Galuyn

Galuyn
Symbol	The crest of the Galuyn people is a runic flame bound by vines. Surrounding the crest is that of the Elder Blood clans.
Organizational Type:	Minority group
Current Head:	Council of the Coimeádaí
Base:	Wickenden
Native Lands:	Gilneas, primarily the Ashen Coast
Status:	Active, recognized.
Purpose:	To continue the lifestyle of the Galuyn people while a part of the Kingdom of Gilneas, to preserve their heritage as they move forward.

Information on this page may be out of date. Please refer to the Galuyn Primer for the most up-to-date information.

This article is part of a series on The Blades of Greymane
Places of Importance
Ashen Coast · The Bite · The Range · The Reach · The Fallow Crest · Rignweald
Important Links: Subgroups and Positions
Order of the Onyx Dawn · Order of the Raven · Galuyn · Duchy of the Ashen Coast · Warden of the Blades ·
See also, Kingdom of Gilneas, Aderician Calendar, Galuyn Sub-Project

This article is part of a series on the Galuyn
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Additional Links
Galuyn Primer - A Handbook to the Galuyn Sagas of the Galuyn - In-character folktales and songs

The Galuyn people are a group of pagan gilneans that stem from a group of red or fair haired native people in the region of Gilneas. Ancestrally, the Galuyns made up the faction known as the Wickers, after the final defeat of their King and his betrayal; the Galuyn people have finally integrated themselves into Gilneas after years of resistance. Promised with amnesty and the ability to preserve their way of life, the Galuyn people have rallied behind the new center of their heritage, the Council of the Coimeádaí, the highest priests of their religion. Universally, those of the Galuyn minority speak a language known as Galui as well as Common. They claim the language to be that of the original pagans of Gilneas, prior to the arrival of Arathor, with its written form lost beyond ritualistic runes.

In terms of culture, they share little with modern Gilneans, though none-the-less, common ground has been found.

History

The Galuyn sub-culture is the result of those whose Vrykul descendants landed in southern Gilneas. There, they raised their children primarily under the teachings of Freya and other titanic watchers and their gods, though these practices were largely abandoned upon exposure to the Wild Gods that had been drawn to the presence of Daral'nir, or Tal'doren in the physical plane. As a result, as time went on, the teachings of Freya merged with that of these gods, creating the Galuyn pantheon in the Old Ways.

According to ancient stories, known as the Saga of the Ancients, a tremendous battle against evil was waged upon the soil of the Ashen Coast, the ancestral homes of the Galuyn people. There, the loosely-connected people were forged into a nation under the Gods, with seven castes being forged for various groupings of these people. Led by the quasi-mythical Raeok, the Galuyn people beat back the darkness, and as the Gods retreated to recover, the Galuyn nation rose.

Over time, this nation came into contact with the Empire of Arathor, and warred over claim for their land. From this War of Thorns came the first Wicker King. Prior to his rise, the Galuyn people were led by a council from each caste, though the need for a singular leader was found in Naith Galubaile, the representative of the Wickenden, then called Hearthsong. Branded the "Wickers" by the Arathorians, for their extensive use of Wicker-weaving in their crafts, Naith led his people against the foreign invaders for many years before being struck down. Refusing to abandon his people, he implored the rest of the council to find a way to save his life as he withered away. Sacrificing their life essences, the Thorned Council, as they would come to be called, became oaken-entities, bound to a massive hollowed out tree within the center of Wickenden. There, they revitalized Naith by binding him to a crown of thorns. However, the ritual still forced Naith to experience death, something that warped and twisted his previously charismatic and caring personality into a ruthless and bloodthirsty killer.

The Wickenden were known to make encampments throughout the forest, Ethur'ok, within which their city lies.

Naith led his people on the warpath, brutally slaughtering and destroying any of the Arathorians they came across, until he was captured. When it was found that conventional weapons could not kill him, Naith was set on fire, and as his body burned away, all that remained was the Wicker Crown, which could not be destroyed. Akin to a phylactery of a Lich, Naith could return as long as his crown was placed upon a supplicant's body. As a result, as the Arathorians moved to launch the crown into the ocean, they were waylaid by Wicker troops, and his crown was recovered and returned to Wickenden.

Accepting the rule of Arathor begrudingly, the Galuyn people found themselves slowly losing more and more land to arriving settlers whom had deemed the land Gilneas. Not only this, but their own people found it easier to assimilate into Arathorian culture, rather than resist. As a result, the Galuyn culture progressively fell apart.

While it survived through the Empire of Arathor, the cultural identity of these people were shattered. Countless other sects of Old Ways groups had popped up over time, and by the time that Aderic I came to power to resist Lordaeron aggression, the Galuyn people were desperate. Latching onto the king's promises of cultural freedom to spread without hindrance, the Galuyns declared for Aderic and fought against Lordaeron, eventually finding the freedom they craved.

