Legends of Belariath

Valencia

The Sisterhood of Silvercloud

The Silverclouds are a clan where the females are the leaders. They are the counselors, the advisers, the decision makers. Though the men are held in very high esteem, and never are they treated with anything less than absolute respect, they are the keepers of the homes, the workers of the land, the story tellers and guardians of the children. For a barbarian clan, the Silverclouds are a civilized peoples, with little experience in warfare. This is why they were easily captured for enslavement. Those that resisted were killed immediately, or tortured in front of their clan members, as a deterrent for any kind of rebellion. And so the Silverclouds were taken from their home, and enslaved. And their slavers were the Moriel. Those dark elves with even darker hearts, skilled at malicious manipulation, dirty warfare, cruel torments, and brutal tortures. Over the centuries that the Silverclouds were enslaved, their silent hatred grew until it seemed that with each generation born of the barbarian clan, their offspring inherited the seed of vengeance. It eventually came to pass, as it does with many a Moriel city, that they would break out in a great war amongst themselves. It is during one of these events that the Silverclouds managed to orchestrate their escape.

As they fled the Netherworld, they discovered that there were other races in different parts of the city who were making their escape as well. Realizing the need for coming together, the varied races became a single entity with the sole purpose of seeking freedom from a common enemy. After many weeks of travel, they happened to have made camp at the foot of a very sheer mountain range that loomed over them. Though they had agreed to search, together, for a land where they could be free, during this exodus, it was becoming apparent the many differences that had been overlooked in their desperate flight from the Moriel. Small disagreements turned into skirmishes, and soon tension was thick between all. A fight had broken out within the band of escaped slaves, and in the excitement, a child had fled and become lost. Once more, the former slaves put aside their pettiness and came together to search for an innocent. It was during this endeavor that the Dark Walk was found.

The Dark Walk, as it was named, is a winding cave that is absent of all light after stepping a few feet into it. As it begins to turn, and twist, deeply into the mountain, it seemed strange that a constant, harsh, breeze constantly blew through it, making odd wailing, and whining sounds, and making it almost impossible to keep a torch lit. After was felt like hours, a dim glow began to seep into the tunnel, growing brighter after each turn was made and then, almost suddenly, you were stepping out of, what was discovered to be, a tunnel. And before the bemused group, was a valley that was entirely protected by the surrounding mountains. Nestled in the sheer arms of its cliffs, and blanketed only by the sky. Through the middle of the valley runs a river, appearing and disappearing within the lush greenery. Another night was spent together, all races speaking calmly to decide where each race would go, what part of the valley they would claim with the promise that they would not interfere with one another. Embracing this gift from the Gods, the band of slaves entered the valley and declared it home. One last decision was made as a group, the naming of their new home: Valencia. Based on the word Vale which, for one race, is pronounced (vāl) and means: A valley, often coursed by a stream; and, for another race, is pronounced (vā´lē), and means: farewell. Both meanings suited all, and seemed inspired by fate. Thus, the races bid their farewell to one another, then went into the valley to begin their lives anew.

It would be 50 years before anyone would discover the valley. Again, a group of peoples had come to seek a new life, this time away from warfare rather than slavery. And though there was suspicion, and even some hostility, toward the newcomers, when it was plain to see that they meant no harm, and only sought a kind of freedom as the original races had, they were welcomed. In fact, they realized that it was fortuitous that these war-like people came to the valley, for they would help to protect this hidden world that all had come to depend on. They could teach those that already lived there, how to fight. And just as the original settlers had done, once this was achieved, the newcomers laid claim to their own part of the valley and built their keeps. With all the races working together, by way of leaving each other alone, but with the common goal of keeping Valencia hidden, the valley remained peaceful.

Sisters of Silvercloud

As it has been stated, the Clan Silvercloud defers to the females as the warriors of their people. These tall, amazon-like, barbarian women had been the leaders during the time before the clan's enslavement by the Moriel. So, it was reasoned that it should be those same females that would take up the sword and learn to become fighters. Traditions were born, and maintained, up to the present times, regarding the Sisters. The following is what was written so long ago:

The title of Warlordess shall be passed down from Mother to Daughter and, as such, the Daughter's training shall begin earlier than the other members of the Sisterhood. If there are female siblings, then it will be the Elder Daughter that will be first in line, the younger ones shall, then, only have the right to inherit should the Elder Daughter be found incapable, or unworthy.

