Culture
The matriarchal society of cwn annwn is generally kept separate from the rest of fae society, but there are few mysteries of how it operates to outsiders. Because of their pack mentality, cwn are rarely seen alone.
Matriarchy
Like many other fae cultures, cwn annwn recognize the importance of maternal bloodlines on the continuation of their species. Their unique matriarchies grew from the absolute certainty of cwn reproduction in a mother's hands and the cleverness of several such mothers. Currently there are more than 400 septs, or families of cwn, each different in some way but all following the same cultural traditions that built their prowess in the
fae Courts.
At the head of every sept is its matriarch. Simply called the Matriarch, she is more than a mother, sister, niece, grandmother, daughter, or aunt -- she is all of them and none of them. Raised by her mother, the previous Matriarch, to someday follow the same path, the ideal matriarch is wise, courageous, and cunning. She must be smarter than her siblings and must have the charisma and teeth to lead them. It is not a role for the faint of heart, but princesses generally emerge naturally into it from an early age.
The role of the Matriarch is simple: to raise the next generation of cwn and lead her sept to honor and glory. The will of a Matriarch in her sept is absolute, but a wise one knows when it is best to exile rebels and when to listen to their objections. She will choose a mate from another sept and, gods willing, will mother a new generation of cwn and repeat the cycle of rearing the next Matriarch.
Matriarchs are treated like queens among their own kind and are recognized as nobles of significant rank to outsiders. Though they are not as lofty as Lords and Assemblies, their sway over the armies of the Courts is always respected.
The mates of Matriarchs are chosen by the Matriarch herself. These unions are often planned long in advance with the cooperation of their septs. Occasionally, however, a young princess will meet her match on her own. Regardless of how they meet and match, a Matriarch's mate must be superior to his male peers.
Within septs, female cwn frequently outrank their male relatives in power structures and in general preferential treatment.
On Reproduction
Cwn annwn have a unique family system. Because of the peculiar effect of magick in fae genetics and the fact that female fae only beget fae offspring, only Matriarchs are allowed to produce within the sept and contribute to their family lineage. Female cwn who wish to raise families of their own do so in exile from their sept.
Offsetting the matriarchy is the liberty of male cwn to reproduce freely outside of their sept and species without incurring dishonor.
Fortunately, cwn
culture places a greater importance on the pack in raising puppies, giving everyone a sense of parenthood. Most cwn accept their role and do not consider their restrictions a bad thing. After all, the pups from a female who was not fit to be Matriarch would not benefit the sept or the species.
Cwn annwn reproduce in their canine forms for practicality and safety, as female cwn give birth to large litters.
On Child Rearing
It is the responsibility of every member of the sept to raise puppies. Communal child-rearing is tradition and all cwn help. From generally caring for and corralling puppies to playing games and teaching them to hunt, every brother, sister, aunt, and uncle is important and loved. The everyday cwn will have a nebulous understanding of family, where all of the roles blend together.
Matriarchs participate, but are often busy with ruling and maintaining their families. Their mates, on the other hand, take a much greater role in their sept as household coordinator, managing his family and home with pride.
Packs & Turnouts
Packs and turnouts are two different terms used to describe assemblies of cwn. Packs are groups formed out of direct family members from a single sept. Turnouts are units formed from members of multiple septs.