Decantae

The lands of the Decantae surround a vast inland sea known as the Cromarty Firth and the two peninsula that form it's shoreline. Joined to the north sea through a narrow passage flanked on one side by a great hill. The firth is long and narrow, stretching twenty miles inland. The far end of the firth is swamped by tides twice daily, so that at dawn one might walk across the sandy seabed at low tide, then by midday be confronted by a vast tract of water, only for it to be gone again in the evening. The salty water stretching so far inland as if to make the land it's own domain. The south side of the shore is known as the Black Isle due to the darkness of its fertile soil, although in truth it is not an island but a large peninsula only connected to the mainland on the West.
The Decantae dwell in ten settlements about the shores of this vast inland sea, scattered like frogs around a pond. Naturally they have made the best of their connection to the waters of the firth, becoming adept sailors and boatbuilders, for instead of separating the settlements the firth has given them the means to travel quickly by boat between all of their lands and in this way the clans of the Decantae together form a powerful Thalassocracy that dominate the surrounding region.
However it was not always this way. After the fall of the druid kings the area around the firth fell prey to anarchy. With the clans often raiding each other and competing for supremacy over one another. At this time there were many small farmsteads nestled around the firth and a lack of any central authority to guide them. This state of affairs continued for generations and much blood was spilled on all sides until only ten settlements lorded it over the firth. Whilst these clans were busy reducing each other to a desperate state it came upon chance that the a fleet of Vacomagi pirates took shelter in the firth from a tempest. Upon noting the plight of the settlements and seeing that their defenses were weakened they set about looting and pillaging the settlements. Going from the deep end of the firth to the sandy shallows they raided every settlement along the way until they came to the furthest end of the firth upon high tide. At the end of the firth is the settlement of Tigh, a small village of warhardend men. The men of the village where busy hunting deer and as they returned they became aware that their homes were being pillaged by raiders. Around the same time clansmen from the settlements of Arda arrived in boats in hot persuit of the Vacomagi pirates. As the Vacomagi were busy pillaging Tigh the tides had gone out and the waters of the firth retreated leaving their vessels stranded upon the sands. Seeing this the clansmen of both Tigh and Adra walked out onto the wet sands and set upon them, a fierce battle ensued with the men of the firth putting every last Vacomagi man to the sword.
With the Vacomagi pirates defeated and all the plunder of the settlements of the firth stranded on the boats upon the wet sands the men of Tigh and Adra begun to quarrel over whom should claim the spoils of the conflict. With each claiming that they had a right to it. On one hand the men of Adra claimed the spoils rightly belonged to them as it was their belongings onboard. The men of Tigh claimed that the spoils should be theirs as they had fought valiantly and lost men to the Vacomagi. It was then just as it seemed the two sides were going to come to blows over it that a young man named Fionn of Tigh stepped up and proclaimed that in truth the spoils belonged to all of the settlements of the firth and by rights should be returned to their owners. In this way the matter was settled and the pillaged goods were returned to the various settlements of the firth with good cheer. The various settlements decided to put aside their differences and form a confederation, ratified by solemn oaths and rites overseen by the druid order. Each tribe pledged to come to one another's aid should they have any need of it and from that point on should be considered bondsmen. In this way the Decantae were named by the druids presiding over the matter with the tribes name meaning "the noble ten" after the ten settlements of the firth and their noble conclusion to their long conflict.

Caledonia

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Many moons have passed since the bonding of the Decantae and they remain to be a strong naval force with swift seagoing vessels. Boats of all kinds are skillfully crafted by the settlements each with their own style of manufacture, some of leather and others of the oak which grows about the land. The settlement of Tigh went on to become their administrative capital, with seasonal councils being held there including representatives of each settlement presided over by an archon selected by each tribe when it is thier turn. The Vacomagi became thier sworn enemies to the south with the frequent exchange of raiding taking place on both sides but neither gaining the upper hand.
To the North the Decantae trade goods far and wide. Selling timber to the lugi, Cornavi and even as far as the Orcades. Skillfully hauling the logs in rafts carried by the tides and steered by a number of stout sailed vessels blown by steady winds.
The Decantae are a populous nation, tall and slender with fair hair and leathery skin from the salty air. They wear leather coats that afford a waterproof layer and all of them carry a sharp curved dirk they keep in their left boot. They are fond of eating shellfish gathered up on the wet sands daily in inexhaustible quantities though they do not eat fish or reap the sea from their boats. They control the ferries based at the end of each peninsula, transporting livestock and goods over the short span of salt water and saving the users many days journey going around the water. From this trade alone they amass a small fortune and carry much trade into the markets of their lands for there is scarcely not a thing that cannot be acquired in the Decantae markets, with goods gathered from all Caledonia found here. Clansmen travel here to find goods that they cannot themselves provide and are given friendly hospitality if they choose not to bear arms. All but the Vacomagi are welcome here, even the Smertae, although they often arrive during the night choosing to come overland and avoid the crowds.

Type

Geopolitical, Clan