This persisted until the King's death, where his son, Baelic I, was unable to continue the promise his father made as readily; as the southern expansions of the more common Gilnean culture was pervasive.

Thus began the Second War of Thorns, where the Wickers rose once again in an attempt to preserve themselves. Led by a charismatic leader whose name was lost to time, he commissioned the Oakenborn caste to construct a large fortress-castle that he would lead from. Dubbed Ironwood Keep, the Galuyns began to push back against Gilnean encroachment, seeking to prevent their culture from being lost, and to prevent nearby Gilnean families from using their people to fight their own wars as mercenaries or slaves. The War reached its apex when the second King was mortally injured by an assassin's poison. Just before his death, however, he was crowned with the Wicker Crown. Miraculously, he recovered. However, as time went on, the King's personality came to resemble that of Naith, going so far as to call himself that, before it became apparent. The old king was gone, in his place was that of the Wicker King himself, resurrected through his body.

His atrocities continued, enslaving and sacrificing the Gilneans in droves, as well as his opposition. Upon his council, the Oakenborn liaison had seen enough. Contacting his people, the Oakenborn rebelled, primarily those of Flame's Berth. Those that did not, were mass slaughtered by the Wicker King. In his madness, he believed he could simply enslave what was left of the Oakenborn that had rebelled or that he had not slaughtered, which would allow them to be a caste of slaves. However, his extreme measures were ruthless, slaughtering the bulk of the Oakenborn, before enslaving the Everflame who too harbored feelings of rebellion.

The remnants of the Oakenborn then allied with Gilneas, leading them to the flaws in Ironwood's defenses, and allowing the Wicker King to be set to the fire once again. What remained of the Oakenborn joined with Gilneas, assimilating one way or another, or became reclusive clans in the far reaches of the Ashen Coast. Without the Oakenborn, the Galuyn people lost most of their ability to read and write proficiently, their weaponcraft became sluggish, and ultimately, their ability to construct was almost entirely lost. To make matters worse, the grueling bloodwar that the Wicker King had waged had cost many of the clans countless lives, leading to the collapse of their society.

The Castes were no more, as the Oakenborn ceased to exist, the Everflame scattered, the Thorned self-collapsed, and the Chillborn vanished. All that remained were the remnants of the Gnarled, the Wavewalkers and Wickenden it's self. The Wickers drew inward, and ultimately, the nation of Galu ceased to exist.

When Galu fell apart and the Clans fell apart; the Wavewalkers remained a constant threat to Gilnean sailors. Even into modern times, Wavewalkers were seen as odd pirates outside of areas familiar with the Galuyn.

From time onward, the Galuyn culture continued its steady decline, until all of it that remained was within the Ashen Coast and the Fallow Crest. Even still, it was divided and splintered, becoming akin to the other Old Ways groups that now dotted Gilneas, and the Gilnean culture became ever inward isolationist; putting more emphasis on the Galuyn removal.

When a holy war erupted in the Ashen Coast in 600 F.A., the Galuyns sided with that of the Rose Pact, seeking to prevent the downfall of their people. It was revealed that, among the Ashen Coast Coalition, lay the remnants of the Chillborn, laid within Gilneas for the time when the Wicker King would return again. Though they attempted to crown a third Wicker King, their Gilnean allies were opposed to the idea, as they simply sought to prevent Old Ways worship from being annihilated by Cobalstant encroachment. Unlike the rest of the Galuyn, however, the Chillborn had changed to a new form of worship, which the Coalition had embodied: that of Dreayus. Claimed as an evolution of Old Ways beliefs, it was only among the Chillborn that this belief system would survive past the war. Regardless of this, however, the Rose Pact became opposed to that of Dreayus, leading to inter-clan warfare among the over-arching holy war.

When the war had ended, the Galuyn people reeled once again, as the Greymanes had intervened to prevent total annihilation of all three sides. Splintered even further, the Clans began to war among themselves, small feuds becoming full on wars of attrition between families and clans.

This mentality continued up until modern times, leading to the state of the Galuyn being as degraded as it was.

Appearance and Characteristics

A typical dressing of a galuyn.

Most who can trace themselves to the pagan peoples of Gilneas have fair or red hair with freckled and pale complexion. This is true of most of the Galuyn clans, as they are seen as some of the purest remnants of the original natives. Most galuyns speak with an accent that while similar in some ways to the traditional Gilnean accent is differed enough to not be considered the same (Irish). Most galuyns adorn themselves in a mix of furs and cloth as well as paint themselves with runes using a plant dye known as Woad. Woad is seen, by the galuyns, as a protective material that can call upon the blessings of nature to protect them. It is through this material and ritualistic tattoos that they draw upon the powers of the "Realm of Spirits", known more modernly as the Emerald Dream.

