Description
Clans consist of eight basic organizations: Guilds, Orders, Cults, Tribes, Covens, Courts, Circles, and Lodges. They all consist of members with a cause which they believe in, although the cause of each is different and sometimes difficult to understand. Whatever your beliefs, thoughts or devotions are, there is most likely a particular clan to which you can relate.
There is also a clan designed to help novice characters assimilate into the world of Alyria known as the Novice Clan. For more information on this clan see HELP NOVICE.
Guilds These organizations consist of members with a similar hobby, enjoyment, class, or other distinctive features. They have a common bond, and therefore strongly believe in teamwork and cooperation. Guilds are generally led by a respected member of the field or class, although most are run like a democracy, with all members of the guild having a say in decisions. (Rankings: Grandmaster/Grandmistress, Master/Mistress, Adept, Expert, Journeyman, and Apprentice)
Orders Orders, also known as fraternities or brotherhoods, are associations of holy or good-spirited people. Some orders choose to fight, specifically against the forces of evil found in cults, while others don't believe in aggression and violence as an answer to conflict. The members of orders believe that it is their duty to defeat the forces of darkness found throughout Alyria, so that the land may survive in peace. (Rankings: High Priest/High Priestess, Patriarch/Matriarch, Apostle, Judicator, Loyal Devotee, and Acolyte)
Cults Cults consist of members who have vowed their souls to the evil of the world, although some people believe they have no souls at all. They have devoted their lives in service of an evil source not fully understood by those outside each individual cult. Although they have different motives and reasons for raising the darkness, they have a common unity against Orders and to a lesser extent, the Guilds. Cults most often believe in violence as a solution, though a few may not. (Rankings: Warlord, Avatar, Templar, Avenger, Justicar, and Squire)
Tribes Tribes are tight-knit groups of people, consisting mainly of friends. Although not totally civilized, they enjoy doing things together, and depend on each other for survival. Though each member may have different beliefs or devotions, they spend the majority of their time helping each other. Tribes usually make their decisions through a Tribal Council, led by the Chief. Their reliance on violence or belief in non-aggression usually rests in the hands of the Tribal Chief. (Rankings: Chieftan, Elder, Subordinate, Aide, Servant, and Slave)
Covens These organizations consist of practitioners of witchcraft, also known as folk magic. They are led by either a High Priest or Priestess. They revere the equality, balance, and harmony of the universe in relation to personal balance, as well as supernatural forces. Covens meet regularly to utilize personal power in conjunction with the energies of their surroundings. Witches practice magick, the process of rousing or building up natural energy, giving it purpose, and releasing it. Many followers of this lifestyle focus on different forms of occult divination, ranging from astrology and numerology to rune magick. This unique organization believes in equality of its members, therefore consisting of only three divisions among its members: The Priest/ess, witches, and warlocks, those who may have betrayed the craft or community gossips. (Rankings: High Priest/Priestess, Elder, Magus, Adept, Neophyte, Apprentice)
Courts Courts are a collection of members who work to serve each other for the good of the group as a whole. They often look out mainly for their own good, although many courts form strong alliances. They follow a distinct stratification in class level, with each lower level reporting to the one above it. The leader and governor of a court is a King, who has Princes that report directly to him. They make their livings in a feudal society. Unity among courts is often very strong due to strong allegiances and homage. (Rankings: King/Queen, Prince/Princess, Duke/Duchess, Baron/Baroness, Count/Countess, and Courtier)