Benroty Clan (ben-roddy)
The Benroty Clan is a large confederation of families and tribes from the western region of the country of Colo. It is centered on the fortified hill city of Rotrishold. The name, Benroty, literally means "from Rotris" and refers to the founder of the Clan that lived more than 800 years ago.
The current chief, or Ryuri of the clan is Rory Benroty, a 65-year-old Human. He has ruled as Ryuri for 19 years, and is fondly regarded by his clansmen. He won great renown during the invasion by Imesse nearly 20 years earlier, a war that took the life of his father, Rowan Benroty.
The Benroty are a fiercely proud and independent people, and are a traditional rival to the other large and very influential clans of Colo, including the Dalnyall Clan and the Benkory Clan. With a significant amount of their traditional territorial holdings bordering Imesse, independence and territorial security are prime motivators for the Benroty leadership.
Structure
A close-knit association of families and clans under the leadership and administration of the Ryuri Benroty, Rory Benroty.
Culture
The Benroty Clan shares a cultural link with several other clans in the ceremonial mantle its Ryuri wears when exercising his office. For the Benroty, this mantle is an ornate cloak with a collar of white wolf fur, and all Ryuri and their heirs (Rison) wear this mantle whenever they are acting in an official capacity.
Assets
The Benroty Clan control and exploit a particularly iron-rich region. In fact, some of the finest iron ores can be found coming from this territory, and as a result, the Benroty have gained a high reputation as exceptional iron- and steel-smiths. Known locally as cruach cleave, the regionally produced sword steel is highly sought after for a thousand miles around as both durable and corrosion-resistant.
History
The Benroty Clan have been a powerful faction in Colian politics and economics for more than 400 years. In 35 AF, Gundar Benroty defeated and executed King Matar am Ohnni of Imesse to end the First Northern War. In 213 AF, Imesse again invaded Colo during the Second Northern War, and Rory Benroty played a significant role in that conflict.
Demography and Population
The Benroty Clan is comprised of more than 120,000 souls, with most of those being Human and with a very few Halfling communities located on near the major rivers of the territory. Primarily an agrarian society, with little actual industry aside from mining, logging, farming and some large quarry operations. To the western areas of the territory, there are a number of small, fortified communities that still operate an active trade in slaves as their primary means of income. The largest settlement in the territory is the capital of Rotrishold, located on a fortified prominence of a small but steeply-sided mountain. Rotrishold is the primary seat of Benroty rule and the home of more than 12,000 souls.
Territories
The territory ruled by the Benroty consists of more than 11,000 square miles (roughly the size of the State of Maryland) made up of low mountains and rugged hills and several lush and productive river plains surrounding a high central prairie. The territory is almost completely surrounded by rivers with another (the Lodgewater River) running between the hill country and the high prairies. The southern portions of the region border the Crown Lands of Northern Imesse, which is land directly controlled and governed by the High King himself. This is a particuarly vulnerable frontier for the Benroty, as twice in the last 200 years Colo has been invaded by Imesse in very costly and bloody conflicts that still linger in the Clan's memory.
Military
The Benroty do not keep a standing army. Instead, each local and regional leader pays to equip, train and transport an established number of levies (both mounted and foot) based on their own populations. These armed militias can be mustered and ready to march in as little as three days, and for local response or defense, in a matter of a few hours. The size of these forces are typically Company-sized, but a significant population base can muster Regiment-sized units in times of crisis or attack.
Religion
Every community, farm and town in the Benroty territory worships Maranon, the creator god of the Maranonic Faith. The practice of other faiths by travelers or visitors isn't forbidden, but no resident member of the Clan would ever be caught practicing any other religion that that of Maranon and his Song of Life scripture.
Foreign Relations
No official relations exist between the Benroty Clan and the neighboring Kingdoms of Imesse, outside of a regular (almost routine) cycle of raiding, pillaging and cattle rustling from both sides of the border. In general, the Benroty Clan has very good relations with the clans further to the west and north, but poor associations with clans to the east.
Agriculture & Industry
In the western and northern regions of Benroty territory, scattered amongst the densley packed hills and highlands, are six very productive and actively worked iron mines that produce a superior grade of iron ore. This ore produces a steel of exceptional durability that holds an edge remarkably well. It is bright, strong and very corrosion resistant. Known throughout Colo as cruach cleave (sword steel in Colian), it is highly prized and highly priced for hundreds of miles in any direction.
The eastern regions of the territory are well known for a magnificent breed of oxen. Mature animals can have a shoulder height of 6' and weigh as much as 4,000 lb. These animals are a particularly popular target for rustlers from the south, as they fetch a mighty price at market.
Trade & Transport
The vast majority of all trade and transportation in the Benroty territory is done by river traffic. In fact, the only paved roads to exist in the entire region are the roads that have been built to transport ore from the mountain mines to the nearest navigable river, where it can then be more easily (and rapidly) carried to furnaces and forges along the more populated river valleys. Any other overland traffic or travel is done on rough trails and tracts, or over unbroken ground entirely.
Type
Geopolitical, Clan
Capital
Leader
Leader Title
Family Leader
Currency
Mark (1g) = 10 Punt (1s) = 10 Pfenig (1p)
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
