Clan Origins |
Pronounced similar to “Crroh-kay”, the name Kråke Clan refers to two groups--the original Clan, led by Alekt's father; and the branch Clan, led by Alekt (the guild that players join). The original Clan is a well-kept secret that only a select few, trusted individuals outside of it know about.
While the exact time frame when the Kråke first formed is up to speculation, they have existed since at least some time during the mid to late First Era, and boast a strong population during the Second. Most of the Kråke’s population however dwell beneath ground, making use of extensive cave networks and tunnels for their home, and so while they do have some degree of numbers on their side, they are rarely seen by others, even other Reach tribes.
While the Kråke are classified as Reachmen, the exact race that makes up their ranks is up to speculation. It’s not entirely far-fetched that they may have mixed bloodlines tracing to Nords, Nedes, and Falmer, but to pin down their exact roots is difficult.
Likely some of their ancestors began their existence above ground as Nedes, within the same territory ranges as other Reachmen in parts of what are now eastern High Rock and western Skyrim. Others likely came from the Falmer who became slaves to the Dwemer long ago, though exactly how or when such bloodline mixing may have occurred, and whether it was before or after the Falmer came into a servile state, is unknown even to the Clan itself.
What is known is that during the Second Era, the Kråke found their living in the realm barely more than myth to most known as Blackreach. They primarily dwell in the far west and south, in the areas known as Nightstone, and their eyes are well-adapted to the dark and the half-light of glowing stones, plants, and insects.
The name Kråke in itself is an ode to their patron deity, Nocturnal, the Daedric Prince of shadows; quite literally, their name translates as the “Crow Clan”. The Kråke thus model much of their culture and faith around the symbol of the crow itself, revering them like holy creatures.
Their ranks, philosophies, and language all circulate around these things, with their unique mother-tongue being known as "Kvekke-skravling", which roughly translates as “croak-chatter”. While the observant listener might be able to pick out words that sound similar to Reachspeak, Cyrodiilic, or Nordic, most are indiscernible clicks and croaks, as the name might suggest. While its claimed that their tongue mimics that of crows, it likely also has to do with the environment and fauna of Blackreach, and perhaps likewise mimics the sounds made by Chaurus and post-Dwemer-disappearance Falmer which also largely occupy the area.
While Nords and sometimes Bretons are known for their physical size and height, most Kråke are rather small in stature, and would more easily be mistaken for a Bosmer than a Reachman by most. The majority of Kråke have adapted over many generations to their environment, being small and able to navigate even the tightest of cave passages with ease.
However, while the Clan are generally small, they are not physically weak. Most Kråke are gifted with strong lungs/chests, amazing levels of stamina, and conditioned to both extreme cold and harsh, rocky terrain. Top-notch climbers and adept at stealth, they make for some of the deadliest assassins known among men and mer, and prefer the approach of one rather than fair and open combat. Its fortunate then that they prefer to stay away from all other peoples' of Tamriel, only rarely and briefly venturing out to above-ground to hunt animals or make quiet trade and then disappear.
As with many Reach clans, the Kråke follow and answer to a Hagraven matriarch, as well as the partnered Heads of the Clan, and a Seer/Oracle. While the Original Clan has a similar ranking system to the Branch Clan (Head, Beak, Eyes, Wings, Feathers, Talons, etc), its ranking structure is far more complex and nuanced.
Ranks within the Clan are not exclusive only to human members, but extend into and include animals that are part of the Clan as well. Most notably, these ranks most often include crows, dire wolves, and horses, though there are sometimes felines and bears as well.
While Blackreach is little known to the outside world, it could easily be argued that the Kråke are partially to blame for this. While dangerous and easy to get lost in in itself, the Kråke are largely xenophobic and mysterious even to other Reachmen (who more often than not regard this rumored Clan as nothing more than a myth for fireside folk stories)--no small wonder that they venerate the Prince Nocturnal--and they guard their territories jealously from anyone venturing too close.
While from time to time, adventurers do make it to Blackreach, those who tread too deeply often meet their end, and if not by the dangerous beasts or Falmer that stalk its subterranean landscapes, then by the Kråke themselves who prefer to keep the deeper parts of Blackreach a secret.
