The blood of the old traditions flows within our veins and the time comes, as it does for every generation, to pay the blood price. I do not lament the cost, I walk forward knowing that my sacrifice is for something more.
-Dempsey Súillea Blackwood
The clan traditions of
Galik Talwen spans back thousands of years. Long before the imperial vessels landed on these dark shores before the ground cracked and shifted. The Northmen claim this land to be forsaken by the gods and imposable to inhabit. That's pure shit, we've lived and worked these lands for countless generations. We are a tough people, deep-seated in our ways and traditions. Decades come and go, but the rituals of the ancestors have seen us through the darkness, for they will be long after I am gone.
The clans of our people are descended from the first of the Gailin, the great ancestors that came from the menhir at the dawn. They can trace their lines back to the great generals who fought against the Dark Ones during the Red Nights and protected the people of our lands. They rewarded their greatest warriors under by adopting their clans and giving them their name. Walls were built by them around the largest populations to protect them from the beasts that roam the wilds. They became the dons of the lands, taking large portions of land under their protection and promising honest treatment. Our people have looked towards the clans for security, some live behind their walls and eat of their tables, others live on the lands provided and work within their serfdom.
A clans power and influences come from the number of people living on their lands and behind their walls. A clan can own vasts amounts of land but with no people to work, it is useless. The most powerful of clans are based in the largest populated regions of Galik Talwen. Clans of Talwen are not like the families of the north, they don't hold lavish balls or parade the finest silks to the lower folk, we are a people with no need for such a thing. They have wealth, yes, but they are a private sort keeping to themselves save for times of great conflict.
CLANS
Clan Blackwood
By far the most powerful of the clans, Clan Blackwood is heavily rooted within
Tuath Neill region and all of the northwestern countryside. They take their clan name from the tall black barked trees that make up the dense forest of the region. However, the name Blackwood comes from the Khenic words Blec Wudu meaning black trees. It is not uncommon to see them referred to as such in extremely old writings. Even today they have a reputation as great warriors and casters, it is common to find members of the clans to serve in garrisons throughout the nation. According to oral tradition, they led the fiercest of warriors during the Red Nights.
Clan Flynn
Another clan that originate from
Tuath Neill, Clan Flynn is not know for there martial prowess but of their keen mercantile minds. The lands that are under the control of Clan Flynn are some of the largest exporters of goods such as wine, produces and fabrics. While most clans lease their land to towns and small scale farmers, the Flynns have over centries hand-selected the occupants to get the most financial benefits from them. Many a House has them to thank for their current position and wealth.
Clan Briggins
The northern region of the Cearbhaill region is home to Clan Briggins and their many loyal houses. Clan Briggins take their name from their founder Brig Bruxes, a famed general of the Gailin. As the legends go her skill with blades were unmatched and one look from her would send her enemies fleeing. Her descendants are quite proud of their ancestry so much so that they still keep to the strict codes of combat that she had led with. Clan Briggins is a strictly matriarchal clan, while most clans have no preference to the gender of their head, the Briggins have only ever been led by a woman who is expected to marry outside of the clan systems.
Clan Moran
Clan Moran is the southernmost clan in Galik Talwen, they straddle the mountains that separate the Cearbhaill region and the Griffith Coast region. As they sit along the strait Clan Moran has the most contact with the nations to the east. They will often trade with the merchant houses of
Londe as well as the dwarves of Hogh Todir. While they are active outside of Talwen they are relatively weak among the clan systems. They are a small and isolated clan mostly minding themselves to the mountains they call home. Most clans have holding away from their home region, but not them.
Clan Rhine
The clan that controls a majority of Ta Seal region, historically Clan Rhine has had the closet connection the former
Hellasin Empire being where the settlers originally landed. Though they still hold true to the Clan traditions of
Galik Talwen, most other clans see them as being very heavily influenced by the invasive imperial culture. As the capital of Viator sits within the Ta Seal region the Rhines does have a large amount of influence within the politics of the nation. They are still not the most influential of the clans because of the small population in the region compared to that of Tuath Neill.
Clan Griffin
Clan Griffin is known as strong warriors that plant their flag in the Griffith Coast. The name of the clan comes from the Khenic word for griffins Griffith. As the names suggest Griffins are common in the coastal region. According to the legends during the Red Nights, generals of the clan rode on the back of the beasts during the battles against the Dark Ones. Whether or not these legends are true does not much matter, the clan has adopted it as a fact.
Clan Dinoryn
The youngest clan in Galik Talwen, Clan Dinoryn was formed a century after the Red Nights. They are the only clan not to be directly descended from the Gailin, instead, they are believed to have gained clan status through negotiations and bargaining with clan heads. Not much is known of Clan Dinoryn while all clans are relatively closed off they need public appearances to a minimum. They are based in western Ta Seal region and hold very little power within the nation. Many look at them as nothing more than a glorified house.
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