Clan Culture
As a Territory Scelt has evolved past the ancient clan mentality that involved war, raids and forced marriages. Despite this evolution there is still a heavy clan presence and culture within the Territory that cannot be ignored. It should be noted that not every person in Scelt has strong Clan affiliation. Those who live in the cities have often disassociated with their clans or consider them countrified.
Women in Scelt have naturally served in the role of governance for as long as memory can serve. The Queens rule the land and people. The Priestesses lead the spirituality of the Blood. Women's places in society have always been strongly defined and geared towards governance. The Clans are lead by the family head, usually a male leader known as the Laird (or Lord of the Clan). There are occassions when a witch has served as the Laird when no male was suited to take on the difficult role.
In turn it is the Men of Scelt who have taken on the role of head of the family and clan. With the women involved in the overarching governance of land and people it is the men who have focused on the detailed level of clan life and family. Following the Purge many Clans were cut down to size or became defunct all together; their influence helped to rebuild the Territory and brought people together.
Clans often pledge allegiance to a Queen. Depending on their size and power it can be a Territory, Province, District or Village Queen. The clans are another element from which Queens claim their power and Courts.
A Queen does interact with her old clan and it's Laird but the Laird remains in charge of the family while the Queen remains in charge of the land. They are meant to work together for the benefit of the people and the success of the Clan. Typically a Queen does not rule a Clan but a village, District or Province that the Clan is attached to. The Clan in return can declare loyalty and serve a Queen.
The Clans focus on family and taking care of one another. They tend to the homestead, the outlying villages, and all crops and livestock that they have control over. Each Clan has a crest, motto and tartan associated with it.
Though warring and raiding between the Clans is considered old fashioned, desperate people will resort to desperate measures when their people are starving or their land is dying.
Naming Convention:- Members of a Clan will bear the Clan name as their Surname (ex. Killan)
- Distant relatives or descendants of a Clan will bear O' in front of the Clan name as their Surname (ex. O'Killan)
Clan Terminology:- Clan Queen: A Queen to whom a Clan is pledged.
- Banner Clan: A smaller clan who has pledged support and loyalty to a greater Clan.
Clan Information: http://forums.bloodrites.net/scelt/information-on-the-clans-of-scelt-%28pc-clans%29/