Elfin Clans

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Elfin Clans:

Elves tend to be clannish in nature instead of a traditional family unit. The young are raised by the entire clan with a series of Clan Elders to instruct them in the things an elf needs to know. As the young gets older, they are moved to a different elder to learn new lessons. Due to this, some elves are closer to Clan Elders then they are to their own parents. Young elves do live with their parents, but their parents are not the ones who teach them how to be elves.

There are seven main Elfin Clans and each has lands in both the Elfholds and the Sylvan Realms. The exact size and shapes of these clan territories is unknown, but the elves tend to only settle so far from their Clan Hold. The Clan Hold is the capital of the clan territory. Any number of smaller villages and towns can spring up in the clan territories, but the Clan Hold is their capital. A typical elfin village can have a population of 200 to 500 elves, while towns range from 500 – 3000.

Roughly 90% of all elves belong to one of the seven main clans. Clan Feador (population around 14,000) is the smallest of the main seven with Clan Erendyl (population around 41,000) being the largest. Of the remaining 10%, most belong to one of ten smaller clans or to no clan at all. Theoretically, these smaller clans all have a seat on the Clan Council, but in reality they are rarely called to any meetings except in the most dire of emergencies. These minor clans have a population of around 500 to 4000 elves.

Every clan has a ruler and they are called the Clan Master. Each Clan Master has a seat on the Clan Council. The Clan Masters has advisers and support staff to help them handle clan business. Each Clan has many Clan Elders. These are older elves who now teach the young the skills they need to learn and serve as advisers. Clan Elders are highly respected by their clan.

The Clan Council includes all the Clan Masters and a few others. Chief among these is the Monarch and the Head of the Clan Council. These two positions are elected from among the Clan Masters themselves. Those who are elected have to resign from their clan and are essentially clan less as they now speak for all the clans.

The Monarch becomes King or Queen and they speak for the elves beyond the borders of the elfin land. They deal with foreign powers in diplomatic relations or with an army as needed. The Head of the Clan Council become responsible for what transpires within the land of the elves. The Monarch and the Head of the Clan Council have an equal vote on Clan Council issues.

There one more member of the Clan Council, but only in the Sylvan Realm. The High Keeper of the Mother Tree has seat and equal vote on the Clan Council. The High Keeper speaks for the Mother Tree and not his clan in this instance.

While the Mother Tree towers alone over the Sylvan Realm, seven daughter trees stand over the Elfholds. When the elves moved from the Sylvan Realm to the Elfholds, each clan took with them a branch of the Mother Tree. Once an oak of the proper size and health was found, the branch from the Mother Tree was grafted to it. In time this tree became a lesser version of the Mother Tree. Each of the seven clans as a Daughter Tree in their Clan Hold. While the Mother Tree is 1000' tall, the daughter trees top out around 300'.

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Here is a run down of the seven main clans:

Clan Chossum:

Clan Chossum is known as the merchant clan. They favor trade and expansion into new markets.

Clan Holds: Cesnae (Sylvan Realm), Desnae (Elfholds)

Clan Master: Lynwyln Chossum (Elfholds), Voluril Ocing (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Elders in the Sylvan Realm: Garion Berladal, Vaniel Nardir (f)

Notable Members: Lorelei Spellsong

Population: 34,365 (250 in Sylvan Realm)


Clan Erendyl:

This clan is hallmarked by having some of the best craftsman in the Elfholds. Artists and artisans come from all over to study under their carvers.

Clan Holds: Elleromyr (Elfholds), Leromyr (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Master: Brendian (Elfholds), Stobon (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Elders in the Sylvan Realm: Cavoda Norodir (f), Finduala Eloroth (f), Nithion Erendyl

Notable Members: Doriath (Former King of the Elfholds), Sheeryl Soulsearcher

Population: 41,528 (300 in Sylvan Realm)


Clan Feador:

Clan Feador has the best tenders and keepers of the Mother Tree and Daughter Trees. Other Clans send their young keepers to train with the Feador's.

Clan Holds: Feadiel (Sylvan Realm), Feadil (Elfholds)

Clan Master: Dyradyl Feador (Elfholds), Sheedra Feador (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Elders in the Sylvan Realm: Locian Feador

Notable Members: Kaffa & Jetter Novaion, Valena Feador

Population: 13,486 (300 in Sylvan Realm)


Clan Grunalf:

Clan Grunalf is known for having the best scouts and rangers among the elves. They are also highly skilled in combating orcs as their Elfhold Home is on the normal orc invasion route.

Clan Holds: Ainsun (Elfholds), Einsun (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Master: Durifern (Elfholds), Triestar Silvarost (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Elders in the Sylvan Realm: Arloen Treelife, Melenes Atholan (f)

Notable Members: Annelwin (f), Cain, Dorotha Kenig (f), Laucian Nailo, Niles, Tanyl Strongbow, Tisha Tunua (f), Visara (f)

Population: 20,769 (150 in Sylvan Realm)

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Clan Long Runner:

Clan Long Runner are known for producing more mages than the other clans. Their clan holds are known for their magical training schools. They tend to be isolationists, favoring only elves within their lands.

Clan Holds: Pinit (Sylvan Realm), Pinitel (Elfholds)

Clan Master: Beasthunter (Elfholds), Wyndel Goldenleaf (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Elders in the Sylvan Realm: Emberhide, Clearchaser (f)

Notable Members: Breeze Swiftflow, Gweyr Autumnfire (f), Luciard

Population: 20,976 (150 in Sylvan Realm)


Clan Mealidil:

Clan Mealidil are the recorders are history and have the largest library on the elf clans.

Clan Holds: Mealiel (Sylvan Realm), Mealidor (Elfholds)

Clan Master: Mealidan Mealidil (Elfholds), Olantius Jasus (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Elders in the Sylvan Realm: Amara Alda (f), Malion Galasun

Notable Members: Elora Calauth

Population: 20,796 (150 in Sylvan Realm)


Clan Red Arrow:

Clan Red Arrow is known as the military clan. They are the rank and file of the elfin armies. The best soldiers and warriors come from Clan Red Arrow.

Clan Holds: Shieldwall (Elfholds), Walltree (Sylvan Realm)

Clan Master: Argus Bloodmoon (Sylvan Realm), Redsword Truetalker (Elfholds)

Clan Elders in the Sylvan Realm: Evenlance, Lunawind (f)

Notable Members: Alok Hawksong, Arlen Brightsword, Daylor Dawnhorn, Durlan Nightstar, Fayrianna (f), Jorzana Silversword (f), Katyr Starglow, Onas Brightsword, Valis

Population: 27,692 (200 in Sylvan Realm)