"The Keepers of the Old Ways"

Step into the world of Dunraven, where the echoes of ancient songs and the wisdom of tribal moots guide your path. As a member of this faction, you are a storyteller, a warrior, or a guardian of tradition. Whether you seek glory in battle, preserve the tales of your ancestors, or lead your people through the storms of change, Dunraven offers a journey steeped in camaraderie and resilience. Will you honor the old ways or forge new ones?

Core Identity

Name: Dunraven Folk
Icon: Triskelion and the Raven
Primary Goal: Personal and Clan Glory
Gathering Spot: Hiraeth Hollow
Values: Community, storytelling, ancestral wisdom
Influences: Celtic, Norse, Rus mythologies
Legal Structure: Germanic Assembly (moottribal gathering for decision-making/thingNorse assembly/vecheSlavic council)
Political Organization: Various clans and tribes with a single figurehead leader (Hardrada)
Luminary: Harald Hardrada, known as Hardrådethe Stern Ruler, reborn in Grimmloch as the Raven Herald
Preferred Magic System: Cunning
Liminal Aspect: The Raven's Shadow (battlefields where warriors fell, storm-battered coastlines where ships wrecked, cairns marking ancient graves, and places where ravens gather as omens of fate)

Origin and Role in Grimmloch

Origin: Arrived after Ka Agorate, born from ancient oral traditions—bards who sang in mead halls or skaldsNorse poets and storytellers who recited sagas in sacred groves.
Role in Grimmloch: Preserved ancestral knowledge through storytelling and cultural memory.
Key Contribution: Built Hiraeth Hollow, a great hall filled with echoes of stories and songs of heroes. Their reverence for tradition wove interconnected tales throughout Grimmloch.
Ideal: Preservation and celebration of ancestral knowledge, fostering a sense of belonging through storytelling and cultural heritage.
Deviation: Insular traditionalism, resisting innovation and alienating outsiders.

Hiraeth Hollow

At the heart of the Dunraven Folk's culture lies Hiraeth Hollow, a towering hall carved from ancient timbers and adorned with symbols of ravens, spirals, and ogham that hum with ancestral power. The air within is thick with the scent of woodsmoke and mead, and its walls seem to echo with the voices of those long departed.

Hiraeth Hollow is more than a gathering place—it is a living repository of stories and songs. Here, bards sing sagas that stir hearts to action, volkhvSlavic spiritual leaders and sorcerers offer blessings over newborns, and chieftains hold fiery debates over the future of their people. It is a place where history lives on through word and song—a sanctuary for those who seek to preserve the old ways. Tapestries line its walls, each woven with scenes of battles fought by Víkverir raiders or the enduring spirit of BretonianCeltic/Gaelic peoples from Bretonia in Oikoumene clans. Within its great hall, a cauldron sits at the center, symbolizing abundance and inspiration, while gusliSlavic stringed instruments players weave haunting melodies that carry the weight of WendishSlavic peoples from Wendland in Oikoumene traditions.

Culture and Values

The Dunraven Folk live by one unshakable truth: stories are the lifeblood of their people. Through storytelling, they preserve their history, honor their ancestors, and pass down wisdom to future generations. These tales are not merely words; they are the binding force of the community, woven into every aspect of their lives. From the mead-hall, where the skalds gather around crackling fires, to the fjord shores where warriors carve valknutNorse symbol of Odin and the slain into their shields before battle, stories are ever-present, shaping the very foundation of their culture.

Their bond with their ancestors is both sacred and practical—every thane, jarl, and voivodeSlavic military leader knows the weight of their lineage and the power of the sagas passed down through the generations. It is not uncommon for a filidIrish learned poet to sit by the hearth, reciting the story of a hero who won glory or a cautionary tale of a lost duel between the hazel wands, reminding them all of their origins and the paths they must tread.

However, their reliance on tradition can also be a burden. Their insular nature leads them to mistrust outsiders, and their stubborn resistance to change often breeds internal tension. Young Dunraven Folk may push for progress, but elders—clutching tightly to the old ways—see such calls for change as threats to the identity they have fought to preserve. Yet, even in moments of conflict, the sagas remind them of their shared past, ensuring that the bonds of family and tribe remain unbroken.

