Common Worlds

A Dorkathi nobleman discusses bathing:

How unsurprising that such a barbarous spot would be unable to provide a full spectrum of civilized bathing, as is available only in the most civilized city in the world - Dorkath! While rightly famous for its public system of wine plumbing and attractive spring festivals, true sybarites know of the Six Blessed Baths and the Four Proper Temperatures which may be combined into the Twenty-three Healthful Baths (and the Twenty-Fourth Final Bath, which is not healthful.)

The Six Blessed Baths:

• Water
• Mud
• Milk
• Honey
• Oil
• Air

That poor exile did manage to get the Four Temperatures correct.

The Twenty-Fourth Final Bath is, of course, the Hot Oil Treatment. After it, you never have to worry about problems with your hair again.

Common Names

Shield Knockers, the No-Necks, Westhill Fyrd, Westhill Boys.

Form

A clan warband close to the Heortling tradition.

Homeland

North March of Esrolia in the Holy Country

Cultural Context

Defenders of the Westhill Clan of the Emarjela Clan, organized Husband-Protectors of the Women’s Circle.

Ideology

“Knock knock down! If they get up again, knock knock again!”

Look and Feel

Thick necked, gung ho warriors with big shields and a fierce pride at leading the vanguard of any infantry charge.

Purpose

Protect the Westhill tula, Emarjela Tribe and punish anyone stupid enough to challenge them and then stand in front of them.

Headquarters

Shield Shake Hall, the chieftaness’ hall for the Westhill Clan, whose roof is entirely shingled in the shards of shields taken from their enemies. Secondarily, the band holds sacred the Splinter Field where they practice, perform pre-battle sacrifices, lure their enemies and bury their dead.

Reactions

Loved and admired by their clansfolk, The Shield Knockers reputation as impulsive lowers their esteem a bit at the tribal level. Foreigners think them a bunch of hot-headed near-berserk fools who are easily tempted into rash charges.

Resources

Leader

Egath the Shield Boss, war chief of the Westhill, He knows many secret ways through the Skyreach Mountains and killed a Lunar captain at the Building Wall battle. His wisdom and battle savvy exploits the reputation of his band while protecting them from hopeless charges.

Renowned Members