Its because of their tendency to kill any who get too close to their territory for comfort, or those who discover them, that their Clan has remained outside the knowledge of others for so long. Dead men tell no tales after all.
While the exact time frame when the Kråke first formed is up to speculation, they have existed since at least some time during the mid to late First Era, and boast a strong population during the Second. Most of the Kråke’s population however dwell beneath ground, making use of extensive cave networks and tunnels for their home, and so while they do have some degree of numbers on their side, they are rarely seen by others, even other Reach tribes.
While the Kråke are classified as Reachmen, the exact race that makes up their ranks is up to speculation. It’s not entirely far-fetched that they may have mixed bloodlines tracing to Nords, Nedes, and Falmer, but to pin down their exact roots is difficult.
Likely some of their ancestors began their existence above ground as Nedes, within the same territory ranges as other Reachmen in parts of what are now eastern High Rock and western Skyrim. Others likely came from the Falmer who became slaves to the Dwemer long ago, though exactly how or when such bloodline mixing may have occurred, and whether it was before or after the Falmer came into a servile state, is unknown even to the Clan itself.
What is known is that during the Second Era, the Kråke found their living in the realm barely more than myth to most known as Blackreach. They primarily dwell in the far west and south, in the areas known as Nightstone, and their eyes are well-adapted to the dark and the half-light of glowing stones, plants, and insects.
The name Kråke in itself is an ode to their patron deity, Nocturnal, the Daedric Prince of shadows; quite literally, their name translates as the “Crow Clan”. The Kråke thus model much of their culture and faith around the symbol of the crow itself, revering them like holy creatures.
Their ranks, philosophies, and language all circulate around these things, with their unique mother-tongue being known as "Kvekke-skravling", which roughly translates as “croak-chatter”. While the observant listener might be able to pick out words that sound similar to Reachspeak, Cyrodiilic, or Nordic, most are indiscernible clicks and croaks, as the name might suggest. While its claimed that their tongue mimics that of crows, it likely also has to do with the environment and fauna of Blackreach, and perhaps likewise mimics the sounds made by Chaurus and post-Dwemer-disappearance Falmer which also largely occupy the area.
While Nords and sometimes Bretons are known for their physical size and height, most Kråke are rather small in stature, and would more easily be mistaken for a Bosmer than a Reachman by most. The majority of Kråke have adapted over many generations to their environment, being small and able to navigate even the tightest of cave passages with ease.
However, while the Clan are generally small, they are not physically weak. Most Kråke are gifted with strong lungs/chests, amazing levels of stamina, and conditioned to both extreme cold and harsh, rocky terrain. Top-notch climbers and adept at stealth, they make for some of the deadliest assassins known among men and mer, and prefer the approach of one rather than fair and open combat. Its fortunate then that they prefer to stay away from all other peoples' of Tamriel, only rarely and briefly venturing out to above-ground to hunt animals or make quiet trade and then disappear.
As with many Reach clans, the Kråke follow and answer to a Hagraven matriarch, as well as the partnered Heads of the Clan, and a Seer/Oracle. While the Original Clan has a similar ranking system to the Branch Clan (Head, Beak, Eyes, Wings, Feathers, Talons, etc), its ranking structure is far more complex and nuanced.
Ranks within the Clan are not exclusive only to human members, but extend into and include animals that are part of the Clan as well. Most notably, these ranks most often include crows, dire wolves, and horses, though there are sometimes felines and bears as well.
While Blackreach is little known to the outside world, it could easily be argued that the Kråke are partially to blame for this. While dangerous and easy to get lost in in itself, the Kråke are largely xenophobic and mysterious even to other Reachmen (who more often than not regard this rumored Clan as nothing more than a myth for fireside folk stories)--no small wonder that they venerate the Prince Nocturnal--and they guard their territories jealously from anyone venturing too close.
While from time to time, adventurers do make it to Blackreach, those who tread too deeply often meet their end, and if not by the dangerous beasts or Falmer that stalk its subterranean landscapes, then by the Kråke themselves who prefer to keep the deeper parts of Blackreach a secret.
Its because of their tendency to kill any who get too close to their territory for comfort, or those who discover them, that their Clan has remained outside the knowledge of others for so long. Dead men tell no tales after all.