Society of Clan Snow Raven

Snow Raven society is extremely tight-knit and distrusting of strangers, a trait stemming from the tribulations of the Clans' formative years. Snow Raven warriors let no outsiders past their guard, fearing that any associates will turn on them. In addition, no member of this Clan does anything without a reason. However, the Ravens' Byzantine politics and complex relationships mean that the readily apparent reason is unlikely to be the real one.

Much of the Clan's internal politics centers on its Bloodname Houses, frequently referred to as the Families, and any interference in their business s viewed as a mortal insult. The authority of House leaders is absolute, and the leader's will determines how the Bloodnamed vote. Cutthroat internal politics determine who becomes House leader, and only the most politically astute remain in power for more than few years.

The Snow Raven take bondsmen from other Clans, but most wear the bondcord for many years before being accepted into the Clan. Few "outsider" warriors are adopted into Clan Snow Raven, and those few are barred from rising aove the rank of Star colonel. The Snow Ravens' distrust pf outsiders means that bondsmen often have difficulty integrating with their new Clan.

Caste divisions are readily apparent in Snow Raven society, as are the sub-groups within each caste. Individuals rarely mingle outside their immediate circles, enchancing the "us against them" attitude that pervades this Clan. Competition for promotion is fierce, and friends often find themselves battling for command slots or military objectives.

Snow Raven technology is tighly focused on aerospace and naval systems. The Ravens have the largest fleet in Clan space and control most of the shipyeards and repair stations. Other Clans are obliged to seek them out for maintainance, either trading for use of the faclities or staging Trials of Position (for which the Ravens demand collateral, and win often enough to remain profitable).

The well-developed Raven merchant marine supports the Clan by trading and contracting its ships and personnel out to other Clans. The Ravens made considerable profit by supplying the Invadung Clans with transport assets and escorts, enchancing their status among the Home Clans.

Despite the paranoia that leads many Snow Raven to distrust anyone outside their Clan, they managed to avoid making any real enemies. The Clan's most prominent foes are the Steel Vipers, with whom the Ravens have feuded since 2897. Falcon Bloodname incident led to conflict, but Ravens recently contacted Falcons with a view to normalizing relations. Diamond Sharks are another Raven adversaries in economics, but Ravens launched no reprisals, and still allow the Diamond Sharks access to their shipyards.

Only three Clans can claim to be anything like Raven allies. The Snow Ravens had formal alliance half a century ago with Clan Blood Spiritm through which the two Clans exchanged war materiel; the Ravens retain limited contact with the Spirits. The Cloud Cobras share the Ravens' military disposition and taste for Machiavellian politics. The Ravens have also often traded technology and expertise with Clan Ghost Bear; the massive ark-ships used by the Neas in their exodus to the Inner Sphere were designed and built with Snow Raven help.