Clans

Clans are a culture group within Clamund that are unlike the feudal kingdoms of power and more federated than the loose and disorganized tribes that are closely related to them. For the most part, a clan is a system of governance and culture which prides itself on family and relatives, forming a tight knit mob of people who for the most part are nomadic in nature with very few taking the stationary lifestyle. In some regard, clans are more "civilized" than Clamund's tribals; adopting aspects of culture such as laws, marriage customs and family rituals. Some clans are more civilized than others, with some even going as far as to take advantage of chaotic situations in politics in order to rape and pillage.
Clan culture usually surrounds the needs of a Chieftain, a member of a clan that directs and acts as a noble to the rest. Highlanders is another rank below the Chieftain, they act as vassals within their clan's territory, taking levies to war or strongarming the Chieftains wishes upon the rest of the clan.
== Culture ==
Clans are often seen as a backwards way of life when viewed upon by a common feudal lord. More often than not, clans are seen as inferior in some ways which leads to prejudice among courts where they are present in, especially within the Holy Empire of Visimar where their theological views often conflict with the old ways of a clan system. 
Clans interact with one another in close-knit communities that often shun outside factors. The isolation of clan culture also means that rivalry is as common as cooperation between two clans which often leads to generations of feuding and rivalry. In most cases, rivalry usually involves small scale fighting such as cattle raids or small scale skirmishes Although the casualties for these rivalries remain miniscule in comparison to all-out war, many clans take the opportunity to train for much larger battles, which explains how non-lethal encounters may be during low-scale rivalries between clans. Clan rivalry is usually settled once an important figure is killed or both sides consider their rivalry through and over with.
Clan culture is not lavish one bit. Aside from vassalage of certain clans within a kingdom, most clans usually live out their lives in poor and squalor conditions, only growing or slaughtering enough food to feed themselves without any excess. As a result, most clanspeople within a clan are about as poor as a feudal peasant, usually always going to battle with farming tools and no armour. For many clans, their main source of income comes from cattle raids and other larger scale raids against towns and villages with little to no stakes, usually leaving their warband once they cant carry any more loot or food to bring back to their family. These conditions make clanspeople terrible soldiers, but fervent in initial skirmishes until they cannot stomach any more fighting. 
Not all clans are capable of producing their own products, this is especially true in regards to metallurgy as blacksmiths are seldom seen within clan territories unless kidnapped or selling their services for a time. Metal weapons and tools are usually traded for cattle and food if excess is permitted and usually is given to the most richest or well-regarded members of a clan, leaving those in the lower classes without tools for their jobs. Many clans in the early ages were stuck with using copper or stone tools to till land or chop trees, making life more miserable than it already is. Because of their position, many lower class clansmen are eager for raiding, often claiming that it is the best to acquire loot that is usually barred from them in clan life due to their status. 
Although clans have relatively settled across Clamund; opting to build hillforts and enclosed camps for a permanent stay, many are still nomadic in nature. Due to a clan's way of life, many are still raiders in nature which means that many feudal courts despise said clans and would send knights to either exterminate or drive them away from their lands. Those that are made permanent settlements are usually considered more "civilized" establishing themselves in kingdom's territories and often becoming loose vassals to the lord or king that rules over the land. Many clans adhere to kingdom laws and even send troops when there is a call for a levy. Although many clanspeople of this lifestyle damn it, many have come to accept this way of life seeing how there is less opportunities to go hungry as farming becomes a viable option for many. Despite these advantages, many highlanders or new chieftains despise those that take a more stationary stance in life and often break away, taking dissatisfied clanspeople along with them to form new clans. More often than not, these clanspeople take a bandit lifestyle, often becoming targets of bounty hunters or sellswords that are directed by mercenary guilds to eliminate them. 
=== Known Clans ===
There are hundreds of clans in Clamund, all of varying sizes and powers. These clans are the most known throughout the realm either through their sheer brutality in ballads and songs sung by bards all around the realm or through stories reaching the general population. 
* Dead Finger Clan - A major clan within the Earldom of Flynn, known for their backwards and traditional ways and their long feud with the White Bears.
* White Bear Clan - A major clan within the Earldom of Flynn's northern border. Regularly sells their services to the Dwarven holds past the Mountains in exchange for metal weapons
* The Milk Snakes - a small clan in the southern region of the Earldom of Flynn that regularly preys on travelers and cooperates with the local banditry. Poor in nature and recently moved from the south due to the Jarldom's crackdown on native clans within their territories.
Category:Human
Category:Kingdoms