Clan Spiritclaw

GEOGRAPHY:

Spiritclaw is located on the Eastern side of the continent, sharing a border with Steinjotunn and Goldenfield. Roughly the same size as their neighbors, this clan is counted among the smaller sized clans.

The territory consists of a coastal beach in the South where Pack Solfire, Windwalker, and Cloudwatcher call home. Though the majority of the land is made up of hills with small pockets of forest and wetlands. A larger grove on the east side of the clan is home to Pack Roundcloak. In the North the forest starts to grow denser where Pack Stargazer is located, though the pack has taken great effort in cultivating the area around them to create a grove renowned for its beauty, especially at night when the stars are visible.

TRUTHSEEKERS:

This clan boasts the largest population of Truthseekers, ulven with a deep and unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the truth. Not one of these ulven is the same as another. Some choose to pursue esoteric magics and divination while others pursue history and the stories of the ulven people. Truthseekers of the clan believe that Gaia shows them a path in life that is theirs to uncover, a sort of divine inspiration.

Sometimes Truthseekers will be involved in attempts to settle disputes within the clan due to their investigative skills. In the past, clans have also sought out Spiritclaw Truthseekers because of their reputation and skill. 

Ravina Spiritclaw is widely respected as “First Seeker” – a title granted to her for her station of being the leader of the Truthseekers within Clan Spiritclaw. Other clan’s Truthseekers aren’t necessarily led by her, but the position she holds is well respected among all Truthseekers. 

TRADE & ECONOMY:

Much of the clan’s agricultural commodities come from pack Sweetgrass who often work with Clan Goldenfield to boost their own production and skill. 

Pack Handlute is well known for their quality instruments, especially an ulven style of lute, their name sake.

The forests Pack Roundcloak call home offer much game for resources such as leather, hides, and meat but also provide many wild fruits. These adept hunters often work with Clan Steinjotunn across their border.

The river and wetlands that Pack Wetfinger resides supplies fish and quality furs from the beavers that live there.

Overall Spiritclaw is a clan that relies predominantly on itself.

MILITARY AND POLITICS:

While Spiritclaw certainly does not shy away from fighting, waging war is not their specialty. The clan typically tries to remain neutral in regards to conflicts between ulven to focus on the war with the Mordok. They provide many skilled warriors and powerful witches and Daughters of Gaia to the efforts, focusing on fighting corruption.

CULTURAL POINTS:

The ulven of Clan Spiritclaw have put a clear importance on knowledge and truth. This resonates throughout their culture. Children will play games based around deception with the intent to practice discernment and investigative skills. Those deemed criminals in ulven society seem to get harsher sentencing if there was an attempt to hide or lie about their crimes. 

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY:

Clan Spiritclaw is a fairly traditional clan in regards to religion. They firmly believe in the Great Wolf and Gaia as other ulven but still leave room for smaller deities such as Luna who is worshiped by Pack Stargazer.

A common feature in Spiritclaw rituals is the use of fjóla, a purple hued paint with various herbs and ingredients unique to each witch. The fjóla is used to paint runes or sigils on tools or objects but also as body paint. Each recipe is usually highly guarded and either passed down through families or to an apprentice.

COLORS, HERALDRY, FASHION:

The color purple is a common motif amongst Spiritclaw, featuring in the warpaint they use to identify themselves but also used heavily in clothing. A common style of dying clothing is taking multiple colors in a vat but not fully mixing them to create a unique pattern of multiple colors swirling on the cloth.

RECENT/CURRENT EVENTS:

Year 264:
Standing vehemently behind their decision to remain neutral in the ever-growing conflict threatening to envelop all of Mardrun, Clan Spiritclaw has nonetheless been very active this past year. As war ravaged the landscape, Spiritclaw began the year by hoping to establish a neutral alliance, originally composed of themselves and Clan Riverhead, with hopes to bring Ironmound into the fold as well. In the coming months, Spiritclaw villages were opened to refugees on both sides of the war, cementing the clan’s position as a mediator and haven for those unwilling or unable to continue fighting.

The revelation of the Lorespeaker Conspiracy likely hit Clan Spiritclaw harder than any other clan, at least as far as the effects were visible. Fiercely proud of their Truthseekers, the knowledge that such a culturally significant lie had been perpetuated for generations was a source of great shame, and led to many Truthseekers calling vocally for the capture and questioning of any Lorespeakers. Some on Mardrun, however, will forever see the reputation of the Truthseekers tarnished by this oversight, and others wonder if perhaps some of the Truthseekers were involved with the plot, as well.

Year 274:

With the invasion of Clan Stonetooth and Grimward igniting a second war amongst the ulven people, Spiritclaw has chosen again to remain neutral in the conflict. Though they have sent delegates to Clan Stonetooth in an attempt to learn more about Stonetooth.