Our Clan

May 03, 2011 15:46

Here are the final results of the "Build a Heortling Clan' poll.

First - about the poll.  Each answer to each question was a vote for one of the particular characteristics of the clan - Wealth, Diplomacy, Morale, Military, and Magic.  Because I didn't want people to figure out the system, I mixed up the answers somewhat, and because I didn't want people to focus only on a single characteristic, there were only four of the five possible characteristics available as a choice on any given question.

Ranked in order, the characteristics for the clan are
  1. Diplomacy
  2. Wealth
  3. Morale
  4. Military
  5. Magic
Lets break these down and look at each more closely.  Under each heading I have listed a general overview of how members of the clan might perceive that particular characteristic within the clan, as well as some particularly important specific aspects for which the clan is famous (chosen by any particular answer that got 5+ votes in the voting).

Diplomacy:  the clan survives based on the treaties and agreements it has made with other clans and tribes, and with the skill of its negotiators.  Its success in remaining free of complete Lunar domination has come from silver tongued thanes negotiating for generous terms on tribute payments, not from any sort of skill on the battlefield or the God Plane.  The clan has many friends, and few enemies (though it is likely that those enemies hold bitter grudges).
  • The clan chief is a wise and canny negotiator, and is known, along with his most trusted thanes, for managing to broker treaties with the Lunars that have kept the clan free of occupation, and not unduly burdened by tribute and taxation.
  • Although the clan is actually rather weak militarily, this is not widely known because of the fearful reputation of the clan's champion, whose presence strikes fear into the hearts of any who might take the field against the clan.
  • It is well-known that the clan's ancestors are particularly active in negotiating with the ancestors of other clans on the God Plane, and give the clan favorable influence in negotiations due to their wisdom and many connections.
  • Many of the other clans still remember how this clan helped to rally and organize them to fight the Lunars a generation ago, as well as how it assisted those who suffered losses to the losers, and helped aid those who had lost their lands.

Wealth:  the clan has unusually large herds of cows, owing to its superior grazing lands, the skill of its head priestess in blessing the crops and herds.  In addition, the skill of the clan Trade Thane, who travels far and brings home many goods, contributes to the clan's wealth, as does the pride and skill of the clan Carls.  Finally, the clan trades with the wealthy Lunar Empire.
  • The size of the clan's herds is remarkable, and something for which the clan is famous.  The very first thing that most other Heortling clans think of when they think of this clan are its many, healthy, valuable cows.
  • The clan Trade Thane is noted for his many travels, and the clan's wealth in part consists of exotic items from far away places (and it's skill at selling them)

Morale:  Clan morale is good, but not fantastic.  Though things seem well on the surface, there are strains starting to appear in clan society, as the influence of the Lunars grows and the ways of the clans begin to fall out of favor among some.  It is a time of great change among the clans, and morale is suffering a bit because of that.
  • Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek have larger than average followings within the clan, and are believed to favor the clan by protecting the many good things that the clan has (its large herds and many friendly clans, for example) from confiscation by the Lunars.

Military:  the clan fyrd is strong and successful at defending the clan's lands, but there is little left over.  The clan has few real warriors left to take any fight to the enemy.  For now the clan lands and herds are secure from raiders and bandits, but should war break out, the clan will be at a disadvantage.

Magic:  the clan's magic is desperately weak.  The power of the Red Moon is growing, and the Storm Pantheon does not answer prayers as it once did.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to access the Storm Plane for the yearly rites, and the ancestors whisper of danger and defeat.
  • Esrola, the Mother, is the primary source of the clan's magic, and is the most powerful cult in the clan.  The voice of her prists and priestesses can often sway even the followers of Orlanth.
But these are just my ideas.  Anyone want to add anything?

glorantha, roleplaying, heroquest

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