The Clans

## Clans and nobility

The kingdom is ruled by the king and
his noble vassals, but many parts of the realm is still held together
by the ancient bond of the clans. The power and influence of the
clans have been a constant factor ever since the founding of the
kingdom, shaping the realm for good or bad. Old feuds flare up from
time to time, usually resulting in skirmishes and battles between
members of the different clans. For the most part however, the clan
leaders keep the kingdom stable and peaceful

### The major clans

These are the most powerful and
prominent clans in the kingdom. Though personal power held by the
various lords in the clans vary to a large degree, the joint power
and history of their ancestry is not to be taken lightly by anyone
aspiring to gain a place of prominence within the kingdom.

#### The Dragons

The dragon clan is the clan of the king
and the royal family. It is one of the youngest clans in the kingdom,
but also the most powerful. It was created after the unification of
the kingdom, marking a new beginning and also to distance it from the
other clans to avoid further strife. The dragons hold most of the
lands surrounding Caer Angleadd, though some younger lords have moved
to the western frontier in search of adventure and new domains. They
value honor, honesty and loyalty above all else, and any member of
the clan is always ready to take up arms in defense of the kingdom.

#### The Falcons

The falcon clan rose to prominence
during the later years of the throne wars. It was their chief that
laid the foundation of what the kingdom is today, and they stand as
one of the largest and most powerful clans to this date. Apart from
their lands to the north of the capital, vast holdings on the eastern
frontier have been claimed by their descendants. The falcons are
known to be strict and proper in almost any situation, upholding the
laws of the kingdom and also enforcing it if so needed. Their
position is built upon the legacy left behind by lord Metyc, and no
member of the clan dares to sully that by dishonorable acts.

#### The Wolves

Though the clan used to be the second
largest on the continent, the bloody fighting during the throne wars
left the wolf clan severely weakened. With the coming of the kingdom
however, the hard work of rebuilding and reclaiming their previous
position started for the surviving members of the clan. With their
stronghold at Caer Faarn, the wolves had a perfect position to regain
their lost splendour, and during the centuries since the founding of
the kingdom they have once again grown strong. Their holdings are
almost entirely located along the bay of Faarn and the Brannoch
coast.They have a reputation as fierce warriors, treating honor as
their most important virtue. This has led to several bloodfeuds
between both different members of the clan as well as with other
nobles, since a wolfsman is known to reach for his sword over almost
anything he feels slights his honor.

#### The Lions

The lands of the lion clan are centered
around the ancient fortress of Caer Darin, with holdings stretching
to the north-west towards the mountains. Their fate was fairly
similar to the wolves after the unification, but as peace and
prosperity returned to the kingdom so did the lions. Today the clan
is the third largest in the kingdom, amassing great wealth from
trading with the mines and quarries in the mountains. The lions value
community and safety above all else, with most of their lords
striving to maintain peace throughout their lands. Some of them still
carry a grudge towards the wolves though, leading to regular feuds
along the border between the clans.

#### The Badgers

The badger clan is the oldest of the
mixed clans, tracing their lineage back to both islander and northern
settlers. They fled east during the early years of the throne wars,
founding the city of Caer Veluc in the Baenmyr delta. Never a
numerous people, the badgers gained their position amongst the clans
by securing the border against the painted ones during the eastern
expansion. The clansmen tend to be a very private group, seldom
bothering others as long as they are left in peace. They have many
settlements spread out through the eastern forests, but lack the
financial and military power of their western kin.

#### The Elks

The elks are amongst the youngest of
the clans in the kingdom. Before the great migration from the islands
as the colonization of Angleadd started, the elk clan consisted
mostly of scattered tribes living in servitude to the more powerful
wolves and boars. Following the bloody years of the war however, the
elks decided to stay on the islands while most of the wolves left to
support their kin on the mainland. As the formal founding of the
kingdom took place, the elk clan was granted dominion over most of
the islands that had been their home for generations. Never really a
unified people, the elks still live much like they did centuries ago,
trading and fighting along the coast depending on their mood. They
have a reputation for being less than civilized, but once they have
befriended someone they have proven to be amongst the most loyal of
companions. Their habit of attacking unmarked ships has given them a
slightly strained relationship with others who live along the coast
however.

