Clans of the Wild Isles

The Wild Isles, with the exception of the Infernal-Draconic Asdeancy, has no kingdoms or nations. Instead within the Isles various groups have carved out territories that lay claim, although these claims often compete with one another; the vast majority of these groups are the Clans of the Wild Isles. The Clans are present throughout the largest and most important are the Isles of Tor Bresell, Oilean, Tor Cyfod, Sgiath, and Anvea.
The Clans are made up of typically of the Ordess Human ethnicity, they are extended families, but especially loyal and useful allies can be adopted into a Clan. In this way the Clan are not dissimilar to noble families found in many Human kingdoms, however, unlike other nobility the Clans do not necessarily control territory, instead they pledge protection from humanoids or monsters and in return settlements pay tribute - be it gold, warriors, or other resources. This allows settlements to retain almost all of their independence, cultural identity, and leadership. This division of territory, like many others, leads to conflict between the Clans, this can take the form of battles and personal combat, long standing feuds, bardic battles, economic and trade wars, and stealing the allegiance of settlements from one another.
Clans oft maintain relationships with one another, usually for the practical purposes of facilitating trade and avoiding conflict, however, local Clans attend important ceremonial events like funerals and declarations of new Clan leaders. Clan often come to conflict and even rivalries with each other for a variety of reasons including territorial claims, current political and military threats, interpersonal feuds, and also rivalries with historical and mythological roots.
The strength and influence of the Clans wholly lack uniformity, lesser Clans hold the tributes of but a handful of small settlements whilst greater Clans receive tribute from large sections of an Isle and many larger towns, Clans of all sizes in between likewise exist amongst the Isles.
The structures of the Clans differ widely from one another, even within the same geographic and cultural region. Most Clans are patriarchal, being led by a male from the most powerful or influential branch of the family. Other Clans are matriarchal, others led by the eldest member of the Clan, and a few are even more democratic with no leader instead relying on collective decision making.