CLANS - ETERNALS

ETERNALS - by far the most influential and politically active of all the clans on board the Forward unto Dawn; the Eternals derive their name both from Aeterna, and from the fact that they can trace their lineage almost as far back as the frigate itself. Eternals do not accept membership from anyone who is not part of their greater 'family'. Eternals are all void-born, and can all trace their heritage back to one of eight major family groups which comprise their number. Occassionally, marriage with a non-Eternal is approved, so as to diversify bloodlines and prevent inbreeding.

The Eternals are headed by a delegation of crew who vote upon courses of action to be taken by their clan members. The actual figurehead of the clan must be drawn from a direct descendant of August Sarust. These leaders are always thought of by the crew as high nobility, even though their living circumstances do no reflect this.

Officers who deal directly with the Eternals usually defer to the delegated heads - simply advising them what is needed and allowing the clan members to devise their own means of satisfying requirements. Any insult to one of the clan representatives can be grounds to insight a riot. Any insult to Lady Kahrmyna is grounds for assasination.

The clan is large, comprising somewhere between one to two thousand ratings. A score of the junior officers are thought to be members of the clan, though they keep this secret. Ratings from the clan are usually distinguished by the red cords or ribbons they tie to their left upper-arm.

Lady Kahrmyna - the designated head of the Eternals. Lady Kahrmyna is old and blind. She carries herself with dignity and, except for the fact that she is void-born and lives among the crew, she bears herself with all the comportment of a member of the nobility. She suffers no fools and never fears to speak for the rights of her clan members. She has been the head of the Eternals longer than anyone on the vessel can rightly remember. She is not often seen by those who do not belong to the clan, and has never set foot off the Forward unto Dawn.