Galuyn people do not have a set body type, ranging from tall to small and bulky to lanky. As a result it is typically their method of speech and their clothing that sets them apart from most others. Most galuyns will adorn themselves with a yellow cloth that is marked with a rune that represents the clan that they originate from. Due to the mixing of clans over time, it is not uncommon to see a yellow cloth with a black flame adorned by roots, the symbol of Wickenden, as the original clan symbol has been lost over time; though it is typically altered in some way to set them apart from other clans. In addition to this yellow cloth, Galuyn clans that have survived long enough will adorn their posts with that of a makeshift banner, akin to heraldry. Most, if not all, galuyns have some natural handling of druidic magic, and it is not uncommon for them to be accompanied by some sort of animal familiar.

Naming Conventions

Naming style among the Galuyn people is a bit different than the rest of Gilneas. While Gilneans usually give a first name and take the last name of their parents, Galuyn people are granted a name and then take the name of the clan they are associated with. As a result, it is fully possible to find Galuyns whose name changes depending on marriage or association; should they be exiled or their clan cease to exist. Names are typically placed in the following fashion, X an (or am in some areas) Y, with X being the first name and Y being the clan name in Galui.

In the case of Clarisa Thorned, her name would be Clarisa an Cráifeach as per traditional naming conventions. In common, most Galuyns use the common translation of their clan's name and their first name in Gilnean style, such as the aforementioned Clarisa Thorned.

Traditions

Galuyn traditions are much closer to that of the original natives of Gilneas than the rest of the Kingdom and differ depending on their Elder Blood clan. As a result, while there are similarities in the celebration of holidays such as Hallow's End and Noblegarden, there are some traditions within these holidays not shared and other traditions in general that differ. The most important tradition to a Galuyn is their clan. There are countless clans, large and small, throughout the Galuyn people, and it is seen that one of the clan is akin to a brother or sister in arms. Members within the clan are expected to pull their own weight, helping with hunting and gathering of resources, while also giving to those of the clan that cannot provide for themselves, such as the elderly or the young. Within the clan, gender does not matter nor does it matter who you are born from, a clansman is a clansman and is expected to equally do their fair share. With the exception of some of the more powerful clans, most clans do not have a set living place. They are nomadic, typically remaining within the woods or in a group and will establish camps that will last no more than a week's time before setting off once again. These camps are typically marked by several banners of the clan and are also used to ward away other clans lest there be bloodshed. However, for more ambitious clans, this is seen as a way to subjugate more into their control. As a result, it is not uncommon for the Galuyn clans to fight among each other for dominance, causing clans to grow and fall. Because of this system, Galuyn Clans are often different every few years, as clans will either be subjugated or members of a clan will separate into their own. Slavery of subjugated clans is not uncommon, though some practice the equality to a full degree, sometimes working against them. Clans are led by three people, the Godshunter, or Dia-sealgaire in Galui, who is the strongest warrior and hunter of the clan, the Waybinder, or Treoir-mór, whose bloodline traces to the founder and is tasked with leading the clan through day to day means, and the Hierophant, or Ardsagart, the religious leader of the clan. It is unknown how many Galuyn clans exist, though it is known that of these clans it can be counted on one hand how many can be traced back to the time of the first Wicker King.

Succession in the three leader positions differ. The Hierophant is typically a position held for life amongst the stronger clans, as they are always expanding their druidic knowledge. As a result, these sages are only usually replaced if they die or the clan has been subjugated. It is not common for an hierophant to be replaced by a subjugated clan's, as pride dictates that the conquered clan was weaker in all respects. The Hierophant proceeds over religious matters, ceremonies and aids with medicinal care. The Godshunter is a position that changes hands fairly often given the dangerous life style of the Galuyn people. The Godshunter is seen as the strongest warrior in the clan, and as a result he loses his position if he is either, killed, crippled, or beaten in a challenge. Godshunters typically hold their position until their death, as it is seen as a dishonor to have lost the position and still kept one's life. Godshunters typically lead larger raids, inter-clan warfare and hunting expeditions. The Waybinder is the only hereditary title within the clan and is actually considered one of the weakest positions within the clan in terms of power and the most difficult to gather respect for. The Waybinder's eldest typically takes the position, regardless of gender, and must also be blessed by the Godshunter and Hierophant. However, should the eldest not be up to their parent's standards, it is not uncommon to see them passed over in favor of a younger sibling who better exemplifies the strength the clan needs from a leader. This has led to clan schisms in the past, though typically one will end up destroyed by the end, and it is seen as the ultimate dishonor to be passed up as eldest. Waybinders are in charge of managing the day to day of the clan and representing them should there ever be a summit called at Wickenden. They are expected to also help in terms of the hunting, raiding and medicinal care; and a Waybinder only earns the respect of their clan if they are able to adequately do their duties.

The Gnarled suffered countless defeats before being forcibly disbanded by the Blades of Greymane; unable to stand up to increasing Gilnean weapon advancements.

