There are only a few hundred clans in the realm. Typically, the top four single-element clans represent the lesser clans of their element. Scions Aether represents clans that are mixed.

 

Most dragons do not belong to a clan. Clanless dragons are also represented by the clans, bringing concerns and desires to lesser clans who carry it up to the leading five.

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What defines a clan?

Clans are blood-ties. Dragons are only ever born into them, or join one through unity (marriage) and having their children be clan members by blood. The family of the dragon that marries into the clan does not become a part of the clan. Adopted family members are never viewed as genuine clan members, and disowned family members lose clan status. Two unrelated dragons/unrelated families can never start a clan together - clans are not an alliance, but a family wherein every dragon is related in some way.

 

Arranged unity and reproduction is used frequently among clans. 

 

Due to beliefs of ancestral intervention and destiny, most clans pick eggs that match their clan colors. For example, Stormbringers only pick eggs that are predominantly grey, white and black, making up their famously storm-colored scales. The Scions Aether pick white eggs from a clutch.

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How are clans created?

Clan status is awarded by the Warfang Council (or Tempest Reign/Ocean Delegation for Zephyr Kingdom and Ocean Domain) as a mark on a 'superior' bloodline. This is decided by vote. Clan status cannot be directly applied for, not self-awarded.

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It takes much to be eligible for clan status. The status and wealth of a single dragon is virtually never enough to give their whole family 'value' - it often takes multiple generations of high achievers to earn clanhood for one's bloodline. Exceptions can be made for elementals, generals/chiefs, and guardians. If a single clanless individual attains these labels, they are eligible to be awarded clan status.

 

It is taboo to assign one's family a clan name without first being awarded the ability to.

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How many dragons are there in a clan?

Clans with less than ten or even five members are not uncommon. The more powerful clans usually have many members. The more members in a clan means more wealth, more claws in the Army, the Guard, the Temple, the Justices, etc. Nepotism is rampant in clans. The Stormbringers are said to ‘command half the Warfang Army’ and the Warfang Guard are nicknamed the ‘Frostspear Guard’ for the fact that Frostspears make up much of the high ranks. Numbers alone can help push a clan further towards the top, but if half of a family has achieved very little, that reflects poorly on the clan image.

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Can clan status be lost?

If a clan has too many members, it will stretch their wealth thin and they risk losing clan status. This can also happen if there are too many members, and most have unimpressive achievements. If a clan falls out of favor, the Council/Reign/Delegation may vote again to remove clan status.

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What are the public view on clans?

Clans are looked at unfavorably by many, if not most clanless due to their dominance in politics, wealth, and influence. Clan dragons occupy most favorable positions in the army and guard, as well as other high society positions such as the Justices and Guardians. They are also much more likely to get away with crimes with minimum punishment, especially if the crime is against clanless dragons.

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How are clans run?

Primarily, clans are run by its Matriarch/Patriarch/Atriarch. This is a single individual, most often a direct descendant of their predecessor. Clan Atriarchs decide the clan's priorities, goals, spending, contracts, training, education, etc. This is a lot of work, so bigger clans will have Clan Ambassadors. Ambassadors represent the Atriarch and the clan in social events, in the creation and negotiations of contracts, and when hiring contractors such as tutors, guards, etc. Ambassadors are meant to act, to the best of their ability, as the Atriarch would.

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Then there are Clan Elders. While a clan's Elders do not actively work in managing the clan like Ambassadors to, they play an important role. Clan Elders are the 5-20 eldest, most accomplished members of a clan. While they may have power over other clan members simply by seniority, they have a special power over the Atriarch; the power to relieve them of their position.

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If deemed so by 70% of the clan's Elders, the current reigning Atriarch may be permanently or temporarily relieved as clan leader. The clan will then go to the clan heir, if they are of age. If they are not, a temporary Atriarch will be elected by vote until the heir is ready. If no heir was chosen by the Atriarch, the Elders will then vote on who will take over the family. This is a significant event. A clan's Atriarch is not replaced unless extremely unpopular with the Elders, by either being inept or neglecting clan traditions or values.

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Elders may also vote to reject heirs, contracts, or other decisions of an Atriarch though their eagerness to do so varies from clan to clan. As such, Atriarchs are sometimes at the mercy of their clan's Elders.