Some notes on the Kheldon Tribe that might be of interest:
The Kheldon or “Red-Haired” tribe came into Dragon Pass circa 1400, as part of the Second Wave of settlement. They were led by the Red Haired Women and settled in the Killard Vale, the sacred valley where the demigod Heort was born. They were originally called the Black Rock clan and got their name from a black stone that Orlanth hurled from the heavens and gave to the Red Haired Women as a weapon.The Kheldon appointed themselves the guardians of the Four Sacred Hills, but permitted other groups to offer sacrifices and even have shrines and temples at these sacred sites. When Sartar came to the land, the Kheldon Ring pledged their support and friendship, and the tribe has always been closely linked to the House of Sartar.At this time, the Kheldon have about 4000 members in their tribal lands. They have about 1600 free adults, 600 semi-free tenants and herders, 1200 children and 110 notables, in about 170 households. They are divided four clans:
Black Rock Clan. This is a large and powerful clan, led by the Vinga cult and its “Red-Haired Women.” They number about 1300 members, and claim the lands around the Four Sacred Hills, although much of the clan resides in Boldhome or Lambnet Fort.
Deer Clan: This clan farms the rich valley lands between Goodfork and Lambnet Fort.
Vanstali: This clan is centered on Guilder Town and Swenstown. They control the rich mines north of Guilder Town.
Heran: At 700 members, this is the smallest of the Kheldon clans, and controls the hills around Two-Hour Town.
The most famous member of the Black Rock clan is of course Kallyr Starbrow.
I kind of imagine the Killard Vale as being something like the valley of Estes Park, for those familiar with that area. It is this almost magical valley high up (its elevation is about 1000 meters), surrounded by mountains and high distinct hills. Maybe it is the Jackson Hole of Glorantha.
I’m sure with a little thought I can find some good comparison points in the Alps, Pyrenees or the Cantrabrians.
KHELDON
The Kheldon or “Red-Haired”tribe came into Dragon Pass circa 1400, as part of the Second Wave of settlement. They were led by the Red Haired Women and settled in the Killard Vale, the sacred valley where the demigod Heort was born. The clan got their name from a black stone that Orlanth hurled from the heavens and gave to the Red Haired Women as a weapon. The Kheldon appointed themselves the guardians of the Four Sacred Hills, but permitted other groups to offer sacrifices and even have shrines and temples at these sacred sites. When Sartar came to the land, the Kheldon Ring pledged their support and friendship, and the tribe has always been closely linked to the House of Sartar.The Kheldon are now a small tribe of four clans, closely connected with Boldhome and the royal dynasty. Their lands straddle the royal road between Boldhome and Swenstown, and they control the rich Killard Vale, the “granary of Boldhome”, the silver mines near Guilder Town, and many important Orlanthi holy sites. These resources have given them influence far beyond their numbers. The matrilineal Black Rock clan play a leading role in tribal affairs and have lands around Sacred Top and Lambnet Fort.As queen of the Kheldon tribe, Kallyr Starbrow of the Black Rock clan was instrumental in leading the Sartarite tribes to revolt during the 1613 rebellion that bears her name. After Starbrow’s Rebellion, she was exiled, and the Kheldon lands were directly administered by the Lunar Provincial Government. After the Dragonrise, Kallyr returned and led her tribe to successfully liberate Boldhome from the remaining Lunars. After defeating a Lunar counter-attack at the Battle of Dangerford, she has been acclaimed Prince of Sartar by the tribes.
Tribal Center: Lambnet Fort
City: Swenstown
Population: 4000
Clans: Four (including Black Rock, Deer, Heran, and Vanstali clans)
Major Temples: Orlanth Rex (Sacred Top), Ernalda (Nine Moss Hill), Ernalda (Goodfork)
Minor Temples: Orlanth and Ernalda (3 minor temples), Issaries (Guilder Town), Vinga is an important subcult of Orlanth.
Notable Shrines: Yelmalio (Lambnet Fort)
Notable Spirit Cults: Crow, Golden Lamb, Quivin, Silver Deer, and Wilms
Language: Sartarite
Note that the month and year of this post are correct, just not the date.