The Wandering Clan
Introduction
The Wandering Clan is not a truly cohesive clan, but an alliance of semi-nomadic guilds and tribes unified by a partnership of their leaders. The clan was cursed by the Elder Gods long ago as punishment for their disrespect and they now move from territory to territory until the Elders are satisfied and they may finally rest.
*This is mostly just a place for me to organize my clan lore, individual lore will stay in my dragon's bios for the foreseeable future. Please do not post here.
The Wandering Clan
Introduction
The Wandering Clan is not a truly cohesive clan, but an alliance of semi-nomadic guilds and tribes unified by a partnership of their leaders. The clan was cursed by the Elder Gods long ago as punishment for their disrespect and they now move from territory to territory until the Elders are satisfied and they may finally rest.
*This is mostly just a place for me to organize my clan lore, individual lore will stay in my dragon's bios for the foreseeable future. Please do not post here.
History
The clan began with a group of young hatchlings which survived in the Arcane territories against all odds. Over time more dragons were introduced through partnerships as well as a few lone dragons which joined for protection and company or in search of work.
Arcane territories were the original home of the Wandering Clan, but after famine struck the region the entire clan relocated to the Shifting Expanse where they spent the better part of a year.
A few weeks before the aniversary of their migration, a baby wildclaw showed up on the doorstep of the clan hall. Clan seers were plagued with nightmares showing the clan's downfall. After two nights of prophetic dreams it was decided that the clan would have the best chances of survival if they moved into plague lands where the young wildclaw could be mentored by other necromancers and learn to control his powers.
Guilds
The guild system groups dragons with similar values or trades together. Dragons may be born into guilds, but more often than not guild members joined during their fledging as young dragons. Mates are often members of the same guild, but it isn't unheard of for mates to join different guilds.
History
The clan began with a group of young hatchlings which survived in the Arcane territories against all odds. Over time more dragons were introduced through partnerships as well as a few lone dragons which joined for protection and company or in search of work.
Arcane territories were the original home of the Wandering Clan, but after famine struck the region the entire clan relocated to the Shifting Expanse where they spent the better part of a year.
A few weeks before the aniversary of their migration, a baby wildclaw showed up on the doorstep of the clan hall. Clan seers were plagued with nightmares showing the clan's downfall. After two nights of prophetic dreams it was decided that the clan would have the best chances of survival if they moved into plague lands where the young wildclaw could be mentored by other necromancers and learn to control his powers.
Guilds
The guild system groups dragons with similar values or trades together. Dragons may be born into guilds, but more often than not guild members joined during their fledging as young dragons. Mates are often members of the same guild, but it isn't unheard of for mates to join different guilds.
Holidays
Fledging:
The Fledging is an annual summer during which newly grown dragons and hatchlings are sent away from home to join or form their own clans, and recruiters from established clans search for new members to join. Many dragon clans are quite unforgiving and will exile any hatchlings which are unable to keep up with life in the clan while others are more lenient and will provide the hatchling with several options for new clans. The Fledging gives most hatchlings hope for their futures, but those who are unable to find homes are exalted and leave to serve a deity, most often the one they previously lived under.
Crow’s Watch Feast
This winter feast marks the passage of another year. During the feast, jesters and magicians entertain the clan members while the leaders reunite and forget any old disagreements. The day before, it is said, that the great Sky Wyrm dances across the cosmos and delivers trinkets to young dragons who behaved well.
Birth and Death celebrations
A pair's first nest of hatchlings is celebrated with all the excitement one might expect. The new parents are given small gifts of feathers, bells, and soft cloths. The hatchling's first six days of life are spent in the nest with their parents. Only immediate family and clan elders are allowed near the nest to bring the pair food. After the hatchlings leave the nest the other clan members bring food and gifts to the parents. These gifts are traditionally given to the hatchling when they leave the clan. After the clan elders do not visit and gifts are only given by close friends and guild-mates.
Mourning in the Wandering clan takes many forms. Deaths are rare, but when they do happen they are mourned first by the whole clan, then by the guild, and finally the family. The bodies are buried along with all their possessions as well as any items which they may find use of in the afterlife, and a simple marker is placed by their guild. The family then decorates the marker and will often return to the grave to care for it. Familiars of fallen dragons spend their mourning period standing vigil and then leave the clan or remain and watch over the family.
Holidays
Fledging:
The Fledging is an annual summer during which newly grown dragons and hatchlings are sent away from home to join or form their own clans, and recruiters from established clans search for new members to join. Many dragon clans are quite unforgiving and will exile any hatchlings which are unable to keep up with life in the clan while others are more lenient and will provide the hatchling with several options for new clans. The Fledging gives most hatchlings hope for their futures, but those who are unable to find homes are exalted and leave to serve a deity, most often the one they previously lived under.
