Clans of Nocturne

Whilst the Elves of Nocturne are heavily decorated by tattoos that tell what they hold dear in their lives, no tattoos are more important to them than the first tattoo they get above their heart: the clan tattoo. This tattoo is destroyed if the wearer commits treachery towards their clan and they are branded as a Thréigean.

There are two main categories of clans: a Teaghlach (a lesser clan) and a Teaghlach Iountach (greater clan).

Teaghlach Iountach (Great Families)
There are eleven of the Teaghlach Iountach or Great Families that exist with Nocturne, though there is sizeable variance in each's power and influence.

Gan Súil (or the Blind)
One of the most powerful clans, they are largely merchants with many connections to more illicit routes of trade. They love the shrewd and detest the unwitting. Often tattooed as a blackened eye or sun.

Sleánna (or the Protectorate)
Another of the strongest clans, comprised of those who favour martial tradition and seek to further hone their skills in such areas, common areas of employment are soldiers, guards, and prize fighters. This also tends to attract people who have interests in such physicality, be those interests wholesome or not. They choose the strong and ignore those lacking in discipline. Their clan tattoos tend to depict blades and polearms.

Ardu Francaigh (or the Rats)
The youngest of the Greater Clans, having only been formed half a century ago, this clan still has many of its number being comprised of those known as thréigean (clan traitors). They are a clan that revolves around the idea that they are trapped and individual action will have no bearing, so only through uniting can they make a difference. They welcome the downtrodden and hurt, despising the rich and powerful. Due to many of the folk of this clan being thréigean, the clan tattoo is usually a ring of rats around another personal image.

Cloch Órga (or the Crown)
A clan that has grown much weaker since the summary removal of the monarchy some four hundred years ago. They still have a strong base of nobility that is respected in some parts of the city, their members either comprising those that have descended from nobility and those that served them, or some that have been swayed into joining by honeyed words, religious dogma and a remembrance of "better times". They are one of the few clans that remember the old worship of Scathrúil and perpetuate it. The tattoo of the clan is a three pronged crown of stalagmites.

Scamaill (or the Stormcloud)
A clan of healers and charitable folk, oft appearing as teachers to folks that are yet unlearned and doctors to those who are wounded. Few within this guild will provide their services for free, though they once did. The guild prefers those that are kind of soul and dedicated to study. Their clan tattoos depict clouds of fluffy whites, soft greys and darkest blacks.

Leamhan (or the Moths)
A clan of scholars that put knowledge before all else and only tending to share what is found when it conveniences them. They despise fools and laud the student and teacher. Their clan tattoos tend to either be of moths or tomes.

Chorráin (or the Crescent)
A clan of espionage and thievery for those that deal in information and subterfuge. Despite its origin as a subservient clan to Cloch Órga, since the monarchy's fall from grace this clan has been very mercenary in its operations. They tend to seek the membership of those that show skill in escaping notice or punishment, regardless of the means they use. This leading to a high amount of their literate membership being particularly astute when it comes to the wording of laws and how to twist them. Their tattoos often depict the moon, though the actual phase varies.

Brainsí (or the Branch)
Watchers of the various entrances to Nocturne, as well as hunters, gatherers and many others whose activities bring them into frequent contact with nature. Most members of the Branch are either born into it or are those that wish to escape the life of the city and it's complications. They value the careful and patient and have a distaste for those who do not respect nature. Their clan tattoos are usually related to plants, often focused on trees.

Váidh (or the Star Watchers)
A broad clan that is amongst the weakest of the Teaghlach Iountach and whose members encompass cartographers, seafarers and all those who use the night sky to guide their path. They favour the adventurous and shun the homestay. Their tattoos are often swirling constellations.

Mianta (or the Vein)
A clan of functional creators; shipwrights, stoneworkers, leatherworks, smiths and tinkerers. Anyone who creates functional craft well is welcome within the halls of the Mianta, though exceptions are sometimes made for those that gather the materials for such craft. The Mianta prefers the dedicated and driven whilst disparaging the lazy. Their tattoos often depict veins of ore within stone.

Ealaín (or the Canvas)
A small, affluent and disproportionately influential clan compose of the creators and their appreciators. This clan is largely composed of the rich few that consume fine arts and the creators that they think worthy of joining their ranks, often celebrating such selections with hedonistic parties. Many of the tattoo artists of Nocturne find home within this clan. They adore the creative and reject the dull. The tattoos of this clan are often elaborate pieces that depict sculptures or the form of artistry the individual favours.

Teaghlach (Lesser Families)
There are an untold amount of lesser families that can be found within the walls of Nocturne and amongst many other communities of Nocturnites elsewhere in the world. As such they will likely never all be listed and any player can feel entitled to create their own, especially if none of the available clans suit their purpose.

However, here are some examples of lesser clans that do exist:

Lúbraí (or the Maze)
The clan of those who seek adventure and delving into far off forgotten things. Both treasure seekers and archaeologists belong here. Strange labyrinthine puzzles adorn these folk as a clan tattoo.

Casca (or the Cask)
A clan surrounding a specific winery (and its affiliates) that is most famous for producing the red wine Tarbh Tosach. They sport a stylised depiction of a bull as a clan tattoo.