"All Roads Lead to Zenithstrand"
Basic Race
Player created culture package.
The name of Clan Faranel was once one respected among the Ajaunti of the shadow isles but has now become one ridiculed and scorned by those who once held them in high esteem.
AJAUNTI OF BILEOSTRAV
Колоти спочатку, жий довше (koloti spochatkoo, jiye dovshe) - Stab first, live longer
HISTORY
A small sept of Clan Istrati, Clan Faranel was dedicated to guarding the life of the Merchant Prince of the Istrati. For generations, they were trained from birth to honourably lay down their lives for the Prince, the Clan, and the Ancestors. Clan Faranel were the greatest Ajaunti warriors in the Shadow Isles and did their job with honour and reverence.
This did not last, however, one night three centuries ago, on the shores of Zenithstrand, The Istrati merchant prince, Adrian Istrati, and his contingent of Faranel guards, led by Luca Faranel, were ambushed by unknown assailants. The story of that night varies depending on which Faranel you ask. Some say these attackers were Lacusta assassins, intent on destroying their rivals and claiming the title of Merchant Prince for their own. Some will tell you how the Wild Elves of Zenithstrand took issue with the party’s presence and decided to wipe them off of Zenithstrand. And yet others claim that the ground ripped open, and the demonic forces of the hells were set against Clan Faranel. However, one thing is common among all recountings, at the break of dawn the prince was dead, and Luca the only survivor.
After this failure, Clan Faranel was stripped of their position, and disowned from Clan Istrati and exiled from Acasa itself. They took up residence on the island of Bileostrav, where for a while, they tried to reclaim their honour, but in the generations since, most of the clan has become embittered with the clans of Acasa and come to accept their exile.
CULTURE
With their purpose as a clan destroyed with their exile, members of Clan Faranel have had to search for their own purposes in life. Some have become merchants themselves, others pirates, or assassins. You can find people of all walks of life within the clan, but one thing connects them all: family.
When Clan Faranel was exiled, they learned that the only people they could trust were each other, and because of this, the clan comes first. Members of Clan Faranel are much more willing to overlook actions of clan members than they would for others outside the clan, and will often push their own limits when it comes to helping other Faranels.
Disdain for those in positions of power is also central to the culture of Clan Faranel. Many hold disdain for the Lacusta and the Istrati, as Ajaunti grudges die hard. They hold a particular resentment for the Prinsmare family, who have stolen their place as the protectors of Acasa’s leadership.Feelings of betrayal, combined with the anarchic nature of Bileostrav have caused the clan to take the stance that issues should be solved personally and not by a government or other body of authority. Members of Clan Faranel are often against the coalition’s ties to the White Raven Alliance at minimum, and some of the clan’s more extreme elements are against the Coalition's existence overall. During the Bileostravan civil war, Clan Faranel and its allies fought for the independence of Bileostrav from the Coalition as well as from the Sons of Sprawn.
Due to their long separation from other Aja clans, Faranel cultural habits have been eroded by time to be a bit different. Purple, a colour associated with another powerful clan, is usually worn only by those who are prepared to kill in defence of their clan- while those that cannot fight rarely wear it. Red serves as the clan’s standard colour, though Ajaunti fashion is as diverse as it is strange.
FAITH
After years of disdain for their ancestors and blaming them for their position on the bottom of the heap of Ajaunti society, some elements within the clan have started to accept their role and to worship their own ancestors once more. Those who do not worship the ancestors can be found worshiping and following any number of the less orderly Gods or Dragons. However, there are no favoured currently among the ranks of the Faranel for one simple reason: The Faranel always place their family above any religious beliefs that they might hold.
Though few faiths seem to stick with a Faranel, the more popular tendencies within the clan lean towards Ixiad and Erasmus for their business prowess. Present but less frequent followers of Baahg and Valdr can be found in the clan as well, but usually just for getting along with other Bileostravi inhabitants.
ROLEPLAY TIPS
Members of Clan Faranel are viewed as lower class outcasts. Choose whether you want to restore honor to the name of Clan Faranel, or embrace your status as an outcast.
Many Faranels have skills of the nefarious nature gained through surviving on the fringes of Acasan influence. Those that don’t usually have contacts that do.
Joining another clan other than Clan Faranel is considered to be a betrayal, and will be treated as such.
CONTRIBUTORS
Colin Crockford
Daniel McCoshen
Nael Glenister