All the inhabitants of the Frostlands must be a member of one of the five totem tribes, or must be given the protection of a householder of one of the clans or cities, or else they are considered outlaws by mortals and cursed by the spirits and gods of the land.

The totem tribes are more religious leagues than political ones, although each clan, chiefdom or city state is made up of members of only one totem tribe.

The tribes include:

• The Wolf
• The Bear
• The Hawk
• The Badger
• The Eagle