Introduction:
The Orc Domain is a collection of federated Noble States ruled over by nine Orc Nobles and at times a monarch known as the Archon. The Orc Domain is a diverse region, but the majority of those living in the region are Orcs and Half-Orcs. Since its founding most conflict in the Orc Domain has been caused by the battle for the title of Archon and the Heavenly Throne.
The accounts below are curated excerpts from a lifetime of academic works by the famed Orc Historian Xagu Grogmar and his many pages. Academic Grogmar's work is the most complete history to date detailing the arrival of the Orc peoples on Utican up through the modern history of the Orc Domains. While these excerpts are not exhaustive, they have been selected to capture the most important moments in the history of the Orc Domains and surrounding regions. Any student of history would do themselves a great disservice in failing to read these works.
History:
The Arrival and the Hellena Empire:
As almost any educated person knows, the noble Orc people did not awaken in the west. Like all short lived races the Orcs gained sentience during the period of the second awakening. While many of the young races were forced to contend with the oppression and arrogance of the elder races, the Orc were faced with an entirely different challenge. When our people first awoke we were captured by the wicked god Gruumsh. It must be noted that this is not a theological text and I do not present myself as a theologian. However, the history of our peoples' service to Gruumsh cannot be ignored. For greater insights into the practical, cultural, and spiritual reasons for this service to the one eyed god, please refer to the work of my contemporary and friend Academic Lash Bolar.
After many centuries the service to Gruumsh was ended through intervention by the great Hellena Empire. The Hellenans made contact with our Orcish ancestors and with the help of the first noble families the Hellenans destroyed the fanatical witch kings and queens who served Gruumsh. In exchange for this liberation the now free Orc peoples joined the expanding Hellena empire and set their eyes westward, across the ocean.
The Hellena forces, now bolstered even further by Orc warriors and shamans made the great journey across the ocean and arrived for the first time on the Western continent. The initial expeditionary force was a mixture of Dwarves, Orcs, Humans, Aasimar, and Leonin. Despite our ancestors' attempts at diplomacy, the native human populace was extremely hostile. It was determined that conquest would be the only means to bring the natives into the great Hellena Empire. After seeing the grandeur and might of Hellena, many of the native tribes surrendered and willingly joined Hellena. Those that did not were pushed into the Abbas Waste and became known as the Odion.
The Retreat and the Formation of the Domain:
Like so many other Empires the Hellena Empire sunk into a decline and eventually collapsed. By all accounts Hellena had once ruled almost the entirety of Thinia, but it could not last. There is little information available to our scholars concerning the reasons for the fall, but it is agreed that it occurred somewhat rapidly. In response to the Empire's internal strife, Helena pulled back its forces from the Western continent and gifted the lands to the Orc Nobles who had faithfully served the Empire. This act was a clear blessing by the rulers of the Empire naming the Orc Nobles as the heirs that would inherit the Western Empire. The withdrawal of Hellena forces and direct rule from the Western Continent is known as the Retreat, and marks the unofficial formation of the Orc Domain.
Over the next few decades the Orc Nobles debated over the division of the Orc Domain and who would lead them. This civil strife was ended when Shelur Rondea united the Orc Domains through military might and named herself the first Archon. It should be noted that the title of Archon, much like the Hellenan surnames adopted by the Orc Nobles, is an acknowledgement that the Orc Nobles are the heirs to the Hellena Empire. The title of Archon was one granted to those who ruled over Hellena from the blessed city.
During the time of Archon Rondea's ascension many Dwarves protested against Orc rule, despite the blessing given by Hellena. These Dwarves lead by the Great Clans journeyed to the mountain known as Kumuldor and made their kingdom there. Despite the disrespect shown to both the Orc Nobles and Hellena, the Dwarves continue to be good neighbors and excellent trade partners. The same cannot be said as often of the Odion.
The Endless Strife and Modern Day:
The rule of the Archons persisted for centuries. While there were minor gaps or interregnums at times none lasted more than three years. During this time the Orc Domain was relatively peaceful and unified and this allowed the Orc Nobles to focus their efforts outward. The Domain expanded and lands were taken from the Elves to the north, the Odion to the south, and a short lived region was established in the east. Unfortunately, that region was one of the first loses at the beginning of the Endless Strife. About two hundred years before the writing of this account the last Archon of the Orc Domain was deposed. After his fall the regions fractured and the Orc Nobles began a endemic contest to become the next Archon. None were able to claim the heavenly throne and over the two centuries of the Endless Strife the Orc Domain depleted its resources and people through regional warfare.
Now in the modern era foreign empires threaten to absorb the Orc Domain, most notably the Capsan Empire to the East. Recognizing this outside power, some Orc Nobles have agreed to complicated, and in some cases contradictory, treaties. Conflict has lessened as a result but this scholar speculates that we are simply seeing the calm before the calamity. I believe the most ambitious Orc Nobles are building their defenses, growing their forces, and stockpiling supplies in an effort to claim the heavenly throne.
The Regions of the Orc Domain
The Orc Domain is divided into nine regions. Each region was named after the first Orc Noble to rule over that region. These nobles rose to power in different ways but each are remembered by the lands that now bear their names. The regions are listed below;
Bhol:
The northern most region in the Orc Domain. It is heavily forested and the southern portion is dominated by a forest known as the Deepwood.Kuddo:
The farthest east region of the Orc Domain. Due to their location the people of Kuddo tend to have the most interaction with the people of the Heartlands including the Capsan Empire.Labrukk:
The northwestern region of the Orc Domain. This region interacts mostly with the Bhol and Targhed regions. They also have a robust relationship with people from the islands and peninsula to the north.Lazgar:
A central region of the Orc Domain in the Lazgar River Valley. Lazgar borders the Abbas Wastes and has traditionally maintained the best relationships with the human peoples known as the Odion.Murag:
the northern central region of the Orc Domain. The Murag region is south of Bhol and on the southwestern edge of the Shimmering Gulf that separates Murag from the Elven kingdom of Onarion. Murag has a tense relationship with its Elven neighbors as skirmishes have been common in the past especially when disputes over the resource rich islands in the Shimmering Gulf come up.Ridu:
The eastern region between Umvak and Kuddo. The people of Ridu are primarily sailors and fisherman that make their living from the coast. At one time the people of Ridu attempted to mine the northern slopes of the mountain that houses Kumuldor. These efforts resulted in a bloody conflict with the Gold Dwarves known as the War of Greed. The people of Ridu have not made similar attempts since then.Targhed:
The most western region in the Orc Domain. The Targhed region is noted for its naval capacity. Targhed often trades with the peoples of the far east and have long been plagued by the pirates of Exgilios.Umvak:
Another central region closer to the eastern coast of the Orc Domain. Umvak is one of the most resource rich regions in the Orc Domain as it benefits from the Shimmering Gulf to the north, the ample forests throughout the region, the Green River as a means of quick transportation, and rich ore deposits in the nearby Golden Slopes.Zufin:
A central region in the Orc Domain. Zufin like Lazgar is neighbors with the Abbas Wastes. Unfortunately the history of Zufin has been much more antagonistic with the Odion. Zufin maintains a better relationship with the Dwarves of Kumuldor and routinely serves as a marketplace for Dwarven crafts.
