Dâr ob Griish

[Smaw 2376]

An air of curiosity swept over the ashen Orc, Gijaak, as he stepped into the library of the Angathgûl. As he squinted in the dimly lit space, he looked to the tomes and scriptures of old littered across the floor. It seemed there was little space on the shelves for new additions, and so they had been strewn about in carelessness. 

 

As Gijaak stepped cautiously over the books, he made his way to the Smithing section, setting his steel cane up against the shelf as he reached upward. For a moment he paused, running his fingers along the books as he searched, humming in contemplation. As his eyes fixed on a book in particular, his eyebrows rose in surprise as he drew it from the shelf. 

He proceeded to carry it over to a nearby table, blowing the dust from the cover on the way there. As he wiped the remaining dust from the cover, he noticed a crimson blotch of blood stained on the leather surface. As he went to open the tome, it creaked and groaned with old age as it presented its knowledge.

 

 

Dâr ob Griish

 

(A Blood Priest in the Raguk Death Chambers)

 

 

Many decades ago, when the Raguk had settled into Vailor, the Wargoth at the time, Kharak'Raguk, set in motion a series of events that would allow the Raguk to rediscover the Spirits.

 

Those that decided to follow him along this path would come to create a mysterious cult beneath the scorching sands of the Uzg, where they would work with the Spirit of Blood and Bone, Gazigash, to achieve craftsmanship of unprecedented potential.

 

 

Ideology

 

(Gazigash, the Spirit of Blood and Bone)

 

Those within Dâr ob Griish, or the House of Blood, are master smiths and craftsmen in line with the traditional aspirations of the Raguk, serving most often at the apex of their chosen professions. However, they differ in their approach to the forging process, by utilising the latent abilities of the Spirits to help enhance the quality of their creations.

 

This is done predominantly with blood, the crimson stream that gives life to all things and runs deep with iron, sharing the stench of forgery when exposed to the air. The Dâr ob Griish believe that the iron in the blood of all living things is critical in empowering the creations of their forgery. By working in unison with Gazigash and Gentharuz, the Spirits of Blood and Smithing respectively, these Raguk will add vast quantities of fresh blood to their forging process in order to create what is widely known as Blood Steel.

 

 

Blood Steel

 

(Non-Raguk Orcs offering their weapons to an outraged Blood Smith to be enhanced with his ability)

 

 

Revered widely by those of the Dâr ob Griish, Blood Steel is considered the ultimate metal, being made not only with the skill of the individual smith, but also infused with the iron of the blood that is enhanced and molded into the steel by the unending power of the Spirits.

 

It can be used to create some of the strongest steel in Orcish culture, and is widely sought after by those few who are aware of its existence. Blood Steel is created specifically for the Raguk, with barely any outside of the clan subject to its potency. This in large is because these Raguk believe they were chosen by Gazigash to use her latent abilities, so that they may wreak devastation in combat and honour her with bloodshed.  

 

Typically Blood Steel is fashioned into blades, but can also be used to create armours of complex design and defensive potency. Each item is crafted to the best of the smiths ability, and is decorated according to their worship. They will often use bone for the hilt of the blades, or for decoration in points around the armour in order to represent Gazigash and her domain in its entirety.

 

 

The Ritual of Blood

 

(Lowly Goblins, subject to Gazigash' rejection)

 

Before a Raguk can become a Blood Smith, he or she must first commune with Gazigash herself in order to receive her blessing to continue with their work. This is done through the efforts of the Shamans in the clan, who work almost exclusively with Gazigash in order to hone the craftsmanship of the clan.

 

Any Orc that does not have red skin will be immediately turned away from such an honour, for it is not within the Raguk belief system for them to be suitable. This is because the Dâr ob Griish believe that their stark crimson colouration comes from a direct blessing from Gazigash. 

 

For many years she watched in intrigue, as the Raguk labored beneath the world, smeared endlessly in their own blood as they worked for the progression of the Uzg. The mines of the clan permeated with a stench of iron as their blood painted the walls, for there was no end to the work of a Raguk, and no release even in disablement. 

 

The Raguk have worked in blood since their conception, both by injury, and by staining their weapons with it in War. For this great sacrifice to progression, they were to be blessed by Gazigash herself, representing her entirely with their colouration.

 

For this, their steel would be unmatched, and they would spill the blood of their enemies in waves.

 

 

Appearance

 

 

 

Aside from the typical appearance of the Raguk, the smiths of the Dâr ob Griish use tattoos and jewelry to represent the other aspect of Gazigash; that of bone. They will often mask themselves in white paints, representing the symbol of the Raguk clan, the open hand. Additionally, they will trace their bones with paint, so as to further represent the skeletal domain of their Spirit.

 

Aside from this there is no stark contrast between a Raguk of the Dâr ob Griish, and one who has not been inducted into the group. The process by which one may join, and how to utilise Gazigash in the Smithing process remains a mystery, lost in time to only those within the clan.

[PraiseTheLord 868]

Chieftain Turkurz'Raguk Nods in approval.

"Dah Bluud zmiffz wuhll returhn azh ageyn."

[HedgeHug 2049]

Good read

[Slothtastic 761]

((Is this Raguk only?))

[PraiseTheLord 868]

Just now, Slothtastic said:

 

((Is this Raguk only?))

 

Yub Yub

[Slothtastic 761]

Dangit

[Moby_Derp 163]

Gukdan would rub his hands together in a sinister way.

 

"Mi hab ah feelin diz wil be ah hozh ting' tu lurn."

[herculean_wud 3662]

woah...))