Lore Deep Dive: The Gords

In the frozen wastes of the 8th planet, the Gords have built a civilization not on technology, but on spiritual fortitude. They are a humble, tight-knit people who believe that survival is a divine test. While they may seem simple to outsiders, their history is tied to the very secrets of the New Genesis Union universe.

Here is your guide to the Gords of Echion.

Geography & Atmosphere

Home World: Echion (8th Planet from Zohar) Capital: Niobe (Subterranean City) Moons: Bani, Jora, and Meka

Echion is a frozen frontier, a world of swirling blizzards and serene, icy silence.

  • The Landscape: The surface is a monochromatic expanse of white glaciers, rocky canyons, and "ashy trees" that survive beneath layers of snow. Near the coastlines, a rare light blue moss-grass grows, and small wildflowers bloom in the equatorial regions—the only splash of color in a white world.

  • The Cities: To escape the biting cold, the Gords constructed their capital, Niobe, and other urban centers inside vast subterranean caves and deep canyons.

  • The Climate: It fluctuates between violent snowstorms and crystal-clear skies that reflect the light of the suns against the ice.

 

Politics: The High Scepter

The Gords are a theocratic monarchy led by the High Scepter. The current ruler, Krooln Cilphi, holds the position for life, and his edicts are irrevocable.

The Ritual of Succession Unlike other races that vote or inherit power by blood, the Gords choose their leader through a brutal trial of endurance known as The Rite of Elements (Wind, Mountain, Water).

  1. The Ascent: The aspirant must climb the sheer cliffs of Mt. Boel against fierce winds to retrieve the sacred Scepter.

  2. The Toxin: They must consume a paste made of crushed Nepenberries, a toxic fruit that causes immediate muscle rigidity.

  3. The Dive: While paralyzed by the toxin, they are plunged into an icy abyss to hunt the perilous Blue Cyprine.

  4. The Antidote: If they surface alive with the creature, the community roars in approval. The natural secretions of the Blue Cyprine are then administered as the only antidote to the Nepenberry toxin.

 

History: The Metal on the Mountain

For generations, the Gords were nomads, wandering the ice in search of a sign from "Echion’s Heart."

The Discovery at Mt. Boel Their destiny changed when a tribal chieftain named Manakel found the wreckage of a massive, ancient spaceship scattered across Mt. Boel. Unfamiliar with advanced technology, they viewed the twisted metal as a divine gift.

  • The Stone: Inside the wreckage, Manakel found a glowing, spherical stone etched with foreign glyphs.

  • The Prophecy: These glyphs matched the sacred Books of Ocoll, confirming to the Gords that they had found their home. Manakel was anointed the first High Scepter, and the city of Niobe was founded near this sacred site.

 

Gastronomy: Comfort from the Cold

Gord cuisine is hearty, warm, and designed to sustain the body through long, freezing winters. Community meals are common, featuring heavy stews and baked dishes.

  • Zarik Chowder: A thick, creamy soup likely made from the fatty meat of the Zarik (a tundra beast) or local fish, served piping hot to combat the chill.

  • Niobe Broth: The signature soup of the capital city. A lighter, restorative bone broth consumed daily by the working class.

  • Hot Ground Arctos Pot: A spicy, hearty chili made from ground Arctos meat. It is thick, filling, and packed with heat to warm the Gords from the inside out.

  • Niperwood Bark Tea: Brewed from the bark of the indigenous Niperwood tree. It can be served plain or flavored with spices, acting as the primary hot beverage for social gatherings.

  • Baked Streal Pan: A savory casserole dish. "Streal" layers (likely a grain or meat) are baked together until golden and crispy on top—perfect for sharing in large family groups.

  • Rulaberry Sap Cobbler: A beloved dessert made from the sweet sap and fruit of the Rulaberry. It is baked into a cobbler, providing a warm, sugary finish to a heavy meal.

 

Culture & Beliefs

The Teachings of Ocoll The Gords follow the philosophy of Ocoll, who preached that all things—wind, water, Gords, and fauna—are interconnected strands of the planet's spirit.

The Soil Sachet Because of their deep spiritual bond to their planet, Gords struggle with space travel. When they must leave Echion, they carry a small sachet of soil from their homeworld.

  • Significance: They believe that if they die away from home, this soil ensures their soul can find its way back to the "Heart of Echion."

Isolationism Historically a tight-knit community, the Gords have found it difficult to adjust to the New Genesis Union. The idea of "open borders" clashes with their protective, tribal nature, leading to a wariness of off-worlders.