Immortal clan concept

[Brett]

Here's all the info I have on immortal clans and the concept surrounding them so far:

Immortal clans are similar to the clans of ancient Japan and the noble families of medieval Europe. Each clan must have a land holding to be referred to as their place of origin, in the current age most immortal clans have land holdings in the immortal realm, however the ancient clans still in existence from the time before the immortal exile have a land holding on a planet they ruled in the mortal realm. These former holdings are considered by mortals as holy ground and usually have some form of temple to the immortals of the clan built on them.

The most influential clans will have retainer clans who are bound by oath to serve their ruling clan, in return the ruling clan must uphold an oath to protect and offer sanctuary to all legal members of their retainer clans. A retainer clan can break away from a ruling clan if the oath of sanctuary is broken, likewise a ruling clan can cast out a retainer clan if the oath of servitude is broken. Some ruling clans are themselves a retainer clan to an even more influential clan, thus all retainer clans to the ruling clan are subjects of the ruling's clans "overlord clan".

In the immortal realm there are four "overlord clans", each descending from a child of the Creator. The fifth "overlord clan" merged with another "overlord clan" due to the marriage of Castion and Gaea. The sixth "overlord clan" descended from the Creator's child Lilith are exiled in Hell where they rule the Daemons. The four remaining loyal "overlord clans" are as follows:

A'vron Clan, descendants of Baelze the father of Devils
Fenri Clan, descendants of Castion the father of time & Gaea the mother of nature (shares common ancestry with the Melaer royal family)
Onda Clan, descendants of Seraphiel the father of Angels
Satine Clan, descendants of Feara the mother of Faey

Each clan also has a clan crest, for example the red talon surrounded by the dragon of creation is the crest of the A'vron family and is displayed on all palace banners in the Underworld as well as the imperial battle standard during times of war. The crests usually have some symbolic meaning, for example the red talon of the A'vron crest is meant to be the talon of the Daemon General Kzz'aratch who was slain by the third clan leader Bael, leading to the routing of the first Daemon invasion and the dragon of creation surrounding it was added by the fourth clan leader Krell to display their loyalty to the Creator.

Now an example of a Clan's membership:

Note: The term 'tyr' is similar to the 'von' and 'van' of central western europe in the middle ages, it essentially means 'of' but unlike von and van instead of referring to the town from which the person hails, it refers to the clan from which they hail. Also note if you marry into a clan you are henceforth referred to as being from that clan and lose the title of being from your previous clan.

Each - refers to the generation. So if you see one - then consider that first generation, then -- second generation and so on.

A'vron Clan
A'vron Clan Heads
Baelze tyr A'vron, first emperor
Abaddon tyr A'vron, second emperor
Bael tyr A'vron, third emperor
Krell tyr A'vron, fourth emperor
Isaan tyr A'vron, fifth emperor - current
Seth'ryal tyr A'vron, sixth emperor
Lancera tyr A'vron/Keriani tyr A'vron, joint-seventh emperor/empress
Vergil tyr A'vron, eighth emperor
Current Clan Members
-Krell tyr A'vron
Married Leona tyr A'vron
--Daziriel tyr A'vron
Married Furyae tyr A'vron
--Isaan tyr A'vron (clan leader)
Married Kerali tyr A'vron
---Seth'ryal tyr A'vron (clan heir)
Married Lillyana tyr A'vron
---Relara tyr A'vron
---Cyarno tyr A'vron
---Thia tyr A'vron
Married Castiel tyr A'vron
----Sabriel tyr A'vron
----Devante tyr A'vron
----Saraneth tyr A'vron
---Lancera tyr A'vron
---Keriani tyr A'vron
--Altieran tyr A'vron

[sundavar]

So then does every immortal, even those not born immortal, automatically belong to a clan? And if they belong to a clan do they then change whatever surname they had to begin with to relate to the clan or keep both?
I just want to make sure I understand it correctly.

[Brett]

If a mortal is turned into an immortal they become a member of the clan their "sire" for want of a better word belongs to. But they do have the option if they meet the above criteria to then form their own clan in time, without any repercussions from the clan they were brought into. If they do make their own clan though, it tends to end up a retainer clan to the clan that turned them.

As for the surname they don't have to change their surname, the 'tyr (clan name)' thing is more like an official title. They'd be introduced that way at official divine order functions, be it an official ball or a council meeting, but they can keep their own technical surname for private and casual use.