THE UNSHARED MERCY

Quiet had the day been so far. The Rex sat upon his throne in Fort Ilzruck, staring ahead into the warm pool of water which rested within the center of the room. In times such as these, the Rex’s mind was often brought back to his childhood days. He reminisced upon a time when he and his brothers would visit the warm springs nestled in quiet places among the Ailmere. There they’d relax for hours until their Father, the warlord Grugmak, bade them back to camp.

So too did his mind wander to his first hunt and the day he earned his tattoos and warpaint. The day he claimed the pelt of a bear for himself. How he longed to be young again, to be a nomad in the vast snow of the Ailmere…

“Mighty Rex!” called the voice of an Orc, startling Torosh from his daydreams. The Frost Uruk blinked himself awake, then turned to the one who had spoken to him. With a gesture of his red hand, he awaited for the Uruk to speak.

“A Princess! An Imperial Princess! The daughter of Hadrian the Mad!”

The words were sobering. Torosh straightened up in his throne and focused his gaze upon the messenger before speaking for himself. “Where do they have her?”

“Urguan, Lord-Rex. The Salvian Shamizir and your son Grommar took her to their capital.”

‘They’ll demand her head,’ he thought. ‘They’ll want her dead if they cannot achieve a ransom or a battle.’ Time was of the essence, and Torosh knew this.

“Send for the Targoth. Tell him he is to meet Shamizir at the coast of Ipanema. After you do so, ride to Urguan as quickly as you can. Tell Shamizir and his Warband that they are to bring the Princess back here.”

The messenger pumped his fist over his heart before turning and running from the throne room. The Rex rose from his throne whilst clenching then un-clenching his fists repeatedly. A low grumble escaped his throat as he made his way down to the bonfire of Ghorazad in the city center.

Many Spirit’s Minutes passed, and the Rex’s jaw continued to clench with each waking moment. Soon enough, a familiar voice broke the silence;

“Gate!” Roared the familiar voice of Shamizir the Sanguine, leader of the Salvians. Though Torosh had never come to trust the Salvians again, especially after the Siege of the Rock, he knew their hatred of the Empire was much stronger than any other grudge. The Rex quickly dispatched an Orc to heave the gate open, and in rode a small column of Salvian, Dreadlandic, and Belethian riders.

As Shamizir approached the waiting Rex, the Frost Orc could catch a glimpse of the prisoner that was seemingly of such high value to the Alliance. She was no older than 17, Torosh determined, and she appeared a rather gaunt and sickly figure. Something about the girl’s appearance brought a pang of sympathy to the Rex’s chest as he approached Shamizir’s horse.

“Your prisoner, Lord-Rex” Said Shamizir with a cackle as he brought the bound Princess down from his horse, setting her upon her feet before the Rex. Torosh, however, did not find himself in a humorful mood even as the cries and jeers of the gathering crowd voiced a different opinion.

“Hang her!” “She’s the spawn of Iblees!” came the cries of the Ghorazad townsfolk. Yet, when Torosh looked upon the Princess, he saw not a monster or a combatant, but a young woman who had become a victim to her Father’s war. The Rex shook his head and spoke aloud to the gathering townsfolk.

“Make space. Leave her be.”

In spite of their own opinions, the commands of the Rex were heeded. Space was quickly made around the Princess, to whom Torosh now gave his full attention. He stepped forth, examining the woman’s face for injuries, only finding a small cut upon her cheek which had begun to close up. Torosh retrieved a small rag from a pocket and quickly removed any lingering blood from her face.

“I pray you were treated kindly on the roads?” The Rex offered, briefly checking her for more injuries. When he found none, Torosh straightened up once more.

“Well enough,” The Princess replied. “I am Livia Caesonia, Princess of the Empire of Man.”

“Torosh’Mak, Rex of the Horde.” The Frost Uruk looked around at the crowd before letting out a sigh and beginning to slowly walk towards the Clan Hall of the Maks. “Come. I will see you fed.”