Their rituals speak to this unyielding connection to the past:

• Skalds gather in the mead-hall, their voices rising with tales that span centuries, uniting the people beneath the glow of firelight.
• Berserkers and shieldmaidens honor the memory of fallen comrades with khorovodsSlavic circle dances—circle dances that echo across the battlefields, marking the passage of life and death.
• In the quiet hours before a storm or the rise of a new samhainCeltic harvest festival marking the beginning of winter, they gather in rathsIrish ring forts, offering prayers to the spirits of the land and ensuring that the stories of old remain alive in the hearts of the living.
• By the hearth, an elder might raise a torcCeltic neck ring signifying status as a symbol of protection, invoking ancient magic from the navSlavic otherworld or underworld, or the underworld, calling on the spirits to guard the village from harm.

The rituals are as much about protection as they are about remembrance. After every gathering at the thingsteadNorse assembly grounds, the veche assembles to discuss the future, ensuring the balance of tradition and adaptation. But the heart of the community still lies in the kurgansSlavic burial mounds—the burial mounds that dot the land, marking where their ancestors rest. These sacred sites are where the living commune with the spirits, asking for guidance, strength, and courage in the battles to come.

Despite their flaws, the Dunraven Folk are steadfast in their belief that their stories have the power to heal, to unite, and to carry them through even the harshest of times.

The Five Clans

The Dunraven Folk organize themselves into five clans, each representing distinct cultural traditions and approaches to life. These clans maintain their own customs while sharing a common reverence for ancestral wisdom and storytelling.

The Dúnfhir (Gaelic)

In the mist-shrouded hills and valleys of their ancestral lands, the Dúnfhir weave a mystical tapestry of earthy scent and whispered legend. Theirs is a world of emerald twilight, where the ancient songs of the land still linger in the air, and the pulse of the earth beats in time with the drums of their gatherings.

The Dúnfhir's Druids commune with the spirits of the land through rituals held in sacred groves hidden within the misty hills. In these sacred spaces, they call upon the spirits of nature—earth, wind, water, and fire—as well as the ancient ones who have watched over the clan for generations. The Druids seek guidance through these rites, believing the land is alive and its wisdom can be channeled through the unseen forces that shape their fate. These rituals are central to the clan's spiritual practice, maintaining a balance between the physical world and the otherworldly realms that influence their lives.

The Dúnfhir's warriors, known as the Fiannalegendary Irish warrior bands, are shaped by the land itself—hardened by mist-drenched hillsides where survival demands cunning as much as strength. They favor ambushes and hit-and-run tactics over open battlefields, using their intimate knowledge of terrain to outmaneuver foes. Their ferocity lies in their ability to strike swiftly and decisively, embodying both bravery and ingenuity.

Leadership among the Dúnfhir is a sacred trust, earned through the possession of "imbas forosnaigreat knowledge that illuminates - Irish poetic inspiration and divination" – a deep understanding of the world and its workings. Chieftains are chosen not only for their wisdom and spiritual insight but also for their martial prowess and deep connection to the land. The sacred trust of leadership lies in the ability to guide the clan through both the spiritual and the physical realms, ensuring harmony between the people and the land.

Personal honor is a cornerstone of the Dúnfhir's culture, and is reflected in the concept of "GeisIrish taboo or magical obligation binding a person" – a warrior's personal vow or obligation. For example, if a Fianna warrior were to give their word to protect a traveler, they would consider it a matter of personal honor to fulfill that oath, even if it meant putting themselves in harm's way. To break a Geis would not only bring shame to the individual, but could bring misfortune upon the clan itself, as the gods and spirits view oaths as sacred. Such failure would be a dishonor to the ancestors who walk with the clan.

As the sun dips below the hills, the Dúnfhir gather around the fire, their faces aglow with the flickering flames. They share tales of their ancestors' bravery, the ancient magic that still lingers in the land, and the heroic exploits of the Fianna. But amidst the laughter and boasts, a hush falls over the gathering as they whisper stories of the SidheIrish fairy folk of the Otherworld – the mysterious, otherworldly powers that lurk in the shadows, waiting to strike. The Dúnfhir's warriors exchange nervous glances, their hands instinctively reaching for the hilts of their swords.

