Clan Tattoo

Every Heortling clan has clan tattoo. Some have Tribal tattoos, and I think we do. Some bloodlines have tattoos, but I'm not so sure about that for us.

What does our clan tattoo look like? Always tempting to imagine some sort of figurative thing, but at least in Sartar, clan tattoos are often not figurative, rather geometric and simple: Lines arranged in stripes or circles in a specific order and place for example.

Families of the Clan

All of this is just a proposal awaiting Chris' OK.

While all the clan is really family (to the point that marriage is only exogamous, outside the clan) there are still smaller, family units that clans people identify with to a greater or lesser extent.

By Esrolian tradition and since the Clan Shame at the end of Aranda's War, legal descent is from the matrilineal line.

The High Clan, the Eldest Grandmothers.

Since the founding of the clan, the majority of Clan Grandmothers (chieftainesses) have come from the Rhegos Clan, including Flo, the current Grandmother. Thanes are more likely to be of the High Clan as well. All but one of the Earth Women of the clan are of the Rhegos, who trace their ancestry back to some of the Ancient Queens of Esrolia. Wegalda Calmstorm is a notable ancestor, the last Westhill Grandmother to be Queen of the Emarjela Tribe 150 years ago.

Notable Members: Queen Corisand, Grandmother Flo, Evina Coinshield

Jalbara, the Land Women

The Jalbara Women say they were here when the Westhill first moved here, and have been here since Time began. Their ways were different and tied strongly to the locale. Children of this family are more likely to be unusually aspected with ties to the spirit world for example, or Stasis. Grandmothers of this family often worship Ty Kora Tek and Mothers worship Esra, the grain daughter. Few members of this family rise above initiate status in their cults, not feeling the call to devotion. They hold Flesh Man in high regard as the giver of Common Magic.

The Jalbara are the most numerous family.

Notable Members: Imarjan Blackface

Sothos, the Rock Rams

The Sothos claim to be the last descendants of the ruined clan joined to the Westhill in the Darkness, by Vingkot's command. Uniquely in the clan, a man has been the head of the family in historical memory, though not currently. Most members are shepherds, herders, hunters and fishermen. The Sothos know the nearby woods better than any other family, and sometimes they worship unusual gods like Ormalya the Bear. The clan priest of Orlanth is Vadak Mountain Shout, husband to Grandmother Enj Sothos. Their clan house at the Westhill seat is smallest, as many of their members live outside the compound all year.

Notable Members: Stubby Holar, Big Varu.

Salt and Honey

Of all the things the clan must have, the one that they can't get on the Westhill tula is salt. Clan explorers have searched for generations, and Ernalda priestesses have prayed for guidance, but none has ever been found.

So the clan gets salt by trading, usually for honey and furs. The only Issaries trader who makes a habit of coming to the tula is getting old, and this worries the clan Ring. Some day, the Westhill may have to send traders to other clans to get salt.

Winter Snows and Shoes

Winter snows can be very heavy in Westhill lands. Some years, digging out after a storm is more tunnel making than path clearing. Most families consolidate into the single largest roundhouse they have, and important livestock is sheltered in them too. Every roundhouse has a ladder that reaches to the top of the smoke hole, and roofs are built much more sturdily than in the lowlands.

Because of the winter conditions, everyone in the Westhill knows how to use snowshoes. And many can ski.