Greenskin Tribes - Laws, Economy and Trade

Greenskin culture can vary greatly between each Tribe, and listing all the variations is an impossible task. However, there are certain standards that can be found across the Orcish Tribelands.

Laws and Governance

Laws and rules are typically made by the Chieftain of the Tribe, although many will carry on from previous rulers. The management of how the Tribe functions and the roles everyone must play fall under these "laws", as well as ways for settling disputes. It is not uncommon for arguments to be settled by a contest or some form of combat, with the victor being decreed the one that is in the right.

When a new Chieftain is needed, be it the previous has died from old age, illness or combat, the differing Tribes have their own unique ways of who is selected for the role. Some Tribes will let it fall upon the next of kin for the Chief, where others may already be in agreement of who the next in line is. Some of the more civilised will put it to a vote, and those that value strength will have a great contest to test the might of those that want the position. Whatever the means of selecting the new Chieftain, once they come to power, their word is final. They may wish to keep the laws and rules of previous Chieftain', or repeal the ones they disagree with. This is more likely if the new Chieftain has taken the leadership role by force.

Internal Economies

Most of the Tribes work on a rudimentary form of bartering - each Greenskin will have their role within the Tribe and offer their services in return for something else. One example could be helping build something in return for crafted items. In regards to food, if there is plenty to go around, this is given out evenly amongst the Tribe so that every member can survive. It is expected of anyone that harvests food to share it in such a way, and in return, protection is given over to the farmland, gathering territories or places where good game can be found.

Not all Tribes deal with bartering, and a rare few have found other means to share in resources and services available. The more war-like Tribes will have a strict hierarchy, with the mightiest forcibly taking what they believe is rightfully theirs. The remains are fought over by the rest of the Tribe, with social standing and physical strength dictating the pecking order. Many wonder why weaker members of Greenskin Society would stay in such a Tribe, but there is some sense to being surrounded by the biggest and strongest Greenskin' - protection.

Other Tribes may have their own form of currency, which sees little use outside the Tribe, but is used internally to buy services and goods. This could be in the form of metal coins, gemstones, or even lost teeth. Tribes with a large amount of Goblins find this method creeping in to their society slowly, and it is quite effective at controlling any thievery.

Trade with other Tribes and Cultures

The Orcish Tribelands covers a vast area with several different "biomes". Where many would think that Tribes seldom interact, the opposite is true. Groups of Tribes will usually be found in the same area, and inter-Tribe politics is a complex web of grudges, pacts and trade agreements. Tribes will often meet to discuss matters of defence and land ownership, as well as any resources they are willing to trade. Tribes that live near rivers or the coast will bring seafood to happily trade for lumber provided by a Tribe that lives in the forests. This trading varies with how often it occurs, with some Tribes having a long-lasting agreement to support each other, and others only going to another Tribe for trade when they have a surplus.

Trading outside the Orcish Tribelands does happen, although very rarely. The northern Tribes will sometimes run in to the Goliath Clans of the Northern Wastes, and will openly trade and barter with them. Those to the south, closer to the Akriteru Desert will run in to the Ogre Empire of Ari'Salar, and goods and services will be exchanged freely.