CLANS OF THE TORKANI

The Torkani tribe consists of eight clans. Three are primarily agrarian (Godori, Siganti and Erlending), while four are primarily foresters (Borkarth, Ostoki, Asmandi and Golving).

OVERVIEW OF THE TORKANI TRIBE

Population: 8,000
Steads: 82 + two towns

The Torkani were the second Heortling tribe to enter Dragon Pass, following almost immediately after the Colymar first emigrated into the region. Dwelling in the extreme north-east of the region, they are part of the kingdom of Sartar, yet are mistrusted by all the other tribes of that land. In particular, the sun-worshipping Alda-Churi tribes of the Far Point have become their bitter rivals and enemies. As a result of persecution by these tribes and by the Lunars, the Torkani population has declined dramatically in recent years. Besides the Alda-Churi, the Torkani also border the lands of the Pol-Joni horse nomads, the Telmori werewolves and the non-human Uz of Dagori Inkarth.

The Torkani differ from other Sartarite tribes in their veneration of Argan Argar, and to a lesser extent, the other gods of darkness. This is for both mythical and practical reasons. From the practical point of view, the Torkani live next to the Uz homeland of Dagori Inkarth, and so find worshipping the god most able to deal favourably with that race to be a great asset.

The Torkani are unique in two other respects as well. Firstly, they trace their lineages through the female line. Thus, in formal speech, the personal name and descriptive name of a Torkani tribesman or woman is followed by their matronym (i.e. the name of their mother followed by -sson or -sdottir as appropriate). While clan chieftains and important warriors are generally male, the overall Torkani leader is usually a woman. By showing deference to women, the Torkani find it easier to gain the respect of the Uz (in so far as any human can!)

Secondly, the Torkani keep trollkin as chattel. No Torkani clan has human thralls; this has been a part of their ancestors' traditions since before the tribe itself was established. But trollkin are, of course, not human, and Torkani traders regularly buy them from Dargori Inkarth. Torkani trollkin are treated in a similar manner to thralls among other Sartarite tribes, although, in the relatively unlikely event that a trollkin should have children, these are not set free as the child of a human thrall would be. They serve as menial labourers and as domestic servants for those of noble rank.

Population: 1,250
Steads: 11 + Stonegate

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda, Argan Argar, Xiola Umbar
Shrines: Torkan, Seven Mothers

Tribal Ring Seats (1621): Torkan, Xentha

The Godori inhabit the south-western part of Goodfarm vale, bounded by the Good River in the north and the Dogbone hills in the south. Humakt's hill marks the eastern boundary and the confluence of the Solfint and Good Rivers marks the west. They share borders with the Bachad, Dinacoli and Telmori tribes.

The Torkani's largest settlement, Stonegate, is in Godori lands, although it is inhabited by members of all the agrarian clans (Godori, Siganti and Erlendi). This is now the seat for the tribal queen, and the location of the shrine to Torkan. The tribe traditionally holds the tribal ring seat for Torkan. More tribal kings have come from this clan than any other.

The Godori are the only surviving clan of the original founding triaty that emigrated to Dragon Pass in the early fourteenth century.

SIGANTI

Population: 1,200
Steads: 12 + Torkan's Last Fort

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda, Humakt, Lhankor Mhy
Shrine: Argan Argar

Tribal Ring Seats (1621): Humakt, Voria

The Siganti inhabit the eastern part of Goodfarm vale up to the fringes of the forested Division Hills. They border the Telmori tribal lands east of Humakt's Hill. Their territory includes Torkan's Last Fort, an ancient EWF hill fort re-fortified by the tribal founder.

The Siganti were the first clan to be founded after the Torkani arrived in Dragon Pass, and still remain one of the largest. They have a tradition of providing strong warriors and have a long-standing rivalry with the Telmori people who live to the south.

See also: The Siganti Inner Clan Ring

ERLENDINGS

Population: 1,000
Steads: 11

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda, Odayla

Tribal Ring Seats (1621): Ernalda, Xiola Umbar

The Erlendings, or Erlendi clan, occupy the north-western part of Goodfarm vale, north of the Good river and east of the Creek. Orlanth's hill and the edge of the Lizardwood mark the northern boundary. The Erlendings share a border with the Alda-Churi Bachad tribe along the Creek.