Boar Symbolism: The boar is a fierce, relentless creature associated with warriors, strength, and divine protection. In BretonianCeltic/Gaelic peoples from Bretonia in Oikoumene culture, boars were revered for their courage and ability to face danger head-on. Their presence in myth often marks a transformative moment or an omen of war. For the Bretonian culture, the boar represents bravery, tenacity, and the notion of fate being forced through action and challenge. It is seen as an ally in battle, often tied to the gods and seen as a harbinger of victory or loss, echoing the heroic and sacrificial roles played by warriors.

The Járnvarg (Norse)

The Járnvarg roam the frozen tundras and snowy forests, their footsteps quiet on the frozen earth. Theirs is a world of icy beauty, where the aurora borealis dances across the night sky, and the howling of wolves is said to carry the whispers of the past.

The Járnvarg live and die by the threads of wyrdNorse concept of fate and destiny—the unyielding fate that shapes all lives. Their VolvaNorse seeress and practitioner of seiðr magic spiritual leaders interpret these threads through runes and prophecy, guiding the clan in navigating destiny's intricate web. Fenrir, the great wolf destined to bring chaos at Ragnarök, is a symbol of fate's duality: creation and destruction, order and chaos. In this harsh world, the Járnvarg find strength in their acceptance of wyrd, knowing that their destiny is already woven into existence.

The warriors, known as the "Úlfheðnarwolf-coats - Norse berserker warriors who wore wolf pelts," are forged in the unforgiving cold, clad in wolf pelts and embodying the ferocity of their totem animal. They fight with an unmatched savagery that strikes fear into their enemies, moving with silent precision across snow-covered terrain. Guided by their connection to the wild and the wisdom passed down through generations, they channel the instincts of wolves—cunning, loyalty, and wild unpredictability—into battle.

Leadership in the Járnvarg is earned through strength, wisdom, and the respect gained from one's actions. Chieftains and jarls are chosen based on deeds and reputation, and decisions are made collectively at the Thing, the assembly of the clan's free men, where every voice holds weight. The bond between leader and warriors is built on personal loyalty and honor, and the community's will shapes the path they follow.

Glory and reputation are vital not only for personal renown but for the honor of their families and the clan. The concept of "DrengskaprNorse ideal of honorable conduct and valor" drives them to seek valor in battle, not just for fame, but to ensure their legacy endures. They strive to make their name known not only to their comrades but to the lands themselves, with the understanding that their deeds reflect upon their kin and the clan's honor as much as their own.

Under the pale light of the moon, the Járnvarg assemble around roaring fires, their voices rising in haunting chants that echo through the frozen wilderness. They recount tales of glory and fate while offering sacrifices to honor forces greater than themselves—fate, nature's power, or ancestral spirits. The howling wolves in the distance are seen as omens of strength and unity. As they chant under cold skies, they feel their bond with kin strengthen, knowing that even in darkness they are united by wyrd.

Wolf Symbolism: The wolf is a powerful symbol of strength, cunning, and loyalty, often connected to the gods of war and the wild. Wolves were seen as both protectors and destroyers, embodying the harsh yet necessary aspects of survival in ThuleanNorse/Scandinavian peoples from Thule in Oikoumene society. In Thulean mythology, wolves are frequently associated with gods such as Odin (who has wolves as his companions) and Fenrir (the great wolf). The wolf's ability to hunt in packs, its independence, and its connection to fate (particularly the prophecy of the wolf destroying the gods) mirrors the Thulean view of war as both inevitable and fated. The wolf represents both loyalty and unpredictability—vital traits in a society where honor and fate were paramount. Warriors might align with the wolf to embrace a sense of communal strength, but also the awareness of their destiny and inevitable death in battle.

The Borovichi (Slavic)

The Borovichi dwell in the heart of the forest, where the ancient trees whisper secrets to the wind, and the spirits of the land roam free. Theirs is a world of primal connection to nature, where the rhythms of the earth guide their steps, and the wisdom of their ancestors illuminates their path.

In the Borovichi's spiritual practice, the lines between reality and the spirit world are blurred. Their Volkhvi spiritual leaders navigate the intricate web of household spirits, nature beings, and ancestors, seeking balance and harmony within the clan. With a deep understanding of the land and its secrets, the Borovichi's warriors move unseen and unheard, their cunning and wisdom guided by the whispers of the spirits.

