RiverClans

RiverClans are a loose confederation of river-dwelling communities that inhabit the floodplains and banks of major river systems. They maintain a shared maritime culture focused on fishing, boatbuilding, and trade, organized around clans and a customary law known as the River Code.

Geography and settlements: Communities cluster along river bends, with a mix of shore villages and floating settlements. Travel between clans is accomplished by crafts such as dugout canoes and barges, enabling seasonal markets and resource-sharing networks.

History: The RiverClans formed over several generations after prolonged disputes over fishing rights; a treaty established the Confederation and a rotating Council of Representatives from each clan. The Keeper of the River, a senior captain, emerged as a ceremonial mediator and steward of the river’s well-being.

Governance and social structure: The Confederation operates through a Council of Representatives, with each clan sending delegates. A Keeper of the River is elected from among elder captains to oversee ceremonies and dispute resolution. Clans maintain internal councils and apprenticeship paths for boatbuilding, navigation, and trade.

Economy and culture: The economy centers on fishing, trade, and craftwork. Markets feature carved oars, woven nets, and oral histories preserved in songs. The annual River Rite marks seasonal changes and river health, reinforcing communal bonds and shared responsibilities.

Beliefs and norms: Traditional beliefs include river spirits and a practice of water stewardship. The River Code prescribes fair sharing of resources, respect for travelers, and nonviolent dispute resolution.

Relations: RiverClans maintain peaceful trade with nearby settlements but have occasional conflicts over resource access. They sometimes cooperate with land-based authorities for flood management and infrastructure projects.

In fiction and media: RiverClans appear as a decentralized maritime culture in speculative fiction and games, often depicted with emphasis on seamanship and communal governance.