Clan Orkan

Structure

Clan Orkan elect their Jarl's based on a trial by combat. For the trial only those who have endured the Ensomvinter and led a raid may participate. Then they must battle to the death without armour but a necklace with any charm they chose and using only two weapons claimed on a raid. The battles take part two at a time and the final survivor is named the Jarl until his passing. Though if the clan has not raided for a year or a slight is acknowledged by the law speaker the Jarl may be challenged in a similar duel for his position by any warrior of the clan.

Culture

Orkan 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. Orkan life is highly in tune with the most feral elements of nature and a common practice is the Ensomvinter. Those wishing to take part are sent into the wilds at the start of winter with only the furs on their back and a hunting knife and must survive until the first day of spring. Most of those who take part die to the frost, beasts or other horrors of a winter in the valley but for those who succeed they are favoured as the greatest among the Orkan and praised by their peers. Only those who have completed the Ensomvinter may lead a raid as they are considered the most favoured of the god of storms.

History

Orkan have long served as the shock troopers of Solstein worshiping the god of tempests. They have tended to enjoy warm relations with the other clans and are often the right hand in raids, rulership and other matters of the state. During the reign of the emerald King the Orkan suffered greatly. From the first day they opposed the ascension to warchief and proceeded to be loud and vocal critics of the realm. Then, after a particularly savage meeting the King invited the Orkan Jarl Helvi to speak in private leading to a month of negotiations. When Helvi returned he did so alongside the son of the king, Magnus, to be raised in the Orkan way. Helvi ceased her critique of the King and began tempering her people to the virtues of his reign. When the Emerald King was exposed it was quickly revealed their jarl had been replaced by a Changeling and the Orkan butchered their ruler before rising against the regime. Magnus managed to flee to Calgurn leaving his children behind and joining the eventual murder of his king and father before fleeing into the Calgurn Pass. The Orkan have since retained their position as advisors to Jarl's albeit butting heads with the more steady hand of the Skov Clan. In recent years this butting of heads has become increasingly tense with claims over forests coming into issue. When Skade moved for the position of Warchief the Orkan backed the Varcheg candidate and voiced criticism of the reforms that followed. Rumours have even spread of secret raids under her regime conducted by the Orkans despite her commands otherwise.

Worship

Clan Orkan depict Tpyhis as a crazed dual wielding warrior who enters a battle frenzy to deliver a rapid flurry of blows likes the cutting wind tearing apart a foe.