Clan Brænde

Structure

Clan Brænde are ruled by a hereditary line of Jarl's that are said to have been descended from Solaran himself. Traditionally leadership is given to the oldest son that has bloodied their blade falling to women who have bloodied theirs before going to untested heirs. Below this the society is tribal in structure with everyone serving some purpose and swearing fealty to their Jarl who oversees the needs and welfare of the tribe as a whole.

Culture

Braende society traditionally alternates between raiding and hibernation seasons. Raiding seasons include the pillaging of others for wealth and resources, inside Solstein if they cannot leave, and hibernation involves looking within to their needs and managing their affairs. Fire magic is commonplace in their life with young children knowing how to cast fires from their fingertips. As such Brænde holdings are well lit and often include braziers that are ready to be ignited as they move. Many in the Brænde believe that evil hides in darkness and that Solaran can only protect what can be seen by the fires.

History

Often butting heads with the Varcheg the Brænde have on many occasions held the throne of Solstein as Warchiefs. Brænde lead many of the raids from the valley and as such have a fearsome reputation as savage warriors who prefer to burn their targets to the ground then merely pillage them. During the reign of the Emerald King the Brænde initially did well from the new status quo with their Jarl having been an ally of Stiegsson. Their influence allowed them to get increasingly favourable settlements against the Varcheg and saw them lead several powerful raids. When Jarl Arnum died however their fates began to change as his less popular son Jarl Arne took power. Unable to maintain his position without aid Arne had more and more of his critics replaced by Changelings until an uneasy sense filled with clan. Unaware of the replacements the Clan believed that Arne was using dark magic to maintain his position or wielded blackmail that few could imagine. When the truth was revealed the Clan rose up against Arne who managed to flee to Calgurn with only a handful of his retainers. Gradually his loyalists came together and Arne began fighting back for control but this resistance was short lived and alongside the other followers of the Emerald King Arne killed his lord and fled beyond the pass. Since this time the Brænde have resecured their position on the valley denouncing their former Jarl and following the lines of his uncle Jarl Orviir instead. Tensions between the Varcheg and Brænde have only gotten worse in this time and their people increasingly zealous. Jarl Lagertha, their current Jarl, has pushed this hatred further pledging numerous times to bring an end to the Varcheg. Under Skade's rule the Brænde were constant critics despite voting for her election to smite the Varcheg. Lagertha and her father both refused to attend any of Skade's counsels and on several occasions Lagertha required intervention by the Warchief to stop an escalation of skirmishes with the Varcheg.

Mythology & Lore

Braende priests, or Firespeakers, have forseen the end of the world in the fire. They believe that water is made by the enemy of humanity and that one day the ice will melt across the land and flood all that is known drowning everything that lives. This will be the end of the world but can be stopped so long as someone carries the fire and preserves the teachings of Solaran.

Worship

The Brænde depict Solaran as a fierce raider destroying all in his path often entirely engulfed in flames if not at least just his weapons enjoying such a status.