Catarrh

The Festivals of Clan Uuthlini (credit:https://www.redbubble.com/i/notebook/Loki-Snake-Symbol-by-miniverdesigns/31941377/qhru ) As the clan of celebration founded to honor Arganos the Festive, it’s not at all surprising that Clan Uuthlini would host a number of festivities! There are many causes for celebration among the Blue Clan, and several have been listed here. It’s worth noting that there are no set dates for these events; they are thrown entirely at the whim of the clan. For example, the Uuthlini may decide to schedule Burkayrzh Ezan a week ahead of time, or they may simply feel that the mood is right, and declare it to be so right on the spot! The only exception to this would be Velulaeya-Lauza which is only ever thrown when there actually is a blue moon. Burkayrzh Ezan (Jokers Day)* A day of japes and jests; capers and caprice; mischief and mummery! On this day, maehrzhel of Clan Uuthlini encourage their friends and neighbors to engage in pranks, mischief, and ridiculous games. Good jokes are rewarded and jesters are exalted! *Acts of wanton violence, destruction of property, or desecration of sacred spaces are not condoned by Clan Uuthlini. Velulaeya-Lauza (Blue Moon) A blue moon is the third full moon in an astronomical season containing four full moons. They typically occur once every two to three years. On such an occasion, Clan Uuthlini may choose to hold a feast to celebrate the sacred event. Buravat aeth Kanuulzh (Festival of Bards) Bards and poets are honored on this day, as music and verse flood the halls! During Buravat aeth Kanuulzh, Clan Uuthlini encourages the composition of songs and poetry to honor Arganos the Festive as the Great Bard. Especially noteworthy work may warrant some manner of prize! Oushka Buravat (Alcohol Festival) Come brewmasters, distillers, vintners, and zymurgists! Bring your lagers, your merlots, your ciders, your mead! This festival is dedicated to new brews, novel wines, and exotic liquors. It may either be organized as a competition, or just a pure celebration of alcoholic ingenuity. Tualyrzh Buravat (Chefs Festival) Gourmands, rejoice! Tualyrzh Buravat is a time for the chefs and bakers of Maehruk to gather for a sacred cook-off. The great cooks, pâtissiers, and culinary artists of the maehryl community are invited by Clan Uuthlini to offer up their best recipes for the masses. Adventurous, new recipes are greatly encouraged! Hurztez aeth Nahkel (Memory of the Arm) In The Sapphire Song of Clan Uuthlini, it is said that Arganos the Festive lost an arm in his fight against the Great Lurker that terrorized the Dark Elves of ancient Magarah’lin. Nonetheless, he laughed and fought on! To honor his jubilant triumph in the face of such a brutal injury, Clan Uuthlini hosts a festive lurker hunt, complete with song, dance, and drink! Furthermore, it’s not unlikely for a successful Hurztez aeth Nahkel to prompt a celebratory feast to properly emulate Arganos himself, who threw a seven-moon-long feast after his own hunt! Velulaeya-Maun (Charitable Moon)* A festival of giving! On Velulaeya-Maun, those who celebrate distribute coin and food to the needy, raise funds for important projects in the community, and generally make themselves of benefit to those around them. It is, of course, an Uuthlini-led event, and is therefore a celebration, accompanied with all the fanfare of such! * Credit for this festival goes to sunquartz, who came up with the idea! Baro’uhn Lanyex (Fool’s Crown)* A contest to crown the King of Fools! Each contestant chooses a ruler from among the nations (never a maehr ruler!), and constructs an effigy to said ruler. Once maehrzhel are gathered, a community-wide vote is held to determine which ruler is the greatest fool of them all. The effigy of the winning ruler is set upon a crude throne and crowned the King of Fools! A party is then held to celebrate the coronation, complete with feasting, drinking, and sarcastic obeisance. If two contestants submit the same ruler, it’s a tie, should they win. The effigies are not burned afterwards, but simply tossed into a midden heap somewhere. Of course, the heap will probably be burnt at some point, but that’s unrelated to the festivities. * I’ve been asked to be sure the Emperor of Azuras is excluded from nomination...

