Hargu the Eternal

The First Hargu

The original Hargu dates back to the Goblinkin Wars  when Korock the Destroyer unified the tribes of orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, ogres and trolls. During the height of Korock’s campaign of the north he was chosen by  Eramus the Father Creator  to ascend to Godhood to represent cruelty, ruthlessness and fearlessness within The Nine. As he ascended, he cast his weapon down into the realm of Hargu for the next conquer to find and bring together the tribes of the realm in order to fulfill the destiny of the Hargu people. It is said that when his hammer struck the land the impact was so great and formed an enormous crater killing all inhabitants. This area would later be known as the Crater of Trials.

The Nine Tablets of Rock

After the defeat suffered from the northern people the tribes of the Hargu descended back to civil rivalry, usually leading to conflicts among the leaders of the various tribes. During this time a powerful shaman named Teron Gorefiend communed with the Great Korock for guidance of how to unify the great people of Hargu.
Teron was told many things about his people and what was expected of them, how they should live and a prophecy of the return of the true leader of the Hargu people. This information was written down onto nine large Stone tablets which became known as the teachings of the Rock.
“And he will emerge from the earth with nothing but the doom of others in his hand and the eye of the Old God. Those will know he is the true descendant of Hargu as his emergence will come with the rising of the blooded moon. His name will ring out though the people, the tribes will flock to his banner as he will unify the people. With this he will set out and bring a great war to the people of Erellion.”

Church of the Fiend

Soon after the Death of Teron, the temple project he had started was finally competed. His disciples named it “Church of the Fiend” after their great leader. The next leader of the temple was taking the name “Gore” and this tradition continued onward. The church would go on to play a significant role with in the Hargu realm, it would be the church elders who would pick the next “Hargu” at the end of the trials. Usually the “Hargu” would be one from a prominent clan and or a clan who would contribute the most wealth from its raids. This would ensure that those who had power within the realm would remain in power and not change the pecking order of the people. Some of the most well know clan during this age where Surfang, Wolfsblood, Gragbore, Hellsrcream and Blackrock.

Crater of Trials

A large crater within the Hargu realm was formed when a great meteor crashed down. Within the crater the land and became quite fertile and rich with minerals. About 52an after the meteor struck the realm the Hargu made a declaration that all slaves and captives would be forced into the crater, the purpose of this was for them to tend the land and mine the rich materials needed to fuel the realms raids on the lands that bordered Hargu. Around the year 113an an uprising of the slaves who resided in the crater took place. It took about two years for the rebellion to be squashed and things to return to normal, it was then that the true horror for the slaves would begin. Every year after the harvest of the Moon the orcs of the various clans would send their young would had proven themselves during Trak’ragrash (raids deep within enemy territory) to participate in the Crater Trials. The orcs would be given a day’s ration, waterskin, skinning knife and the blessing of Korock. They would be sent into the crater and be tasked with killing eight strong males. To prove this, they were required to bring back their eyes as proof. However, they would not be permitted to return for seven nights. It was also decreed that the slaves of the crater could fight back.

Selection of Hargu

It wasn’t till about 117an that the selection process was fully established for the next Hargu. The current “Gore”, arnag Rogthun came up with the process. From the remaining orcs that survived the Crater Trials one would be selected to become the new Hargu by the eight elders and the “Gore” of the church. The current Hargu would then challenge the selected orc to mortal combat as the victory would then claim the title Hargu (this combat was not always to the death as it was allowed for one to surrender). Some of the clans detested this procedure as it eventually became abused in keeping certain clans in power.