The Battle of Taiwaeaa (1056), one of the final engagements of the Chacimu campaign waged by the Solomani Confederation against the border clan Hlawya.
Traditionally, the outer fringes of the Hierate have been populated by wilder small clans. Proud, fiercely independent, and highly aggressive, these border clans (htaraikhau huihaia) occupy a place in the Aslan imagination something like the Cossacks of ancient Terra. Border clans were sometimes employed by larger clans as shock troops or internal security, and fought on both sides of the Purge where they were considered ferocious, uncompromising warriors. Border clans tend to shun the carefully regulated, ritual battles (yerlik) that characterize conflicts of the interior Hierate, preferring instead to engage in total war. While the various border clans tend to be more backward and aggressive than the interior clans, they share few other traits or beliefs. There is no common “border clan” identity, and the term is sometimes applied indiscriminately for any small, combative clan.
The practice of maintaining htaraikhau huihaia on the frontiers stretches back to pre-spaceflight Kusyu, but today only major clans generally have the resources to actively cultivate these assets. Patron clans relocate—occasionally forcibly—particularly aggressive minor clans in the interior to worlds on the edge of their territories. Similarly, exceptionally large and belligerent ihatei bands might be granted frontier lands. In either case, border clans are generally not vassals to a more powerful patron clan, but instead retain an ostensible independence. In exchange for their freedom and territories, the border clans serve as a formidable buffer against encroachment by other clans and alien species.
At its worst the practice is nakedly exploitative: the patron clan provides weaponry but only just enough economic and technological support to ensure the border clan remains dependent; the patron also encourages extreme aggression, xenophobia, and the raiding of neighboring systems. Such activities are often to the ultimate detriment of the border clan. As the frontier expands many of these border clans assimilate or are destroyed, to be replaced by suitable new clans drawn from the interior.
Historically, the Yerlyaruiwo and the Khaukheairl have maintained border clans along the rimward frontier of the Hierate. The Tralyeaeawi and Tlerlearlyo formerly maintained border clans in and around the Human-Aslan Interface, the most infamous of which were certain clans made up of human Aslan, much feared for their unremitting brutality. Cultivating border clans continues apace in the Trans-Rift Colonies, but due to restrictions imposed by the Peace of Ftahalr this practice must be undertaken clandestinely. Both Hrasua and Syoisuis are suspected of covertly supporting several border clans in this region.
One interesting side effect of this tradition is that the border clans often become the face of the Hierate to neighboring alien communities. Consequently, many neighbors have a distorted view of the Hierate, believing the inhabitants to be far more aggressive and violent than they actually are. This perception is a double-edged sword, as it effectively deters both hostilities and friendly trade with the Hierate.
A border clan can be generated using the following modifications to the system in Clans of the Aslan: Holdings are generated using 1D-1, making them either Minor or Single World clans. Age is generated using 1D-3. Aggression and Tradition are generated 1D+4. Tech Level is generated using the Major Vassal column with DM-2.
| / hewl·reh·ILL·raw / | |||||
| Single World Clan | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | 6 (1,906th) | Age | 2 | Holdings | 5 |
| Population | 8 | ||||
| Aggression | 9 | ||||
| Tradition | 9 | ||||
| TL | 8 | ||||
| Ally | Khaukheairl | ||||
| Homeworld | |||||
| Oiaous (Dark Nebula 2020, C6518J9-8) | |||||
The Hyulreilraw of Oiaous in the Dark Nebula are a representative border clan. Originally located in Reaver’s Deep, they were installed on their homeworld by the Khaukheairl shortly after the Peace of Ftahalr redrew the borders of the Hierate. The Hyulreilraw are a deeply traditionalist clan best known for their garish orange garb, severe interpretations of clan honor, and utter refusal to take prisoners. The Khaukheairl have used Hyulreilraw mercenary units in several recent actions against the Solomani, including punitive raids against Neween in 1102 and Dejeran in 1103. The latter incursion resulted in the massacre of an entire Home Guard garrison at the gates of the Dejeran capital city. When Solomani reinforcements subsequently trapped the Hyulreilraw raiders, the mercenaries refused to surrender and instead fought to the last Aslan, exacting a dear cost to the human defenders.
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