Players Companion: Demi-human Clans

The political leader of a clan is called the Clanmaster, the spiritual is the Keeper of the Relic.  A player character does not normally gain any of these titles; they require great amounts of work and time, leaving none for adventuring.  The highest rank normally achieved by a PC demi-human is that of Clanholder.  A Clanholder serves the clan, and may indeed own the structure of the clan stronghold, but does not control the clan members.

The demi-human races care little for human politics, and Clanmasters and Keepers do not seek human dominion titles.  But a PC Clanholder may seek and achieve a title (Baron, Count, etc.) by representing the clan in its dealings with humans.  Permission must first be obtained from the Clanmaster and Keeper, but this is a common practice (especially if the PC owns the stronghold).

Illustration by Larry Elmore

Each demi-human clan has a sacred item, called a “Relic,” which is kept in the center of the clan stronghold.  The Relic is tended by a Keeper and 2-8 aides.  The Relic in each dwarven clan is a Forge of Power;* in each elven clan, a Tree of Life;** and in each halfling clan, a Crucible of Blackflame.

*see XS2 "Thunderdelve Mountain" (1985)

**see CM5 "Mystery of the Snow Pearls" (1985); CM7 "The Tree of Life" (1986)

The position of Keeper is hereditary; each Keeper passes the secret knowledge of the tending and use of the Relic to his or her son or daughter, never writing down any details, lest they be stolen.  This secret knowledge includes details of constructing a special item, as given in each class description.