LANDS OF HIGH CLAN FAOUGH
The Land
The lands of High Clan Faough provide some of the most interesting of all the High Clans. Their small villages and nomadic settlements rest where few Eyrians would dare to tread, on the edge of the Wood Between. At this border the more fantastic elements of the Wood occasionally mingle with their settlements. It is something they have grown accustomed to and paradoxically the least "advanced" group of people among the Eyrians has become the most tolerant of superstition. Druids of High Clan Faough sometimes deal directly with the Faye for information or mutual benefit though often times, the less tolerant members of High Clan Faough find some sport in chasing the faye deeper into the woods. It is also thought to be a great blessing to participate in the hunt of the many Dire Animals that find their homes deeper in the sheltering woods. These enormous prey provide the hunting parties of High Clan Faough with worthy adversaries and with an abundance of food-if they are successful.
It is a heavily forested area spread across rough terrain and some high peaks. Beautiful valleys adorned with tall oak, aspen, and maple trees rise into foothills, densely covered in a wide variety of fir trees. Like the Wood Between proper, the land and its vegetation is healthy beyond all standards and, as one progresses toward the Wood, larger than nature would have seemed to intend. Wildlife, predator and prey are all abundant here.
The foaming rivers that come barreling out of the foothills carry salmon known across Eyru as the finest. This is one of High Clan Faough's rare exports. At times, fur traders and hunters travel into the south to ply their wares. Usually weapons and tools are the preferred payment for these hunters though trade for crops is also common. Mostly though, High Clan Faough stays quite isolated in their wooded wilderness. They have no central authority to speak of, save that of their clan spiritual leaders, and rarely do they unite behind a single cause beyond their shared emulation of the ways of the wolf and respect for the teachings of their founder.
Important Factions and Individuals
Rale is rumored to be the very same druid whom Faough himself met when he turned his back on the wars plaguing Eyrian society. As the legend has it, Rale introduced Faough to the complexities and wonders of nature and, most importantly, to the wolves which Faough chose as the model for his clan. Faough became enamored by the idea of leading a life free of traditional human concerns and "returning to nature" as it were. Rale took him as an apprentice and soon Faough was a full-fledged druid. Rale taught him everything he knew in regards to the woods and its immediate inhabitants. It is also said that he negotiated the occupation of their current lands with the Faye and to some degree the Worgs. Legends persist that he is still alive today, nearly 500 years later though no one has confirmed it.
"Blood Paw" is the closest translation of this Worg's name. He is notorious among the members of High Clan Faough for his treatment of humans. He is an extremely crafty Worg that is very interested in seeing the human "infestation" removed. He speaks fluent common and often tries to incite strife between the human clans through direct confrontation or most often subtle tricks and sabotage. He received his name after a battle with a monstrous foe nearly cost him his right-front leg. From the center of his shin down it is furless. The skin is a glistening, bubbled pink which has a constant look of irritation and, from a distance, the look of fresh blood. Aside from being a ferocious combatant, this extremely intelligent Worg is said to command potent magic as well.
Máthir is the only name of a female hermit who lives in the northeast section of Faough's lands. Once the matron of a powerful clan, she watched as her people were slaughtered during a midnight raid by the Worgs. She was the sole survivor. Pregnant at the time, she had her child literally on the battlefield. Taking a fallen warrior's spear, she flew into a rage and slaughtered dozens of Worg as her own clansmen lay dying around her. As she fought, her child was mauled and killed. So ferocious was her rage however, that the remaining Worgs dared not approach her. After the Worgs retreated, she began the processes of laying the dead to rest, each within their own huts. As is custom, she spent nearly a week visiting each hut and recalling the deeds of the deceased until, on the final day, she burned the village to the ground. She currently lives on the very same burned out battle site.
Prior to the slaughter of her village, she was a renowned warrior. Her name, Muireall McCureag, was well-known, despite High Clan Faough's isolationism. Her valiant stand at her village only added to that reputation. Often clansmen from Faough and beyond seek out her tutelage in matters of war. She is said to be able to teach the Feats of ancient warriors who have since taken their prowess to the Otherworld but gaining her trust can be difficult and extremely dangerous.
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