Tamriel:Ashlanders

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The Ashlanders are native Dunmer nomads. In the First Era, Ashlanders and Dunmer were very much alike and on equal footing, but after the formation of the First Council and the Great Houses, they have steadily been forced into the poorest and most hostile lands. They travel along with their herds, camping wherever is suitable. Additional resources gained by hunting the local wildlife are used to manufacture huts, armors, clothing and general household items. Unlike the settled Dunmer of the Great Houses, they do not acknowledge the power of the Tribunal. In fact, they believe the Tribunal betrayed Lord Nerevar at the Battle of Red Mountain and are kept alive by means of magic not unlike necromancy. Furthermore, the Ashlanders are very xenophobic and believe all outlanders should leave Vvardenfell. However, if an outlander performs a good deed for an Ashlander Clan, he may be named Clanfriend, and thus be adopted into the Ashlander faction.

The Ashlanders are divided into four clans: Ahemmusa, Erabenimsun, Urshilaku and Zainab. Each clan is traditionally led by an Ashkhan, whereas the spiritual leadership lies with the Wise Woman. The secrets of the Wise Women are passed from one generation onto the other. Several prophecies, in the form of verses such as the Stranger, have survived throughout the years. Many others are believed to have been lost, but, as rumor will have it, the Dissident Priests may have recorded them and thus preserved them for posterity. The Wise Women of the Ashlander clans interpret dreams as prophecies, another major difference with the Tribunal Temple. The Urshilaku Ashlanders form the core of the Nerevarine Cult.

If an Ashlander commits a crime against another member of a clan, he will be cast out of the clan. These outcasts flock together in small camps and will attack anyone who comes in their vicinity, and are therefore a major threat for the unwary traveller in the Grazelands.