[Ugluk Clan] A Bull's Work is Never Done

[Vilebranch 280]

The Ugluk Clan

The Bronze Riders

“Hakathza-Karz, Gulathza-Hari”
Follow your Horns, Carve your Path

Spoiler

 

 

   Across the blasted plains of Almaris, the thundering of hooves and the rumbling sound of warcries may be heard. The orcish horde moves with ferocity and passion, trampling all in their path under an ocean of bovine feet. The glint of sunlight reflects off bronze and gold; a stygian banner fluttering in the wind. Behind them trail their hoard of riches; precious pottery and metalware carted by the massive bulls for which their clan is renowned. For centuries this clan has been relegated to the footnotes of orcish history, lingering in the pages for especially learned scholars to debate over. They are the Minotaurs, the First Vanguard, the true successors to Balzug’s tribe. They are Ugluk.

  The Ugluk Clan are a semi-nomadic culture which subsists off of the bounties of their impressive livestock and from frequent raids upon their enemies. To be an Ugluk is to be a warrior, first and foremost, with all other aspects of life coming second. This is not to say that Ugluks are incapable of the arts or craftsmanship. To the contrary, Ugluks are renowned for their love of all things which bring passion to one’s life; whether it be through song or paint. Lastly, Ugluk culture is dominated by the ‘Two-Hornz’ philosophy. This doctrine holds that by competing with one another and creating conflict, all uruks will grow and prosper as one unit. The ‘Two-Hornz’ are headed by the patron spirits of Ugluk; Karazept and Qarkah.

 

Passion

 

 

   All Ugluks are expected to have a secondary profession aside from combat. This profession is expected to be something the uruk is truly passionate about and can bring the individual glory and growth in their own way. The fascination with passion and artistry runs so deep that Ugluks have been known to adopt professions deemed as taboo by the rest of uruk society, such as poetry and music. Common instruments used by the clan include the guitar, the jaw harp, and the bahzjan; a large and primitive banjo-like instrument made from gourd. Poets and songwriters weave intricate tales from the deeds of other uruks, believed to be a major aspect of the ‘Two-Hornz’ doctrine by building the reputation of others. Goldsmiths and jewelers melt down the loot of raids into effigies and totems while clothiers strip down expensive garments into accessories and status symbols. All things obtained during raids are repurposed in such a manner that the original value is lost and made anew by the passion of the clan.

 

Philosophy and Spirits

 

   ‘Two-Hornz’ is an idea based on the concept that all individual actions have a reaction within the collective uruk conscience. When an uruk becomes lazy, his spiritual imbalance leads to other uruks becoming lazy and nothing gets done. When one goblin decides to speak in common, another orc decides to abandon Krug entirely. This karmic back-and-forth is what leads urukim to having such unpredictable natures and is largely unavoidable. The solution to this problem manifests in a number of ways, such as punishing negative behavior and rewarding behaviors which lead to the betterment of society. However, the only ways to actually prevent spiritual imbalance once it has already occurred is to either mutilate one's own body or to sacrifice the bodies of non-uruks to the flames. These are the true horns of Ugluk philosophy; to better yourself through pain and conflict, and to better society through the ritualistic slaughter of the lesser races. The sharp horn and the long horn.

 

   Another important aspect of Ugluk philosophy is their relationship with killing in general. Ugluks have been practicing the ritualistic slaughter of weak cattle for centuries, and apply the same logic to the culling of other races. To kill a weak non-uruk is seen as just and right in Ugluk culture, and to kill the strong outside of warfare is to doom the orcish race with substandard opponents. This logic applies to all except children, as they have not yet grown enough to be able to prove their strength.

 

 

 

   Karazept is the Spirit of Scarification and Mutilation, a lesser spirit under Krathol. Karazept appears as a man covered in scars and an animal skull for a head. Praise of Karazept is common even within other clans, as he is praised through the ritualistic scarring of flesh. The preferred form of scarification within the Ugluk clan is through branding, generally the same brands used on their cattle. These brands are made to mimic the simple glyphs of the ‘Kad-Kidari’, the ancient tongue of the Ugluk clan believed to have originated in the days of Morghuun. Zealots of Karazept may even mutilate and scar the bodies of non-uruks, allowing them to be free so their marred bodies might spread the word of Karazept. Karazept represents the first horn of Ugluk; the idea that you may become stronger by experiencing pain and conflict. Stories are told from the lines on your flesh, and these scars tell other orcs of your deeds and accomplishments.

