The Dromar Clanlands

Life in the Clanlands
Honor, glory, strength. These are the three core principals of life in the Dromar Clanlands. These harsh highlands host a vast multitude of clans ranging among High Orcs, High Ogres, Kin of all kinds, Oathsworn, and Humans. Among these clans, warriors are common, but praised, and shamans are revered and respected. Although there are conflicts between clans, the principal of honor is held above all and, in general, grudges are not kept, and attacks are seen as challenges and tests of strength. Also living in the Clanlands are monsters of all kinds, ranging from goblins to drakes and wyrms. Because of this, the Clans are almost constantly fighting, whether it be each other, monsters, coastal pirates, or the Kingdom of Albios, their southern neighbors. The clans are not necessarily landlocked, they also travel across the seas in search of trade and mercenary work.

Rulers
There is no single leader in Dromar, instead a collective war council meets once a year and its members change often, but usually include a member of each race. Currently the leaders include the following:

Kessa the Sablekin warrior is praised among the Kin for his valor and fearlessness in battle. He is easily recognizable by his eyepatch and twin blades made of stone.

Tordall the Oathsworn warrior is known for his steadfast defense against a cyclops that threatened his clan. Hardy and strong, he is recognizable by his large bone shield and his Aurochs companion.

Greyhand the High Orc shaman is feared and respected among all the clans. Despite being born with a defective hand, he rose high among his peers in wisdom and honor. When his father acted dishonorably, Greyhand called him out on it, and then killed him in honorable combat, proving that even those hindered in body can be powerful and mighty. He is recognized by his discolored hand and the large iron medallion he wears. It is said that if you have less strength than others, Greyhand can find a job and a place for you in his clan, and Greyhand has also helped others realize that cleverness should be highly praised.

Sunlight Ash the High Ogre shaman is perhaps one of the most accomplished shamans in the Clanlands. She and her clan roam the lands, searching for undead and destroying them with extreme prejudice. Sunlight Ash received her name for her habit of blasting undead with earth magic until they are reduced only to a pile of ashes. Hating necromancy above anything else, she makes it clear that any use of the foul magic will attract her attention and she will not be merciful. She is recognizable by the rough gold jewelry she wears that glitters in the light.

Ryella the Human warrior was once a young hopeful of Albios, looking to become a Knight. When the Kingdom of Albios didn’t live up to her expectations of honor, she traveled north where she joined one of the clans and eventually worked her way up to her current standing. No longer trapped within court politics, she finds her honor in fighting the creatures of Dromar. Ryella has a large, noticeable scar down her right cheek and wears clothing dyed in shades of blue.

These gatherings happen on Winter Solstice and generally are a way to resolve any grudges that arise, play competitive games, and bring any issues to the war council. Dishonorable conduct can get people and whole clans kicked out of the event.

Playing a character from the Dromar Clanlands
Honor is the most important concept to hold onto for your character. To act dishonorably would be to betray your homeland and all those you hold dear. This isn’t to say that honor and morals line up all the time. It is honorable to fight fairly, it is honorable to face your foes in combat. Magic that makes an enemy flee is dishonorable but being forced to flee because of said magic is not. It is not dishonorable to treat those weaker than you as weak. It is dishonorable to attack allies when there are enemies to be fought, though again the use of dishonorable magic such as berserks can counter this concept.

If you are playing a member of a Dromar Clan, you are, indeed, part of a clan with a clan leader, but you are also free to travel without your clan and return whenever you wish. If your clan leader is present, generally you defer to their judgement, though many clans allow for all voices to be heard.

Clans are generally not exclusive. If you can fight and you uphold your honor, then you are often welcomed, regardless of race or gender. Diversity is normal in Dromar, but most have a rugged quality to themselves and their clothing.