The Llaoihrr Brownie, or Vale Brownies as the Big Folk knows them, live in a clan-based society, with each clan providing a specific product or service to be traded with the other clans and thus enhancing Brownie society as a whole. Therefore each clan has its own specific task to help organize daily life in the Vale. Each Brownie contributes in the manner best suited for him or her, as a Greengrower (gardener), a Hotfinger (a cook), a Barterer (one who does the babbling with the Big People), or any other profession. Specialisation is indeed the key in Brownie life.

Description. Llaoihrr Brownies, contrary to most other races and tribes, live in a strongly clan-based dominated society. Questions that only affect one clan are generally decided within the clan, and outside interference is generally not tolerated. Each clan has its own designated power, the means, the determination, ambition and the pride to fulfill the tasks allocated to the members to the best of their knowledge and abilities. A clan might have anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand individuals.

The single clans have a kind of topped pyramid structure. The base is formed by the apprentices and those Brownies that have not yet mastered many of the Clan’s deepest secrets. These are basically the newly accepted members and Brownies that are not likely to learn much more. As a member grows in experience, he or she climbs higher in the pyramid.

The top of the pyramid is the Clan Council, where decisions are made. Since the Council always consists of several talented and experienced Brownies adept in their own field of specialty, there is never one voice that weighs more than the others, hence the topped structure. Decisions that concern only the clan itself will be taken by this council, while decisions about more than one clan are taken by representatives of each, known as "Clan of Elders".

The Clan of Elders acts as a go-between for matters that affect more than one clan, and also makes decisions affecting all LLaoihrr, and meets year-round at the Tree Circle around the Council Tree, a magically grown, heavily populated, oversize cinnabark pine.

Joining a Clan. Every year the Vale celebrates the Feast of "Choosing Day". On this day all Brownies who have turned or will turn 15 that year choose the clan they wish to enter. They are submitted to a test to see whether they are fit to join this clan. The test varies each year.

There are many different clans to choose from (see Clan Overview section for more details), all in all about two dozen major ones and several minor ones. Once chosen and accepted, the Brownie will be trained for 15 years, and at the end of this period, another test will decide if the trainee has acquired the right skills and capacities to become an official member of the clan.

The entrance test, held on Choosing Day, is usually fairly effective in determining whether a Brownie is fit to join the clan. If he or she is not successful, he/she will get a chance to try for another clan. If a Brownie passes the test but discovers during the first years that thewrong choice was made the apprentice is allowed to change. During the next Choosing Day one can take a new test. Since ine still needs to fulfill 15 years of apprenticeship, this will Brownie be older than the other graduates.

When the apprenticeship is over and the final test is not passed, the Brownie remains apprentice for another year, and tries again the next year. Some might also take some time at this point to rethink their position in Brownie life, maybe even leave the Vale or eventually become apprentice somewhere else. Nevertheless, these occasions are extremely rare, as usually once the 15 years are over, each Brownie already has found his place in the Vale's society, is already highly respected and identifies with the role he or she has gotten accustomed to.

Brownies with a lower mental capacity or a physical disability also choose their clan, but they are given an easier test, one that is tuned to their abilities. Once accepted, these members of society will receive a little more attention than the others, but once such Brownies become full members, they will be given a certain task that they will carry out for the rest of their lives. Members with mental problems seldom rise higher, of course depending on how low their mental capacity is, and thus they are not taught many of the clan’s secrets. Nevertheless, they fulfil their own task in society, and are not treated badly by the other Brownies.

The day that the apprentices are tested and hopefully accepted is called “Naming Day”. Originally, the Brownies who were accepted as a member were given a new name, their "adult name". Later on, they picked a new name themselves. Since a few decades many of the apprentices just keep the name given to them by their parents. This day, when the Nevertheless receive a name (even if it is the name given at birth), is still called Naming Day. Like Choosing Day, Naming Day is held once a year. The date of both feasts is decided by the Clan of Elders.

Clans Overview. There exist about two dozen major clans in the Vale, and several minor ones, that we can neglect here. Most of the major ones are listed below.

• The Ferretmaster Clan:
  One of the best known clans outside of the Vale, because the famous Brownie General Greybark was a member. The members tame and train wild animals, from shrews to foxes, sometimes even larger beasts like the wolf, although this has not occurred much. Tamed shrews and other animals may be used in the household, while the larger animals like ferrets or foxes are used in the the Brownies’ ground army. All members are taught to fight.