The Borovichi's warriors, known as the "Medvedibears - Slavic warriors embodying bear strength," are forged in the harsh, unforgiving environment of the forest, where brute strength, unyielding ferocity, and unrelenting resilience are the keys to survival. They move with a deliberate, crushing power, their footsteps shaking the earth, as they charge forward with unstoppable fury, unleashing devastating blows that shatter the defenses of their enemies.

Leadership among the Borovichi is a delicate balance of persuasion and tradition, with the "Veche" – the assembly of elders and spiritual leaders – guiding the clan through times of peace and war. The ruler, the "KniazSlavic prince or ruler," serves as a mediator and a guardian of the clan's traditions, rather than a supreme authority.

Family and community honor are deeply ingrained in the Borovichi's culture, with individuals seeking to prove themselves as worthy guardians of their family's and community's reputation. The concept of "RodSlavic ancestral lineage and kinship" – the ancestral heritage – drives many warriors to seek out recognition and respect for their clan, and to defend their family's honor at all costs.

In the depths of the forest, the Borovichi gather around the fire, their faces illuminated by the warm, golden light. They share stories of the ancient ones, the mighty bogatyrsSlavic legendary heroes and warriors who roamed the land, and the spirits that still linger in the woods. As they speak, the fire crackles and spits, casting eerie shadows on the trees. The Borovichi's warriors feel a deep connection to the land, and they know that they are the guardians of the forest's secrets.

Bear Symbolism: The bear is a revered figure in WendishSlavic peoples from Wendland in Oikoumene folklore, representing power, protection, and the primal connection to nature. It is often seen as the ruler of the forest, a guardian spirit, and a creature that symbolizes strength and resilience. Bears are deeply embedded in Wendish mythology, often seen as guardians of the sacred woods or as symbols of ancestor spirits. They embody the fierce protection of home and family, qualities highly valued in Wendish cultures, which prized community ties and ancestral honor. The bear represents the relationship between the people and the natural world, a direct reflection of the pragmatic and spiritual connection to the land. It is a symbol of both physical might and spiritual guidance, embodying the strength needed to survive and thrive within a harsh environment. Its place as a spiritual protector ties directly to Wendish beliefs in the unseen world and ancestral reverence.

The Nemedain (Magical Practitioners)

The Nemedain walk between worlds, their eyes seeing what others cannot. They are the seers, the rune-casters, the spirit-speakers—those who have devoted themselves to understanding the hidden currents that flow beneath the surface of reality. Where other clans rely on steel and strength, the Nemedain wields knowledge of the unseen: omens read in flight patterns, futures glimpsed in cast bones, and words of power that can bind or break.

Their spiritual leaders are not merely advisors but active practitioners of the cunning arts. They read the threads of wyrd, commune with the spirits of land and ancestor, and preserve the old magic that others have forgotten or fear to touch. The Nemedain's warriors may carry weapons, but their true arsenal consists of charms, curses, and the ability to see through deception—both mundane and supernatural.

Leadership among the Nemedain is earned through demonstrated mastery of the hidden arts. Their councils are places where prophetic visions hold as much weight as tactical wisdom, where dreams are analyzed alongside battle plans. They serve as advisors to other clans, offering insight that comes from sources others cannot access, though this often breeds suspicion alongside respect.

The Nemedain's connection to their namesake bird runs deep—ravens as psychopomps, as messengers between worlds, as the eyes of gods. They gather where ravens gather: at crossroads, at gallows, at the sites of great battles where the veil grows thin. Their rituals often involve flight, vision, and transformation—seeking to transcend the limitations of mortal perception.

Raven Symbolism: The raven appears across ThuleanNorse/Scandinavian peoples from Thule in Oikoumene, BretonianCeltic/Gaelic peoples from Bretonia in Oikoumene, and WendishSlavic peoples from Wendland in Oikoumene traditions as a bird of prophecy, death, and hidden knowledge. Odin's ravens brought him news from across the worlds. The Morrigan took raven form. Ravens served as omens and guides to those who could read their messages. The Nemedain embody this liminal role—neither fully of the mortal world nor fully of the spirit world, but walking the boundary between them with eyes that see what others miss.