Crow’s Watch Feast
This winter feast marks the passage of another year. During the feast, jesters and magicians entertain the clan members while the leaders reunite and forget any old disagreements. The day before, it is said, that the great Sky Wyrm dances across the cosmos and delivers trinkets to young dragons who behaved well.
Birth and Death celebrations
A pair's first nest of hatchlings is celebrated with all the excitement one might expect. The new parents are given small gifts of feathers, bells, and soft cloths. The hatchling's first six days of life are spent in the nest with their parents. Only immediate family and clan elders are allowed near the nest to bring the pair food. After the hatchlings leave the nest the other clan members bring food and gifts to the parents. These gifts are traditionally given to the hatchling when they leave the clan. After the clan elders do not visit and gifts are only given by close friends and guild-mates.
Mourning in the Wandering clan takes many forms. Deaths are rare, but when they do happen they are mourned first by the whole clan, then by the guild, and finally the family. The bodies are buried along with all their possessions as well as any items which they may find use of in the afterlife, and a simple marker is placed by their guild. The family then decorates the marker and will often return to the grave to care for it. Familiars of fallen dragons spend their mourning period standing vigil and then leave the clan or remain and watch over the family.
Religion
Most of the dragons worship their elemental deities along with an assortment of deities from the elder pantheon. Which of the elder gods they worship depends heavily on their guild, profession, and values. The elemental deities are seen as being dragons but with supernatural abilities or characteristics, they are not so much worshiped as they are deeply respected in the way one might respect a wise, elderly relative or a teacher. The elder gods go back much further, many dragons across Sornieth do not believe that they are real.
Some notable members of the elder pantheon include:
The Great Sky Wyrm
The patron of hatchlings and new parents, the Sky Wyrm is associated with creation, rebirth, and gifts.
Corvus
Corvus is the patron of tricksters and thieves. He is associated with chaos, wit, and the night. Legend has it that he is the god which guides souls on their perilous journey to the afterlife, often attempting to confuse or loose them along the way.
Corax
Corax is usually depicted as a sibling of Corvus, although some interpretations depict the two as different aspects of the same deity. Corax is the patron of artists and craftsdragons. They are associated with the day, beauty, and creation. Their gender is left ambiguous in most interpretations.
Altis
Altis is the personification of fate. He neither cares for nor disdains mortal dragons. He is the patron of scholars who seeks out knowledge for its own sake and is associated with writing, scrolls, and dice.
Sorinel
Sorinel is the most prominent creator deity. She is a harvest godess, and patron of farmers and druids. Of all the pantheon, she is one of the most commonly worshiped.
Alinel
Alinel is typically depicted as Sorinel's sister, and the embodiement of the shade . She is not a widely revered godess as the myth has it that as a child she attempted to murder her sister in order to take the land for herself. After being banished by her sister and the other deities she is always looking for a way back in. She will grant magical power to those who will do her bidding. She is the patron of the dishonest, the corrupt, and the power-hungry.
Religion
Most of the dragons worship their elemental deities along with an assortment of deities from the elder pantheon. Which of the elder gods they worship depends heavily on their guild, profession, and values. The elemental deities are seen as being dragons but with supernatural abilities or characteristics, they are not so much worshiped as they are deeply respected in the way one might respect a wise, elderly relative or a teacher. The elder gods go back much further, many dragons across Sornieth do not believe that they are real.
Some notable members of the elder pantheon include:
The Great Sky Wyrm
The patron of hatchlings and new parents, the Sky Wyrm is associated with creation, rebirth, and gifts.
Corvus
Corvus is the patron of tricksters and thieves. He is associated with chaos, wit, and the night. Legend has it that he is the god which guides souls on their perilous journey to the afterlife, often attempting to confuse or loose them along the way.
Corax
Corax is usually depicted as a sibling of Corvus, although some interpretations depict the two as different aspects of the same deity. Corax is the patron of artists and craftsdragons. They are associated with the day, beauty, and creation. Their gender is left ambiguous in most interpretations.
Altis
Altis is the personification of fate. He neither cares for nor disdains mortal dragons. He is the patron of scholars who seeks out knowledge for its own sake and is associated with writing, scrolls, and dice.
Sorinel
Sorinel is the most prominent creator deity. She is a harvest godess, and patron of farmers and druids. Of all the pantheon, she is one of the most commonly worshiped.
Alinel
Alinel is typically depicted as Sorinel's sister, and the embodiement of the shade . She is not a widely revered godess as the myth has it that as a child she attempted to murder her sister in order to take the land for herself. After being banished by her sister and the other deities she is always looking for a way back in. She will grant magical power to those who will do her bidding. She is the patron of the dishonest, the corrupt, and the power-hungry.
