Haruspexy: War Practices I

[Wizzar 481]

The Urukim War Clerics

 

A gash of red and yellow light found its way through the battlefield. Its brilliance displaying the hellacious red-colored onslaught. In the illumination, a large-uruk carved and cleaved through the force of his enemies. His victims’, as well as his own, crimson fluids splattered across his bone adorned armor and weapons. Dominating the sounds of screaming and groaning, the frenzied roars of the martial haruspex reverberated under the churning sky. The war-cleric’s rampage only ended as his enemies took their last breaths, the battlefield baptized in their blood.

 

 

 

 

Haruspexy and Scars 

 

     Finding meaning in scars is nothing foreign to the haruspex. It is common for these spiritual shamans to scry not only the current condition of the blood, bone, and flesh of their study, but to look further towards its scars and irregularities. With the guidance of the ancestors, the haruspex deciphers the meaning behind these scars to understand more about the material realm. Whether it be a lesson of the past or a warning about the future, each scar tells a story that has the potential to serve as lessons to the urukim. 

 

However, the more warrior oriented haruspex have an additional purpose for scars. These martial shamans view their body as a living canvas, one that tells a story of their lives and their accomplishments. Each scar earned on the battlefield is a trophy, one that they proudly display. The act of receiving a scar is viewed as a blessing that strengthens the urukim as it adds another page to their living story, developing them as a warrior.

 

 

 

 

History of Self-Scarring

 

     Self-mutilation and scarring are not unique in orcish culture. The Gorkils have traditionally held this practice for two reasons. First, it served as a symbol of clan strength. Enemies were intimidated by their willingness to inflict these wounds on themselves. Second, it worked to bring out their bloodlust. The Gorkils may have been the pioneers of this practice but similar traditions have sprung from separate groups and clans of urukim. The Izigs practiced a spiritual baptism in the form of a trial of endurance that irrevocably altered one's body. The Mog clan made it a necessity to modify one's body. Each modification holds a different meaning and level of respect. These are just a few examples of self-scarring practices, many more have existed in the history of the urukim.

 

 

The Martial Shamans

 

     Warrior haruspex are most known for their practice of self-scarring in preparation for battle. These war clerics believe their scars do not just serve as blessings and stories, but that the open wounds created by one's self are conduits for the ancestors. Similar to the Gorkils, these warrior shamans seek to activate their bloodlust. Succumbing to their curse, these zealous warriors believe they are opening their mind and body to the ancestors who will guide them into battle. Casualties of their rage and frenzy, whether friend or foe, are perceived as decisions by the ancestors, uncontrollable by the berserking haruspex.

 

Despite the savage nature of this ritual, these haruspex uphold a rigorous interpretation of honor. Scars hold value, to self scar without purpose is to tarnish a piece of art that has been in the making for years. The berserker can only perform this ritual when fighting for a worthy purpose. Opening oneself up as a conduit for an undeserving situation is seen as dishonorable and is likely to invite bad spirits. Therefore, only when fighting for the urukim, the ancestors, or the spirits is a haruspex supposed to perform this practice. A warrior haruspex who finds another using it for unworthy practices is to stop them by all means necessary, even death. Unworthy uses include, but are not limited to, day-to-day klomps, fighting the weak, and banditing.

 

 

Weapons as Storied Artifacts

 

     The warrior haruspex’s duty does not end on the battlefield. Instead, these martial shamans heavily value the creation of storied artifacts. It takes years for these haruspices to develop this ability, a haruspex who is less adept in their practice may instead use the pages alive skill. Nevertheless, recording their frenzied experiences is highly important to these zealous berserkers. These war clerics view storied artifacts as a symbol of honor and respect, proof of their worthiness and accomplishments on the battlefield.

 

As the goal of the zealous haruspex is to enter a rage-filled trance that is guided by the ancestors, they struggle to recount the experience. Using their storied artifacts, the haruspex is able to visualize and understand their rampage. These artifacts are used to teach aspiring war cleric and any who desire to learn of their unique practice. Additionally, the martial shamans use the storied weapons in future conflict, as they believe they serve to empower their combat abilities.

 

The warrior haruspex only inscribes their stories and experiences unto deserving medium. Therefore, it is unlikely that these martial shamans would utilize weapons made outside of the urukim unless special circumstances exist. Weapons made by the haruspex himself or experienced Ruka are usually used as the canvas for these stories. A Ruka’s craft is made to deter bad spirits which is highly valued by the warrior haruspex who seek to draw the power of the ancestors. Weapons made crooked, asymmetrical, and abnormal often help to achieve this. It is also typical for the zealous berserker's weapons to incorporate materials from animals or foes they slay such as bone.

 

 

 

[Panashea 2644]

YAY MORE MORTAL SHAMAN LORE THANK YOU

 

great formatting too :)

[Qctho 172]

Undoubtably based