Chief Among Equals

Background

As is perhaps clear from their name, the majority of Nomads are nomadic, choosing to move around and live in temporary camps rather than permanent settlements. This is not true for all Nomads, some live in permanent camps, but those who do travel, do so in clans.
These clans are self-selecting with people able to stay or leave as they choose to. The person who leads a clan is known as the Chief Among Equals. While most clans are run with a fair amount of discussion and compromise, the Chief Among Equals makes the final decision.

Unelected Leader

Nomads don't have democracy in a way which others might recognise it. No votes are held and so in official terms the Chief Among Equals is an unelected leader.
However, due to the nature of clans, with people being able to come and go at will, someone wishing to become a Chief Among Equals can only do so if they can persuade people to follow them.

How to be a Chief Among Equals

1. Spend time learning the ropes from a successful Chief Among Equals
2. Canvas people for what they like and dislike about current leaders
3. Find a group of people willing to follow you
4. Create a clan name
5. Enter the clan name into the records

Responsibilities

The Chief Among Equals is simultaneously the heart and head of any clan. They have to ensure that everyone within the clan is working well together and that the clan is doing well for itself. These responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Deciding where the clan should travel to
• Deciding where the clan should camp
• Deciding how long the clan stays in a camp / when they should move on
• Ensuring the hunters gather enough meat for the camp
• Ensuring there is enough food for everyone
• Ensuring everyone has access to clean water
• Ensuring everyone has somewhere dry and safe to sleep
• Ensuring everyone is able to stay warm
• Ensuring everyone has access to healthcare
• Ensuring everyone is able to learn useful skills
• Settling disputes within the clan
• Representing the clan to other clans
• Protecting the clan and their rights
• Ensuring the clan does no lasting damage to the forest
• Ensuring the clan leaves the campsite as they find it

Skills & Traits

Due to the nature of the role, it is often soft skills which ensure the longevity of a Chief Among Equals, rather than skills such as hunting or tracking that are more obviously important to the survival of the clan. Below are some of the skills which the most successful Chiefs Among Equals have in common.

Collaboration

They must not only be able to work well with others but also facilitate other people working together, creating a cohesive team.

Communication

They have to be able to listen better than they speak and be clear in all their spoken communication. Writing isn't required.

Organisation

They need to be able to make a plan and follow it through, making changes and organising themselves and others in the process.

Persuasion

They must be able to persuade people to follow them, follow plans, get along with each other, and work together for the clan.

Societal Impact

The existance of clans is reliant on people being willing to take the position of Chief Among Equals and all that it entails. It is often a seemingly thankless position and is not one steeped in glory. However, the most successful Chiefs Among Equals are able to set up a clan which will continue for generations to come.
It is said that a successful Chief Among Equals does not retire, but that is mostly said by people who don't understand the stress of running a clan. Some are deserted by their clan members, but many choose to step down and offer the position to someone they have helped learn how to do the job. Despite this few clans last longer than a generation or two, as the makeup of the group will ebb and flow based on the direction of the leader.

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