Caru-lûth

Stag Spirit Statue

Description

The Caru-lûth (The Stag Clan) clan of Dunlendings is one that remains hostile to Saruman, putting them at odds with most other Dunlending clans, but aligning them with the goals of the Grey Company. They worship the Stag Spirit of Arassiel. The tribal area is in Trum Dreng and the main settlement is Lhan Tarren.

The Caru-lûth is a small clan^[1] that is in decline^[2], which holds an annual, if unpopular, feast of the running stag^[1] which occurs on the night of the character's arrival. At the current time the leader is Elder Riagán. His son was killed by a Draig-lûth spear which is used in the Feast.^[3].

The clan are bitter enemies of the Rohirrim, who took their land, and lament being forsaken and forgotten by Gondor^[3]. The clan was chased to the edge of Dunland by other clans, particularly the Draig-lûth, where they try to live in peace^[3].

But war comes, with part of the clan area (the Herd-lands) has just been overrun by the Draig-lûth^[4], the Watch-tower taken^[5] and their warriors prowl the land. The Draig-lûth are supported by White-hand Half-orcs and set up a joint camp to the south-east. These forces treacherously attack the Caru-lûth, and slay Elder Riagán^[6], leaving Guto as leader. The Caru-lûth fight back^[7] and are still holding out when the Grey Company moves on.

Face Paint and clan identifiers

The Caru-lûth tend to wear blue face paint on a white base, the most common design being an antlered stag. Clothing can have a side-on image of a stag in blue, which colour is also used for trim and accessories. Banners and cloaks are yellow with blue stag/