A path was made for the Rex and the bound Princess within the crowd. Upon entry into the Clan Hall, Klog’Akaal quickly posted up outside the door to prevent entry without Torosh’s consent. “I hope you do not mind steak.” The Rex said as he affixed a plate for the Princess. Once it was ready, he placed it in front of Livia and sat across from her. Now did Torosh get a proper look at her - She was no doubt sickly, gaunt, and yet bore the signature features of a Horen. Torosh did not know why, but he felt himself growing concerned for this woman - this innocent, who had not yet reached her twentieth birthday.

“I am quite fond of venison” Spoke the Princess as she ate the offered food. Torosh spent another moment observing her before speaking again. “I have a daughter about the same age as you,” he said.

“What is her name?” asked the Princess.

“Garona’Mak,” replied Torosh. “She is the third of my children, of which I have seven.”

A pause lingered before Torosh spoke again.

“I do not intend to kill you. That is why I had you brought here, to avoid your needless bloodletting. The Urukhim are not as savage as your Imperials believe us to be.”

The Princess stopped eating momentarily to ponder Torosh’s words. She turned to look at him, her expression hard to read. “My Father would not have done the same. He would kill your children if he had captured them.”

“I know,” said the Rex. “My second youngest child, Ilza, was captured by your Father’s Knights on the first day of the war. His Knights beat her, bruised her, threatened to cut off her hand or hang her. She was seven years of age at that time.”

The words seemed to weigh heavy upon the Princess, though she for a time remained silent.

“But you are not Hadrian, and Hadrian is not you. I will not hold a child accountable for the sins of her Father, no matter the crimes the Father has dealt unto my people. I will leave you with this; your Father would not send even a ransom for his daughter, whilst I started a war for mine. You must choose how to go forward from here, for that is why the Creator gave us free will, no?”

Torosh rose to his feet, drew his blade, and cut Livia’s binds free in a swift motion. The blade was soon returned to its sheathe as the Rex escorted Livia outside and atop his own War Rhino. “Do not resign yourself as a slave to your society.”

With these final words imparted, the Rex brought Livia with a company of Belethians to the border between Beleth and Kurai-Kuni. There, she let the Princess free. Heavy did the decision weigh on his mind, but in his moment of doubt, he thought back to the day when Ilza had been captured. He knew the pain of almost losing a child, and it was one that haunted him frequently. Still, he knew in his heart he had done what he believed to be right, even if he knew his enemy would not do the same.

And so the Rex turned his Rhino about and began the long trek back to Ghorazad.

THE FROST ORCS

OF CLAN MAK

THE FROST ORCS HAVE EXISTED FOR CENTURIES.

Yet much knowledge of the old ways of life of this subculture of Urukhim has been long lost or forgotten. The Thaug’Maugrim, once the chief tribe of Frost Orcs, has largely fizzled out of existence. The only ones who remain faithful to some semblance of this old way of life is the Clan of Mak, as well as other remnant Thaug’Maugrim who remain largely isolated.

However, under the leadership of Torosh’Mak, founder of Clan Mak and son of the Warlord Grugmak, Frost Orc culture slowly but surely finds itself being revitalized with the birth of new members and the adoption of Clanless Urukhim.

APPEARANCE & COMMON THEMES

Though officially known as Frost Orcs or Frost Urukhim, these Orcs also have been called “Jotunn” (Frost Giant) by some northern clansmen that have encountered these people. Sometimes, a Frost Orc will intentionally identify as a “Jotunn”, though this is a case-by-case basis. Despite this epithet, Frost Orcs are not exclusively Uruks, but also Goblins and Ologs as well.

SKIN TONE

Most Frost Orcs who are born into this culture are born with either pale white, light blue, or dark blue skin tones. Those who are adopted into the culture will often have a variety of skin colors, though the majority of the blood-descendant Frost Orcs will have the aforementioned skin tones. 

HAIR COLOR & STYLING

Hair colors are almost always black, though some Frost Orcs have a tendency to either shave their hair as a sign of maturity and strength, or braid the top of their hair and allow it to grow long while shaving the sides for the same reason. Beards are, amongst male Frost Urukhim, much more common as it provides an additional layer of warmth in the harsh environment from where they originate. Sometimes, a Frost Orc will dye their hair to symbolize a specific point in their life - Blue for strength, Dark Red for wisdom, and Dark Green for connection to the Spirits, most often donned by the culture’s Shamans.

