The Lunar Tribes
The Lunar Tribes are the oldest and most deeply rooted faction within the Lunar Covenant, tracing their origins back to the first worshippers of Lunarel, the Eternal Moon. Unlike the mystics of the Circle of Shadows or the warriors of the Crescent Blades, the Lunar Tribes are nomads, hunters, and shamans, living in harmony with nature and the sacred cycle of the moon.
The Lunar Tribes do not see themselves as a unified nation in the way the Solar Empire does—instead, they resemble a vast network of clans and extended families, bound by shared traditions, blood ties, and oaths to the gods and the spirits. While some have settled in villages and even built fortified sanctuaries, most still follow the seasons, living as their ancestors did—moving with the seasons, the tides, and the stars
They see themselves as the true guardians of the eastern lands, bound by an unspoken covenant with Lunarel to protect the balance between the mortal world and the unseen realms. To the Solar Empire, they are rebels, heretics, and heathens, but to the Lunar Covenant, they are the pulse of their people, the living connection between the gods and the earth.
Despite their deep spiritual traditions, the Lunar Tribes are not stagnant—they adapt to new threats, new omens, and new wars, even as they carry on the legacy of their ancestors, their spirits, and their gods. While the Twilight Accord seeks political solutions and the Circle of Shadows delves into esoteric mysteries, the Lunar Tribes live their faith—their existence is proof that the old ways have not been forgotten.
"The moon guides our steps, the land sings our story."
The Role of the Lunar Tribes in the Covenant
The Lunar Tribes serve as the backbone of the Covenant, providing warriors, resources, and spiritual guidance. While the Twilight Accord handles diplomacy and politics, and the Circle of Shadows delves into esoteric mysteries, the Lunar Tribes keep the Covenant connected to its roots.
They are:
- Wardens of the Sacred Land – The tribes consider the forests, mountains, and rivers of the east to be holy, filled with spirits, ancient wisdom, and echoes of the Forgotten God.
- Survivalists and Nomads – Many tribes are semi-nomadic, following the moon’s cycle and the movements of sacred creatures, living off the land while respecting its balance.
- Spiritual Guides – The tribal shamans and druids act as spiritual leaders, guiding their people through visions, dreams, and communion with the spirits of nature.
- Warriors of the Wild – Though they do not seek war, the Lunar Tribes are ferocious defenders of their homeland, fighting with guerilla tactics, elemental magic, and the aid of their animal kin.
Unlike the Twilight Accord, which seeks political solutions, the Lunar Tribes believe that true strength comes from the land and the spirits who walk it.
Tribes of the Lunar Covenant
The Lunar Tribes are not a monolithic group—they are a collection of clans and extended families, each with their own customs, traditions, and spiritual practices. Though they share a common reverence for Lunarel, their philosophies and ways of life vary.
Some noteworthy tribes are included here:
Veydrak-Tal (ᚡᛖᛃᛞᚱᚨᚲ-ᛏᚨᛚ)
Tribal Name: The Silverfangs
Description: The Silverfangs are the fiercest warriors among the Lunar Tribes, known for their deep connection to beasts, spirits, and the primal forces of the land. Many among them bond with moon-touched animals, fighting alongside wolves, great eagles, or spectral stags.
Culture & Beliefs:
- They believe that the spirits of great warriors return as beasts to guide their people.
- Rite of the Moon Hunt – Young warriors undergo a trial where they must track a sacred beast under the full moon, proving their connection to nature.
- Many are skilled in animal shape-shifting, spirit communion, and primal combat.
Relationship with the Covenant:
- They provide skilled rangers, scouts, and beast-mounted warriors to the Covenant’s armies.
- Their druids and shamans are often sought for guidance by the Circle of Shadows.
Ethelduin (ᛖᛏᚺᛖᛚᛞᚢᛁᚾ)
Tribal Name:The Mistborn
Description: The Mistborn tribe live in the deepest forests and mist-covered valleys, rarely seen by outsiders. They claim to be the last keepers of knowledge about the Forgotten God, the entity that predates even Solenara and Lunarel.
Culture & Beliefs:
- They believe that the past has been erased, and that the Church of the Radiant Flame seeks to bury forbidden truths.
- The Ritual of Echoes – A sacred trance ritual where they attempt to contact the echoes of the past, piecing together history through dreams and visions.
- They practice mystic fog-casting, using enchanted mists to conceal themselves and their settlements.
Relationship with the Covenant:
- The Twilight Accord views them with suspicion, fearing that they meddle with dangerous forces.
- The Circle of Shadows seeks their hidden knowledge, believing they possess lost prophecies and forbidden truths.
Tseran-Kai (ᛏᛋᛖᚱᚨᚾ-ᚲᚨᛁ)
Common Name: The Wandering Kin
Description: The The Wandering Kin are an entirely nomadic people, traveling across the eastern lands in massive caravans. They are known for their star-mapping, fortune-telling, and celestial magic, reading the night sky for signs of Lunarel’s will.
Culture & Beliefs:
- They believe that the movements of the stars are messages from the gods and record celestial changes in great woven tapestries.
- The Dance of the Wandering Moon – A festival held once a year, where tribes gather to exchange stories, knowledge, and goods.
- Their warriors specialize in mounted combat and archery, using swift-hit-and-run tactics.
Relationship with the Covenant:
- They act as messengers and diplomats, ensuring the Lunar Covenant remains connected across vast distances.
- The Twilight Accord often relies on their knowledge of the land to plan strategy.
Vael’thorin (ᚡᚨᛖᛚ’ᛏᚺᛟᚱᛁᚾ)
Common Name: The Duskborn
Description: The Duskborn are the most reclusive of the Lunar Tribes, living near sacred wells and underground lakes said to be blessed by Lunarel. They are skilled in healing magic, water scrying, and dream-walking, guiding lost souls to peace.
Culture & Beliefs:
- They believe that the moon’s reflection in sacred water holds messages from beyond the veil.
- The Ritual of the Still Water – A meditation ritual, where initiates stare into a still pond until they receive their first vision.
- Their warriors fight using fluid, dance-like movements, mimicking the flow of water.
Relationship with the Covenant:
- They provide healers and seers to Covenant forces, aiding in both spiritual and physical battles.
- The Circle of Shadows values their deep understanding of fate and prophecy.
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