The Clans:
In the regions of Aethenu there are many diffrent family groups known as "Clans." Most Clans are inter-married and belong to long ancient bloodlines that date back some thousands of years before the Elves ran amuck the Lands. Some clans are known for their wares, warriors, scholars, inventors; some are known for their treachery, others are known for their nobility and honorable deeds or horrendous atrocities. Regardless, each clan has played it's part in the survival as a collective nation. Before the unification of Aethenu under one Lord.Khan there was an endless struggle for power. The title "Lord.Khan" comes from the nomadic "Smoke Jaguar" clan, cobining a clan system with a fuedal government.
There was a period of time spanning of about 200 years that no monarch was to be had in Aethenu and the regions were stained with the blood of warriors of each clan. Unification began when an intrusion into clan space was detected by outrunners of the "Wolf" clan. (The Wolf Clan: Was a barbaric blue tartan wearing family. The only peoples known to associate and accept dwarven kind into their families. Known in the Northwind Highlands as "cave lords." Their warriors tattooed their entire bodies in tribal patterns that their druids read from the stars.) Unifying under the strongest clan seven warden clans followed the"Smoke Jaguar" into a maelstrom known as the "First Succession of war." Fighting off armies from the Eastern lands who had come to survey Aethenu for raw materials and for colonization. The campaign ended in fuming debates and proposals as to the tactical value of the new comers, whether they were a threat or not. The campaign ended in frustration for "Jaguar" cheiftains, wanting to eradicate the new breed of men from the East. Lowland skirmishes ended in a quick withdrawal and terms from the invading force, the first Elders came to an accord with the men of the East.
Peace was shortlived as the winter came, a formidable army was sighted outside of Aethenu, marching straight into the heartland of Aethenu, the "Jaguars" finally declared a Lord. Khan to lead the resistance, Lord.Khan Nicholas Kerensky and with him 800 men followed, the best warriors from each clan, held up a pik line and an ancient fortress named "Blood Moor Keep" it's name sake coming from the Blood Moor Plain it laid upon. Holding the fortress until each clans could lend sufficient aid, the 800 men on the Blood Moor Plain stood their ground and held under the onslaught of at least three times the force they were. The seige lasted for 12 grueling days until finally the gates fell, and inside the Eastern Men found Aethenric bezerkers all ready for death's note. The surviving men of the battle were that of Aethenric blood, amazingly the fortress held and the main Aethenric force reached the plain just as the Eastern forces began to pull out. Cutting their losses they surveyed other lands for possible colonization.
It was apparent that Nicholas Kerensky was strong enough to Rally the Clans and was declared the First ever Lord.Khan of Aethenu.