The Drekarmen (The Seafarers)

The Drekarmen are the ones who take to the waves in their serpent-prowed longships, the traders and raiders who bring wealth from distant shores and glory from daring voyages. They are not bound by the cultural traditions of Dúnfhir, Járnvarg, or Borovichi—instead, they are united by their profession, by the call of the sea and the promise of what lies beyond the horizon. BretonianCeltic/Gaelic peoples from Bretonia in Oikoumene sailors, ThuleanNorse/Scandinavian peoples from Thule in Oikoumene seafarers, and WendishSlavic peoples from Wendland in Oikoumene river-traders alike find their home in the Drekarmen.

Their ships are their identity—sleek vessels with serpent figureheads that cut through waves and strike fear into foreign shores. They are merchants and raiders both, understanding that wealth comes through trade with willing partners and plunder from those who resist. The Drekarmen moves between these roles fluidly, as the situation demands.

The wealth they bring back enriches all Dunraven clans—exotic goods, foreign knowledge, tales of distant lands, and plunder taken in glorious raids. Successful ship captains return as heroes, their crews celebrated in the mead halls of Hiraeth Hollow. A young warrior who proves themselves on a raid earns honor for their family; a clever trader who returns with rare goods brings prosperity to their community. The Drekarmen embody the adventurous spirit of the Dunraven Folk, seeking glory and wealth beyond familiar shores.

The Drekarmen have no single ancestral homeland to defend, no sacred groves rooted in one place. Their territory is the coastline, the rivers, the open sea. They gather at harbors and landing sites, places where ships can be beached and crews can share tales of their voyages. Their rituals center on the sea—offerings cast into waves before departures, celebrations when crews return laden with treasure, mourning for those claimed by storms.

Leadership among the Drekarmen is earned through successful voyages. Ship captains hold authority over their crews, and the most successful captains—those who return with the greatest wealth, who survive the most dangerous waters, who win glory in the most daring raids—command respect across all Dunraven clans. Their councils are held on beaches with ships drawn up behind them, decisions made by those who have proven themselves on the waves.

The Drekarmen serve as the Dunraven Folk's connection to the wider world. They bring back not just wealth but news, trade contacts, and knowledge from distant lands. Their cosmopolitan experience—exposure to foreign cultures and ideas through their travels—makes them valuable advisors on matters beyond the traditional territories. Young Dunraven Folk seeking glory often join Drekarmen crews, and successful seafarers who retire from the waves return home as respected elders whose wisdom spans both land and sea.

Serpent Symbolism: The serpent represents the longships themselves—sleek, dangerous, swift through the water. Across ThuleanNorse/Scandinavian peoples from Thule in Oikoumene, BretonianCeltic/Gaelic peoples from Bretonia in Oikoumene, and WendishSlavic peoples from Wendland in Oikoumene traditions, serpents are associated with water, with wealth (dragon-hoards), with the power that comes from the depths. The Drekarmen's ships slide through waves like serpents through grass, bringing wealth and glory home. Their clan name honors both their vessels and their accomplishments—beautiful, powerful, and worthy of song.

Luminary: Harald Hardrada (The Raven Herald)

Harald Hardrada—Hardråde, the Stern Ruler—has been reborn in Grimmloch as the Raven Herald, a luminary whose shadow stretches across fjords and shores alike. He embodies the indomitable spirit of the Dunraven Folk: fierce in battle, wise in counsel, and unyielding in his loyalty to his people.

The Raven Herald's influence extends over liminal spaces tied to death and struggle: battlefields where warriors fell in combat, storm-battered coastlines where ships were lost to raging seas, cairns marking the resting places of heroes, and places where ravens gather as omens of fate. These places resonate with his power—offering strength to those brave enough to walk within his shadow.

Liminal Aspect: The Raven's Shadow

The Raven Herald holds dominion over spaces where death, fate, and struggle intersect: battlefields where warriors clashed and fell, storm-lashed coastlines where the sea claimed ships and sailors, ancient cairns that mark where heroes rest, and anywhere ravens gather in numbers—for where ravens flock, fate is being decided.