Abtakha
A generic name for newly-adopted warriors.
Adoption
The term used when an outsider (usually a bondsman) or someone from the lower castes is brought into a Clan's warrior ranks. First they must pass a challenge, which varies, depending on the type of warrior they are seeking to become. Typically, new Adoptees are given the surname of the Clan they have joined, for example a new entrant into Clan Wolf might be called John Wolf.
Batchall
The first part of the Clans' ritual form of combat, the Batchall is a bidding process in which the two opponents state the forces with which they will attack / defend, as well as the nature of the prize (usually territory, a factory or science facility). In some cases it may be blueprints for new weapon systems or even samples of genetic material.
Bloodname
Nicholas Kerensky chose 800 former Star League Defence Force officers to accompany him on the second Exodus. These men and women were the first Clan warriors and the first to have their DNA used in the warrior breeding programme. Their surnames were the original Clan Bloodnames. Clanners are given a single name when they are born. The only way to gain a surname is to win a Bloodname by competing in a tournament. Over the 300 years since the Clans' inception, the number of available Bloodnames has diminished as some have been discarded or all the warriors holding the name have died. Each Clan has either sole or shared ownership of a number of the 400 remaining Bloodnames (and their associated genetic material) and guards them jealously. Many Trials of Possession are fought over them and consequently, they can change hands frequently. Khans have the power to create new Bloodnames if they feel an individual is worthy of the honour, though this happens very rarely. Bloodname competitions are major events within the Clans, since the number of warriors allowed to hold them at any one time are limited.
Bondcord
A bracelet worn by bondsmen, identifying their captor and the Clan they now belong to. If they are adopted into the Clan, their captor will remove the cord.
Bondsman
Usually refers to a warrior captured in battle, either from another Clan or from outside the Clans. They become the ward of the warrior who captured them and are given a Bondcord to wear to signify their status.
Canister
Clan slang for the birthing tanks in which new generations of warriors are created.
Caste
The Clans have an archaic social structure consisting of several Castes. Naturally, Warriors are at the top of the tree, with Scientists, Merchants and Labourers underneath. There is also a Dark or Bandit Caste filled with criminals and outcasts who choose to live outside the normal order. In extraordinary circumstances, other Castes may assume a strong influence within a Clan. In the case of the Diamond Sharks, the Merchants hold considerable sway. In the Jade Falcons and several other Clans, the Scientists collaborated to develop a secret genetic program.
Codex
The record of a warrior's career. From their first Trial of Position, to their last assignment, all their data is stored electronically on a wristwatch-like device.
Dezgra
The term given to a Warrior who has disgraced themselves, either in combat or with some other dishonourable act.
Freebirth
A Clan epithet referring to anyone not born of the Warrior breeding program. To call a Trueborn "Freebirth" is a mortal insult. Non-Trueborns are allowed to become warriors if they prove themselves worthy, but are generally assigned to second line and garrison units.
Giftake
A warrior's genetic legacy to his Clan. When a notable warrior dies, (usually in combat), a sample of their genetic material is added to the Clan's gene pool, to be used to create future generations of warriors. The placing of the sample in the genetic repository involves an elaborate ceremony.
Grand Council
This is a meeting of the Khans of all the Clans, usually only convened to discuss a united action, such as the invasion of the Inner Sphere, or the Absorption or Annihilation of another Clan. More commonly they are used to settle disputes between rival Clans, when the usual methods (i.e. Trials) are insufficient.
Hegira
When a defeated enemy is allowed to leave the field of combat, without incurring further losses, they are said to be granted Hegira.
Isorla
The spoils of war, which may be the prize stated in the Batchall, or simply equipment salvaged from the battlefield.
Khan
A Clan's leader is called the Khan, with their second-in-command referred to as SaKhan. In times of war, when the Clans are united, a supreme leader is elected, known as the IlKhan. The term OvKhan may be used to refer to someone of superior rank or as a sign of respect.
Loremaster
The keeper of a Clan's historical records. They are also responsible for entering new passages in each Clan's version of the Remembrance.
Oathmaster
Often a position assigned to the Khan, although it may be given to anyone of sufficient rank, the Oathmaster acts as Master of Ceremonies at all important functions, such as Trials of Position or the Giftake ceremony.
Quiaff / Quineg
These are added to the end of a sentence to turn it into a rhetorical question. The Clans use Aff (Affirmative) and Neg (Negative) rather than "yes" and "no". They roughly translate to "Is it not so?", the use of "aff" or "neg" indicating the expected response.
Reaving
This is a form of punishment, similar to Annihilation, whereby all genetic material from a particular Bloodname is removed from a Clan's genetic repository and destroyed. This is usually done if one or more warriors with a particular Bloodname have been found guilty of highly dishonourable conduct.
Rede
The Clan term for an oath. To a Clanner, an oath is sacred and they will do their utmost to fulfil them. Even if made under duress, they will usually feel honour-bound to carry them out.
Remembrance (The)
An epic poem, many hundreds of verses long, which commemorates the 300-year history of the Clans. Each Clan has their own version, slightly different to the others, though some verses are common to all versions.
Ristar
Thought to be an abbreviation of the term 'Rising Star', this simply refers to an exceptionally skilful warrior who is expected to advance far and quickly.
Safcon
The guarantee of safe passage or "safe conduct" for an enemy, through a Clan's territory. Roughly equivalent to a temporary truce.
Seyla
Roughly the Clan equivalent of "Amen", it is usually uttered in response to a vow or invocation by an Oathmaster during ceremonies or other important occasions.
Sibko
Each new generation of Trueborns are brought up in groups or classes known as sibling companies, (usually referred to as sibkos). As soon as they are old enough they begin their education and warrior training. Those that succeed in their final test become Warriors. Those that fail are relegated to the lower castes.
Solahma
A warrior who is considered too old for front-line assignments is said to be Solahma. After reaching the age of 30, warriors are considered to be past their prime. Older warriors, who have not achived any distinction, (such as winning a Bloodname), in combat are often assigned to Solahma units, which often see little more than garrison duty. Sometimes, as a desperate measure, solahma units are given 'suicide' missions, such as storming heavily defended positions, where the chance of survival is minimal. This is not always the case, however, as successful commanders often continue to serve in front line units until their forties and beyond.
Stravag
A variation of the Freebirth curse.
Surat
Another popular Clan insult, referring to a type of rodent.
Touman
The name given to a Clan's military.
Trothkin
Usually used by warriors when referring to someone from the same sibko, or someone considered to be an equal.
Trueborn
A term for anyone born of the Warrior breeding programme. Trueborns are considered superior to Freeborns/Freebirths in every way and are given greater social standing in Clan society than their naturally born counterparts. This is especially true among the Warrior Caste.
Zellbrigen
This can be quite complex to explain, but is essentially a set of rules used to maintain honourable combat during large-scale engagements. In a nutshell, warriors meeting on the field of battle will issue a challenge before engaging an opponent. Also, warriors may not engage an opponent if they are currently fighting someone else. This is to preserve, as far as possible, the Clan ideal of one-on-one combat. If anyone happens to break the rules of Zellbrigen, for instance by attacking an enemy already engaged, the battle turns into a free-for-all.