• The Magic Clan (also known as "Clan Maj" or "Redbark Clan")
  The magic clan is the clan of the Redbarks. Other colours are allowed to enter, yet the majority are Redbarks because of their natural high affinity to Lifemagic. Trainees learn all the spells available to Brownies. It is said that in the ancient kingdom of Birn, many more powerful spells were known, but these are lost in time.

• The Skydiver Clan (also known as the "Flying Militia")
  Founded by Greybark, the trainees of the Skydiver Clan were at first drafted from other clans. Very soon, however, it became a clan itself and could be chosen directly. The Flying Militia can be seen as the air force of the Brownies, while part of the Ferretmaster Clan is the ground army.

• The Hotfinger Clan
  This is a small clan. Of course, every Brownie knows how to cook an own meal, but this clan is responsible for larger parties. Birthdays, weddings, funerals, and any other day where many Brownies need to eat at the same time, the Hotfingers take care of.

• The Bubbler Clan
  The Bubblers are responsible for a range of things, from healing potions over dyes to Brownie drinks, be they alcoholic or not. This clan among other stuff produces the famous Aohu'o Sweet Spice Mead, originating from the Aohu’o Brownies. Some humans have acquired a taste for this mead too. Another well-known low-alcoholic drink is called "Rroi uhLL" (lit. "fruit sap"), a kind of wine made from different fruits. This is not as well liked among humans as the spice mead, but Brownies are quite fond of it.
  
  The dyes that the clan produces are usually bought by the Decoration Clan to dye tapestries, and the Leather Clan to give the festive garments a nice colour.

• The Prowler Clan
  Also a smaller clan, as every Brownie learns to hunt from a very small age. This clan will mostly hunt those animals that are not easily caught, e.g. the blackbeetle. They mostly use blowpipes or bows and arrows, with a poisoned tip. Those animals that are hardest to hunt down will usually be caught only for special occasions, for example for Choosing Day.

• The Greengrower Clan
  Equivalent of Farmers to the Big People. They provide the other Brownies with vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, etc. A small part of the Grower Clan also breeds domestic shrews, mostly to be kept as pets. They forage fruits in the forest to the south, although they do not dare to go too far, and often a few Brownies from either the Hunter Clan or the Ferretmasters accompany the Foragers to guard them from perils (such as hunting owls).

• The Brightler Clan
  Every house in the Vale has at least some decorations. This can range from leaves to drawings on the walls to carved wood. Every member of the Decoration Can is able to make any of these, although they mostly specialize in one sort of decorating. They also make toys for the children.

• The Hamm’rer Clan
  This clan makes all kinds of furniture and other wooden tools. This is the clan by the way that adopted Bluetwine, later Whisper’s father. They create toys for the Brownie children, either alone or in association with the Brightler Clan, but also for the nearby human villages. These are finely-crafted wooden playthings with movable parts.
  
  Hamm'rers also invent all kinds of things to make everyday life in the Vale easier. The creation of the Brownie weapons (the sling-shot, the bow, the blowpipe etc.) and their ammunition (in case of the last two) is also part of their task. Poisons for the ammunition are made by the Brownie themselves or the Bubbler Clan.
  
  Another part of their task lies in the building of Brownie dwellings, either at the foot of a tree or on its branches. Hamm'rers are quite skilled in making the latter safe places to live in, without the danger of the house crashing to the ground below.

• The Imparter Clan (or "Cunners" as the children call them)
  Before the Brownie children turn 15, they need to know the basics. There are two kinds of teachers in this clan: those that know a little bit of everything and those who know everything about a small thing. The first group of teachers give lessons to the smaller Brownie children. They impart the basics of the skills that every child should learn, e.g. hunting, the basics of Lifemagic, herb uses, reading and writing.
  
  As the children grow older, they will receive instructions by teachers that have specialised. If they like a certain skill less, they will drop that and concentrate on those that they do like. In this way, they know in what direction lies their interest by the time they are 15.

• The Drummer Clan
  This is the clan of the musicians. Drummers play a variety of instruments (created by the Hamm'rers). With different kinds of drums and flutes they liven up the feasts (Choosing Day, Naming Day, birthdays…)

• The Leather Clan
  These are the tailors of the Brownies. For most clothing they use mouse leather skin. They tan the skin, make the threads out of fibres, and produce the clothing that most Brownies wear (boots, shirts, pants). They also weave and colour more festive clothing.

