Clayne
The Clayne are a rugged and resourceful people. They inhabit the fertile valleys, the lowlands, of Ferelden. They have carved out numerous settlements, from fortified villages along winding rivers to sturdy keeps amid thick woodlands.
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They are fiercely independent, and protective of their territories. Those Dalish that begin to hunt too close to Ferelden are met with battle, if they survive, that is warning enough.
Environment
The Bannorn is a region defined both by its Alamarri settlers and Tevinter colonization. Past the Frostback Mountains and to the north of the Korcari Wilds, the landscape smooths over into an expanse of rolling hills and flattened plains. This geography lends itself to agriculture and cattle rearing, giving way to the development of tribal dwellings and settled peoples.
To the west of the Bannorn lies a large and bountiful lake, as well as the only non-treacherous entryway into the region. In the Ancient Age, the Tevinter Imperium attempted to colonize the the plains and connect it them their empire by establishing the Imperial Highway. While the Alamarri warred with these interlopers, and eventually pushed them out entirely, the Highway remains as a transportational staple that makes trade and travel about the area much easier.
Culture & Society
The Clayne way of life is dominated by the idea of preserving the clan. Everyone within a settlement has their role, and each one contributes to the prolonged existence of the group. Chieftains, warriors, farmers, and artisans differ nominally, but are all ultimately necessary to maintain a strong and powerful presence. A clan's history is its pride: oral tradition remains the most widely-practiced form of record keeping and cultural exchange, though literacy among some Clayne settlements has slowly become more common in years since the First Exalted March. In a similar vein, Andrastianism has taken root in a handful of Clayne settlements, with these followers claiming a shared heritage with the prophet herself. ​
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​A clan's capacity for warfare is a similarly large source of pride. With the Clayne occupying the most rich and fertile land in the region, many of them seek to occupy the largest swath of territory, most often by way of conquest. While it is rare for a warlord to emerge that can wrestle the plains and her people into submission, the struggle to do so in itself is a time-honored tradition.​
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Discipline, strength, and humility are at the forefront of the everyday Clayne's mind. If one is to work a field, they must do it well; if one is to forge a sword, they must make it sturdy; if one is to fight wars, they must kill two enemies before their own life taken; if one is to lead, they must labor with the weight of the clan on their conscience each day. Only the foolish stand alone, and the foolish have no place in history.
Culture Skills
The Clayne dominate the plains, and their rule is unchallenged. Foreign powers have tried, and drowned in the green sea; the land serves the Clayne alone.​
Standard Skills (+5): Athletics, Brawn, Customs, Endurance, Persuade, Ride, Stealth
Professional Skills: Culture, Literacy, Musicianship, Oratory, Survival, Teach
Requirements: Human​
People say the land remembers things, though no one agrees on what. Life endures here, not always comfortably, but always closely tied to the earth beneath it.
Politics
The Clayne are among the more socialized of the Alamarri peoples as a result of their history, but retain a strong sense of identity and pride cultivated through centuries of war against the Imperium. Clayne settlements are usually led by a chieftain who makes decisions on behalf of their people and establishes their political alignment. This means that, while many groups may be 'Clayne', diplomacy between them can vary drastically. Unity among tribes is rare, and individual groups have no quarrel warring among themselves. However, should particularly large threats emerge, such as the Tevinter Imperium or the Orlesian Empire, the Clayne have shown time and time again that the preservation of their home and people is more important than petty squabbles between their own leaders.​
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While the Clayne remain wary of foreign entities and peoples, innovations brought into the region by the Imperial Highway have given them a leverage over the land that they benefit from. As a result, outsiders may find the Clayne somewhat easier to negotiate with than their Avvari or Chasind counterparts, being more civilized than their peers.