In the event that the inheriting Daughter shall be deemed incapable, or unworthy, of her place as Warlordess, and there are no other Daughters of the line to take her place, then the leading council of Clan Silvercloud shall convene and choose another to take her place. And, thus, a new line of Warlordesses shall begin. And it will be -her- Daughter that shall inherit, and so on.

All females who train to become Sisters shall follow a strict Code of Honor and Commitment:

• Training shall begin at the age of 10. The age of 5 if it is the Inheriting Daughter.
• Induction into the Sisterhood will be at the age of 15.
• The Term of Service shall be until the age of 25, at which time the Sister will leave, with the honor of her servitude, to then bear children for the clan. Their Daughters will become future Sisters. Their sons the future Fathers of the Sisterhood members.
• During her Term of Service, the Sister shall remain pure in body, mind, and heart. She shall remain untouched by any male until her Term of Service is finished, her mind unclouded by anything other than absolute dedication, and her heart strong in her devotion to the Sisterhood, and Clan Silvercloud.
• When it comes time for a member to leave the Sisterhood, her Mate will then be chosen from the males who are descendants of the Sisterhood. If none are found worthy of becoming a Mate, and Father, then a tournament shall be held and the Champion shall win the honor of becoming the Mate of the Sister, and Father of future Sisters, or Fathers, of the Sisterhood, thus elevating his status within Clan Silvercloud.
• After the Sister's first child reaches the age of 2, then she shall become a Trainer of future Sisters and shall divide her time between Sisterhood and Family. When her own Daughter(s) reach the appropriate age, then they shall begin their Training.
• Befriend us, and we will die for you. Betray us and you will die by our blade. Never forgive. Never forget.

If a member of the Sisterhood becomes unworthy of her Honor as a Sister by disregarding, or breaking, the Code of Honor and Commitment, she shall be removed from the Sisterhood, and her descendants will be banned for 2 full Generations from membership.

The Silverclouds

The Clan Silvercloud, apart from the Sisterhood of Silvercloud, are comprised of many elements. The males are very highly respected as the guardians of what is the very essence of the clan: Family. They are the honored Fathers of future Sisters, Council Members, Shamans, Healers, the protectors home, and hearth. The tenders of the fields, the keepers of the land, the makings of a Druid, or Ranger. They are the tellers of stories, passing down the legends of their ancestors, the musicians, and crafters of instruments, the very epitome of a Bard. There is no weakness in their position within the Clan, they are the very backbone of what makes the Clan so valuable, and why the Sisters will fight to the death to protect it.

Everyone, outside of the web that weaves its members into the Sisterhood, has a niche within the Clan. There is a place for each member, a calling that they are welcome to follow. They are a people of simple living. They work hard, play hard, and die with the knowledge that they have contributed to the betterment of their clan, were loved by their people, and will leave an everlasting mark on future generations. For those who feel that their calling is on a higher plane, both male and female, will find themselves studying to become Shamans, and Healers. They know of very little magics, the Shamans being the most advanced in this area. Healers are skilled in what many would consider "mundane" arts, but very little magic. It is not that they are not intelligent, it is that magics are very foreign to them. They hear of other races within Valencia that are more skilled in such, but as most of the races, clans, tribes, etc., keep to themselves, there is very little learning outside of their own people.

All in all, the barbarians of Clan Silvercloud are a peaceful, loving, but fierce people. So, beware still waters, for they run deep.

**Note**

This write up is a history of what these people are, what they believe. But, the invasion of their lands will bring many changes to all the inhabitants of Valencia and so this is now only a guideline of what -was-, of what is still -possible- for those who will remain faithful to the old ways, but it is in no way what must remain in place, or dictate the future.

OOC: Though in theory a Sister could be aged from 15 upwards, in accordance with channel rules all characters will be at minimum 18.