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Jotun Dancing

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I’ve been watching a lot of Georgian dance videos, and it really inspired me for the Jotun in my fantasy world. Because Georgian dance is so acrobatic and fast-paced (and also has a lot of choreography involving knives and swords!), it really jived with how I’ve been developing the Jotun as a warrior-like people. Watching all those videos really helped me develop a fun aspect to their culture

Jotun dancing is something of a competition, like high-energy and non-violent duels. Dancing is used to showcase one’s physical aptitude. They are also used as a means of performing and retelling famous battles.

It’s tradition for adult Jotun to teach their wards how to dance as a coming-of-age ceremony, which is why partnered dances are usually performed between an older and more experienced warrior, with a smaller and younger student. Although these partnered dances are usually meant for an adult and teenager, a shorter adult dancer can still perform the younger role.

The Jotuns’ priest class, the Blood Mages, do not perform dances

I used my two Jotun characters for this, Elliel (top) and Jiornis (middle). Even though Jiornis is not Elliel’s teacher, he ended up teaching her the tradition because there were no other Jotun in the Clan of Storms who could dance. (Also Elliel’s teacher/adopted parent, Kalta, happens to be Jiornis’ Blood Master, and Jio wanted his Master’s daughter to have a proper Jotun upbringing)
Dancing is one of the few times Ellie and Jio get along

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FeathersMcGraaw's avatar

I feel like you should definitely look into Cossack dances, or just Cossacks in general when designing your Jotun.