On the night before a battle, it is typical for each clansman that is preparing to raid to be blessed by the head sage of the group. These men and women are marked with woad symbols of power and blessed by the sage. Their weapons are typically also coated with various poisons or resins that can allow for devastating effects in combat, such as causing burning blades in some reports. Should a galuyn die in combat, their body is to be recovered if possible. Once recovered, the body is marked from head to toe in various markings of their patron spirits as well as adorned with the markings of Yim'nir, before being put into a pyre alongside the others who have died. Their remains are then buried in the ground so that they may return to the earth, and any remaining belongings of theirs are given to their immediate brothers, sisters, or children. This practice differs among some clans, but is mostly the same framework.

Marriage in Galuyn society is not terribly different from marriage in typical Gilnean society. In fact, marriage between clans has been observed as similar to nobility forming marriage alliances, as Waybinders will wed their younger children to one another to form a pact between clans. Unlike in Gilnean nobility, where it is typically the daughter who will then live in the household of the male, it is the Clan that offers the proposition who takes in the Waybinder's child. As a result, gender does not come into play when it comes to the departure of a Waybinder's child.

The Coimeádaí

The Coimeádaí, or Keepers in Common, are a group of pagan warriors that have been found among the ranks of the Galuyn people, first shown by the Wickers. First fielded alongside the Blades of Greymane when the Wickers temporarily aligned with them to defeat the Horde, the Coimeádaí are a sign of the Galuyn's progression in restoring their culture.

Derived from the Coimeádaí of old who were once keepers of the spirits, the current generation Coimeádaí are more war oriented than their priest-like past counter parts. Having been preserved in Wickenden throughout the years, the new generation has been trained for combat as well as worship. Armed in iron or, rarely, plate, the Coimeádaí call upon the powers of the various Prime Spirits of the Old Ways. Extremely strong warriors infused with the power of nature, the Coimeádaí wield their might alongside the powers of nature as though it were a part of them. Typically found using large polearms, the Coimeádaí charge into battle to fight the enemies of their people with deadly might.

Be it using the actual powers of nature to rip apart enemies with vines and thorns from afar, or harnessing animalistic fury to augment their abilities (sometimes half transforming to bolster their attacks), the Coimeádaí have become the elite of the Galuyn people in their new wartime existence. Bearing across their chests proudly the golden colors of their people with the black flame emblazoned on their chest, the newest generation of Keepers is prepared to defend their people.

The Coimeádaí come in several branding, representing the various prime spirits of the Old Ways. While most of the newer Coimeádaí affiliate with Kryfta or Kolsir, some have also branded with the less combat oriented spirits, taking on the aspect of elite healers or even shapeshifters.

Their exposure to the Blades has caused the people of The Reach to copy this warrior, reviving the Coimeádaí as Keepers in their own society. The new integration of the Galuyn people has furthered this, allowing for the Reachmen to go back towards their Galuyn roots.

Factions

Various factions have popped up in the lifetime of the Galuyn people, with the most notable being the Wickers.

The Wickers

The Wicker Crest was the Galuyn flame alone.

The Wickers, simply referred to as the Amhrán Fola among their people, were the faction that the majority of the Galuyn clans were once a part of. Truly, it was so engrained that the people were referred to as the "Wickers" regardless of their affiliation with them or not. They were led by the Wicker King, a wicked spirit trapped within a body of roots and the corpse of a supplicant. Though initially the group was founded to prevent Arathorian aggression in ages past, then again to contest the claims of Gilneas upon their ancestral lands, the more modern Wickers referred mostly towards an anarchal society that refused to accept Gilneas' control over their home in the Ashen Coast. This was mostly fueled by fear and old hatreds that were never bridged as their wide spread classification as "woodland savages" prevented most Gilneans from reaching out in large numbers, where as the Wickers would usually stay away due to the belief that Gilneas sought to fully extinguish their culture.

Following the Invasion of Gilneas, the Wickers lost this fear, as they saw the Gilneans as vulnerable. Ironically, this encroachment would eventually lead to talks between Gilneas and the clans, bridging the gap at last until the return of the Wicker King. It was this alternative choice that the Gilneans posed to the Galuyn people that cemented the death of the faction, that they could accept Gilneas' rule and still retain their heritage, as well as prosper; rather than scavenge and be forced to fight a losing battle. Coupled with the Wicker King's long term insanity coming to its cusp by the summoning of the Emerald Nightmare into Wickenden City, the Wickers ceased to exist following the Wicker King's defeat.

Mac Tire Caidre

The Council's crest is similar to the ancient racial crest of the Galuyn, though it has had the Gnarled crest struck due to the Confederation.

The Wolfpact Galuyn, or Mac Tíre Cairde, are the successors of the Wickers in for the majority of the clans. Having come about with the ascension of the Council of the Coimeádaí as the replacement for the Wicker King and his council, the Council Clans are a theocratic leadership of Galuyns who proclaim that peace with Gilneas is the only way their people will survive.

