The Clearwater elves are in many ways a typical
nomadic elven tribe – chaotic and independent, yet loyal
to each other, willing to die to protect the tribe and
fighting viciously if its security is ever threatened. They are
somewhat better organized than other elven tribes, such
as the Swiftwings, but they still present a confused and
somewhat bizarre impression to outsiders.
Clearwater chiefs are chosen once every two to four
years, by consensus among all clan elders. Chiefs are
absolute rulers only in battle, when their orders are obeyed
instantly and to the letter. In peacetime, chiefs seek out
the advice of elders, and they make decisions based on
consensus opinion.
Society centers around several pursuits, the most
important of which is trade. Although many Clearwater
elves serve the tribe as warriors, most possess at least
some skill as traders. What a Clearwater elf does not
know about business and barter is generally considered
not worth knowing.
A Clearwater elf's primary loyalty is to his tribe.
Individuals are never left in jeopardy; those who are
captured or otherwise menaced by outsiders tend to
vanish. The murder of a Clearwater elf will invariably
bring about revenge by the entire tribe, although that
revenge may be delayed for years.
The tribe consists of a dozen clans, each containing
from 300 to 700 members. The tribe's total population is
around 5,000. Each clan has its own history, traditions, and
symbols, as briefly described in the following paragraphs.
Marriage between members of different clans is
acceptable but rare. Any children who result from such
marriages choose which of their parents' clans they wish
to join when they reach the age of ten.
Each clan has a symbol, usually worn as a threedimensional emblem around clan members' necks.
Fireshapers
This group is primarily a wizardly clan, with a large
number of clerics and a few warriors. As may be gathered
from their name, the Fireshapers specialize in magic of a
fiery nature, with a large number of invokers and clerics
of the elemental sphere of fire.
The clan's symbol is a single orange and red flame; most
house ceremonies involve the creation and contemplation
of elemental fire. The ten highest-ranking warriors fight
with ancient steel flame tongue swords, while the highestranking warrior (chosen each spring in tournaments of
deadly combat) earns the right to bear the tribe's sacred
sun sword. This sword is the symbol of the Fireshapers'
heritage; if it is ever lost or stolen, the entire clan will
direct its abilities to retrieving it and punishing the thief.
Fireshapers sell weapons, fine clothing (usually with a
flame motif), and spell components. Their steel weapons
are considered sacred to the family. These are offered
only as gifts to those who have served the clan or made a
great sacrifice. It is known that the dwarven hero Tolkas
of Ledopolus wields one of their flame tongue swords, but
neither he nor the Fireshapers will say what he did to
receive it.
Graffyons
Named after an extinct species that the Clearwaters
claim was once common in the mountains of Athas, the
Graffyons are a warrior house that produces many elite
fighters. By tradition, Graffyons do not perform magic;
any clan members who show a talent for such things are
allowed to join another clan where their skills can be
properly nurtured.
Graffyons engage in extensive combat rituals and
tournaments with other clans, which helps hone their
martial skills.
Graffyons trade mostly in weapons, although their
domestic animals – kanks, crodlu, and inix – are well
trained and reputed to be among the best available.
This clan may sometimes be persuaded to part with one
of its valuable steel weapons, but the price offered must
be considerable, or the service rendered great. Graffyon's
symbol is a four-clawed talon gripping a stone or uncut
gem.
Graystar
Along with the Sandrunners, the Graystars serve the
Clearwater tribe as scouts. They also scout the desert
around the tribal encampment, checking for the approach
of possible enemies. Graystar scouts bear the gray, sixpointed star that is the clan symbol, usually tattooed
between the eyes or in the center of the forehead. Graystar elves are among the most independent and antisocial of
the Clearwaters. They usually only spend short periods
of time with the tribe before venturing off into the desert
again. While in the desert they are not above engaging
in occasional raids against caravans or other elven tribes.
Graystars do not engage in trade often, as they are
rarely around long enough to do so. When they do,
they offer fine cloaks, the dried meat of animals which
they hunt, shoes and boots, bone or stone weapons, or
booty gathered while exploring (and sometimes raiding) in
the desert. Graystar elves bear crudely carved, six-pointed
stars of gray stone.
Lightning
Members of the Lightning clan specialize in weather
and earth magic, with large numbers of invokers and
abjurers. Members wear black or blue tunics with small
stylized lightning bolts on the sleeves or collars. Groups
from this clan often journey into the desert to raise quasielemental lightning as part of tribal rituals. It is not
unusual to see a circle of Lightning clan elves gathered
in the wasteland, directing lightning, fireballs, and other
destructive spells into deserted areas while retelling epic
stories of the tribe or adopting a new member into their
ranks. They rarely use weapons, preferring cloaks or rings
of protection and invisibility spells for defense, and wands
or rings of fireballs or lightning bolts for attack. The
wand of wonder is the most valued magical item for the
Lightning elves. Only one of these items is possessed
by the clan, and they hold it in awe similar to the
Fireshapers' reverence for their sun swords.
Lightning elves will eagerly sell spell components.
Virtually any kind is available, although costs are always
high, and they sell only to those they trust. Enchanted
items, such as staffs, rods, wands, and clothing, are
available from these elves as well, but they will sell only
to those whom they are certain will never injure the
Clearwater tribe.
