Kindred

Communities of Wood Elves often tend towards small, nomadic groups of like-minded individuals, known as a Kindred, rather than the large and populous cities of other Elven kingdoms. These kinbands have strong bonds that unite them, ties that are often stronger than those of kith and kin. There are literally hundreds of these nomadic groups that dwell within Athel Loren. Each reflects how it relates to physical influences such as their surroundings, as well as the way they relate to other Elves, Athel Loren and its many and varied fey inhabitants and the attitudes of the individual.

Kindreds that are many score of leagues apart will often share the same name, for they share the same core beliefs and ideals, though in reality even likeminded kindreds will often be somewhat distant and suspicious towards each other. Some kindreds hold particular rivalries and deeply ingrained mutual suspicion of others, and conflicts between kindreds are not uncommon. Though the Wood Elves are generally a roaming and nomadic people, each kindred holds allegiance to a particular Elven Highborn. Some Highborns may have certain kindreds within his realm, such as the Lord of the Peaks, whom has many kindreds of Warhawk Riders at his disposal while the Lord of the Southern Glades have many Glade Rider kindreds of his own.

Over time, smaller kindreds - known as Kinbands - arose as bloodlines combined and recombined, and as new traditions evolved from those that had been brought from Ulthuan. By the Season of Revelation, there were not only the twelve great kindreds whose lords and ladies ruled Athel Loren alongside Ariel and Orion, but also hundreds of lesser kinbands, each dedicated to a unique way of life. Eventually the influence of the forest saw the kindreds united in common cause.

Source

 * : Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (6th Edition)
 * : pg. 66
 * : Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (8th Edition)
 * : pg. 15 - 27

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