Their structure is similar to that of the Wickers, though there is an emphasis on farming and trade rather than raiding and scavenging as there had been under the Wickers. To this end, they've established the Pale Grounds, land gifted to the Galuyn people, as a sanctuary for this new lifestyle. In addition to this, they've begun to readily re-integrate ancient traditions that have been preserved in Wickenden to the various clans that have lost them; allowing these clans to have a glimpse at renewing their lost heritage, rather than damning it with constant losing battles.

While readily accepted by some, many, still holding onto old hatreds, followed Kolrick an Dualach-laoch to The Grip. These clans, be it due to the warlike lifestyle they lived, or just an inability to let go of their feelings towards the Gilneans, have made the Gnarled Confederation.

After the Council's inability to lead the Galuyn properly, as the lessons of the Gods could only apply to so many situations, the leadership of the Mac Tire Caidre was split between the council for spiritual matters and the Rionasai for judicial ones. As such, the current Rionasai is Aleyina Nathair, who created the position. In many ways, it has replaced that of the Wicker King, but is elected, rather than by blood, and does not hold the same privileges or power as the monarch had.

The Gnarled Confederation

The Confederation Crest.

The Gnarled Confederation, or Dualach-laoch Cónaidhm, is a successor faction to the Wickers that maintains the majority of its warlike mentality, while still adopting some of the Council Clans principles. Led by Warlord Kolrick an Dualach-laoch, it began shortly after the Wicker seizing of the city of Karth in the Grip. Shortly after the Wicker King returned, however, Kolrick severed ties, believing that the Wicker King was too maddened to be a true leader. Since then, they have allied with Forest Trolls left behind by the Horde, and have expanded their pantheon to include some of the Loa.

The Gnarled Confederation, while led by the reformed Gnarled elder blood clan, is not solely made up of the Gnarled. It takes from almost every clan that had refused the message of the Council, especially among the Gnarled clans and the Wavewalker clans; whom thrived off of raiding and pillaging.

While not a member of the Duchy, as they refuse to re-unite fully with the Council Clans, the Gnarled Confederation have come to an agreement of peace with the Duchy following the Legion invasion.

The Dullahan

The Dullahan bear a crest with the adornments of their patrons.

The Dullahan clans are the clans that have allied with the Burning Legion. Primarily found in the Fallow Crest, these clans forsake their name for a perversion of the Elder Blood clans, that being the Dullahan. Fel pocked and infused with dark magic, these clans seek to summon their demon masters, whom they revere as the new gods of the world.

These clans are extremely hostile to outsiders, unwilling to compromise in any respect, and have ultimately sealed their fate as demon worshipers.

The Radiant

The Radiant, or An Lonrach, are an extremely small subsection of the Galuyn people who have forsaken the traditional worship of the Old Ways in favor of the Light. Not much is known of them, but their practices are entirely different from their kin.

Known Clans

Though clans rise and fall within Galuyn society, the more consistent have been listed. These clans will be accompanied by their clan flag. It should be noted that the color yellow is forbidden outside of Elder Blood clans. If the clan has a name in Common they are known by, it will be listed predominantly alongside their Galuyn name. Not all Clans have a common name, such as the Gabhatine.

The Elder Blood

The Elder Blood is a term used for clans that can trace back to the time of the first Wicker King. They are few in number but their power is regarded as vast. They are typically rooted in one position, where a pseudo-culture has developed for each one. Smaller clans may pay homage to them or break off from them, the latter typically earning their ire.

Gnarled

The Gnarled were a group of Elder Blood that had claimed to have tamed the wilds of the Dark Woods in their height, a dire claim indeed. They later entrenched themselves in Ironwood Keep, a former stronghold of the House of Dayne in the area of Rosefield after Dayne was nearly destroyed. Within the confines of the keep, the Gnarled transformed the area into, fittingly, a gnarled ruin, with giant thorns erupting from the ground to replace where the walls had decayed and act as a deterrent for intruders. Their lifestyle was heavily warrior oriented, based upon strength of the clan as they subjugated many of the smaller surrounding clans. Believing that the weak were only fit to serve, the clan was a heavy proponent of slavery. As a result, hamlets raided by the Gnarled typically had their denizens that had survived the raid being dragged off into slavery. Despite this, within the clan a heavy amount of equality was practiced. It mattered not what a person looked like, the gender they were, or any of their habits, all were equal in the clan if they held their own weight. Slaves could even be brought into the clan if they'd shown worthiness, resulting in full clansmanship the minute the shackles were removed from them.

Surviving as one of the strongest clans, the Gnarled met their end when Ironwood was taken back by the Blades of Greymane and the Duchy of the Ashen Coast. Their Godshunter was slain during the reclamation of Ironwood while their Waybinder later died of sickness. Their hierophant, Hoytin, later became the hierophant of the Reavethorn, though he too later perished while fighting against the oppressive regime that had taken hold.

