The Ymir, also called Jeti, depending on the dialect of the Norse tribe, are great, white-furred behemoths who feature often in the tales of Norsca.[2a] The Dwarfs substantiate these myths with their own accounts of encounters with titanic, white-furred, humanoid beasts.[1a]
The Ymir are believed to be an offshoot race of Beastmen. Savage and bestial, they are cunning hunters who prey exclusively on Humans. Unlike the Beastmen, Ymir are generally solitary creatures, only meeting with another to produce a few whelps. They have no formal language, communicating in guttural growls and grunts. An Ymir stands just over seven-foot tall and weighs over 300 pounds. Its entire body is covered in thick, shaggy, white hair that gains a yellowish hue towards its lower body. They have an unpleasant smell, stinking of sour milk and rotten flesh. Most Ymir have frozen chunks of blood and flesh caught in their fur, which they pry off to eat when hunting is scarce.[1b]
For the Norscans, these monsters fulfill an important role in the passage all men must undertake if they hope to be recognised as warriors in their tribe. These young hopefuls brave the swirling snow and freezing winds to track down and face these beasts in combat. If they return with its head, they are accorded a special place in their tribe -- those who don't, don't return at all.[1a]
Trivia[]
In real world Norse mythology, Ymir was the name of the progenitor of all jötnar. To survive, he would drink the milk of the primeval cow Auðumbla after she licked him clear of ice. It was his corpse that gave birth to the mortal world after being slain by the gods Odin, Vili and Vé.