Labrukk (Lah-Bruck)

Family and faith protect our people.

Introduction:

Labrukk is the northwestern region of the Orc Domains. It sits along the northern coast of Utican next to the Farsend Ocean. Geographically Labrukk is small, has a small percentage of farmable land, and is separated from the southern regions by the Celestial Mountain. In past times when an Archon sat on the heavenly throne the Labrukk region had many visitors from the north and east travel to the region before they journeyed to Architis Keep and the Heavenly Throne. Without an Archon for over 200 years the ports have become less busy with trade. Still the region boasts a robust fishing community and it maintains positive relationships with the peoples on the islands and peninsula to the north.
In Labrukk most people are hardworking sailors, fishermen, laborers, or farmers. Labrukk maintains a standing army, but it is small compared to all other regions in the Orc Domain, partly due to the lower population of the Labrukk region. The region is currently ruled by Orc Lady Hinzou Mikelis who ascended to head of house Mikelis after the death of her mother Rugziel Mikelis an Orc Noble called Mother by her people. Lady Hinzou is a strong and competent leader. Lady Hinzou governs from the Mother's Hall in the capitol city of Bharlon.

An Odd Practice:

An odd practice in Labrukk is the prohibition on women from serving in the military. This is inconsistent with the norm across Thinia which allows both men and women to fight in war. The general belief across much of Thinia is that bringing in both male and female soldiers results in larger and thus stronger forces. However, Lady Rugziel Mikelis had a different idea.
When Lady Rugziel rose to power she declared that the main thing holding back Labrukk was dwindling population, destruction of families due to war, and the loss of otherwise skilled people to the allure and glory of combat. To remedy these issues Lady Rugziel instituted three policies known collectively as the Rugziel Decrees.
The first and most radical was the prohibition against women fighting in war. This prohibition known as the Mother's Decree argued that only two groups can bring new life into the world, one is the gods, and the other is women. Lady Rugziel reasoned it was foolish to risk women in war when population numbers are dwindling and the people are suffering as a result. The Mother's Decree did not prevent women from carrying weapons, training in martial arts, or even from becoming adventurers it only prohibited women from joining the military. The Mother's Decree also funded the building of hospitals where women could safely give birth while cared for by clerics and provided allowances to new mothers to help care for children. Since the Mother's Decree the population in Labrukk has risen faster than any other Orc region, and made it so Labrukk is no longer the least populace region.
The second policy known as the Family Decree created a series of systems and laws to protect and encourage stable families. The most popular of these was the policy that any soldier killed in battle while serving the region would see his family get three years of pay as if the soldier was still in service. A less popular measure made it illegal for a parent to abandon their children or spouse without contributing to the household. The penalty for failing to do so is five years in prison and a forfeiture of all assets to the abandoned family until all debts are paid. The Family Decree greatly decreased the number of children orphaned or impoverished due to war and curbed a growing trend of children being raised without the support of two parents.
The third policy known as the Scholar's Decree spent money on building schools and craft houses where people could pursue both technical and professional skills. Additionally a regional holiday known as Scholar's Day was declared where fairs are held and people are encouraged to present innovations, lectures, and demonstrations of their trades and professions. Scholars Day has gone a long way to increase the societal standing of those who choose to labor rather than fight.
These policies were implemented nearly 60 years ago by Lady Rugziel and then supported by Lady Hinzou when her mother passed. Although they were initially met with resistance, they are now viewed as wise decisions made by a caring ruler. This view of Rugziel's Decrees earned her the title of Mother.

A Relationship with Lokkheimer:

Labrukk maintains positive relations with the people living on the southern penninsula and island chains of Lokkheimer, the continent to the north of Utican. This exchange has resulted in an increased number of Goliaths and Dragonborn living in Labrukk. These northern immigrants have made small communities along the northern coast of Labrukk. The largest of these villages is called New Hope, referencing the desire for a new start and the letting go of old grudges. New Hope is currently governed by Ilalene Wavecutter Muthalukena, a Goliath sailor that saved many lives by ferrying people away from the islands north of Labrukk prior to the erruption of Mount Moor in the year 100 AC.

The Worship of Luthic:

The primary god worshipped by the people of Labrukk is Luthic, the Cave Mother. Luthic is the mother of all Orcs. While she is sometimes a harsh parent she cares deeply for the Orcs and embodies the importance of family and home amongst the Orc peoples. The clergy of Luthic are exclusively female orcs. The High Priestess Curvu Grin currently oversees the faith in Labrukk from the Craddle, a temple in the town of Luthicudo. The clergy often run hospitals, nurseries, and other care giving services within their temples and chapels. Because Luthic's portfolio extends beyond the Orcs there are individuals outside of the Orcs in Labrukk that worship the Cave Mother.

Labrukk: General Features

• Government: Noble State
• Current Ruler: Lady Hinzou Mikelis
• Important Personage: High Priestess Curvu Grin, Captain Okka Telkat, Commander Brahk Telkat, Ilalene Wavecutter Muthalukena, Advisor Ligress Gelrud
• Capital: Bharlon
• Towns and Villages: Luthicudo, New Hope, Portkol
• Notable Places: Farsend Port, Luthic's Grotto, Mother's Hall
• Region Type: Jungle and Coast
• Religion: Luthicans
• Trade Goods: Craftworks, Fish, Incense, Iron, and Lumber

Type

Region