The clan was later revived by Kolrick an Dualach-laoch, son of their former Godshunter and the Godshunter of Wickenden. He brought the clan under the control of the Gnarled Confederation, which the clan now leads under his leadership.

They adorned their holdings with a yellow flag and a black bull within. They were known in Galui as the Dualach-laoch.

Thorned

Once the religious center of the Galuyns, the Thorned were an Elder Blood clan that have long since disbanded into many variations of the clan. They were centered within The Reach by way of Hirene Marsh, just within the Barony of the Oak's borders. Intensely strong practitioners of the Old Ways and masters of the druidic craft, which none have seen from Humans since, the Thorned disbanded after the death of the Wicker King, when the clans were scattered once more. From the Thorned rose the Bareroot, mighty oaken warriors that protected and fought alongside the clan. It is said that the Bareroot in the time of the Thorned were made of the soul of the forest, with the fallen being placed into a bareroot only after their death, no matter the age. When the clan fell apart and split, many of the original Bareroot disappeared without a word. The very first Bareroot remained as a statue under the Great Tree Hirene, having been unable to move for ages. It was later turned into the sword, Fallow by the successor clan to the Thorned.

They are survived in essence by the Thornwind Clan primarily, which continues the traditions of the Thorned to this day, albeit in much smaller numbers.

Their colors were a golden field with a black tree upon it. They were known in Galui known as the Cráifeach.

Wickenden

The eldest and most respected clan, Wickenden takes its name in common from the city where the Wickers were founded, a neutral ground and haven of their people. Wickenden is by far one of the strongest clans, and from this clan two Wicker Kings have come. They remain uninvolved with the politics of other clans and have adopted societal conventions within, though much is unknown due to their secluded nature. Due to their importance and being seen as the progenitor clan of all clans, many Galuyns who have either forgotten their Elder Blood clan over the ages or wish to invoke the favor of this clan don the yellow sash of Wickenden.

Their colors are a yellow banner with a black flame. They were known in Galui as the Galubaile.

Oakenborn

The Oakenborn are one of the Elder Blood clans that have long since disbanded. Adorning their crest with that of a cow skull, the Oakenborn's role among the Galuyn people went forgotten for some time, later revealed to have once been artisans and craftsmen. The Oakenborn were thought to have disappeared, though revelations showed they were either butchered by the Wicker King for rising against him, or joined with Gilneas. These clans later became noble houses, such as the House of Darkoak and their associated families. The Oakenborn's last known descendants are the Gabhatine.

Their colors were a golden banner with a lone cow skull upon it. They were known in Galui as the Darach-Rugadh.

Everflame

The Everflame are one of the Elder Blood clans that have presumed to have disbanded. Unlike the other elder bloods, the Everflame were largely alienated by their kin for their delving into the occult. Masters of the arcane and delvers into the shadow, any magic that wasn't exclusively seen as part of nature were tossed in with the Everflame. As a result, the Everflame kept to themselves and dwelled mainly about the Dark Woods. Able to cloak themselves in shadow with magic, the Everflame were remarkable scouts and fearsome spellcasters.

It is unknown what transpired to the majority of the clan after the death of the second Wicker King, as much of the Everflame was culled out of fear of them joining the Oakenborn in rebellion. What is documented is that the leadership fled to Wickenden after the King was slain and was able to prove their loyalty there; splintered groups fled north towards The Bite, while others have been lost entirely to history.

Their colors were a golden banner with a runic symbol upon it. They were known in Galui as Riamhtine.

Wavewalker

The Wavewalker clan is one of the few remaining Elder Blood clans to have gone undeterred by the ages. Having been an oddity to begin with, the Wavewalkers worship the spirits of the ocean and take on the visage of an orca after their highest spirit, the great orca Gurni. The Wavewalkers, being an elder blood, are quite noticeably the source of all sea-faring clans; demanding a unique respect from them all that derives more as patronage than with the other elder bloods who are typically more spiteful to their offshoots. They are one of the strongest clans still in existence, though they very rarely make an appearance.

Wavewalkers, as with their offshoots, travel in small boats known as Currachs, which are wicker made or oaken hewn boats that are akin to long boats. They tread carefully off the shore and are able to traverse the many rivers of the Ashen Coast. They typically target shore towns, though they have been known to make trips onto land. They adorn themselves with fish scales or bones of sea creatures alongside their leather. Their armaments are typically spear based or make use of a long knife; though their primary method of combat is through water and frost magic.

Their colors are a golden banner with waves upon it. They were known in Galui as Tonn-siúlóir.

Chillborn

What has survived of Galuyn history and accounts by early conflict with them is that there was once a seventh clan. This clan was later revealed, with the betrayal of the House of Frostvine to the Wickers' side, that it was the Chillborn. A subterfuge clan, they were integrated entirely into the Gilneans by the Wicker King to act as agents for his return. While his return came extremely later than expected, the Chillborn did ultimately return to the fold despite their long term exposure to the Gilneans over generations. The clan did not last long, as they were eventually destroyed during the Usurpation of the Wicker King and the dismantlement of the Wicker faction.

