History of Rain Clan

We focus on a particular moment, a particular place. On a hillside near Shoushi a young monarch named Mercury Rain is talking with his vassal Nandesu Ka. Rain-san, as Nandesu Ka calls him, has achieved the twelfth level, his vassal the seventh. The patron has just commended his vassal on her progress, and she has pointed out a nearby level 20 fighter with a shake of her head. "I'm like a baby here," she says sadly. "There are so many so much more skillful, so much more powerful. Will I ever reach that level?"

From the darkness nearby an old man says, "That fighter looks in envy on a level 30 warrior. Every mountain top affords a view of higher peaks beyond." So it was that Ha'ak al-Qulus met his future patron and his future monarch. They talked of many things that night, and Nandesu Ka offered Ha'ak guidance and assistance, in return for... nothing but his friendship. A constant barrage of demands for his allegiance had made a bad impression on Ha'ak; this was a pleasant change. He accepted her help and after a few weeks offered his allegiance to one he'd come to know and trust.

Sanborn al Kanesh

The followers of Mercury Rain had no regular meetings. The level difference meant that Ha'ak hunted with Nan-san, or she with Rain-san. Mercury distrusted magic. He had no magic skills, and so had no real way to help his lower level followers except with money and equipment and lore. These he passed on generously. He was known and respected outside his clan, and these contacts worked to his followers' advantage, as they almost always found friends when they needed them. He set the tone, and attracted those who felt comfortable with it. Honor, respect, honesty: these were more important than advancement and the accumulation of baubles. Those were days of adventure. Spells were researched, monsters discovered, dungeons plumbed. A Mattekar Coat was a prized possession then, an heirloom and a noble gift, not something that would be spurned by any above the 4th level.

Ha'ak hunted often with Nandesu Ka's brother Obunaga, who was pledged in another clan. They explored dungeon and waste and town, and had fought together against the growing shadow menace. When his patron suddenly departed from Dereth, leaving Obunaga without a master or a clan, this friendship brought Obunaga into what was now called Rain Clan.

Desvon Klagg, Clan Entrepeneur

This was a period when many friends were leaving Dereth, a sad time for us all, but also a time when many new friendships were forged. Rain Clan's alliance with Miyah and her clan dates from this era. During this time there were several new members added to the clan's roster, but most left Dereth fairly soon after their arrival. Thain Steelholme, his vassal Sanborn al-Kanesh, Strongsun, and Kama-Dakai, stalwart souls all, were notable exceptions to this pattern. Another mage, Zircon, joined the clan, and later Dalliance. These two, in particular, made many friends who later chose to join the clan because of them.

Fire Stone Quest: Dalliance, Kama-Dakai, Thain Steelholme, Shobuck Jr, and Obunaga

As time passed, Mercury was seen less and less often. He disappeared completely after his suit for the hand of Luna Whisperbane failed. Nandesu Ka became the de facto head of the clan, most unwillingly. Ha'ak was happy with the arrangement, satisfied that Nan-san held the clan's interest ahead of her own. He continued to explore, hunt, and help the other clan members as he could. As the clan's only alchemist, he forged the ingots for Atlan weapons. He and Thain became the highest level members of the clan. Nandesu Ka was not at all happy as head of the house. As Mercury's vassal she felt his loss more than anyone else, and she was the only clan member left who had known him well. His other vassals had not been heard from for as long as anyone could remember, so the clan was essentially just Nan-san, her vassal Ha'ak, and his followers. Ha'ak had convinced her that the clan needed a monarch who could be seen and talked to, so she had broken her allegiance to Mercury Rain and taken that position.

After considerable discussion involving all but Ha'ak, Nandesu Ka called him to a private audience. Ha'ak's patron presented her view of the situation, saying that he was, in fact, the leader of the group and her counselor, and that her position as his patron was an anomaly. With a sad but determined expression she freed him from her service, making him the monarch of the remaining Rain Clan. She then asked him to accept her pledge, so that she would have a family. Ha'ak accepted her, of course, and has been monarch of Rain Clan to this day.

Thain Steelholme

About a year after the death of Ha'ak's wife Zircon, Dalliance and Ha'ak were married. Dalliance has worked tirelessly for the clan, seeing to the needs of the younger members and helping Ha'ak in his explorations. Dalliance serves as Rain Clan's Speaker.

The family has gained and lost some important members since then. Nandesu Ka, Obunaga, Desvon Klagg and Sanborn have retired from Dereth. Stongsun followed his heart into another clan. Zircon, sadly, was destroyed by Virindi. Hope's Protector, who joined because of Ha'ak's honesty and willingness to take Hope's test, contributed a great deal to the clan, then left to help another to whom he owed a debt of gratitude. Terress, Shobuck, Bluetoe, Ristar, Trale, Baebarri...these and other new names have brought fresh blood and excitement. Our stroll has brought us through the years to the present. Rain Clan is still Rain Clan, devoted to honor, respect, and the pleasures of honest achievement. May it remain so.