Val'Duran'desh

## **Clan History**

### In The Beginning

The Duran’desh are descended from the Dokkalfar empire of Vartoj, who had specialized in far-seeing and stonemasonry. They were renowned for their navy, accuracy of missile fire, and building stone defenses of unparalleled complexity. When Tenaj the queen of Vartoj ordered the Great Exodus to what would become Har'Ol'Nek'Preya, proto-Duran’desh were charged to scout ahead. Upon discovering the caverns, they surveyed the various features that were dominant in each point. The survivors eventually settled where it was relatively warm, airy, with potable water. The clan had chosen The Cavern's Heart for its stone environment, something well suited to their mastery of stonemasonry. The location also aided transportation, as they built roads to facilitate trade which they could tax. But food was in critically short supply, eventually leading to cannibalism. Two hundred years ago, a civil war tore the clan asunder over the issue. The current Ill’haress Gaya’keshwaren proved victorious, ending the practice. By focusing on trading, she has created a surplus, which the clan has used to build considerable wealth over time.

### Current Events

In year 1117, a year after the final leg of the Duran'desh-designed highway network was completed to the northwest heralding an age of great wealth for all, unknown invaders suddenly attacked the breadbasket of the city, the Mist Valley. Two great clans disintegrated within a year, a third falling to minor clan status. To protect the highway and prevent further incursion, the Val'Duran'desh army deployed *Pondsehrs* and Revenue Cutters outside of clan territory for the first time. They were soon able to repulse the barbarian horde, but damage was done.

### The Great Quake

Then, two years after that in 1119, a great cataclysm struck Har'Ol'Nek'Preya, the Great Quake. Every clan suffered casualties and damage, but several great clans fell to ruination, and some survivors turned to raiding to survive. The Val'Duran'desh army was called back to the clanhold to help restore order and protect what remained of civilization. Some bridges and buildings would have to be rebuilt, defense structures repaired, bodies buried. The Troubled Age had begun.

## **Clan Culture**

The Val’Duran’desh can be described as pragmatic opportunists. There is no need to conquer your neighbors when their existence provides succor. Defending the clan’s interests is valued as much as amassing resources. Caravan protection and clanhold defense are paramount, and the army upholds those tenets. The economy is built around the caravansaries and their trade, focusing on lodging, feeding, and entertaining Drow from other clans. The Val’Duran’desh has all the vices your typical Drow clan has: absolute monarchy, tainting, even slavery. As such, they are tolerant of most other clans and races of Drow who aren’t hostile towards them. In the Troubled Age, surviving clans have to rely on each other more than ever to ensure resources get to where they are needed the most. The highway, some parts tattered and fallen, still stands as a proud monument to the affluent recent past that can rise again.

## **Clan Members of Note**

**Gaya’keshwaren Val’Duran’desh**

**Viturhimin**

**Vijya Val’Duran’desh**

**Radica Val’Duran’desh**

**Jayavanti Duran’desh**

## **Clan Attire**

### > Duran’desh Warrior

Most warriors wear black plate armor wrapped in black cloth to muffle noises, a rounded Spangenhelm on their head with narrow cheek pieces to allow ears to protrude, and most foot troops are armed with swords with a bronze hilt and a hand crossbow in a belt holster. Guards usually have a polearm, and heavy infantry will use a large shield.

### < Duran’desh Spellcaster

Most mana specialists come from the Val families, thus are ornately appointed with plenty of gems and jewelry, dyed hair and dresses, and facepaint often yellow-green but can be whatever the individual desires.

### < Clan Common Dress

Duran’desh commoners invariably wear white (dye is a luxury used sparingly); females wear more elaborate dress with embroidery, males wear more plain functional clothes.

### > Clan Children Dress

Typical children’s clothing: top left - diaper; top right - wildcat kigurumi very popular with the clan (this example with matching pacifier more common among Val families); bottom left - commoners in plain white; bottom right - Vals dye their hair and clothing, wear jewelry.

## **Fortifications**

    The clanhold's visible fortifications are terraced up both walls of the cavern where they meet the ceiling. They give unobstructed view of the cavern, and both *Pondsehrs* and Revenue Cutters are stationed there. Other than scattered, visible lit windows, ceiling fortifications are CLASSIFIED. But with the clan’s affinity to work stone, it is highly probable that substantial facilities are hidden from view within the cavern walls and ceiling. When the Great Quake hit, some kind of massive metal chain spanning the cavern from one side to the other came crashing down, wiping out an entire string of commoner homes. Many deaths were involved. The chain was removed by the military, the rubble cleared, and reconstruction ensues.