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Message: <blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5254716" data-attributes="member: 92511">The GorunduunHere's an amended entry for the barbarian clans, the Gorunduun. What I originally posted was an older version. The Gorunduun, the Barbarian Clans The clans of the Gorundu tundra are very much the same as they were  since the days before the Godswar. They have a fierce reputation as  warriors and are also known to be excellent trackers. Each clan is a  group of approximately 20-100 families spread out over a particular  territory that may change  periodically, dependant on availability of game or wars with neighboring  clans. On the whole, the Gorunduun do not venture into realms beyond  their territories. . .anymore.The clans are devoted to a totem animal. They are the Lion, the  Wolf, the Falcon, the Stag, the Fox, the Bear, and the Dragon ("Lun,  Worg, Shree, K'ton, Chin, G'ruun and Chur'nok", respectively, in their  native tongue). Each clan also has a special tribal weapon that is  unique to their culture and clan mytholohgy. Several of the clans have identifying tattoos given to their warriors (male and female) following a "rite of passage" into adulthood. These are prominently displayed (by most clans) as badges of honor.The clans are each led by a Chief (or Chieftess), a hereditary  position whose family holds mythical ties to the totem. Each clan also  has a shaman (at least one). Unlike the chief, the shaman is not hereditary, being  “chosen” by the totem in some way. They have a strong distrust of magic,  even clerical. The magics of their shamans instill a fearful respect  because of the shamans’ connection to the clan totem. Outside  spellcasters will be treated with suspision if not outright hostility. The Gorunduun are generally a handsome race. They are slightly  larger than other races of men, average heights being  over six feet for  men, around 6 feet for women. Their hair is generally light  browns and blonds, though some have darker shades, the Dragon clan in  particular. Eyes are predominantly blue with green and hazel not  uncommon. It is custom among all clans, save the Bear, not to grow a beard until after one is wed and  becomes a father. Bear clan males let their beards grow in naturally, and a Bear clansman without a well maintain beard, commonly to chest length, by his maturity is viewed as anywhere from odd to cursed. Serious or repeat criminals of the Bear clan have their beards shaven, after the dwarven fashion, before being outcast.   The barbarians of Gorunduun began as tribes that sought to escape  enslavement by the Selurians and, following the Godswar, the Thelitians. In the chaos of the Lost Ages after the Godswar,  they raided/invaded into the southern lands regularly until the Thelitians and  various Grinlian lords were able to organize enough to fight them back.  These raiding hordes were one of the driving factors in the creation of  R’Hath by the persecuted wizards of that era. Since the Scourge Wars,  the Gorunduun have been mostly quiet and peaceful, except for the Dragon  clan who are seemingly always on a warpath, usually with the other  clans but raiding (or doing business with) D'Ensior on occasion. Certain clans (the Lion and Falcon, primarily) have been  known to trade with the dwarves of Naradun and the neighboring realms of  men. The barbarian clans are generally fearful of elves, owing to  their innate distrust of magic and their depiction in Gorunduun mythology as  evil spirits.   Some other general notes on the Gorunduun include: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Wolf clan takes after its totem in the sense that they are very  tight knit and devoted to those they allow/consider part of "the pack."  They are also ferocious and cunning fighters, opting for battle before  talk in most cases.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Fox clan acts more “thief-like” in their hunting/battle  styles than brash brute force. They are more apt to use/lay traps and  generally use a "strike and back off" fighting style. This has earned  them a degree of disdain from other clans, considering them "dishonorable."</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Dragon clan is the most feared of all the Gorunduun, not  just outside the Gorunndu territories but by the other clans themselves.  They are almost always on the warpath, encroaching on neighboring  clans, taking what they can, destroying what they can’t. The Dragon clan  and Lion clans are mortal enemies.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The clan of the Falcon is, perhaps, the most high-minded of the  Gorunduun. This clan possesses a large territory with relatively  permanent communities in the hills and plains close to the Worldcrest  range and even up on some of the mountains themselves. These are kept in  communication via an elaborate system of runners, and trained messenger  falcons, giving rise to their reputation as the swiftest moving of the  barbarian clans and the superstitious notion that they can shapeshift  into their totem bird. They are characterized as dreamers and innovators  among their kind.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Bear clan gets along well with most of the other clans (except the Dragon), who  count on the Bear’s involvement to fight the war-parties of the Dragon clan. The Bear clan is  more spread out than other clans, roaming in smaller family units or  solitarily. Still, when the warriors of the Bear clan come together,  they are a terrible force to be reckoned with.</li> </ul></blockquote>

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