Onyx
The Onyx clan specializes in espionage and
assassination. They also practice magic associated with
stealth and concealment, and they value any enchanted
items that enhance these qualities. They dress in black
for ceremonial occasions, but they wear whatever color
best hides their movements at all other times. Their name
derives from the razor-sharp, polished onyx daggers they
traditionally carry. Magical stone daggers with names like
Lifeseeker and Ender are used for special missions. These
are sometimes sold to trusted non-elven friends.
The Onyx rarely deal in legitimate merchandise,
preferring to sell stolen or forbidden items in secret, backalley deals. They will steal any item for a price, although
they will do this only for those who have proven their
trustworthiness. It is said that the Onyx are responsible
for the deaths of several templars in Draj after the recent
troubles there, but nothing has ever been proven.
Sandrunners
Like the Graystars, the Sandrunners serve the Clearwater
tribe as scouts, running ahead of the tribe as it travels
from place to place. Their symbol is a crodlu carved of
obsidian or other black stone, set in a circlet of bronze
or tan stone.
The Sandrunners are far more sociable than the
Graystars. They are a constant presence at Clearwater
feasts and celebrations, where they frequently challenge
Fireshapers and Stonecutters to drinking contests or feats
of skill. Sandrunners are popular in human circles. They
have even performed on rare occasions before sorcererkings, for their singers and dancers are known far and
wide as performers of unparalleled skill.
As merchants, the Sandrunners are canny and eager
to deal (although their ‘deals’ often leave their customers
wondering how they came to lose so much money for such
shoddy goods). They favor dealing in gems, jewelry, wines,
and musical instruments. Enchanted instruments, such
as chimes, harps and pipes, can sometimes be purchased
from this clan. Some disgruntled customers claim that the
Sandrunners' magical items cease working as soon as the
Clearwater tribe has left the area.
Seafoam
The Seafoam elves boast a wide variety of skills. They
are all-purpose servants of the Clearwater tribe – warriors,
wizards, scouts, traders, accountants, seers, healers, and
clerics. Their trade skills are considerable, and they deal
in almost any item. The Seafoam clan's symbol is a pyramid carved of green stone.
Silverleaves
The Silverleaves serve the Clearwater tribe primarily
as accountants and traders. They are responsible for
managing and protecting the tribe's wealth. A few are
warriors, but large-scale military action is left to other
houses. The Silverleaves 's wizards and psionicists are
skilled in the arts of detection and stealth; it is they who
safeguard the elven market from intrusion by enemies.
The clan's symbol is a small leaf of silvery metal or shiny
stone.
The Silverleaves are the most highly skilled merchants
in the tribe; nearly all are of the trader class. Like the
Seafoam clan, the Silverleaves can obtain virtually any
item, licit or illicit, for a price. Psionicists and mages
are constantly on guard for templars, informants, and
dishonest traders.
Songweavers
After learning many artistic trades from the Ledopolus
dwarves, the Songweaver clan went on to become the most
skilled artisans in the Clearwater tribe. Many different
classes serve the Songweavers, but all must possess at least
some artistic skill. Songweaver warriors design, tool, or cast
their own armor and weapons; wizards carve and enchant
staves and wands; clerics craft their own elemental symbols
and garb. Art produced by the Songweavers always fetches
high prices. Some of it graces even the palaces of sorcererkings.
Songweaver traders deal in artwork, clothing, cloth,
silk, gems, and fine jewelry. They are not particularly
underhanded in their dealings, for they know that their
work is highly valuable even without deception. Many
of the Songweavers' items are enchanted, in addition to
being masterful works of art. The Songweaver clan symbol
is a coil of green and gray material.
Steeljaw
Clan Steeljaw takes its name from an ancient species
of extinct carnivores. Metalsmiths and weapon makers,
Steeljaw supplies Clearwater with its weapons and armor.
Most of these weapons are nonmetallic, but a few are
still made of fine steel. These weapons are highly valued
by the Clearwater elves; they are rarely sold to outsiders.
Elves of this house are also fierce warriors.
Steeljaw wizards and psionicists are all combat oriented,
using offensive abilities against Clearwater 's enemies
with ruthless efficiency. Trade is generally with other
warriors, who consider Steeljaw weapons of bone, stone,
and obsidian almost the equal of some metal weapons.
Enchanted weapons may sometimes be bought, for an
exorbitant price. The Steeljaw symbol is the snarling head
of a long-muzzled, fanged mammalian carnivore.
Wavedivers
Wavedivers are spellcasters and clerics who specialize
in water-based spells. High-level clerics are able to gate
in water for the tribe when supplies run low, or as trade
goods when visiting water-poor regions.
As traders, Wavedivers are pleasant and friendly, for
elves. They sell water, vessels to hold it, and enchanted
items that help find it. The Wavediver symbol is a circle
of polished stone that contains a stylized blue wave.
Windriders
Scout riders, evokers, and clerics of elemental air, the
Windriders claim to once have ridden gigantic birds
into battle, before the species became extinct and the
Clearwater elves forever tied to the earth. Today, their
scouts and spells help the elves survive in the wilderness
and help foil the plans of the tribe's enemies.
Windrider warriors fight with bows, spears, and other
missile weapons. In close combat they favor light weapons,
such as rapiers, short swords, etc. Some are made of metal;
these are jealously guarded and never sold. Magical items
of an aerial nature and items that convey the power
of flight are particularly valued. Cliffglider-riding scouts
can sometimes be seen traveling in the vanguard of the
advancing Clearwater tribe. The clan symbol is a blue
and white spiral.