The Life of an Orc
When an orc is born, the Yurtrus follower midwife, will examine the child for weakness or strength, if the baby is deemed acceptable it will be given to the mother to inspect next. If the parents find the baby without flaw, a follower of Luthic will take the baby. If any find weakness or reject the infant, it will be left for the Shargass cult, little is known of what happens from there, suffice it to say there numbers do not swell from this. If the orc baby is taken by the Luthic’s instead it will be raised as all orcs, given no love and high expectations. The child will be watched to decide if they are worthy of service to Ilneval, Luthic, or Yurtrus.
If at any point the child is deemed to weak, or flawed they can still be left for the Shargass. When the child can hold a blade, they are judged for which lord they will be raised. If the child is determined to be sufficient at combat, but not leadership, they are determined to be under the God Ilneval, that child will be returned to its family. The bulk of orcs are placed here, as most others would of been sent to Shargass rather then make it to be judged for other service. If the child is deemed most worthy of Service to Luthic, they will be raised with the Luthic’s, and may also know their mother. Many, but far from all female orcs end up with Luthic’s. Male orcs are just as likely, those who show strong leadership, but less combat prowess are sorted here. Those who show less promise with combat and leadership are sent to be raised by followers of Yurtrus, who will sequester the child and teach the ways of handling the sick, injured and dead. The rare child that shows promise in both combat and leadership, they are sent to the priests of Gruumish, and raised to be the best they can be, though many succumb to the extreme expectations.
Orc youths raised with their families train for combat and life apart of the tribe. They participate in life as many do. But they always know that the cult of the Shargass are watching for weakness, or failure to honor the orcish gods. As the Orcs age, they come to follow the code of Orcs, and finds there place amongst the other Orcs, while all Orcs practice for battle and can be considered warriors, they often have other jobs they do, like miners, smiths, healers, guards and Hunters. The Orc fills a purpose, often chosen for them by necessity, as decided by the Orc Chieftain.
An Orc Chieftain is the strongest, most cunning orc in a settlement of Orc's. A Orcish Warlord is the only position of more honor than an Orc Chieftain. While it is possible to fight an Orc Chieftain for the right of becoming Chief, this usually comes to happen when the Orc Chieftain has found and groomed a successor, and they challenge the successor to combat themselves, and if the successor defeats the Chieftain they become the Chieftain. Sometimes though, a plot will take place, and some other orc will position themselves to publlically challenge the Chieftain. They would have to secure the loyalties of those closest to the Chief, as they would likely take on the challenger first, demanding they best them first. A Orc must truly of proven itself the strongest prior to such a challenge without gaining such loyalties first, or the Orc Chieftain proven themselves weak..
To become a Orc Warlord, they would need great battle prowess, as well as the loyalty of many Orcs, and the support of an Orc Chieftain. To avoid being removed from their position, and Orc Chieftain is likely to support a potential Rival for Warlord. They would then take a band of Orc Warriors, and find a battle against stronger foes. If victorious, they return to the Orc Clan, and are named a Warlord. Warlords are treated with the utmost respect, and given there every wish, but are expected to lead other Orcs to war, and ensure the Clan continues to gain in strength. If a Warlords Clan is loosing strength or power, they are likely to be betrayed to their death by the other clan members.
A Warlord may take on many Clans, but a Clan will only have a single warlord. Clans serve to the needs and wishes of a Warlord, and stand prepared to follow them into war. Day to day, an average orc will do their job, and be prepared to be called to fight at any moment. They seek such a moment with pride, and will rise to any call to arms likely. Most Orcs would rather follow another Orc into battle then lead Orcs into battle, but it is very rare to find an Orc willing to shrink from a challenge.
If at any point the child is deemed to weak, or flawed they can still be left for the Shargass. When the child can hold a blade, they are judged for which lord they will be raised. If the child is determined to be sufficient at combat, but not leadership, they are determined to be under the God Ilneval, that child will be returned to its family. The bulk of orcs are placed here, as most others would of been sent to Shargass rather then make it to be judged for other service. If the child is deemed most worthy of Service to Luthic, they will be raised with the Luthic’s, and may also know their mother. Many, but far from all female orcs end up with Luthic’s. Male orcs are just as likely, those who show strong leadership, but less combat prowess are sorted here. Those who show less promise with combat and leadership are sent to be raised by followers of Yurtrus, who will sequester the child and teach the ways of handling the sick, injured and dead. The rare child that shows promise in both combat and leadership, they are sent to the priests of Gruumish, and raised to be the best they can be, though many succumb to the extreme expectations.
Orc youths raised with their families train for combat and life apart of the tribe. They participate in life as many do. But they always know that the cult of the Shargass are watching for weakness, or failure to honor the orcish gods. As the Orcs age, they come to follow the code of Orcs, and finds there place amongst the other Orcs, while all Orcs practice for battle and can be considered warriors, they often have other jobs they do, like miners, smiths, healers, guards and Hunters. The Orc fills a purpose, often chosen for them by necessity, as decided by the Orc Chieftain.
An Orc Chieftain is the strongest, most cunning orc in a settlement of Orc's. A Orcish Warlord is the only position of more honor than an Orc Chieftain. While it is possible to fight an Orc Chieftain for the right of becoming Chief, this usually comes to happen when the Orc Chieftain has found and groomed a successor, and they challenge the successor to combat themselves, and if the successor defeats the Chieftain they become the Chieftain. Sometimes though, a plot will take place, and some other orc will position themselves to publlically challenge the Chieftain. They would have to secure the loyalties of those closest to the Chief, as they would likely take on the challenger first, demanding they best them first. A Orc must truly of proven itself the strongest prior to such a challenge without gaining such loyalties first, or the Orc Chieftain proven themselves weak..
To become a Orc Warlord, they would need great battle prowess, as well as the loyalty of many Orcs, and the support of an Orc Chieftain. To avoid being removed from their position, and Orc Chieftain is likely to support a potential Rival for Warlord. They would then take a band of Orc Warriors, and find a battle against stronger foes. If victorious, they return to the Orc Clan, and are named a Warlord. Warlords are treated with the utmost respect, and given there every wish, but are expected to lead other Orcs to war, and ensure the Clan continues to gain in strength. If a Warlords Clan is loosing strength or power, they are likely to be betrayed to their death by the other clan members.
A Warlord may take on many Clans, but a Clan will only have a single warlord. Clans serve to the needs and wishes of a Warlord, and stand prepared to follow them into war. Day to day, an average orc will do their job, and be prepared to be called to fight at any moment. They seek such a moment with pride, and will rise to any call to arms likely. Most Orcs would rather follow another Orc into battle then lead Orcs into battle, but it is very rare to find an Orc willing to shrink from a challenge.
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