Their last remnants live on in the House of Crithe, which sided with the Gilneans rather than rejoin with the Wickers, and the House of Iomaire, which was mysteriously absent at the battle for Wickenden.

In Galui, they were known as the Ceann-fuar.

Smaller Clans

Reavethorn

The Reavethorn are one of the clans that split from the Gnarled. They have abandoned most of the ideals of the Gnarled, including equal treatment. Expanding upon their usage of slavery in their father clan, the Reavethorn mistreat most of the "lower echelon" of their clan, that being those who have not been within the circle's favor. The clan has also shown to be extremely sexist, with women being severely mistreated and beaten. As one of the larger clans that have split from the Gnarled, the Reavethorn keep their fellow clansmen in line by mistreating their elderly and children as hostages in order to keep their fellows in line. They were led by the Godshunter Graftin, son of the fallen Godshunter from the Gnarled, though after his death, the clan is led by his son Horic; who emphasizes heavily with his uncle, Kolrick an Dualach-laoch.

Their hierophant, Hoytin, was slain saving his daughter Jesamine Crakeriver. Creegan, their Waybinder, was slain by Hoytin. Graftin was later slain by his sister, Borin Crakeriver, during a battle between the Reavethorn and the Crakerivers (with their new Blades allies). With Graftin's death, the clan split into many smaller clans, some taking on the older clan ideals while others continue the perverse ways of the Reavethorn. As it stands, the Reavethorn are in a stage that they will likely never recover from and have moved towards the fringes of the Reach and Range border.

A small group of the clan allied with Hiram Westcott during the Westcott Crisis, though they too were ultimately destroyed. The remnants of the clan continue to wander about the edges of the border near Vayden's Fall, though they have begun to reform following the emergence of the Gnarled Confederation, acting as one of the few Confederation clans in the Ashen Coast proper.

Their colors are a black bird wrapped in the moon on a field of white. Their name in Galui was Friofacfi.

Crakeriver

The Crakerivers are a clan made up of mostly women that split from the Gnarled. They used guerrilla warfare tactics to strike out at the Reavethorn, another splinter clan from the Gnarled, while also liberating various Reavethorn that did not wish to continue under the oppressive regime. They are led by Waybinder Jesamine, Godshunter Geral (brother of the former Godshunter, Borin), and Hierophant Aina, a member of a much smaller clan that was later absorbed by the Crakerivers. They have cast their lot in with the Blades of Greymane, swearing a blood pact to them, the first clan to do so. After the continued defeat of the Reavethorn, the clan has grown, though it is still predominantly female.

The clan was also known to take on many Wavewalkers who had abandoned the sea following the Invasion of Gilneas, following the Gnarled to Ironwood. As a result, the banner of the Crakerivers represents this part of their clan.

Their colors are a black river on a field of deep blue. In Galui, they are called Saorthit-abhainn.

Dragonheart

The Dragonheart clan is a moderately sized clan that makes its home within The Bite. Once known as the Elkwreathe, the Dragonhearts changed their moniker and name after exposure to the Order of the Raven and allowing them to advance their magical arts. The abundance of fire mages in their clan, alongside their clan's joint kinship through the runes of soulbinding, the clan claims to have reached an evolution. Taking inspiration from the Dragons of lore, they have abandoned the Elk tapestry for that of a dragon's head.

Prior to their change, the Elkwreathe were one of the few clans to answer the call of the Crakerivers to join with the Ashen Coast, given their precarious position within the Bite. Known for their bonds of brotherhood and family, those of the Elkwreathe are extremely loyal to one another as well as being fierce when combined as teams. As with standard clans, they were led by three men, Hierophant Kavan, Waybinder Belin, and Godshunter Jennig.

Of the clans that exist, the Elkwreathe are one of the few that recall the runes of soulbinding, which is a rune that anchor's one's soul to the world for a limited time, even through death, allowing them to continue fighting. Following their blood oath with the Ashen Coast, they were given hunting rights near Ravendale within the Viscounty of the Rise. They later migrated south towards what is now the Viscounty of Lunargrove and were given permanent lodging in the area, where they founded a settlement named Kavan's Rest, after the deceased Hierophant Kavan who died of age. They have since sworn themselves to service under the House of Enderlain.

Under their new name and direction, they have changed some of their leadership. The Waybinder position and Hierophant remain the same, though the Godshunter has been replaced with the Flameseeker. The Flameseeker is a warrior of fire, imbued with runes akin to the Keepers, though they invoke fire within the warrior and his followers, the Emberkin. Their leadership is Waybinder Belin, Flameseeker Jennig and Hierophant Avalyn, a woman who was Kavan's most learned apprentice.