CLOTHING

Clothes are always from an animal that has been hunted. Adult Frost Orcs will often hunt animals not just for their meat, but for the hide they provide. As a result, pelts are the most frequent clothes found upon a Frost Orc. Due to the cold weather they reside in, armor is not as frequent as it is prone to damage in the winter snows and is difficult to maintain. Furthermore, although Frost Orcs will wear pelts to keep out much of the cold, many will leave parts of their upper body intentionally exposed to prove their strength to their peers, with their mass of muscles often providing some natural body heat. Wolf or Bear pelts will often be used as capes, with other assorted animals making up the rest of the items of clothing.

TATTOOS & WARPAINT

Upon being adopted into the culture or coming of age, an Orc will don tattoos of cultural significance on their arms while placing warpaint upon their face. Usually these will be symbols of the clan to which they belong, achievements they have accomplished, or other personally-significant things. The most common color for these tattoos and for warpaint is red, though for Orcs with different skin colors, other colors are frequently chosen.

TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, & DOCTRINES

Much like any other culture, clan, or institution among the Urukhim, the Frost Orcs & Clan Mak participate in many distinct yet likewise similar traditions as other Orcs do. Some are alien to the more urban Orcs of the south, while others are quite familiar.

SCARIFICATION

While not scarification in the sense that a Frost Orc will intentionally scar themselves, Frost Orc scarification instead refers to the custom that a Frost Orc will never hide a scar. No matter how mundane or epic the tale of how the scar was achieved, it is considered dishonorable and shameful for a Frost Orc to hide a scar beneath makeup or unnecessary clothing. They furthermore reject the use of replacement limbs that would make it seem as if the limb had never been lost, instead preferring replacements which will be rather obvious about their inorganic origin.

KRUG’S RESISTANCE

This particular doctrine refers to Krug’s resistance against the influence of the Archdaemon Iblees (Also referred to as “The Great Liespeaker”). In essence, it is a doctrine that forbids any Frost Orc from ever negotiating with any manner of Darkspawn, regardless of that Darkspawn’s creed or origin. Krug did not compromise with Iblees and his Fel forces, so neither shall the Frost Orcs. To negotiate or compromise with the creatures of the Fel (Fel being another word for Evil or Dark) is to disgrace oneself for all eternity, and to deny oneself entry into Stargush’Stroh and a place among the Spirits. To embrace the dark nature of these beings and become one is to cast your soul into permanent damnation, adrift in the void forever upon your death.

COMING OF AGE

Coming of age is an important moment in a Frost Orc’s life. It is cause for celebration, as young life amongst the Frost Orcs is especially valued, many infants and children perish to the harsh weather. Yet still, a young Frost Orc must truly prove themselves if they are to be accepted as an adult and given their customary tattoos and warpaint. This is where the Hunt comes in, where a young Frost Orc must venture out into the woods where they must both tame a war mount (Often a Wooly Rhino), and hunt a Bear. The larger the Bear the greater the renown. While hunting a Black Bear is acceptable, taking down a Brown or even Polar Bear will cement an Orc’s status among their Clan and Tribe.

THAUG’MAUGRIM REBIRTH

Similar to a baptism, a Thaug’Maugrim Rebirth (A name taken from the tribe of which it originated) occurs after a newly matured Frost Orc or an adopted Orc has completed their trial of taming a Wooly Rhino and slaying a Bear. The Frost Orc and the Clan/Tribe Chieftain or Shaman will make a pilgrimage to the frozen shores of the far north, wherein the new Frost Orc will be cast into the water and expected to hold their breath while the Shaman or Chieftain performs a ritual on the shore. If they can hold their breath, they are fully accepted into the Clan and given their tattoos. If they fail, then they become food for fish.

SUFFER NAUGHT THE INVADER

This doctrine is shaped by the Frost Orc’s lifestyle. They are a semi-nomadic people, traveling to allow their animals to graze during the summer when the snow is lighter then returning to a central location when the winter is harshest to hunker down. As a result, the Frost Orcs are fiercely territorial against non-Frost Orcs, even if those they are being hostile towards are other Orc Clans or Tribes. Any who intentionally damage the land within which they roam, or who settle too close to their herding grounds, are often met with fierce hostility. This will often continue until the destruction is lifted or those who have trespassed are driven away.

