High Clan Steairn

Society: This society is one of debauchery and backstabbing. Anything that can be done to get ahead in the social ladder will be done. Despotic leaders keep the entire clan from disintegrating. These leaders must exercise an iron fist over their subjects as the social mores of this entire group of people almost necessitate it. Through a demented etiquette, plotting and scheming are assumed, though never openly discussed. Because of this it is also a society of constant strategy and maneuvering. Blackmail is common in legal contests and in a strange way even protected by the law. You can be assured a life of paranoia among this High Clan; especially if you have something which others may find remotely interesting. 

This dangerous society is regulated in part by a dark group known only as "The Fist". If you awake to find the symbol of the fist upon your door, you will be soon to die. This group is said to work under the auspices of a government body but many claim their power goes beyond that; something of a rogue clandestine power which controls innumerable aspects of the society and perhaps reaches well into other clans. Anyone who is deemed to threaten the rule of the leaders, or who openly speaks against Steairn, can be targeted by this group. 

Rarely do the leaders survive long in this harsh society as they are assassinated in short order and replaced (most likely by the assassin). Priests most often aspire to this position and use their otherworldly powers to awe and dominate the populace. They are in the most accessible seat to power since the High Clan itself is ruled by a religious representative of Steairn. This representative and the church officials also control the standing army of the High Clan. Though the term would go unrecognized among the people of Eyru, it is essentially a theocracy with a hierarchy of church leaders under the High Priest, the Master of the Flame. Petty kings for the various clans do exist but they all answer to the church.

The Master of the Flame holds communion with a flaming, blackened, skull said to be the skull of Steairn, recovered from the place of his execution. This is stored in a holy inner chamber where none aside from the High Priest and a select few are allowed to enter. Iconic representation of the flaming skull is grounds for the penalty of death (carried out most often by the Fist and in a public method.) The skull itself is in turn protected by an elite group known as The Order of the Immolation. In this duty they do not fail and will pursue it until death; however, their moral stance is similar to most in this society. They do have a price and do engage in their own political games. While they are also supposed to protect the High Priest and church artifacts, they see the High Priest as only a temporary mortal implement of the Clan Founder, Steairn. 

The theocracy is maintained in a traditional hierarchal sense with all church leaders referred to as Servants of the Flame. There are four Arch-Bishops beneath the Master which control counties overseen by Bishops, and Priests. While clan chieftains and kings do exist, it is truly the Servants of the Flame that are in control. Cooperation among the clans varies though, no one has the strength or desire to ignore the will of the church. Horrible curses and plagues normally visits those that do and it is rumored that entire families have simply disappeared.

The army of the High Clan also falls under direct control of the religious leaders. Often these religious leaders will be skilled warriors as well; leading troops into battle and making tactical decisions. The army is composed of mostly "volunteers" though forcible conscription has been used. The recruits serve mostly as a 'police' force of sorts and answer to the local priests and chaplains. It is a potentially lucrative job since diligent officers will be rewarded a part of any fines collected from the guilty.

There is a great degree of perceived 'freedom' among these people. There are few laws among them. There are also no prisons. Law is communicated by the church through weekly services. There are certain long standing divine laws, any of which if broken are punishable by death. They include:

• Assault of a representative of Steairn
• Depiction of the Skull of Steairn (their holy religious artifact.)
• Murder of a loyal clansman of Steairn
• Proof of heresy

The latter is used in many cases as a political tool. Anyone is allowed to claim someone as a heretic, it can even be done anonymously. Once they have claimed such, the person in question is held by the church and 'tested' to see if they are indeed a heretic. The length of time (and severity) of the testing is lengthened or shortened by the number of donations made in the accused's name. These will presumably please and convince Steairn of the accused's innocence. 

Depending on the donations, multiple things can happen: The accused may be set free immediately if the donations are great enough. In the case of overwhelming donations the priest may launch an investigation centered on the accuser. This will often determine their identity and brand the accuser a heretic. If, of a moderate sum, the accused will be set free though they may be held for 'purification'. If the sum is insufficient, the priest may claim their soul is obviously tainted and they will be purified by fire or become a slave of the church.

As mentioned, in many cases this is used as a political tool. Having enemies removed permanently or even just temporarily can be a great boon in this backstabbing society. The risk is sufficient, though the price to free the accused may be less than what the accuser will profit from their absence (thus the donations to free the accused may be even paid by the accuser himself!) Of course, if it does for some reason backfire, the results can be horrific (The Fist will be assigned to identify the accuser).

In a similar fashion, the populace is often encouraged to resolve common disputes on their own terms. In some cases this means the subtle use of assassins and thievery. While extreme, it is not altogether uncommon. Disputes which cannot be settled can be brought before a priest of Steairn for a 'donation' to hear his wisdom and resolution (In some cases high profile disputes are forced to such a court). Surprisingly, most cases are given 'fair' rulings. However, the larger the donation the more in Steairn's favor you are. The priests also use the local 'police' as their eyes and ears to keep tabs on local disputes. If such disputes ever do escalate and threaten the area as a whole, these cases are immediately called before the local priest (unless he is politically served otherwise.)

The winners in this scenario are those with actual wealth and of course the church. Wealth, whether it be land, coinage, cattle etc can be 'donated'. Even slaves and or brides have been known to be donated and in some cases, a priest will hold out until the specific prize he wants is given. This also keeps the wealthy in command and gives them a constant source of leverage against the commoners. However, the wealthy do not push their luck with the greater multitude of commoners. If ever any area under protection of the High Clan ever revolts or destabilizes, military rule is established and control wrested from the owners. It is harsh and brutal, enforced by The Fist and the veteran military. In these cases it is always the leaders of the area that suffer most.

Exports and skills: Isolationist policies and heavy taxes have slowed trade with other clans but often, food is required from the more fertile fields of the central plains. Stone is their most common export, along with a wide array of smuggled goods. Weapons, armor, raw stone materials, skilled stonemasons, and sheep (wool) are common items of trade. On a darker note, they also export the continents most accomplished thieves, spies and assassins (though no other clan would admit to utilizing such manpower.)