CLAN AKAAL: AN OVERVIEW

[Panashea 2644]

AKAAL
“Of Light”

 

In order to bring greater organization and prosperity to the Uzg, the three enlightened clans gathered to discuss a confederation under one banner. The Wargoths from Izig, Mog, and Ram entered a smokehouse and spoke together; culminating in the union of the Akaal, a clan dedicated to the spiritual culture of Uruk society, seeking to enlighten all descendants in the ways of the spirits. Among the Akaal are several shamans already initiated in spiritual rites, each with varying ways of life and practice.

 

Taar’ghashan
“High Command”

 

Whom do the Akaal serve? The Akaal are a muddled folk. Many revere the spirits and Ancestors, though have divined their allegiances through the making of their clan. In the process of becoming an Akaal, the orc's life is forever changed and imbedded within the strange spiritual realms that impact the Mortal Realm.

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SPIRITUALISM

Ancestrals

The Kukaal serve their Ancestors, deifying Krug and his kin, for they share in the same sanguine blessing that allowed them to surmount Iblees. Every Kukaal is pacted and bound to some sacred lineage, serving them in daily rituals. They pray and perform sacrifices in honor of the blood they are birthed into. The blood connects them all and allow for the future to be read through the actions of the past. 

 

 

Grizhizubu

 The Orcish Blood Faith
They revere the Throqu'grizh, an entity that embodies all aspects of life and death through its sanguine divinity. It is a mortal practice of blood-letting, asceticism and a reverence of the mortal form. The blood connects, grants life, and allows for wisdom to be shared to the Akaal. The holy nature of blood is seen in their architecture and their art, a true reflection of how close viscera and bone means to their people.
 

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Oghob Slaium
“Way of Life”

 

 

All Uruks understand the importance of community, but to have true brothers among them is another thing, somewhat lacking in the recent years of the Krugmar: The formation of the Akaal is a remedy for this, mortal life being much more joyful when you have sworn brothers of whom you can tell or do anything with, with numbers aplenty to truly enjoy life’s bounty and glory. With this in mind, the Akaal fervently celebrate all of mortal life’s gifts.

 

When gathering for a hunt, the Akaal sing praises and stretch, priming each other to exercise the ancient tradition of their ancestors. Upon felling a great beast or an undead the clan takes tokens of battle, taking respectful care in the inspection of the remains. The Akaal decorate their home or body with them, often using them in haruspex and shamanic rituals, once again acknowledging the life of the animal or descendant. 

 

This reverence extends even further to the remains of their brothers, whereupon the organs are removed and preserved separately, while the body is mummified after those close to them have taken their respective trinkets to remember the deceased. After all this preparation, the body is placed upon an altar, around which the Akaal gather to celebrate their life and exploits, after which they’re entombed among the mortal remains of their ancestors.

 

The Akaal often use psychoactive substances in their communal rituals, Uruks are often already exposed to cactus green at a young age, but upon initiation they’re dosed with one of the Akaal’s intense psychedelics whether experienced or not. These come in the form of various mushrooms, toalak slime, and world cactus buds. Each collected and prepared with esoteric methods, the Akaal believe they open their consciousness and prepare them for the Stargush, others with the belief  that those of the clan are more opinionated about their way of worship due to these practices.

 

Zunghûr
“Piercing Bravery”

 

 

Many of the Akaal adorn their bodies with fetishes, paint, and masks, all signifying their status, worship of their respective spirits, and ability to endure. Even going as far to scar themselves to show their honor, ranging from simple piercings to removing teeth and nails, each earning the Orc varying levels of respect. The Akaal bear these openly with pride, though remaining reserved on the specifics of their methods and practice.

 

Splayed across the body of every Akaal in some manner is a spiritual tattoo or paint, made from clay and dyes and spread across the skin, denoting their status among brothers. White is worn by the Ashliaug, initiates, revealing their fresh mind and untarnished body. Orange is worn by the Akaal, symbolizing the fire awakened inside them. Red is worn by shamans or haruspex, for the blood they have seen and wrought. Purple is worn by the Kûkaal, elders, displaying their power and intellect before all.

 

Piercings and scarification are commonplace among all Orcs, every Akaal bearing at least one as a form of initiation, though most go beyond just this. Scale-skin, forming deep, unhealable wounds before inserting tree-sap or clay under the skin. The removal of perfectly healthy teeth, substituting it for a gem of considerable size, the process of which is heavily secretized. There are more taboo body modifications practiced by the Akaal, though not clearly evident to others.

 

Some members of the Akaal make beautifully crafted masks, blessed and covered with the spiritual essence of another, made with the intent to hide from certain spirits. Decorated with shamanic wards and sigils to fend off the ill-influence and mental illness spirits are inclined to inflict upon those who practice esoteric spiritualism. Ologs are used in the same sense, intelligent spirits wary of their perplexing minds, they’re adorned in fetishes and materials of which said spirits oppose.

 

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Initiations/Trials

 

 

The Akaal test their new recruits in five different ways. Each having their own purpose, filtering out the orcs who do not fit. 

 

Combat Trial

The initiate must klomp against all three Kûkaal. It is not required to win, but new Akaal must show that they can tame and control their inner bloodlust, using it to their advantage. Following the klomps, they will be sent to defeat a beast and will be shown how to properly harvest a corpse.

Spiritual trial

Learn about three ancestral spirits and explain their accomplishments to the Kûkaal. Each ancestral must be from a different clan, allowing the Initiate to gain the most knowledge from this trial. Seek out a shaman who can take you to speak to one of these ancestral spirits.

Loyalty trial

Take action against an Immortal spirit chosen by one of the Kûkaal. Modify one of your limbs to represent your dedication to the task given. This trial proves the initiates loyalty to the clan and their understanding of the clans ideals.

Mind Trial

Travel to the realm of the spirits (Ancestor or Immortal) and pursue action towards aiding, or hindering their work.

 

Secret Trial
The last trial is one made secret, a mix of rituals and occultism to fulfill the transformation of one’s life into the clan.