In practice, the tribes of the People are divided into three broad categories: the honored tribes, the low tribes, and the bastard tribes. While an honored tribe may be considered to have a bad reputation or a bastard tribe may be recognized for their valor, in general, honored tribes have more prestige than low tribes, and low tribes more than bastard tribes.
Honored tribes are the most well-established, with legacies stretching far into the past. Many honored tribes tell of their histories going back to before the People were driven to the End of the World, these are almost certainly self-serving myths. However, there is little doubt that these tribes have been around for a long time, and have maintained their individual identities scrupulously. With such lengthy histories, many of these tribes have built storied reputations on the many deeds of valor, cunning, and bravery shown by their members.
An example of an honored tribe is the Falling River tribe of hobgoblins. For eons, the Falling River have lived in and tended to the ancient forests at the headwaters of the Serpentine River. Throughout the centuries, their fierce protection of their lands has earned them a reputation of strength and tenacity. The Falling River have also produced a long line of powerful druids, whose wisdom has proved invaluable to both the tribe and to those who seek their assistance.
Low tribes are those that have been established recently, or those that have formed from the merger of two or more older tribes. These tribes lack the reputation of the honored tribes, but have existed long enough that they have established a measure of stability. With time and luck, a low tribe may eventually rise to the status of a high tribe.
An example of a low tribe is the Stormfist tribe of orcs. First formed around seventy years ago, the Stormfist orcs have produced a number of renowned warriors, but their relative isolation have kept them from gaining much recognition from other tribes. Since the Conquest led by their most famous scion, Gothron Stormfist, their fortunes have grown immensely, but there are some who still consider them lesser due to their lack of history.
Bastard tribes are those that have formed out of necessity in very recent times, often since Gothron's conquest and the establishment of the Stormfist Empire. This term is especially used to refer to tribes of mixed race. Bastard tribes are typically looked down upon and not trusted. Without a history to draw upon, a bastard tribe has little renown except for that earned by its current members. Bastard tribes that remain intact for a decade or so may begin to be recongnized as low tribes.
An example of a bastard tribe is the Sons of Hud, a savage and degenerate tribe of ogres. Formed in the past decade by the particularly loathsome warlord Hud, the ogres of Hud consist of ogres too belligerent and vile to belong to another tribe. With the death of Hud during the Conquest, his sons have inherited his tribe, but without an agreement to share power, they have fallen into a murderous struggle for control. While it is possible that one of Hud's progeny could survive and stabilize his tribe, a bloody end seems all too likely.
