Eika (RockChildren)

The Eika are a race of people that live in the lands in the farthest north of Novaria, called Eikaland by outsiders. The Eika call themselves RockChildren. The Eika are not humans but are in a fashion the descendants of the Akka tribe of humans.

Appearance
The Eika came into being during the Great Sundering, when the seven weavers used the stone crowns to weave the spell that cast the Ashioi out of the physical realm. In the process, the dragons that had slumbered underground near the Akka tribeland sought to escape the spell by flying away. They were unsuccessful, being ripped apart and thrown to the earth instead. The dragons' blood hit the Akka humans gathered around and within the stone crown. The heat and magic of the blood fused the humans and stones together, creating the Eika.

Eika look much like humans, but the combination of dragon blood and stone affected their physiology:


 * They have claws that protrude from their knuckles
 * They are hatched from eggs in litters
 * Their skin is hardier than humans'
 * They are unbothered by extreme temperatures

Additionally, the OldMothers of Eika society literally turn to stone as they age.

Society
Fashioned after the Vikings of history, the Eika are a warlike people. Throughout the series, the Eika invade and occupy regions of Wendar and Varre and Alba. While the majority of Eika fighters are warriors, some possess the ability to wield magic, generally illusory spells and protection spells.

Societal Structure
Eika society has been shaped by their change in physiology. Broadly speaking, they are divided by sex into the roles they play:


 * Males
 * Chieftains
 * Warriors
 * Sorcerers/shamans
 * Females
 * WiseMothers - the most ancient females
 * OldMother - the leader of the tribe
 * YoungMother - will become the next OldMother
 * SwiftDaughters - females who will not breed

Tribes
Eika society is divided into tribes:


 * Rikin
 * Hakonin
 * []