Orc Funeral Rites and Beliefs on Death
In orcish culture, a profound sense of respect and honor extends beyond the realm of the living, transcending the boundaries of life and death. When an orc falls, be they friend or foe, their comrades gather the fallen bodies, treating them with the reverence they believe every being deserves.
If the numbers permit, the fallen are piled together, regardless of their former allegiances. Orcs, united in their belief that death reduces all to the same humble state, engage in an energetic and exaggerated chant of honor and respect. This chant is accompanied by a group dance, punctuated by vigorous shouts that resonate with a blend of celebration and reverence.
After the spirited honor chant concludes, each orc pays their respects in their unique way. Some recount memories, others stand in solemn silence, while some even cheer for the fallen. These deeply personal gestures serve as testaments to the respect and honor they hold for those who have passed.
Following these rites, the living take it upon themselves to cremate the fallen. The bodies are set ablaze, often with the assistance of a skilled magical practitioner who can stoke the flames or intensify the heat. However, the absence of such magic does not diminish the significance of the ceremony.
Once the pyres have consumed the bodies, the bones are carefully left in their final resting place, and the living diligently work to scatter the ashes into the surrounding wilderness. In this way, the orcish culture maintains its deep connection to the cycle of life and death, ensuring that even the fallen are granted the respect and honor they believe all beings deserve.
This rite has been part of Orc culture for as long as any can remember. It was first observed by other people of Deabros in 475, when a diverse group of heroes paid respects to orc raiders who attacked the town of Auris. Shaman Be'llor Stormcaller led the rites.
Execution of Rites
- Gathering of the Fallen
- Preparation of the Pyres
- Kindling the Flames
- Honor Chant and Dance
- Respects and Memories
- Cremation
- Ash Scattering
- Closure and Reflection
Components & Tools
- Firewood
- Kindling or coal
- Drums and percussion-like instruments (primitive)
- Magical practitioner (optional)
- Chants and songs
- Natural surroundings
Funeral Rites Per Station
Death of a Warrior
When a warrior falls in battle, their body is cremated in a cleansing fire. The ashes represent a fresh start for the warrior's soul as they embark on their journey to the Land of Ro and Sha. The Orcs may choose to scatter the ashes in the wind to signify a swift flight to the afterlife or bury them deep within the earth to bring the spirit closer to the essence of the Land.Death of the Master
Masters who pass on their knowledge craft two items before their death. One is gifted to their apprentice to ensure the legacy of their expertise endures, and the other is placed upon an animal that carries it into the spirit world. This practice maintains a connection between the Orcs and their ancestral knowledge.Death of the Innocent
When young Orcs who have not come of age pass away, their burials are swift. Their bodies are cremated, and the ashes are interred within a tree's trunk or the earth where food grows. This allows the souls of the innocent to quickly transition to the spirit realm, guided by the nurturing forces of the natural world.Death of the Outsider
Customs vary among Orcish tribes when outsiders meet their end. Some honor them with the rites of a fallen warrior, recognizing their worthiness in death. Others reject outsiders' spirits, burying them en masse or dispersing them in water to prevent their entry into the afterlife. The treatment of outsiders in death reflects the diversity of Orcish beliefs.Death of a Shaman
Shamans hold a special place in Orcish society. Upon their passing, their ashes are placed within a totem passed down to Shaman Leaders of the tribe. This totem serves as a bridge between the living and the spirit world, allowing current leaders to commune with the spirits of past Shamans. In cases where a Shaman has no successor, they become a Spiritual Warrior in the Land of Ro and Sha, guarding against those Orcs who would force themselves back into the world.Land of Ro and Sha
Upon the passing of Orcs, they embark on their ultimate journey into the dual realms of Ro and Sha. For the Ranaak, Ro represents a serene land where they can embrace the spirits of the wild. Here, they roam untamed landscapes, merge with towering mountains, and witness the world's essence. During their sojourn, they gradually meld with their chosen spirits, becoming an intrinsic part of the land. As their spirits merge, they fall like rain, snow, storms, and winds, becoming an integral aspect of the earth below. Before their complete merger and return to the earth, they have the choice to watch over those left behind. These spirits may guide their kin through various means—whispers on the wind, tremors in the earth, or reflections in the waters. The most potent shamans among the tribe can even converse with these wild spirits and extract their wisdom to share with the living. For the Shezaag, the afterlife in Sha is a realm of perpetual conquest. Upon entering this spiritual domain through their carnage, they engage in relentless battles against the spirits, gradually assimilating their essence. Once their thirst for conquest is sated, they return to the flow of existence as conquerors—manifesting as violent forces of nature. These conquering spirits could take on forms like treacherous mountains or unpredictable, freezing winds. However, the Shezaag cannot communicate with the living through the land in the same manner as the Ranaak, as the fallen have nothing to convey to those who remain. Both tribes have their outliers who cannot find the peace or conquest they seek within Ro and Sha. Instead, they endeavor to return to the realm of the living through unnatural means. Among the Ranaak, there are tales of the deceased forcing their way back into the world by subduing the souls of wolves and bears, assuming their forms. These abominations often succumb to madness, as the souls within them struggle for dominance. Such tainted creatures are the stuff of children's nightmares and are swiftly hunted and exterminated by Ranaak warriors. The Shezaag have their own dissatisfied tribesmen who attempt to perpetuate their conquests. Instead of inhabiting creatures to re-enter the world, they merge with the elements, forcibly reemerging into the realm of the living. This rarely ends well for the Shezaag, as the elements resist their control. Once Orc spirits infiltrate the land, they are gradually consumed by the spirits of nature and are forever lost. Due to the savagery of the Orcs involved, these spirits are tainted with rage and seek to dominate all others. Fire subdues water, earth smothers the wind, and the natural order spirals into chaos.
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