 

 

   Qarkah is the spirit of Culling and Immolation, a lesser spirit under Leyd. Qarkah appears as a massive bovine construct of brass filled with righteous flames. Qarkah is worshipped through the Brazen Bull, a brutal execution device believed to be given to Ugluk by Qarkah as a sign of respect. This device, a large and hollow bull constructed from bronze, is just large enough for men and elves to fit inside. A fire is lit beneath the device as the victim is boiled alive in their own bodily fluids. Steam erupts from the nostrils of the bull, mimicking the sound of a screaming cow. Qarkah represents the second horn of Ugluk philosophy; the belief that urukim are strengthened and bettered by the culling of non-orcs. Warfare is the blood of Krug’s kin, and if one nation is felled by the might of the Uzg, then others will inevitably follow.

 

History

 

“Burn id, burn awl ub id. Nub ztup untyl dere kildrun wyll unleh remembur de flamez, nubfyng elze.”

- Pok’Ugluk after defeating the Dwarven/Salvian Alliance in the city of Salvus

 

   The History of the Ugluk Clan is long and storied, with some claiming descendance from the ancient tribes of Morghuun. It was said that in these times, among the nomadic tribes of Balzug’s nation, there existed a clan of orcs which had mated with the Minotaurs of the ancient plains. These early ancestors were devotees of Qarkah, and eventually brought this practice to Ugluk in the lands of Aegis. For these reasons, the bull has been the symbol of Ugluk for centuries, and Minotaurs are seen as especially sacred by those who claim it’s blood. An Ugluk who kills a Minotaur is immediately dissociated with the clan, for he has stained his blood with dishonor.

  In Aegis, it is said that the third kub of Gorkil was born. Ugluk was the fiercest of the three, yet his intelligence was unimpressive. For this, he was looked down upon by his family. But where his brothers had strategy or artifice, Ugluk had raw passion. Ugluk sought out the spirit of combat, Maukumgoth, and became one of the greatest warriors the Uzg had ever seen. It was in these times that Ugluk bound himself to the feuruk Kiol, one of the last remaining kinsmen of the Bull-blooded tribes, and passed on the blood of the minotaurs to his children.

  In the Clan War, Ugluk’s children fought valiantly and earned the title of Vanguard for their victories against the legions of Rax and Dom, fighting alongside the Gorkil auxiliaries. For their service, the descendants of Ugluk were given their own clan and fort. Under Pok’Ugluk, the clan prospered for centuries as they brought ruin upon the puny city states of Aegis and Anthos. Here, Pok ascended to the rank of Targoth under Rex Mogroka’Gorkil, continuing to prove his glory before the rest of the Iron Uzg by sacking the ancient city of Salvus and famously burning it to the ground. This act angered many within the Uzg, but through fear and strength he was able to inherit the role of Rex from Mogroka’Gorkil, becoming the third Rex in orcish history. This cemented the reputation of the clan for centuries as they continued to grow and prosper.

 

   Pok led the Warnation to sack and raze many lands in Anthos and Asulon, such as Haelun'or and Malinor, before ending his Rexdom short with a brutal insurrection at the hands of the same Lurs which had fought alongside Pok at Salvus. He had become feared, and that fear spoiled into hate. For his second Rexdom, he took a more careful approach, yet he was prevented from attaining the glory of his previous years. Following these years, the clan continued to hold strong until the Clan War against Braduk in Athera.

  After frequent disagreements with Pok, Mokrag separated himself entirely from Ugluk with the creation of Braduk. The warriors of Braduk staged a century long war upon the sands of the orcish sub-continent, culminating in the decimation of the Ugluk Bulls and the death of Pok’Ugluk. During which, the Ugluk Clan was sundered once again by Malog’Yar as he split the clan with the creation of Yar. Pok’Ugluk’s only remaining sons, Ugkop and Ubba’Ugluk, continued to live in hiding for many years until the birth of Drokon’Ugluk in Vailor. Drokon, with the help of his uncle, Ubba, took back the respect of their clan by defeating the Braduks in honorable combat and leading their small clan through Vailor.

