Varangia
The homeland, and origin of creation, for the Orcs that inhabit the world of the Tenebra. The isles of Varangia were originally a factory used to make the first orcs almost two thousand years ago in order to suppress the oncoming Great Holy War. The orcs were designed by an alchemist known as Pedanus who wished to bring the best out of the High Elves, the Servitor Races, and the Risi in order to make the "perfect soldier." The orcs were designed in the center of the tundral wasteland as soldiers that would require lesser amounts of rest, would be resistant to magical charms, and would become tougher and mightier over the periods of time they prosper as soldiers under the Latonan Empire. With extreme amounts of psychological conditioning, the orcs became nearly unbreakable in their loyalty to the Empire.
The extreme conditioning would break, however, with the advent of the Hellwalker whose rage and fury was enough to break the brainwashing that had taken place over the course of nearly 1000 years. With their new-found freedom, the orcs slew their masters and flayed Pedanus while keeping his still living body to slowly die from the cold wastes of the isles of Varangia. The orcs then set up an organization dedicated to the complete annihilation of cultists and demons wherever they shall dwell called the Order of the Slayers. This order then set the infrastructure of how orcs would define their entire society as a meritocratic oligarchy where might and wisdom would determine who would and would not lead Varangia.
To further cement the viability and potency of the entire orcish race, every child is trained from birth to be a fully trained warrior capable of facing the forces of Sheol without fear and with fury blooming in the orc heart. Upon a child reaching the age of 13, they are sent out in the frozen wasteland of Yatgetos, an island of Varangia where snowstorms occur very often, in an event called the Proving. In the Proving, children are tasked with killing a demon and bringing back proof of their prey. Most children come back from the Proving as successful and future Slayers, but others get lost in the wastes of unending cold and either perish from frost or are added amongst the damned.
Structure
See Order of the Slayers to see a layout of how orcs are structured in militaristic accounts and see Orcs to see how the race defines itself in terms of age.
Culture
Orcs absolutely abhor slavery, a fact that makes most shriek in terror if they own slaves and see a Varangian walking toward them. However, orcs, in the past, relied upon the repentant and pious to supply the labor-force of Varangia with supplies, food and construction. Today, the orcs rely upon lifeless and non-sentient automatons to complete labor that the orcs are far too busy to dedicate to.
Many, in the time they have for recreation, invest in sports such as skiing, wrestling, weightlifting competitions and tugs of war. However, others more find amusement in board games, singing and writing. Each of these three activities are constructed to embrace a war-driven culture such as Hnefatafl, saga-singing, and philosophical writings.
Public Agenda
Hunt and kill the demon, the heretic and the beyond wherever it shall dwell.
Assets
The isles and the orcs supply a great deal of the world's surplus of sulfur and gunpowder due to demonic ash being mainly composed of sulfur and other minerals sufficient to create gunpowder.
History
After the death of the Hellwalker in 1263, by his son Aelius Viator, the nation of Varangia knew peace for a time and some orcs began to retire from warfare as Flavius Viator, another son of the Hellwalker, became the High-King and Heavenspeaker of Varangia. This would change once more in 1323 as many demonic incursions prompted many retired orcs to return to arms to hunt their dreaded enemy once more.
CLEAVE AND REND! UNTIL ALL IS QUIET!
Founding Date
-30
Alternative Names
The Isles of Varangia
Successor Organization
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Demonym
Varangian
Leader
Ruling Organization
Head of State
Government System
Meritocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Currency
Boudigian coins.
Deities
Location
Related Species
Comments