Clach (klɑx)

"Clach may be small, but it's home. There's no better place in the Arcaibh Islands."

— Agnes NicMhoire

Clach is a village on the southern coast of Shag. It is located on Shag's East Harbor, and serves as the winter home for Clan Mhoire, a family of Dòbhran Selkies. During the summer, the village is almost abandoned, as nearly the entire clan lives on one of their floes, with only a few remaining on land to care for the buildings and prepare for the winter. In the autumn, the floes return to Chach and the population swells to several hundred inhabitants.

Demographics

The village of Clach is entirely populated by Selkies of the Dòbhran ethnicity, and mostly members of Clan Mhoire. A few selkies from other clans are also there, mostly young males who are hoping to marry into the clan during the next year, but are not yet accepted members of the clan. In winter, the population is about three hundred. In summer, it is usually only about a dozen.

Government

Like most Dòbhran villages, Clach is governed by the clan matriarch. The current matriarch of Clan Mhoire is Agnes NicMhoire, and she has held that position for about twenty years. Her authority is theoretically absolute, but she knows better than to give orders that will not be followed - if the matriarch abuses her power, she is swiftly replaced by one of the other elders of the clan.

In recent years, there have been concerns about Agnes' ability to continue as matriarch. She has been distracted and unfocused, and has several times chosen to isolate herself for days at a time. Only the support of Mhoire herself has prevented the clan from replacing her, and this grace may not extend indefinitely.

Alternative Name(s)

Clach-on-Shag

Type

Village

Location under

Shag

Owning Organization

Clan Mhoire

Characters in Location

• Mhoire

Geographic Details

Location: Shag, Northeastern Region
Latitude: 59.2 degrees North
Longitude: 72.75 degrees East

Routes

Water

• Selkyre: Sail south out of Shag's East Harbor, and then along the west coast of Motha. Turn west to enter Deas Bay, sail past Hoycandle Lighthouse, and continue west into Selkyre harbor. ~39 miles.

A Blessed Place

Clach is the home of Mhoire, who founded both Clan Mhoire and the village centuries ago. When she passed away, she was so revered by her descendants that she underwent Apotheosis and returned as the patron spirit of both clan and community. She has centuries of experience and memory, and acts as an advisor to Agnes NicMhoire, the current matriarch of Clan Mhoire. Also, in times of crisis she has been known to perform miracles of healing and protection, although her powers are limited by her inability to leave the village itself.