Avvar: Warrior Societies

An Avvar warrior is not a class. It is "one who wars". A soldier. A protector. A follower of Haa'kon. Whether warrior, rogue or mage, all can be an Avvar warrior and there are Warrior Societies that cater to all types of skills needed for war against the lowlanders and more commonly, unfortunately, against other Avvar in blood feuds.

However, it must be noted, that Guardians roles are that of protectors of the Avvar and they will not be drawn into blood feuds, though they will protect their Holds.

Of Guardians
All Guardians belong to a society and can only ever belong to one society, they can never switch. Thus they tend to join a society that compliments the type of Guardian they are. So Sky Guardians tend to be members of societies that are rogue based. Often the Avvar take their weapons more seriously than they do marriage (thus a smith is highly regarded, as well as being rare - since there are so few forges or metals to forge with). It is the one thing in Avvar culture that is not changeable but stable - it is as rigid as their hatred for lowlanders.

Though there is an adaptability in the role of Guardian there is one thing that must be noted - Sky Guardians cannot be of the warrior or mage class and Stone Guardians cannot be of the rogue or mage class. Within their roles their is some flexibility; a Stone Guardian does not always remain in a Hold (but more commonly acts as guardian of a Hold and protector of the Elders and Shaman) and a Sky Guardian does not constantly wander amongst the clans and villages.

Of Warrior Societies
The warrior societies are one of the most rigid part of Avvar culture. They have strict rules and specific training. They are feared by Fereldens, not just as Raiders but their prowess in battle and their ruthlessness and hatred of lowlanders hints at the potential for a war with the Avvar. However it is the tribal fracturing that stops them taking the lowlands, their infighting and lack of unity the only thing stopping the Avvar from taking back the land they believe is rightfully theirs. The Fereldens fear the Avvar uniting behind a single charismatic leader, as they did against the Imperium (behind Mafarath).

A note on loyalty to a Warrior Society: The lines of loyalty amongst tribe/clan, Hold and society are tangled; but, roughly, allegiance to one's warrior society trumps tribe/clan/hold allegiance. This appears counter-intuitive until one remembers that the Avvar are a very fractured society; since Avvar from any Hold or village can join any society, and will not raise weapons against fellow society members, this allows open lines of diplomacy between all tribes/clans/Holds at all times. Some Avvar even sojourn with their societies to avoid participating in blood feuds.

The Twelve
Each society has a specific history and practices that make them unique. Their sense of brotherhood (or sisterhood) means they avoid other members of their society in conflict and will kill others instead.

Ailt-sgèine Làmhach
Type of Society: Rogue

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: Various small knives for stabbing and/or throwing; stealthy; as close to an Avvar assassin as you will get.

Common names: Knife Hands

Visual distinctions: They always cover their faces.

Common territory: Foothills, lowland towns and villages.

Misc: It is rumoured they have assassinated Thanes and influential members of Holds.

Na h-òighean Lann
Type of Society: Warrior

Specific Gender: Female only

Specialisation: Saracen swords

Common names: Daughters of the the Curved Blades

Visual distinctions: The bandana they wear on their forehead is drenched in the blood of their last kill.

Common territory: Southern Frostbacks

Misc: n/a

Na h-òighean Iùbharach
Type of Society: Warrior & Rogue Mix

Specific Gender: Female only

Specialisation: Avvar Longbow

Common names: Daughters of the Bow

Visual distinctions: n/a

Common territory: Valleys and high ridges.

Misc: Common for Sky Guardians to be a member of this society.

Art-theine Madrach-allaidh
Type of Society: Warrior

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: Hammers of Korth

Common names: Stone Wolves

Visual distinctions: Faciel tattoos of the symbol of the Mountain Father.

Common territory: Defenders of Holds and Villages.

Misc: Commonly a society the Stone Guardians join

Deirge Lann
Type of Society: Warrior & Rogue Mix

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: All kinds of blades

Common names: Red Blades

Visual distinctions: Their blades always have red hilts

Common territory: Unknown. They roam.

Misc: n/a

Dréagan Brionn-shùileach
Type of Society: Mage

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: Pyromancy

Common names: Dragon Eyes

Visual distinctions: Markings of dragon eyes covering their forearms

Common territory: All over the Frostbacks

Misc: n/a

Na comh-bhràthair Seigh
Type of Society: Rogue

Specific Gender: Male only

Specialisation: Archery, short and long bows

Common names: Brothers of the Hawk

Visual distinctions: Tattoos of hawk deity on their faces

Common territory: All over the Frostbacks

Misc: n/a

Niula Ruagair
Type of Society: Rogue

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: Hand axes, hunters, trackers

Common names: Dawn Hunters

Visual distinctions: Rising sun painted on their armour.

Common territory: Northern Frostbacks

Misc: n/a

Na Comh-bhràthair Casarnach
Type of Society: Rogue & Mage Mix

Specific Gender: Male only

Specialisation: Archery and magical arrows

Common names: Fork Light Brothers

Visual distinctions: They have arrows blessed by their Sisters of the Fork. The arrows are imbued with electricity.

Common territory: Central Frostbacks

Misc: Each brotherhood has contact with one mage who ritually imbues their arrows. They do not only use these arrows, of course.

Beinn Dhannsair
Type of Society: Warrior

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: Longswords, lightweight

Common names: Mountain Dancers

Visual distinctions: n/a

Common territory: Unknown

Misc: Their style of swordplay is very unusual for the Avvar, they call their movements a "dance with swords".

Dubh-thràth Astas
Type of Society: Warrior

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: Spears

Common names: Twilight Spears

Visual distinctions: n/a

Common territory: Eastern Frostbacks

Misc: n/a

Ain Iarradair
Type of Society: Mage

Specific Gender: Both

Specialisation: Unknown

Common names: Water Seekers

Visual distinctions: Unknown

Common territory: Unknown

Misc: n/a