The Erlendings are generally at the forefront of raids from the sun-worshipping Bachad, and tend to respond in kind. They have some of the best farming land in Torkani lands, but have suffered heavily at the hands of the Lunar-backed Alda-Churi. As a result, their population has fallen further than any other Torkani clan over the last decade, and there is now a serious shortage of adult men. They have recently re-organised as a War Clan because of the depth of their problems.

OSTOKI

Population: 1,150
Steads: 11

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda, Odayla, Asrelia
Shrine: Xentha

Tribal Ring Seats (1621): Orlanth Rex, Asrelia

The Ostoki inhabit the southern part of the Division Hills. Battle Ridge marks their eastern boundary, while Jaldon's Rest marks the south. They share borders with both the Telmori and the Pol-Joni of Prax.

This clan has a somewhat undeserved reputation for crudity and unwarranted violence. While their warriors are not as highly regarded as those of the Siganti, they are more numerous. Yrsa Nightbeam, the current Queen of the Torkani, is from this clan, although she now lives in Stonegate. They are traditionally a War Clan.

BORKARTH

Population: 1,050
Steads: 13

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda, Odayla, Argan Argar
Shrine: Eurmal

Tribal Ring Seats (1621): Argan Argar, Eurmal

The Borkarth, or Borki clan, inhabit the Lizardwoods east of the Creek and up to the foothills of the Indigo mountains in the north. The Alda-Churi Bachad tribe border their lands along the Creek.

This clan was the second to be founded after the Torkani arrived in Dragon Pass. They are the clan which has the most dealings with the trolls, and have a reputation among the other clans for being excessively mercantile. A number of members of the clan dwell permanently at the troll/human trading fort of Storlock, but this is not considered a Borkarth 'stead'. Traditionally a Peace Clan, they have argued that outright rebellion against the Lunars would be unwise and they have established reasonably positive relations with the occupiers. Despite this attitude, they have not gone so far as to opnely accept worship of Doburdun or other Lunar cults within their lands (although they do not actively discourage such, either), and continue to worship Orlanth in defiance of the law.

ASMANDI

Population: 950
Steads: 10

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda, Odayla
Shrines: Argan Argar

Tribal Ring Seat (1621): Orlanth Adventurous

This clan inhabit the Daytime woods. Their lands border Prax and there are a few small troll settlements to the north. The most northerly and easterly stead in Sartar belongs to the Asmandi.

The Asmandi are very much a frontier clan, noted for their fine hunters and the shadow cats they breed. They have a reputation for taciturnity. Despite their border with Dagori Inkarth, they have relatively little trade with the trolls compared with the Borkarth.

GOLVINGS

Population: 800
Steads: 7

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda
Shrine: Odayla

Tribal Ring Seat (1621): Lhankor Mhy

The Golvings, or Golvi clan, occupy the northern part of the Division Hills, and have a few steads on the Zalador River on the boundary of the Prax chapparal.

This small clan is noted primarily for its many pigs and for its frequent skirmishes with the Pol-Joni. They have relatively few cattle, and are thus reckoned poor by other Sartarities, to whom this is the standard indicator of wealth.

VANDRADI

Population: 600
Steads: 6

Temples: Orlanth, Ernalda
Shrines: Odayla, Valind

Tribal Ring Seat (1621): Orlanth Thunderous

The most northerly Torkani clan, the Vandradi inhabit the southern slopes and foothills of the Indigo Mountains. They have a short border with the Bachad tribe of Alda-Churi, but their land is too rugged to be regularly raided. The mountains are otherwise inhabited primarily by trolls.

The Vandradi have a number of customs which distinguish them from the other Torkani, and they are not properly considered to be either an 'agrarian' or a 'forester' clan. In particular, they venerate Valind (the god of winter), an act considered somewhat strange even by other Torkani. They have relatively little contact with the other clans, of which they are the only one never to have supplied a tribal queen.

DECLINE IN POPULATION

The figures below ignore children under five, and are very approximate. The decline is mostly due to persistent raids by the treacherous sun-worshipping Alda-Churi under their new 'prince', Harvar Ironfist. The Lunar occupying forces are often thought to be providing covert backing to the raids.