As the Elkwreathe, their colors were a black elk head on red, surrounded by a wreath of fire. They were known in Galui as the Poctine. As the Dragonheart, their colors remain red on black, though the Elk head has since been replaced with a Dragon's visage. They are known as the Vuibhearn-croi. They continue to serve the House of Enderlain, and by proxy, the House of Dragonsblade; whom they find kinship with.

Ashmeadow

The Ashmeadow clan is a small clan that split from the Everflame clan sometime after the Second War of Thorns, rising from the “ashes” of the Everflame due to difference of opinions on leadership. The clan relocated from the Dark Woods into the Reach, integrating into the society and acting as healers and harvest witches due to their strong talent in mending and growth; the clan also shied away from the darker magics that their parent clan used. The early Ashmeadow clan was matriarchal in nature, but lacked a central leadership, as women were encouraged to go to new towns and villages once they came of age and help the people there, as well as starting families. Mothers taught daughters and especially magically talented sons the Old Ways. In modern Gilneas, the name Ashmeadow is a whisper, and it is common for those descended of this clan to be unaware of the origins due to lack of central leadership and the intermarriage of Galuyn blood to Gilnean blood that was so common within the clan. However, the mark of the green doe persists, as do the traditions that began from the split.

Their colors are an olive doe on black. They are known in Galui as the Luaith-Móinéar.

Gabhatine

One of the few Oakenborn clans left, the Gabhatine are an extremely isolationist clan that places themselves in the eastern section of The Range, within the area of Flame's Berth. Among the Gabhatine is a prophecy that one day the clan will craft a master craft set of armor and weapons that contain the perfect saga, containing the blessings of all of the gods. When that happens, they will be ‘permitted’ by their ancient rite to leave the mountain and rejoin their people. Otherwise, they must stay where they are and continue toiling away. This tale, alongside their keeping into the mountain, would eventually come to an end at the hands of Siegrun an Gabhatine, daughter of then leader Oisin an Gabhatine.

Alongside the Blades, Siegrun usurped control over the Gabhatine, awoke the ancient demigods Kol and Sir, and ultimately led her people out of Flame's Berth to the hills below; stating that Flame's Berth would be used for work as it was restored, but no longer for living. Instead, the Gabhatine would live in the long since abandoned Oakenborn villages that their ancestors had once used before they fled into the mountain for safety. Thus began the long process of restoring the Gabhatine lands, establishing rocky contact with the Gilneans whom had been rather heavy handed in their handling of the Gabhatine, and ultimately the shift in their society.

Their colors are a golden bear on forest green. They have no common-translated name.

Leanaí Iscia

A Fallow Crest clan, the Leanaí Iscia are a Wavewalker clan that worships the animal spirit known as Iscia, a daughter of Gurnye. Brought together into a single clan by Aleyina Nathair, the Leanaí Iscia commonly work alongside the Gilneans of Iscia's Cove, and have been armed and equipped by the House of Nathair to act as a force of their own. Given the Nathair common blood, the clan has found little issue with such a thing, as Aleyina also holds the position of Waybinder in their clan.

Their colors are a serpent coiled about the waves, in recognition of Iscia, in white on a field of blue. They have no common-translated name.

Disbanded Clans

Thornwind

The Thornwind Banner.

Clan Thornwind is a moderately sized religious clan that makes its home within the Hirene Marsh. Descendants of the great Thorned, the Thornwinds continue the legacy of their ancestors. Unlike other clans, which are led by three, the Thornwinds have one central leader named the "Greatbinder", who is a person instructed by the last Greatbinder in the ways of the clan. The clan is extremely non-hostile to all that come through the marsh, tales even speak of Thornwinds helping as guides. They are protected from harm by the mighty Bareroot caste (Those without druidic magic), which up until recently, was formed of strong root and bark like creatures with the souls of Thornwind warriors within. The Bareroot were created by smothering children of the caste in roots at the age of three, then taking their souls into their new bodies of Bareroot. Controversial by many, as Bareroot can understand emotions and talk, yet not feel emotions, the practice was later changed by the Blades of Greymane to allow the fallen Bareroot to be made into these forms only after having died in battle. This was made possible by the night elf druid, Shan'do Nightwind, who offered his power to aid in the creation of future bareroots under those conditions.

The second clan to make a blood oath with the Ashen Coast, the Thornwind were, at the time, led by Greatbinder Ethin, an aged man afflicted with the Worgen Curse. After he was freed from his curse, he swore blood oath to the Blades. He was later killed during the Second Range Rebellion, though he was succeeded by his apprentice, Clarisa Thornwind. Clarisa has furthered their blood oath, swearing themselves onto the region of The Reach. Despite this having been historically followed by lordship when accepted, the Thornwinds have declined elevation onto nobility.

The Thornwinds ceased to exist after their ascension back as an elder blood clan, as they resumed their progenitor's name of the Thorned.

Their colors were a green tree on black. In Galui, they are referred to as Caith-Cráifeach.