ClanSocialStructure

The smallest Votanki social unit is the hearth, consisting of one or more women (normally sisters or a mother and daughters) and their children. Women are the social focus of Votanki life, as the hearth is the constant place in life. From the hearth the women and children will forage for roots and berries, while the men will hunt for many days.

Votanki society is matriarchal, like the Esrolians and unlike the Pelorians. Lineage is traced through the maternal line. The hearth is run by its matriarch, normally the oldest woman present. A hearth may include zero, one or many husbands, who will normally be shared between the women of the hearth - some husbands will settle with a hearth for many years or even life; others will wander from hearth to hearth as the whim takes them, fathering children wherever they can. Shamen and craftsmen tend to have permanent hearths, hunters and young men are more itinerant. Older men are rare; as abilities fade, hunting accidents tend to prove fatal, but there will be a few, normally craftsmen and shamans. Women tend to either die in childbirth or live a lot longer than men - they are revered and hold much of the knowledge and traditions of the clan.

Clan association is not necessarily permanent, although it is unusual for people to change clan. The most common reason is because of some special ability, and it often involves Silver Hawk Clan?, who are the performers and tricksters of the Votanki?. People who feel attracted to this lifestyle will often leave their own clan and join Silver Hawk Clan?.