up on his goggles.

"I'll never run away in time," he said.

"You have to try!" Tryggvi yelled back.

Caetano hefted his axe in response. He skulked out from behind the rock, walking directly into the icy wind. Without thinking, Tryggvi followed him. It wasn't until he could see the Yeti that Tryggvi's brain turned back on. A muscled beast, tall enough to look a gaoler in the eye. Instinctively, Tryggvi cast his favourite and arguably only spell, blanketing the area in a shroud of darkness. Caetano shouted in surprise, and only then did Tryggvi remember to grant the longneck the ability to see in the darkness as well.

For the first time, Tryggvi could sense emotion from Caetano. Just the tiniest hint of confidence. The longneck leapt back to avoid the yeti's wildly swinging arm, cutting a deep gash into it with his axe in retaliation. Even if the yeti couldn't see, Tryggvi knew one lucky hit would break most of Caetano's bones. He had to help some way. With no better ideas, he tossed a bolt of shadow magic at the yeti's face. It barely flinched, but even that was enough to let Caetano get another hit in. The battle continued as such, Tryggvi's magic allowing Caetano to land blow after blow.

Eventually, the yeti lay dead at their feet. Caetano nodded at the skydancer, before turning to start the long walk back to his village. Tryggvi was almost offended, but he was able to sense genuine gratitude from the longneck. So instead (after a few tries), he started up a conversation.

The two were hailed as heroes on their return, and both even more so after Tryggvi insisted tat Caetano had done most of the real work. Tryggvi left the village having made a new ally for Clan _______ and a new friend for himself, who he makes sure to visit every few months. It's been a lot of effort, but he now he can actually read Caetano's emotions more often than not.

Tryggvi does not appreciate some of his fellow guard members joking about how taking out this yeti is the only thing he's ever accomplished.