Clan DunBrogh

A vast forest with many hills surround an ancient and mighty castle. The dreary weather does little to put down the spirits of its boisterous residents.

"They say tha' even before me ancestors first settled here, our lands were and are filled with magic. Tha' our strength comes from the land itself."

From out of the castle speeds a large horse. The young woman on its back whoops with joy as they make for her shooting range. Even at full gallop her heavily designed bow is steady as she sees her targets.

" A' should know better than anyone here. Who else can say they've turned their mother into a bear. Magic is real. As real as the stone circles of our ancestors."

She releases her shot, her red curly mane dances with the wind. The arrow is true and strikes a bullseye…again. Smiling she then notices a blue dot somehow waving at her.

"A wisp?" she mutters.

Keeping her bow ready, her ushers her stead after the wisp. More wisps join in the directing as they stop at a jutting ridge. The redhead dismounts and sneaks to the crest dispite being in a dress. She spies a large force of green skinned brutes armed with various weapons. The forest is being cut down for fire and construction.

"Ogres!" she realizes. She jumps back on her horse and makes for home as fast as possible.

*Cut to black*

The green hoard plows along a dirt road. They joke and jape at one another, unaware of watchers.

"Our people may quarrel, but when others think us weak and ripe for plunder, we prove'em wrong!"

Suddenly arrows fly from the trees. The ogres are unprepared for such an attack and many fall dead. Loud howls usher a charge of rambunctious warriors in kilts, armor, and blue war paint. Claymores cleave into hide covered invaders as arrows continue their rain. Astride their huge horses ride the king and his guard. With them is the woman from before but now she's dressed for battle.

Her flowing red locks dance in the breeze as free as her spirit with only a leather circlet to keep it from her fierce eyes. The same war paint on many others are decorated onto her exposed arms, legs, and face in runic and vine-like patterns. Studded leather vambraces and greaves guard her limbs and a spiked studded leather chest piece protect her torso. At her sides are a longsword and buckler but they are not drawn. Her bow unleashes another arrow into an ogre carrying a crude flag.

"Tha's the way lads! Let's show'em some highlander steel. Oi! Merida, have the archers support us. And keep count, I want ta know which of us got more of'em," the king cries as he charges with claymore in hand.

"Our castles may be where we live, but these forests are our home. We know everything about our lands. And that means we know where to hit hard and fast."

The highlander woman leads her horse along the edge of the battle firing arrows as she gallops. One ogre gets too close, trying to grab her from her mount. She responds with a kick to the face and her steed does the same. Highlanders on chariots move with her as they skirmish the enemy. The breaking of trees and loud footfalls are their only warning as two chariots are swept aside.

"Giant!" a voice cries out at the sight of the two-story figure.

"The land itself won't hesitate to aid us from those who threaten us."

From the denser foliage come more warriors but before they hit the ogre lines, they transform into giant bears. The bestial charge demoralizes the green invaders. The giant attempts to swing again but is struck in the face by a man-like tree as big as itself. Despite the clashing giants, the warrior woman charges with bow fully drawn at the ogres' giant. She Breaths out slowly, as the wind flows from her face and through her hair. Her pupils dilate as she finds the perfect moment and fires.

*Cut to black*

Pulling an arrow from the target, she smiles at the dead giant under her dirtied boots. The sounds of battle having long dimmed.

"That only counts as one Merida!" the king calls out, causing laughter amongst the men.

"It's more impressive than anything you did today da!" she replies, causing more laughter.

"I am Merida. First born of clan DunBrogh. If ye think ye can take us, I'll be killin' ya with me own hands!"

Overview-Since the first settlers came to the highlands, Clan DunBrogh has always been looked to for guidance, leadership, and stability. The clan is the strongest of the clans, with all others being vassals. Given time these clans may give up leadership entirely and confederate into DunBrogh to become a kingdom. Their lands are covered in vast forests and hills. With their knowledge of their own lands they have a bonus to ambushes and greater chance to ambush within their own territory. They are immune to forest/swamp attrition. They boast superior movement for all units on foot, archers/skirmishers, light infantry, and most units have guerrilla deployment. They have access to longbowmen, forest druids, bear warriors, skirmish chariots, and treemen. Lacking in heavy infantry and naval units.

Faction leader-King Fergus DunBrogh

Faction hero-Merida has always been a wild girl who would rather spend her time at the bow range than sewing, much to her mother's dismay. After the incident with the bear potion, she was allowed to be more free and even defend her homeland due to her skills and leadership. Her trait called Wild and Free gives those around her a bonus to charges or missile damage. Her bow skills make her ideal for dealing with enemy leaders, champions, or high value units from a distance. Her warcry can also demoralize enemy units and even stifle an enemy charge. She is unmarried and can be married diplomatically.

Nature magic-The magic found in nature itself is the oldest and most potent of all magics. In especially rich areas, the magic seeps into the land and gives rise to magical creatures such as wisps or owlbears. Nature magic is used for healing, vegetation growth, misdirection, and animal based spells.

Unit spotlight: Bear Warriors-In ancient times a warrior aided an old woman in danger and was offered a reward. Finding out she was a forest witch, he asked for the ability to have the strength and ferocity of a bear. She warned him that it could turn out badly, but complied with his request. The warrior was turned into a bear but maintained his humanity, and after a month of meditation and basking in the forest's magic became a man once more. He returned to his clan and taught the technique to them. When their rivals attacked them once more, they attacked and turned into bears mid-fight. And thus, began the legend of the bear warriors.

Unit spotlight: Treemen-Within the wildest places of the world, nature magic runs free to shape and create things at random. When man began deforesting these places the forests called for guardians, and magic created them. Twisting the oldest trees in the forests into mockeries of men the first treemen came to be. Their bark as hard as steel and branched claws as sharp as blades they drove mankind away from the deep wood. Now druids may call upon or create treemen in times of need. Many clan chiefs or kings have dedicated druids if their lands are near ancient forests to call upon treemen for battle, but should be careful as wood is flammable after all.