Wealding

Wealdings are the dominant people of the Weald. Among the Wealdings, there are 5 castes. Usually, joining a caste is part of the adulthood ritual, although there are circumstances where someone might switch castes.
Meisrech (10%) or honor caste: Includes warriors and rulers. Bound by rules of honor and a system of status, they regularly settle arguments with ritual duels (not always with weapons). Although many children of Meisnech themselves join the meisnech, a sizable portion join other castes.
Saoi (5%) or wisdom caste: Includes priests, skalds, shamans and others who bring wisdom to a clan. They have a protected status within the clan, but it is taboo for them to hold a position of political leadership or to be seen as politically partisan..
Crafters (20%): Smiths, weavers, navigators, engineers, scribes, and other artisans who have specialized skills. They usually travel for their journeyman period and so are most likely to found on lands of other clans. Like the Saoi, recognized crafters are generally welcome in everywhere, and some towns and clans recruit outclan crafters.
Yeoman (35%): Farmers or fishers or shop owners. They usually learn a family trade or strike out on their own to make their fortune. They are considered free and independent members of the clan. Some become wealthy, some barely scrape by. Clan children of of other castes (except children of thralls) join the yeoman caste by default.
Thralls (30%): They are considered property of the clan as a whole, and have some rights, but not a lot of independence. They may be indentured servants, mentally disabled, or war captives. They are low class workers that lack the rights and freedom of the other classes, but which still have some protection under clan law and membership in a clan. Children of thralls, or temporary thralls who have completed their service, may transition to another class, although they need a sponsor.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aislin, Ashling, Bree, Brenna, Bryona, Brigit, Catriona, Caitlyn, Carrigan, Ciara, Diedre, Doreen, Eileen, Epona, Fiona, Gilly, Keridwen, Mab, Macha, Matilde, Makenzie, Mearna, Meave, Moreen, Nerissa, Puca, Saoirse, Scathach, Seersha, Shannon, Sheila, Sinead, Sorsha, Talulah, Tara

Masculine names

Aengus, Aidenn, Boyden, Brandon, Bren, Breslin, Carrick, Cedric, Conall, Corrigan, Cormac, Delaney, Dempsey, Diarmid, Donal, Donovan, Doyle, Eagan, Eames, Fagan, Falon, Feegan, Flyn, Kasey, Keegan, Keene, Kiernan, Kern, Kian, Kieran, Killian, Kirby, Lacklan, Liam, Liir, Maddox, Magee, Mahon, Manus, Munroe, Nolan, Oisin, Padraic, Phinean, Pierce, Quin, Rafferty, Reagan, Riddick, Rogan, Ruari, Scully, Seamas, Sweeney, Taggert, Tavin, Tienan

Family names

Wealdings rarely use surnames, but prefer epithets (e.g. Nerissa the Smith) and patronyms (e.g. Aiden O'Manus). In addition, high-caste meisreich may use their family name in formal situations (e.g. Ruari O'Riddick kin Greywolf). The family names are generally related to the clan names. Those of the ruling family within the clan replace their family name with their clan name (e.g. Sinead O'Finona kin Wolfcliff)

Culture

Historical figures

Adelbrant “Firetongue” kin Stagthorne

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

On the whole, Wealdings are a pale people surrounded by darker people, so very pale skin and either red or pale blond hair is seen as more pure Wealding. Courage, passion, and loyalty are celebrated ideals.

Gender Ideals

Wealdings don't have strongly defined gender roles.

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Organizations

• Clan Badgerbank
• Clan Bearwood
• Clan Boarford
• Clan Cattleglen
• Clan Eaglecrest
• Clan Foxbriar
• Clan Horseriver
• Clan Lynxlake
• Clan Otterbine
• Clan Ravenpass
• Clan Salmontree
• Clan Serpentmire
• Clan Stagthorne
• Clan Swanthicket
• Clan Wolfcliff
• Greentongue Band
• Order of the White Shadows
• Privy Council
• Temple of Brighid
• Temple of Dagda
• Temple of Dainu
• Temple of Herne
• Temple of Taleisin
• The Hallowed Kingdom of the New Weald
• Wealding Senate