### Lesser clans

The lesser clans of the kingdom are
mostly smaller groups, newer clans, or those without much political
or military might to back their position. Though some of them have
held great significance in the past, they currently hold a more
limited position within the realm

#### The Boars

The boars were once the largest and
most powerful clan in the kingdom, coming close to conquering the
entire realm during the throne wars. The long wars of conflict
whittled down their numbers however, and with the loss of their
chieftain at Reins fields the clan scattered into several factions
who battled for control. Their stubborness and dreams of power made
many of the lesser lords continue the war, even when faced with
impossible odds during the unification. In the end only two groups of
boarsmen remained in the kingdom, and they were brought into the
kingdom by force when their homeland was invaded during the early
years of the dragon clan. To this day the remaining boars hold a
grudge against almost all the other clans, and at least one lord
every generation is usually executed for plotting treason. Their
contempt for their brethren on the mainland has left them isolated
and slightly poor on their islands, with few amongst their numbers
ever trying their luck on the mainland.

#### The Bears

The bears were all but wiped out during
the early years of the throne wars when they suddenly came under
attack from the vastly superior numbers of the wolves. A handful of
nobles survived to see the founding of the kingdom, and even if their
numbers are slowly growing they have not managed to regain even parts
of their past power. Their holdings are mostly scattered along the
northern foothills, and amongst their more warlike neighbours the
bears are often mocked for being nothing but a collection of
craftsmen and labourers. They take great pride in their work however,
and the finest weapons and armor in the kingdom are reputedly made in
the forges of Caer Calvec.

#### The Rams

The people of the ram originate from
servitors and workers who arrived on the mainland along with the
armies of the wolves. As the throne wars started many of them sought
sanctuary to the east, following the badgers into exile. Though
mostly left alone during the wars the rams never gained much power or
position, mainly because their claim to nobility was contested at
best. It was not until the year 586 the crown formally elevated the
land-holders of the rams to true nobility and named their first
hersir. To this day however the majority of the rams are little more
than farmers with a title, their holdings mostly small rural
settlements towards the eastern coast. This is somewhat of a sore
point amongst many of their lords, and they are quick to anger if
they feel slighted or offended in any way.

#### The Eagles

The eagles, like the larger badger
clan, is gathered from several different tribes pre-dating the throne
wars. Unlike the badgers however they never laid claim to lands,
keeping to the nomadic traditions of their ancestors. Even after
being part of the kingdom for centuries their holdings are scattered
and secluded, giving them limited wealth and influence in the
kingdom. They are however famous for their rangers and trackers, and
almost all the royal pathfinders serving the king have eagle blood in
their veins. Their settlements are mostly located in the large
eastern forests, and amongst others they are usually viewed as a
strange and secluded group. Rarely showing affection or emotions, the
people of the eagle clan prefer to stay within their forest
communities and seldom bothering with affairs of the kingdom unless
asked.

#### The Stags

The stags were originally a splinter
group from the islands, tracing their lineage back to the elk and
wolf clans. During the throne wars they became infamous for raiding
the coast and selling their services as mercenaries to all sides of
the conflict. As the war came to an end they tried to continue their
raiding and pillaging, but the newly unified kingdom armies marched
against them and brought their chieftains back in chains. Several of
them were executed for their crimes, and the survivors given the
choice between forced exile or servitude. Seeing the futility of
further resistance they swore fealty to the crown, before being given
lands to the east where their thirst for battle could be put to use
against the white ones and other enemies of the kingdom. The lords of
the stags have mellowed some over the centuries, but they still hold
a reputation as fearless and somewhat barbaric warriors.

#### The Ravens

The raven clan are viewed as strange by
most other citizens of the kingdom. They view religion and mysticism
as the most important part of life, ignoring the martial prowess and
material wealth that motivates many of the other clans. Their
holdings are mostly of little note, with their only true stronghold
being the massive temple complex called The House of The Queen.
Located on a small island off the Bannbyrn coast, the lords of the
ravens spend most of their time hoarding knowledge and lore, as well
as spreading the word of the gods to their countrymen. Apart from
their influence over the temples however, the ravens are little more
than a sidenote in kingdom politics. Most other clans leave them to
their pursuits and largely ignore them, viewing them as little more
than a peculiar group not worth the effort of either befriending or
alienating.