ORCISH PATHS AND COMING OF AGE

[Panashea 2644]

 

ORCISH PATHS

The children of Krug pride themselves by the marks and scars they endure over their lives. Many seek to position themselves as leaders, shamans, and figureheads within their community, but to do so requires great feats of strength and wisdom. The Orcish people recognize strength as paramount. But what is strength? How does one prove your worth before the infinite might of Krug himself? In centuries past, the Gorkil clan would abandon their children within the desert, demanding that their mettle be tested through the brutality of the sands themselves. Many clans possess such similar coming-of-age trials and tribulations. Figureheads and shamans make themselves known through their devout works dedicated to their kin, and the Spirits.

 

As the blood of Krug resurges within the heart of the Iron’Uzg, the means by which orcs may prove themselves has been shown through the countless ancestors, and feats of the past.

  

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CHILDHOOD

Childhood is the deciding factor for centuries to come within orcish life. A child may choose to prove themselves worthy of the orcish mantle, or they will perish at an early age.  Many clans hold their own rites, but all orcs undergo a ritual to prove their worth within the Horde. Any warchief or elder is capable of giving a newblood such.

 

An initial hunt is marked for them, a means of strengthening themselves and carving forth the flesh of the world, as Krug once did.

 

The final aspects of childhood involve a spiritual path to be carved forth, a divination from haruspex, ilzhonal, or farseer. These religious figures often guide orcs toward their noble path, and help to establish their place within orcish society.

 

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CLANHOOD

Clanhood is integral to an orc’s place in society. While many pride themselves in being clanless, joining or creating a clan serves to create a community and bloodline within the Iron’Uzg. Many clans trace their blood back to Krug himself, and their histories etched in stone, or passed on through members. While every clan undergoes its own secretive rituals, orcs prepare themselves in doing so through familiar rituals.

  

A  moment of realization often hits orcs as they grow out of childhood. They desire some place to forge themselves, or carve their own mantle within the Iron’Uzg. It is always necessary for an orc to understand the roles of different clans within their community. This moment of maturity demonstrates their worth, as well as independence from their parents and peers.

 

They then retreat with the many leaders of and elders of various clans to gauge their interest and abilities. Elders often task initiates with quests to uplift the clan or the member themselves. It is not just the name a clansperson bears, but the weight and history of thousands of Ancestors, who watch over them in the Stargush'Stroh.

 

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SHAMAN 

A shaman holds the power and insight of the Spirits and the Ancestors. A noble pursuit that countless take up in hopes of spreading wisdom and divinity to the Mortal Realm.  Every path toward shamanism is an individualized one. Every Spirit, every Ancestor, and every Shaman all seek their own divinity, and do so through religious piety and devotion.

 

Affinity is the process by which a prospective shaman’s intent and path is laid out. Often created by a council of shamans or teachers, a trial of affinity marks whether someone becomes a Lutauman, for the Ancestors, a witchdoctor or farseer for the Immortal and Elemental Spirits, or some mortal shaman like the haruspex and Ilzhonal of old.

 

They must then prove themselves with some shamanic feat, marking the world as a place of the Spirits. Like all orcish faiths, action is tantamount. The work of a shaman is never done, and so the first feat commits them to a world of spiritualism. 

 

  A final approval of shamanism is given by a council of peers, though many rogue shamans dwell within the world. Shamanic councils form both to protect themselves, and the world from the ire of the Spirits. Too many hold their power as their own, inviting disaster.

 

[Cloakedsphere 1462]

mi orc