Wendol Clans (Ven-dol)

The Wendol are a nomadic people. The tribe itself is divided into five clans. The Bear, Wolf, Raven, Horse, and Horn. Each clan is governed by a clan chieftain. But all clan chiefs serve under the tribal chieftain who oversees the wellbeing of the entire tribe. They have earned a reputation as fierce and hardy warriors. Whom mostly fight from horseback. The Wendol roam the Wildlands grazing their herds of sheep, horses, and goats. The Wendol are known for painting their faces and bodies before going into battle. The wolf and the bear are considered scared animals to the Wendol. So, the warriors that wear these hides are considered privileged for they have performed a tasks worthy of admiration. Hence why many of these warriors are apart on the military chain of command. The majority of Wendol warriors will go into battle with no chest armor. But will wear leather kidney belts for some protection. Leather armor or even chain mail is usually worn by the calvary. Like their weapons they’ll scavenge armor from fallen enemies. Wendol warriors are not just men there are many women that fight for the Wendol. These female warriors are fiercer than their male counterparts. To make up for their small stature the women warriors train harder than the men honing their technique to a finer edge than the men; who usually relay on strength more than technique. The warriors that are on horseback typically fight with composite bows or lances and either a sword, ax, or club depending on the warrior’s preference as a secondary weapon. The infantry of the Wendol carry oval or round shields that have iron bosses in the center. They wield spears as a primary weapon and again a sword, ax, or club as a secondary weapon. There are however warriors that will wield a javelin instead of a spear and will act as a screening force for the main infantry force. Amongst the Wendol there is an elite core of warriors known as the Draugar. These warriors are bodyguards to the tribal chief. They carry two handed axes. As well as a longsword. They wear chainmail and helmets and of course a wolf or bear hide over the helmet. The Draugar only fight on foot due to the fact that they can’t properly use their large axes on horseback. They are used as shock troops to break an enemy shield wall and exploit gasps in enemy formations.   When on the move the Wendol form a large can caravan. The chief will be out in front with the Draugar behind. The traders and non-combatants will be in the center behind the Draugar. The infantry will be marching on both flanks of the non-combatants and then the mounted warrior will be riding outside of the infantry. Every family has a horse with a travois attached to it. The Travois carries all the family’s belonging on it; as well as the tent. The tradesmen tend to have carts instead of travois that way they can carry more heavier items like anvils for example. There are many herd animals like horses, goats, and sheep at the end of the caravan. All the herds are guarded. But the horse herds are the most heavily guarded. When not on the move the Wendol form a laager. The laager is organized with the chief’s tent in the center with the shaman’s tent next to it and both of them are surrounded by the Draugar, then the tradesmen’s tents, and finally the warriors’ tents. The warriors’ tents have the oldest warriors closest to the center then the men in their prime, and finally the youngest, least experience warriors on the outer edge. Now the warriors’ families do live with them and in case the laager is attacked the non-combatants will retreat to the center of the laager and will be protected by the Draugar. The chief will rally the warriors and fight accordingly. The herds are kept within view on the laager that way if they’re attacked warriors can quickly come to their defense.