Post by Zaedus on Mar 13, 2013 1:47:51 GMT -5
WARVEN
The Warven are an erratic race and they can be found in most of the northern, frigid regions of the world. They may seem savage, but they are intelligent and possess a cruel, bestial cunning that can come as a surprise to the unprepared.
Warven society is patriarchal, with the eldest male leading the pack. Warven never challenge leadership; the patriarch leads until he is physically incapable of doing so any longer, at which point a council of elders is called and the new Clan leader is selected. They do appear in towns and cities on occasion for trading of furs and talismans for other goods, and sometimes weaponry. Every Warven is a warrior no matter the gender and they all share the same steadfast pride in honor. Although sparse Warven make for good companions, and loyal friends or in contrast violent and savage enemies.
AGE TITLE FOR WARVEN
Whelp: Born to roughly 12 years of age
Adolescence: 18 to 26 years of age
Adult: 27 to 55 years of age
Middle Aged: 58-64 years
Old: 70-100 years of Age
Venerable: 105-115 years of age
WARVEN CLANS
MAJOR
Frostmane Hold- Holds most of the territory in the northeastern corner of the Frostlands, some of it bleeds into the Wolf Talon forest. Nestled between the split in the Ice Claw mountain ridge. Is well known with the people of Falkenrath.
Totem-Dire Wolf
Razorclaw Hold- Boundaries clash with Frostmane, the largest clan of Warven and hold much of the western lands, usually trades with Karzoth.
Totem-Dire Bear
Wildfang Hold- Located near Coy Bay, dominates the lands not settled by humans, and strays far from frostmane Lands. Smallest of the three great clans.
Totem-Great Elk
MINOR
The minor clans reside in all parts of the Frost Lands, the reason they stay are the tithes paid to the dominate clan in the territory. they are as followed.
Frenzymaw- Razorclaw territory
Bloodhide- Wildfang territory
Feraleye- Wildfang territory
Swiftmane-Frostmane territory
Savagetooth-Razorclaw territory
Ghostpaw- Frostmane territory
Minor clans that reside in Major clan territories do not war with the Major clan, they may have sparring skirmishes for festive reasons but rarely strike out. Some may if they feel they can take over but that usually ends in failure. Although some have, The Wildfang clan was one of few that usurped a former Major clan and took over. Although minor clans pay tithes to their Major clan host by no means are they seen as enemies to other great clans. Some of the minor clans even trade among other great clans. That is of course not saying that other minor clans may have blood disputes with others. The laws of the great clans hold in their territories and are enforced with an iron fist.
The individual clans pretty much operate on their own accord, and do things they way they want. The only difference between Major and Minor clans is who has dominance over the territory of land. The minor clans pay tithes to the major clan in dominance be it in furs, weapons, other things like that. Since they are a tribal race they don't have much use for gold, except the clans that regularly trade with other towns comprised of primarily non Warven.
When a clan leader dies while in leadership (which is rare) the ways of selecting a new leader stays the same. A council of elders is called to select the Warven who has displayed enough potential to lead. There was a time all Warven were once united before but, like most civilizations, internal conflicts got in the way and disagreements led to a divide.
ANCIENT LORE SOME WARVEN KNOW AND POSSESS
Long ago a gifted Shaman by the name of Glael was approached by the four elemental lords. Ragnaros, the father of Fire, Gaia the mother of Earth, Avianna the mother of Air, and Aquedas, father of Water. These four gifted Glael the power to maintain the Life Tree. He trained his Shamans, and his magic users to defend the life tree.
The Warven race, however, was a plague to them. Before the Warvens were primal, fierce, without clarity of mind. Savage uncontrolled beasts who ravaged anything in their territory. One such beast entered the sanctum of the Life Tree, and grievously wounded Glael. That beast was known as Greymane. After Glael recovered he was not angry at the beast, rather impressed.
He asked the elemental lords to give him the power to tame the creatures. They lured Greymane and his pack to the Life Tree where the Elemental Lords seized them. Glael used his new found gift and granted them the clarity of mind. Zalendar Greymane and his pack became the guardians of the Shamans, and Mages that protected the Life Tree. For centuries after whenever a girl or boy was found gifted with the powers of the elements, he or she was to choose a Warven as their guardian to protect them and watch over them
THE TUNDRA
The Tundra, or the Frostlands is the coined name for the region in the far north-west. Here the land is nigh in a perpetual winter. The more southern regions of the Frostlands experience a spring and summer, thus the reason the border towns are primarily farming communities.
Karzoth- Port town on south western coast, and is the main trade center for most of the Frost Lands. The West coast is frigid and harsh on it's denizens, but Karzoth enjoys the warmth offered by the unusual thermal activity in this region.
Falkenrath- Inland on the eastern side of the treacherous Tundra Mountains, this land is settled by farmers and hunters. The cold here is harsh, preventing annual sustainability of crops, but Falkenrath has favorable trade agreements with other trade hubs and enjoys a sustainable fur market.
Salamir- Settlement on the border of of the Frostlands, within in the Wolf Talon forest. Salamir is considered the 'gateway' to the vast Tundra and frequently sees adventurers turn their hopes around before pressing on. The prime export is lumber and Juniper berries.
The Warven are well known inhabitants to the people of the Frostlands, and usually have no quarrels with the race except maybe during clan wars they may see some collateral damage. Since no great war has occurred in many many years they don't expect it as much. The Warven are also a common sight to them, many often trade with the clans for goods the Warven possess.