• The Bartering Clan (often called the "Babblers")
  The Brownies in this clan take care of all dealings with humans, everything from taking in orders to delivering the requested items to payments. They also attend to any visitor that might come to the Vale, because they (together with the Scribbler’s Clan Brownies) know the Tharian tongue best.

• The Scribbler’s Clan
  The archivists and scholars of the Brownies. They scribe just about everything on barks. Births, deaths, weddings, important events in Caelereth (when they hear of them), important events in the Vale (which are numerous), nothing escapes their attention. The barks are stored in the Council Tree. They are also trained to know Tharian and Stýrash.

• The Praiser Clan
  This small clan helps the Brownies to honour the Spirits of Rock and Tree. They tell young and old the stories of the Spirits, how some Brownies were rewarded and others punished.

• The Wheeler Clan
  Wheelers are the ones who take care of all transport. They bring all the things ordered, such as the Aohu’o Mead or tools from the Hamm'rers, to the people who had ordered them. A member of the Bartering Clan accompanies them to discuss the payment.

TIME TABLE OF THE VALE BROWNIE CLANS THE AGE OF AWAKENING (YEARS 1.655 B.S. - 822 B.S.) ca. 1020 b.S. Founding of the First Vale Brownie Clans The first four clans are founded at the Council Tree – four clans designed to provide the Llaoihrr with the things the Council was originally conceived for. The Military Clan is quickly renamed the "Ferretmasters" as they utilise an idea of one of the outer groups – taming animals and training them to fight. The Scribbler Clan is founded to help keep records of all the new discoveries and expertise which they have regained over the past 2000 years. The Life Magi become a new Clan too – aptly named "Clan Maj". The Hamm’rers are the group in charge of turning the Council Tree into a useable home, and the Llaoihrr's spiritual welfare is tended by the new Praisers. The Llaoihrr agree to send a certain amount of grain and materials to the Council Tree each year for as long as it is possible, to support the new Clans. In return they are promised protection, access to the library and the combined knowledge and spiritual guidance. Many Brownies move into the Council Tree to train with the new Clans, and it becomes the meeting point for all the scattered groups. A number of Brownies dislike this new idea, and they group together for support, forming their own settlement on the other, more secluded side of the river. They effectively split themselves off from the rest of the rrao-Llaoihrr and take the new name "rrao-Llaooouh" (lit: "original Vale Brownies"). 1020 b.S. to 300 b.S. The Vale Brownies develop further Clans, ranging from Hunters to Philosophers The Llaoihrr thrive under the new setup. Now they are protected from the natural and spiritual dangers of the Vale, those not assigned to this task can concentrate their efforts on improving their way of life. The Council Tree becomes the centre for new inventions and ideas; anything from better ways of building houses to the birth of Barkstudy. The lleetters (artificial wings which were originally made from bat’s wings) have their origins in this period too, and are constantly developed and improved throughout. Farming greenbark moss, the staple of the Council Tree Llaoihrr, is also perfected, along with improvements in Life Magic, mechanical woodcraft, leatherwork, and almost every aspect of life in the capital. Several new clans are also formed. The Drummers are an offshoot of the Praisers, and music becomes a recreational attraction as well as a religious one. Several hunting experts become the Prowler Clan, which provides the skill to go after more challenging prey. The Greengrowers and Bubblers are created mainly to discover and refine the poisons needed to kill larger beasts, although they quickly diversify into all manner of drinks and food preparations. After the Imparter Clan is formed all Brownie children are given a basic education in the most important things, although what exactly these are changes from year to year. THE AGE OF THE BLOOD (YEARS 822 B.S. - 50 B.S.) 298 b.S. Greybark Ferretmaster is sent by the Vale Council to Explore Outside the Vale As an initiation into the Council, Greybark is sent on a mission of discovery, to find and befriend people outside the Vale as he sees fit.    290 b.S. The Return of Greybark Ferretmaster to the Vale Greybark Ferretmaster brings news of the darkfriend threat to the Vale with his mate Whisper, and begins training the first group of the Llaoihrr Flying Militia. The wild population of most species of intelligent bird life within the Vale are somewhat reduced as the Brownies struggle to learn to look after them in a short space of time.    288 b.S. Greybark Leads the Elite Flying Brownie Militia to Carmalad The Flying Militia arrives in Carmalad and joins the alliance of free races and provides vital air