Raiding Clans
From Changeling Venue
Contents |
History
Centuries ago the Border Reaver tribe started rampaging across the Hedge of Scotland, destroying Freeholds of the Seasonal Courts and villages of Hobs indiscriminately. Shortly, the only communities of Lost left were cowering on the offshore islands, surrounded as they were by the fearsome hedge-beasts of the sea that could drive off even the mutated Reavers.
At some point, no-one knows exactly when, a motley on Skye made an oath to ‘Take Back our Land’, by whatever means necessary. They were powerful Changelings, and each set off in a different direction with various plans, but promising to return to the island in 25 years with news of their progress.
One or more of them started to gather Lost and ensorcelled mortals around him, and perform raids into the Hedge at known groups of Reavers. This was succesful and the ‘Clan’ grew. Some people say that this was not the first clan, as others had started this idea already, but today it is the most powerful. Eventually it was becoming too large, and of too much interest to mortal clans claiming the area, and it was split, with another leader and followers sent off to reclaim another part of Scotland.
After 25 years a number of Chiefs of the Raiding Clans, as they were now known, returned to meet on Skye and report their progress. Other approaches had achieved some success, the Hedge around Edinburgh being a living maze that protected a small freehold within for example, but the Raiding Clans were most numerous. All re-affirmed the oath to ‘Take Back our Land’ and promised to send representation in another quarter century. Every 25 years since, representatives of most Raiding Clans and some other Lost communities met in Portree to swear the Skye Pledge and deal with any issues between them in an atmosphere of festivity and peace.
Notable Clans
Dirkson
This large and powerful clan claims to be descended from the first clan founded by Dirk, one of the legendary Changelings from Skye. Members of this clan appear to have manifested a Clan Mantle not unlike the Mantles of the various courts.
Blackbriar
This small clan spends nearly all of its time in the Hedge. It’s said that their chief hasn’t left the hedge in decades. They are respected for their powerful Wyrd and mastery of contracts, but feared as unreliable and irrational.
Bean
A clan based in the South West of Scotland that limits its membership to Ogres. The chief is always a Gristlegrinder, as are many other members. They owe allegiance to Clan Dirkson.
Heatherwick
This clan claims the the Highlands as its territory. Of all the clans, Heatherwick has the most combat with Border Reavers, since the Highlands are their base as well. The Heatherwick histories claim that they were the first clan, and had nothing to do with Skye.
Army of Night
One of the newer (although still centuries old) clans, the Army of Night organises itself like a military unit, with Regiments, Companies and Patrols based in locations throught Lothian and the Borders. All members know their rank and duties and many are members of one of the Seasonal Courts.
Forbes
All of the Clans make use of ensorcelled mortals to some extent but it has become traditional in Fife for members of this clan to quickly remove their Fetch and then enchant all members of their family, leading to family lines that marry amongst themselves and are all enchanted at a certain age.
Lyon
This clan is based out of Aberdeenshire. Most members have a penchant for getting on well with the local Hedge Beasts and Hobs there are many animal companions in their ranks. They also have the position of Master of the Hunt: a skilled Hobgoblin trainer who leads a pack of hunting ‘dogs’.
Kelpie
A small clan which does not see much combat, Clan Kelpie are spread across the Western Isles of Scotland. They are the closest of all the clans to what most other Changelings view as a normal society and nearly all are members of the Seasonal Courts.
Ness
Clan Ness claim all of the land within 10 miles of the Lochs Ness, Oich and Lochy in all directions. One of their claims is that Nessie is an Ogre Water-Dweller. They are sworn to Clan Heatherwick.
Wallace
This Clan was created barely 50 years ago as a compromise to end a long-running feud between Clan Forbes and the Army of Night by making Stirling and its surroundings the holdings of a new Clan formed from members of all the others. It is still small and has yet to make any major alliances.
Fawkes
This Clan populates the area of Perthshire and is a client ally of Clan Lyon. In many ways, it operates as a smaller version of its ruler and some speculate whether it might one day be absorbed entirely.
