Many Clans, 3 Tribes, 1 King

 

King Fruges Saxo 

The Minotaur Kingdom is made up of various clans surrounding the great Karisimbi Volcano with each clan belonging to one of three tribes. The tribes through their leaders select a king to rule; The king's advisors being the leaders of the three tribes.  

The Tribes

Zenith Tribe: The clans that are members of the Zenith Tribe trace their lineage back to a time prior to the volcano's eruption and consider themselves noble because of it. The clans that make up this tribe are the Burning Sky, Stormcloud, Rainsong, and Birthfire Clans. King Fruges Saxo was originally a member of the Stormcloud Clan and therefore a member of this Tribe.  The newest leader of a Tribe is Zunnarak Keenstep of Clan Birthfire, who took over after the tragic death of Aevum's mother.

Zunnarak Keenstep

Tableland Tribe: The clans that are members of the Tableland Tribe are the most public face of the Minotaur Kingdom, due to their nomadic tendencies on the plateau's and plains in the miles around Karisimbi.  The clans that make up this tribe are The Ravens, Howlers, Landbaron, and Resolute Clans. Tableland is led by Garlak Greatskull of the Landbaron Clan.  He is also the General of all the kingdom's troops, his only superior in this regard being King Saxo.

Garlak Greatskull

Vega Tribe: The clans that are members of the Vega Tribe reside in The Rift, the major valley created at the eruption of Karisimbi. It is believed that the clans that reside in the valley were survivors that were warned of the volcanic eruption by departing Cloud Giants that ruled the peaks of the great mountain. The clans that make up this tribe are Luna, Rock Island, Black Tar, and Duskhearth. Iaska Brightbody is the Vega Tribe leader. 

The Clans

1.Luna Clan: Were creatures ruled by Talbot of the wolf clan, this clan is a collection of shapeshifters made up of several smaller clans. They are by far the most difficult clan to rule and frequently find themselves embroiled in controversies. Their primary rivals are the Rock Island and Burning Sky Clans. The Luna Clan is also a primary irritant to any dragon that tries to lair in The Rift. 

Talbot

The Elemental Races

2. Rock Island Clan is made up of Earth and Water Genie races. Eabrossi hails from Rock Island, his family a long line of treasure hunters. Rhaddor Rhoj an Earth Siraati Jinnborn leads this clan.

3. Burning Sky Clan is made up of  Fire and Air Genie races.  Members of this clan frequently chafe at being part of a "minotaur kingdom" rather than the inheritors of the previous kingdom of Giants.  Several members of this clan have taken part in rebellions against previous minotaur rulers. Kamun, a warlike Ifrit, rules this clan. Tena is a member of the Burning Sky Clan

4. Black Tar Minotaur Clan: Whoever is the ruler, this clan vote is always cast with the current king.  Its been over 100 years since a Black Tar Minotaur attended a King’s Council. This clan more than any other matches the world at large's general perception of Minotaurs. The Black Tar clan is lead by Pyrestrider Nungoct. 

Pyrestrider Nungoct

5. Stormcloud Minotaur Clan traces its roots back prior to Karisimbi's eruption when Cloud Giants ruled from the great castles at Karisimbi's peaks. Until recently, the Stormcloud clan was lead by Aevum's mother Sanguine Saxo, who had served in that capacity since her husbands ascension to the throne ten years ago.  Since her untimely death, the clan's leadership has fallen to Quovig Elderhorn. 

Quovig Elderhorn

6. Rainsong Minotaur Clan is perhaps the most misunderstood clan in the kingdom, with many of its citizens becoming battle chanters, entertainers, and storymasters (historians). The Rainsong clan is also the primary educator for the kingdom, teaching feats, geography, languages, mathematics, music and musical instruments. The Rainsong Clan is always lead by their most senior educator, currently Jusca Kibruu a bard of some renown, sometimes referred to as mother. She is not believed to actually have children of her own, but considers all performers her children.  

Jusca Kibruu

7. Birthfire Minotaur Clan: This clan is known for producing a large number of albino minotaurs and an even larger number of arcane casters, usually sorcerous.  Albinism is considered a weakness, a fault in the gene pool by the majority of minotaurs, their frequent arcane talents a further proof of their less than normal status.  Many albinos from this clan leave the kingdom or seek to serve the kingdom in a land outside their borders.  Zunnarak Keenstep mentioned above leads this clan.

8. Raven Clan (Tengu) The Raven clan enjoys a unique status in the kingdom due to the uncanny fact that Minotaurs, almost universally, ADORE Tengu. There are myths surrounding them that they are nearly as adept at solving a maze as a minotaur is but for whatever reason, Tengu of the kingdom enjoy an almost "pet" like existence.  Many a foreigner has made the unfortunate mistake of abusing a Tengu in a minotaur's presence and paying the ultimate price. The Raven Clan makes their primary service to the kingdom as diplomats and spies, as they seem to be one of the few races that understands humans. Raven clan is lead by Chiru Duppol, famous for his trips to Egypt. 

Chiru Duppol

9. Howlers (Gnoll) In ancient times when the Giants ruled these lands, they kept and trained legions of shock troops made up of barbarian gnolls, and well trained soldiers made up of Flind. When the giants left these lands their gift of governance was accompanied with the responsibility of providing a homeland for the Gnolls that had served so faithfully. The Howler clan serves the minotaur kingdom to this day in much the same capacity. They are currently lead by the Flind weapon master Iyalk Etur. 

Iyalk Etur

Iaska Brightbody

10.The Lost Clan: This Pseudo Clan is what those individuals without a clan belong to. Those vanquished, that are shown mercy, unfortunates without options, and unknown races are said to belong to the Lost Clan. Over the years, several trusted advisors, confidents, cohorts, and teachers have risen to prominence as members of the Lost Clan. This has caused the general perception of this clan to improve to such a point, that its somewhat a matter of civic pride, proof of their sophistication and embrace of the giants form of society and governance. Both Kron Longscar and Zaigan are members of this clan. Lost clan members live within all the clans and lack a land they call their own. 

11. Duskhearth Minotaur Clan: The mysterious Duskhearth clan spread themselves throughout The Rift, students of the land itself.  Their practices and beliefs are often ridiculed and are not understood by those outside the clan. The other clans occupying the Rift tolerate their eccentric behaviors because of how freely they provide healing, messages, and information. Their current leader is Iaska Brightbody who also serves as Vega tribal leader. 

Lasharae Slash

12. Landbaron Minotaur Clan: The Marshalls of the Plain, the Landbaron Clan enforce the kings edicts and laws upon all citizens, guests, and creatures. Since Garlak Greatskull assumed his position as General, his son Varrak Greatskull has become the leader of the Landbaron's and Attorney General for all Marshalls. 

Varrak Greatskull

13. The Resolute Minotaur Clan: The famed flying minotaurs, this clan is the tiefling of the minotaur world.  Their bloodline clearly tainted by some extra planar source, The Resolute Clan is the most mercenary of all the clans and many leave the kingdom for wealth and adventure in the lands abroad. There are several members of this clan that serve in the king's army or work with The Marshalls. The Resolute Clan is lead by Lasharae Slash a woman famed for her cruelty to men.