support to the battles to beat back the orcish horde. The experiences they gather here form the basis of their training for hundreds of years to come. The fighting is also the first sight of Bigfolk for almost all the Brownies, which could explain some of the later myths of blood-thirstiness. After the war is won, Greybark signs mutual protection treaties with the leaders of the other races - the first step towards a united Santharia. However, this does not lead to immediate contact with other races as the Council had hoped. The Llaoihrr have been isolated and in hiding for so long, and the fear of the Outside naturally does not go away overnight. Many speak against going out into a potentially war-ridden, dangerous land when they have everything they need in the Vale.    281 b.S. The Skydiver Clan is formed One very good thing which does come out of the war is the skill with birds of prey. A new clan, the Skydivers, is formed to build on this expertise and to look after the new mounts. The Brownies' eventual aim is to be able to breed the birds, rather than having to capture them from the wild, but this only proves successful with the docile wood owls. ca. 281 b.S. to 200 Travel and Trade: The Brownies begin Trade with Kor Donion The newly mobile Brownies start to tentatively explore the land around their precious Vale. The techniques of survival from when they first populated the area are brought back into fashion and updated to work with their new feathered friends. However, the Brownies who go out pay for it themselves: the Council itself does not prevent them, but neither does it encourage it. The Praiser Clan, and many other traditionally minded individuals, are certain that the Vale was given to them by the spirits as a refuge, and going outside it will mean a lack of this sacred protection. They fear a relapse into the legendary harsh years. One intrepid explorer and Life Mage by the name of RrLL’ah Dwarffriend (a title taken after his achievements) goes down in history as the Brownie to begin the trading links with the Tenthrum Clan. There are no specific records on how he achieved this, but he is undoubtedly one of the heroes of Llaoihrr wealth. His granddaughter, Daystar, inherits the old Brownie’s powers of persuasion as well as his wealth and is the catalyst for a highly secret project which allows the two settlements to trade with relative ease. The races' strong bonds to both family and clan make it a natural, long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnership. THE ERA OF THE SOUTHERN WARS (YEARS 825 A.S. - 1.062 A.S.) 850 to 1.028 The Vale Brownies adapt to Trade with the Eyelians and the Tenthrum The Council Tree is determined to make the new trading links official, rather than leaving them to one individual as with the dwarven trading. The Eyelians' farmed food supplies and access to beautiful cloth are two things in particular which keep the Brownies coming back. Two new, small clans are formed, the Barterers, who learn Tharian in order to speak with the humans, and the Wheelers, an offshoot of the Hammr’ers who deal with transporting the goods. In 884 a.S. the Brownies enlist the help of the Tenthrum Clan to make a proper path through the treacherous gorge and into the Vale. This is partly to encourage the new trade with Kytta'erng, but also to make the entrance easier to defend. The path is just wide enough for one person or pack animal to pass fairly easily. Perches carved into the rock make excellent positions from which to fire down on an attacker and shelters mean that the Brownies can keep watch through any weather. The Brownies are still paying the Tenthrum for the work until 1065 a.S. THE AGE OF REBUILDING (YEARS 1.062 A.S. - 1.144 A.S.) ca. 1.100 New Vale Brownie Trade and New Thinking The news of other Brownie groups surviving like the Llaoihrr have managed is enough to begin a revolution in thinking. It is obvious that Brownies can indeed exist and live without the protection of the Vale. Explorers set out once more to look for friendly settlements and to map the land around their Vale. The Brownies' natural inventiveness takes on the challenge, experimenting with ways of travelling across the many furlongs of land. From this, the Arrowhead Geese Squadron is formed, a group of Skydivers who train and look after a dozen or so of the birds. These are large enough to carry goods for trade. Another shock occurs when the Llaoihrr discover the Milken Brownies around 1400 a.S. This tribe does not and has not worshiped the spirits for hundreds of years, another thing which was considered essential to Brownie survival. It changes their worship in fairly subtle ways – no longer do the Llaoihrr believe that not paying tribute will lead to disaster and death, but they do still think that the spirits can and do help them with their daily life. Someone who gives thanks for the gifts around them will receive more in the future.

2nd Changing Winds 1666 a.S. Information provided by Irid alMenie