THE SPIRITS & SHAMANISM

Much like the other Clans and Tribes of Orcs, the Frost Orcs and Clan Mak worship the mighty Spirits - Ancestral, Elemental, and Immortal. Their culture is likewise religiously led by Shamans who commune with the spirits and lead the Frost Urukhim in religious ceremonies. However, the Frost Orcs have a habit of following their own Lesser spirits rather than pacting with Greater spirits that dominate the majority of Orcish culture.

ALTARS

Much like the main branches of Shamanism, Altars are frequently constructed by the Frost Orcs upon which they leave their offerings and pray before. Altars are usually simplistic in design, as the Frost Orcs prefer to leave the surrounding area as untouched as possible.

SHAMANS

Though similar in ability to main-branch Shamans, the difference often arises in attitude and attire. Frost Orc Shamans will almost always wear masks which cover their face, only ever removing it in the comfort of their own homes. So too will they frequently adorn the bones of animals or any descendant unlucky enough to fall victim to an enraged Frost Orc. During a ritual a Shaman will often begin to dance, allowing themselves to feel enraptured by their Spirit’s presence whether real or imagined.

RITUALS

Rituals are always conducted either by a Clan/Tribe Chieftain or a Shaman, sometimes multiple. Loud chanting is commonplace, even if the intent is not to directly summon a Spirit. Dancing is frequent among these rituals and is often initiated by the host with the rest of the participants gradually joining in as the fervor builds. Offerings are given before or after a ritual, with each Spirit having their own preferred offering.

SPIRITS

There are a few spirits that the Frost Orcs follow and pay homage to. One in particular, worshipped by the Clan of Mak, is a Spirit known as Makhrug. This spirit takes the form of a great Frost Orc with a long black beard and braided hair. Known as the Lesser of Winter and Snow, the Frost Orcs will often pray to this Spirit in order to earn favorable weather when traveling or to curse an enemy army’s path with a blizzard. Offerings of bones or cooked food are considered satisfactory in regards to worship of Makhrug.

SPIRIT WARS

As is common between followers of radically different Spirits, those who worship the Frost Orc Spirits often find themselves in conflict with those who worship a Spirit that is ideologically opposed to their own. If a Frost Orc Shaman can rally the support of a Chieftain or a large enough band of Frost Orcs, they will sometimes declare a Spirit War against the worshippers of a Spirit that opposes their own. These can frequently escalate into mass sheddings of blood, with the conflict usually only subsiding if one side is dead or a peace deal is made. Such conflicts are usually seen as “Holy” by the Frost Orcs, but are not a common occurrence.

THE CLAN

OF MAK

GRUGMAK,

FATHER OF CLAN MAK

THE CLAN OF MAK IS A NEWER TRIBE. Yet its members and their involvement in the history of the Horde dates back years. The Clan’s founder from whom all blood members descend is the late warrior and warboss known as Grugmak.

Hailing from the northern tribe known as the Thaug’Maugrim, Grugmak’s reintroduction to the wider Orkish population came when the leader of the tribe, Skalvor, migrated back to the horde to become its Rex.

Under the leadership of the new Thaug’Maugrim Rex, Grugmak would go on to participate in several guerrilla campaigns against the neighboring Kingdom of Hyspia and later the Vale of Nevaehlen. He would become one of the Horde’s warbosses, leading warbands of men into raids and obtaining loot and glory for the Horde.

Carrying on the traditions of the Thaug’Maugrim, and wishing to create his own Clan, Grugmak would adopt and sire many children of his own. To them he would pass on lessons which they too would carry on into their own future. Chief among them being long pilgrimages into the north, the hunting of fearsome predators such as polar bears, the reverence of the spirit Mauloch, and living a semi-nomadic lifestyle at certain times of the year.

Once Grugmak passed, the teachings were carried on by his children. His eldest son, Torosh’Mak, would initiate the creation of the Clan of Mak to honor his Father and heritage. Thus Mak was no longer a name, but an identity. A culture. A set of beliefs with which a select band of Uruks, Goblins, and Ologs chose to follow.