WARVEN CLANS EXPANDED
All the clans bear the name of their founder and original leaders after the great divide amongst the Warven as a whole. Typically Warven will bear the name and surname of their fathers, if the father so has one. Surnames are usually given in rare events, or acts of triumph and the name describes it. Those Warven who bear the name as their clan as a surname are typically a direct descendant of the founder and the family still rules the clan. Since Warven never challenge for leadership it is a rare event to have someone not bearing the name of their clan in charge, but it does happen. After all when the former clan leader steps down a council confers who would be best to lead. During that phase it is whom has the best merit.
FROSTMANE CLAN
Clan Leader:Alzulmar Frostmane-High Shaman
Mate:Valarra Frostmane-High Shaman
Offspring:
Oldest:(M)Kalzumar Frostmane-Warlord-Deceased
Middle:(M)Zaedus Frostmane-Warlord-Exiled
Youngest:(F)Mirala Frostmane-Shaman
The Frostmane Clan is an old and storied clan much like the Razorclaw Clan. Legends circle this clan that those of the Frostmane name were direct descendants of Zalandar Greymane himself. Although factual evidence does not support this most of the more prideful Frostmane clan members will boast of it. Magic runs deep in the Frostmane clan, most of it's members being Shamans. However there are few who do not make it into the folds of the magic weavers. some become Warlords of esteem and renown. Some of it's members even given the "Banna Fola" (Blood Bond) with some of the Razorclaw clan, to them a mark of highest honor another clan can give another.
RAZORCLAW CLAN
Clan Leader:Bornallus Razorclaw-High Warlord
Mate:Sheenale Razorclaw-High Shaman
Offspring:
Oldest:Sarvayan Razorclaw(M)- Warlord
Youngest:Havmair Razorclaw(M)- Warlord
The fiercest clan any Warven has known. So at least they boast and claim, and they have good standing to say so. The Razorclaw clan is renowned to produce almost nothing but warriors. Although few do become shamans, and their court is primarily shamans, they do not pride themselves on magic. They believe the path of the blade is the only path, and stick to it with fervent pride. Although a clan war has not erupted in many years the Razorclaw clan is well known to have festive fights. Inviting all clans into their land to take part in yearly tournaments.
WILDFANG CLAN
Clan Leader:Golgar Wildfang-High Spellblade
Mate:Reenaria Wildfang-High Spellblade
Offspring:
Oldest: Kilana Wildfang (F)- Spellblade
Youngest: Vaskar Wildfang(M)- Spellblade
The Wildfang clan earned it's name because of they way these Warven breed their warriors. They are not traditional in the sense of 'warrior' is described. Each Warven, much like the Frostmane Clan is a warrior, with the exception those hailing from the Wildfang Clan are a mixed breed of sorts combining both the art of the blade and the way of the spirits. Each Wildfang is versed in magic and warfare making them able and versatile combatants. That is how they were able to usurp a former great clan, simply because no one expected them to dispatch with magic and steel. They do not have the traditional castes of Warlord and Shaman as the other clans do they have Spellblades.
FLORA AND FAUNA
[/b]Elk:Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. During the fall, elk grow a thicker coat of hair, which helps to insulate them during the winter. This allows them to survive the harsher portions of the frigid winters.
Wolves:Packs of these noble beasts roam the forests and mountains of the Frostlands. They rarely present themselves as threats to the non-human denizens unless utterly provoked. Some roaming packs have even been seen to border some of the towns and are used as early warnings of bigger predators nearing.
Dire Wolves: Much like the standard wolf, these animals are rare to see in the open. They are much larger than a standard wolf easily twice the size of a normal wolf, some have even grown to be three times as large. The Wildfang and Frostmane clan have been known to harbor these animals in their camps as companions and guardians.
Bears: Like the wolves bears roam freely through out the woods, tundra and mountains of the Frostlands. They are fiercely territorial and few fatalities have happened to inattentive travelers and residents.
Dire Bears: Akin to the Dire wolf these monstrosities of an animal are massive, known to even kill Ogres and Warven who have had the misfortune of running into one. They are fierce and will even kill their smaller counterparts for food if needed.
Caribou:The caribou is a sturdy animal with short legs. Its coat is brown and becomes darker in the summer and lighter in the winter. It has a ruff of long hairs under the neck, and the fur above the hooves and around the tail are almost white.
Snowy Owl:The snowy owl is considered to be one of the largest and most attractive of the owls. It is called the snowy owl because of its white feathers. The male and female owls have different markings. Male owls are mostly pure white with small spots and wing barring. The female has heavy gray-brown lines across her body and wings and speckled plumage. They both have large, yellow eyes, set in front of the face. Their ears are large and hidden under dense, white feathers.
White Fir:The White Fir is 60-100 feet tall and can live up to 300 years making it a very large forest tree. The leaves are 2 to 3 inches long and slightly flattened. They are silvery blue to silvery green, curve up from the stem and are soft to the touch.
Diamond-Leaf Willow:The twigs on a willow are soft, slender, and they bend easily. A willow has thin branches. The leaves are narrow and grow alternately on the branch. Some leaves have serrated edges. The twigs of the willow are made into baskets because they bend easily. The wood of some willows produce charcoal which they used to make chalk and powder with. Wood from the willow is good to use to start a fire, since it burns easily.
