LANDS OF HIGH CLAN STEAIRN
The Land
High Clan Steairn's holdings are a rugged highland that is beautiful in its solitude. Small groves of trees dot the hillsides though in many places, not much more than lush turf adorns them. The open plains along the River Aber rise to rolling hills as they stretch to the eastern coast. Hardy trees maintain a hold in the far flung groves, though in many cases, the soil is rarely deep enough to support much in the way of large plant life. Before they reach the sea, these hills rise into a minor range of mountains known as The Dragon's Teeth. The peaks of this range are mostly smooth plateaus as opposed to the jagged and enormous peaks of the Giant's Stair to the far North. They are also much less forested, unlike the mountains that lie within the wood between. Just beyond the Dragon's Teeth range, the land plummets into the sea below down sheer rocky cliff faces.
This eastern section of Eyru is well known for its unpredictable weather. The only predictable thing is the presence of cloud cover (nearly always) and the fog that settles in over the eastern coast and the lower valleys near the mountain range. Several times a year, torrential rainfall strikes the area, often flooding the lowlands. Storms often roll in from the sea, sometimes with hurricane conditions, though most of the populace lives on the west side of the Dragon's Teeth and are well sheltered from the worst of the effects.
Several man made features are prominent among Steairn's lands. The foremost of which is Goll, the region's capitol. It is home to the Master of the Flame, head of the church which dominates political life in this High Clan. Goll is a dark and well fortified city. It's buildings are constructed mostly of stone, somewhat uncommon among many other Eyrian towns and cities. At its heart lies the keep from which the Master of the Flame oversees the four main dioceses of High Clan Steairn. It is a generally raucous place with a tangible air of oppression and paranoia. The inhabitants of Goll are those who have prospered under the current theocracy and thus are the most devious and cunning of the region. Nothing is "just as it seems" as everything has a sense of conspiracy or political maneuvering to it.
Several important towns are present, though they are easily out numbered by the small thorps and hamlets that dot the countryside. The oldest of these towns is Bichru's Crossing, named after the first High King himself. It was here that Bichru and his men forded the river as they drove the Fomorian's before them. The the west, along the River Aber that borders High Clan Tairan's lands stands the largest stone constructed tower in all of southern Eyru, the Eye of Flame. Constructed during the height of clan tensions, it stands as a testament of Steairn's power but also as a watch tower. An eternal flame adorns the top and can be seen for miles on a clear night. It is said the flame communicates messages to those trained to decipher them in the case of an approaching enemy force and as long as you can see the flame, it can see you. The city of Lynn also technically rests on Steairn's side of the River Aber, but is currently under control of High Clan Tairan. Just after the Divide this towns inhabitants appealed to Tairan for protection who struck fast to drive out an occupying clan loyal to Steairn.
Official exports from High Clan Steairn are few as the church has seen fit to bar most trading with outside clans. They have the largest and best quality stone quarries in all of southern Eyru however and not coincidentally many of the finest stonemasons. Tin and copper ores are mined as well as iron from the Dragon's teeth. While the rolling landscape is difficult to farm, many clans choose to grow what they can while subsisting mainly on sheep or cattle for their diet. Wool, iron, copper, stone, and tin are all exported in a thriving black market. In many cases the local church representatives are even aware if this activity. However, due to the scheming nature of this society, they often "hold their hand" and wait to use the violations as blackmail against the perpetrators.
Important Factions and Individuals
Am Freiceadan Losgadh (The Flame Watch) oversees the Eye of Flame mentioned above. One person is chosen for this duty from among Steairn's military. They are the only ones to have access to the tower's secrets. It is this same person that teaches the handful of watchers spread around the countryside how to interpret its eerie calls. Currently, the position is vacant as the last one so "honored" fell under scrutiny of the Fist. Recruits have been very hard to find since. However, the trained watchers maintain their vigil.
Master of Flame is a position many aspire to and most die trying to achieve. The current Master of Flame is Dub Essa Mac Conall. She is by all accounts a "charming bitch of a woman". By this, she knows just what people want to hear and she selects at her leisure whether to express it or not. She rose steadily through the ranks of the church until her predecessor was found guilty of heresy. The charge was unheard of against a standing Master of Flame. (It would be much like the President of the US committing treason.) Nonetheless, she led the effort to remove him from office and be turned over to the Fist. The key players in the drama were the current Master's own personal guard, the Order of Immolation, who testified against him. It is widely accepted, though not discussed, that Dub Essa had a hand in the matter.
While at the pinnacle of Steairn's society, the Master of Flame is at the pinnacle of its paranoia as well. They stand in a powerful position with a hidden precariousness created by the societal drive for plots and schemes. Many times those in this position abdicate or even "disappear" under mysterious circumstances. However, clashing with the person in this position is not taken lightly. Most often they are the most competent cleric among Steairn's followers and very powerful in their own right.
The Fist is described in some detail in the background section entitled the High Clans. They, in a sense, regulate this region's society. Oftentimes they act in close connection with the church carrying out its judgments or "investigating" any unfortunate soul who has drawn their ire. However, they too have their own agendas and many quietly speculate whether it is they who are truly running the government. Their clandestine nature perhaps invites a number of other more bizarre, and frightening tales though many aren't far from the truth....
The Order of the Immolation consists of a group of elite warriors (though rumors persist that they are skilled in war and darker arts) whose primary duty is to protect the Master of Flame. They are never seen in public without gruesome masks which they wear to their grave. Most of these masks are reminiscent of the expression one might imagine worn by tortured victims sent to an early death. Their exact number is unknown and, as many in Steairn society, their true intentions are also cloudy.
The Four Bishops (More info coming soon)
Maps
Village of Clan Mac Bruil from Session 3