  For many years, the disappearance of Drokon in Axios had left the clan in disarray and without capable leadership. Only when Krugmar needed him most, did Drokon appear once more and take the title of Rex from the pretender, Kulgarok’Dom. Drokon, as Rex of the newly remade Warnation of Krugmar, went on to lay out the construction plans for the grand city of San’Torr and lead the Warnation to victory against Orenian forces in the Coalition War. Following the War, Drokon became aloof and short-tempered as he quickly turned into a hated tyrant. The False Rex, Kulgarok’Dom, had placed a horrible hex upon Drokon as he led the life of a horrible tyrant, murdering many of his kin in an attempt to maintain order. Soon after, with the disappearance of Kulgarok’Dom, his spell upon Drokon had weakened yet the stain upon his honor remained. Drokon’s last orders were to disband the Ugluk Clan, ordering them to change their names to Gorkil out of shame. With that, the uruk descended into the lair of the vicious Dungoth, dying in single combat against the horrendous beast.

  Since these days, the name Ugluk has remained but a distant memory, spoken by only the most reverent of Gorkil warriors. Their practices and traditions were adapted by many across the Uzg, reminders of what once was. Yet the cycle of time is a cruel master and bands of horned warriors are seen growing their reputation, desperate to earn their freedom and right to existence.
 

Traditions

 

 

   The Ugluk Clan has a great many customs and traditions which it passes down among their members. Firstly, should an orc desire to gain membership in the clan, he must first prove that he is not a new-blood by proving he has killed at least one non-uruk, usually done by presenting a skull or hand as proof of the deed. Once this is done, the hopeful recruit is given his first brand before moving onto his first trial. The first trial is the Trial of Endurance, usually accomplished by some feat of immense fortitude; whether by spending a great amount of time surviving in the wilderness or by proving their tolerance for pain with a horrific injury. Once the first trial is complete, the recruit may consider themself a member of the clan.

  The second trial is either the Trial of Wit or the Trial of Fears, at the discretion of the recruit. The Trial of Wit is fairly simple, the recruit is tasked with going out on a journey for inspiration and coming back with a poem based on what they have found. If the Bullgoth is displeased with what they find, they may make the hopeful repeat their trial once more. The Trial of Fears consists of the ritual consumption of the Cimmerean Black Lotus, a potent hallucinogen which manifests the victim’s deepest and strongest fear before them. Once it is manifested, the recruit must make peace with this fear and conquer it on their own, only then able to shake off the effects of the potent drug.

  The last and third Ugluk trial is the Trial of the Bulls. In the third trial, the hopeful is expected to choose and break a mighty Ugluk bull with nothing but their bare hands, first vaulting over the mighty war beast before properly breaking it to their will. These jumps signify the uruk’s understanding of the fundamental concepts of the ‘Two-Horns’ system. Ugluk bulls are famously violent and large, so the uruk must muster up all of their strength to outplay the mighty bull at its own game. As each of these trials are completed, a brand is added onto the uruk’s flesh and once all three are completed, the uruk is considered a full-blooded Ugluk.

  Like most clans, Ugluk is headed by a Wargoth, known to the clan as the Bullgoth. Below him are the Lopal-Eaturz, scholarly warriors who have consumed great amounts of lotus and have been enlightened as a result. These warriors serve a similar purpose to the elders of other clans, preserving the legends and history of the clan while leading its new members towards greatness. A special duty within the clan is the position of Azhkarz, who is responsible with leading the clan spiritually by ensuring the ‘Two-Horns’ are followed and Karazept and Qarkah are sated. Beneath them are the Blooded members, followed by the Kalvez, and then those who have yet to be inducted.

  Following a battle or raid, it is common to see Ugluks celebrating with whiskey and food. On particularly momentous occasions, Ugluks may serve up what they call a ‘Zmokin Bezzie’. This meal consists of a cow fed copious amounts of cactus green before being slowly roasted alive in a smoker so it may inhale its own fumes and properly saturate the meat with the narcotic. A popular way to divine the favor of the spirits is through a simple card game of Ugluk Blackjack, a game which has been spread to many underground casinos and taverns in the past. Other, more detailed card divinations are also popular. 

 

Spoiler

If you're interested in making an Ugluk, contact me on discord with Vilebranches#8810
Or ingame as Vilebranches
Hope you enjoyed the read!

 

Edited November 24, 2021 by Vilebranch

[herculean_wud 3656]

"Dis is very based." Says Leydluk from the Spirit Realm, recalling the kinship - and the rivalry - that he and his brothers had shared with this once mighty clan!

[Guzr 2049]

A certain clanless Nazdug hears of this ancient clan, pondering his place within the warnation.

[ColonelKuehl1 483]

A Goblin looks from the spirit realm having recalled how Pok let what many saw as a runt into a clan of Orcs and all the mayhem that followed, he pondered if his Poncho clad descendant could follow in his footsteps. 

[Javick 34]

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