The Clans
From FiranMUX
What follows are condensed versions of the information available about the eight Firan clans in the news files. For more information, see 'news clans' and feel free to ask questions on your clan comchannel.
Gold Dragon Clan -- The Clan of the Gold Dragon is always spoken of by its members as "The Clan of the Mighty Gold Dragon" and achieved success through a combination of hubris, luck, and strategy. The most warlike of the Firans, this clan was, before the Great War, the most feared and hated. Members of the clan value pride, honor, and personal excellence. They also seem to be less egalitarian towards women than other Firan clans. This may have a lot to do with the heavy monotheistic Zutivian influence in this clan. Members of the Clan of the "Mighty" Gold Dragon rarely worship any other God but Zutiv. Also, filial piety and family bloodline is very important to clan members, and they usually even carry their family trees -- at least what they know of them -- on their person.
Griffon Clan -- The Clan of the Griffon once held all the land between the Ani and Uell Rivers, including the city of Anarinuell. Led by charismatic leaders like Corista, this Clan was large and powerful. However, a series of brutal wars with the Clan of the Gold Dragon resulted in the Clan of the Griffon losing half of its cities (Anarinuell was one of them) and nearly half of its territory. The surrender was humiliating, and the Clan of the Griffon has long held a grudge against the Clan of the Gold Dragon because of it. The Clan of the Griffon became a highly militaristic society under the leadership of Corista's daughter, Nala. The people of the Clan took on much of Nala's personality: a desire for honor, reclaimed glory, and self-reliance. Children born into the Clan are taught to defend themselves at a very young age, and the clan people exhibit very little tendency towards distinguishing between men and women -- they are highly egalitarian.
Hydra Clan -- The Clan of the Hydra was ruled under the iron fist of Belik for more decades than most have been alive to remember. Although a benevolent dictator, Belik imposed harsh laws and strict obedience to uniform codes of conduct, values, and religion. Persons born into this clan grow up in a spartan, but not deprived, environment. They like things plain, and simple. They value serious scholarship, hard work, and a quiet existence. They are, almost uniformly, monotheistic Zutivians -- and do not tolerate religious diversity in their ranks. Also of note is their tendency to view women as being either somewhat inferior, or at least relegated to their "proper" roles in society. Above all, members of the Clan of the Hydra hate change and innovation. Risky ventures are met with strong disapproval. Belik married young Senika Junik in hopes of providing his clan with an heir. They had a daughter, Seliana, who was kidnapped and is believed to be held by the Lanesh Regime. Recently, the Hydra heir, Amenik, was born, and he is kept closely-guarded by Belik and is much-beloved of the clan.
Ticanee Clan -- The Ticanee are a bunch of tribes that have been thrown together by the Firans and called a clan. The Firans believe that the Ticanee are a "lost clan" of theirs from ancient mythology -- Srenna's "fire people" -- and have adopted them into the fold. While it is true that the Ticanee share many Firan characteristics including language structure, appearance, and similar myths, they also are significantly different in a cultural sense. The Ticanee tend to be totem worshippers, but are very open minded about any new Gods. They don't have strong powers of denial -- when a God appears and tells them something, they believe it. The Ticanee are also more innocent and guileless than the Firans, though not naive. They are superb hunters, they like to do things in accordance with their nomadic traditions, and have excellent rapport with nature. In fact, the Ticanee often scoff when the Firans call them "primitive" since they have had domestic animals for so much longer than the Firans.
Cockatrice Clan -- The Clan of the Cockatrice calls as home the large chunk of land in the southwestern corner of the Firan Republic. They are mostly people of the forest -- comfortable in the wild, and skilled at mining. This clan, however, has had a long, troubled history. It is widely suspected of being the oldest clan in existence, although there is documented evidence to the contrary, and its leaders always seem to find themselves in the midst of some dark tragedy that repeats itself decade after decade. There have been far too many assassinations and suspicious deaths in the royal house of the Cockatrice for anyone to be comfortable with the thought that it's all coincidence. Members of this clan almost uniformly worship Uf, Eesha and Unot. They have become accustomed to pilgrimages from members of other clans. Furthermore, the main city of this clan, Sarkaran, is right across the Uell River from Anarinuell, and can be seen from the shore. Consequently, Sarkaran has traditionally been a relaxed "getaway" for the Firans after tense political negotiations in Anarinuell. Most of the yearly festivals are held in the Sarkaran, so the Clan of the Cockatrice sees itself as a perpetual "host". Manners are important to these people, as is hospitality. They are almost uniformly of the middle class with very few nobles, and even fewer impoverished.
Eagle Clan -- The Clan of the Eagle thinks itself the most free, tolerant, and open clan of the Firans. Under their visionary leader Darimon (slain by an assassin, but now universally revered as a hero of the Firan people), the Clan of the Eagle enjoyed great religious and cultural diversity. Individual freedoms are very important to these people, and they are often heard theorizing about abstract principles of "liberty," "Firan rights," and "Firan perfectibility". The Clan of the Eagle's lands are across the Ani River from Anarinuell, and have long been the core of Firan wealth. Members of the clan are avid sailors and fishermen, traders in luxury items, and enjoy what they call "the good life." Other clans, especially the Clan of the Hydra, see them as hedonistic and selfish. The Clan of the Eagle, however, considers itself enlightened. Goals of clan members include: attaining personal wealth, enjoying much free time for the pursuit of personal interests, and attaining freedom for all.
Bear Clan -- The Clan of the Bear is located in the northwestern reach of the Republic. Their land is heavily forested and filled with the rich mining opportunities of hills. The clan has, throughout history, enjoyed its seclusion and peace. Their rulers shrewdly kept this clan out of almost all the wars and conflicts, and so the Clan of the Bear always prospered while other clans have withered. Having many children is important to members of this clan, as large families are seen as an ultimate boon. The clan has a strong characteristic for poetic justice and irony -- and are often thought to be unnecessarily subtle, evasive and sarcastic by the standards of other clans. The clan members are highly egalitarian and values negotiation and clever deal making of all sorts.
Chimera Clan -- The Clan of the Chimera is the newest clan in the Firan realms -- it has only been in existence for about 30 years. This clan lacks strong national characteristics, in part, because it was put together from refugees, political dissenters, and adventurers from other clans. Elianos, then the son of the Gold Dragon clan leader Firgalas, formed this clan in the northern wilderness by skill and force of will alone. These people tend to be sturdy upstarts and entrepreneurs who needed only an opportunity and/or a second chance in life. Never large in number, the Clan of the Chimera was compelled to maintain the most skilled and powerful fighting force in the Firan Republic. Other armies could defeat them with superior numbers -- but they were going to make sure that the damage they would inflict on any such army would be great enough to deter the attempt. Members of this clan have strong instincts on how to make do with nothing, and adapt to changing situations with grace. They also tend to have strong moral judgments about other people, but generally won't interfere in their lives with anything more than a statement of disapproval.