<O> Yar: Many years ago, the great shaman Malog raised the banner of Yar for the first time in Anthos, instating a long-running clan of wisemen and those dedicated to the worship of the spirits. Symbolised by the duhnah skhelll, the great man-eating tortoises of the desert, they revere the Ancestral spirit Yar, said to be the wisest of his clan. While Yars place great emphasis on spirituality and the attainment of wisdom, they follow the basic fundamentals of orcish life and value strength and honour; they are still orcs, and will fight ferociously alongside their brothers in other clans in times of battle. However, they must also be able to think, and discern what is wise and honorable. A Yar is also expected to have an acute awareness of the spirits, even if that particular orc does not happen to be a shaman. The Yars remember at all times that the eyes of Krug and the spirits are upon them. Whether hunting, fighting, or whatever they do, they must keep this fact in mind, and live for the spirits. Not every Yar will be a shaman. Not every Yar will become famed as some kind of great orcish thinker, but every Yar can bring some honor to the orc for whom the clan was named by exercising wisdom to the best of his or her ability. “Wisdom is born of a strong mind. It is more practical than philosophy, agh goes beyond mere knowledge. It is the ability for right living, common sense, wit, resolution of life’s problems, agh success beyond material gain. Gruk for latself, but heed the blahings of those more experienced with the respect agh consideration due them. Learn from life, agh apply latz learning in a way that means something.” -The Contemplations of Malog, V1 \o/ Culture: Seven Pillars of Honor: Strength Valor Boldness Contentment Wisdom Forthrightness Discipline Seven Pitfalls of Dishonor: Weakness Irresolution Cowardice Avarice Thoughtlessness Duplicity Complacency Branding: Upon initiation into the Yar clan, and following completion of three trials presented by one or more elders, new members are branded with the image of the duhnah skhelll. The initiate must then swear his allegiance to the clan as he sacrifices an animal: “Mi zwayr mi eturnul allejunze tu da Yar klan. Mi zwayr tu lib bai da klan law kode, agh tu walk en da wizdum agh onur ob Yar. Zhud mi ebur bitray da klan, mi wull bi kurz’d tu hab mi bluud zpill’d az diz animul. Mi wull bi flat’d en helplezznezz agh dizonur!” Translation: “I swear my eternal allegiance to the Yar clan. I swear to live by the clan law code, and to walk in the wisdom and honor of Yar. Should I ever betray the clan, I will be cursed to have my blood spilled as this animal. I will die in helplessness and dishonor!” Sacrifices: As is common among orcs, the Yar clan performs sacrifices. These are often at special occasions, but sometimes just for the sake of sacrificing. The sacrifices take two forms: blood offerings and grain offerings. Blood Offerings These are offerings of living creatures. Humans, elves, kharajyr, and dwarves. Livestock. Grain Offerings These are burnt offerings of wheat or any other form of produce. It has been a custom in Malog’s family for generations to burn herbs in honor of Yar. Traditionally these herbs are gathered from Dwarven territory as the herbs Yar himself sought on the day of his death. Bones: In the Yar Clan, bones are sacred as a symbol of structure, integrity and uprightness. The removal of bones as a Yar Clan punishment is a means by which the Yars communicate a lacking of these traits in the offender. Adornment: Due to the symbolic nature of bones within the clan, it is a practice among the Yars to adorn themselves with the bones of fallen enemies or of beasts slain in hunts, be it by simply hanging them from their person or by fashioning piercings thereof. They are also strongly encouraged to represent the Yar clan in battle by painting their faces and/or bodies with the clan colors: black and white. Sounding of the Horn: The Horn of Yar is an important relic in Yar culture. It is sounded at any event deemed significant enough. This can include religious gatherings, feasts, battle, or even just the birth of a new cub into the clan. The horn, as many have seen, is massive, and can be easily heard for miles outside of the capitol. See “Important Links” at the bottom of this post for links to the Yar Clan’s more interesting traditions. <<<D Law: The giving of the law, as originally told in Anthos: Malog’s head was boiling over with frustration. He needed to clear his mind. Nux’Ugluk’s decision to side with the Kaxils enraged him to no end. He decided to go out to the desert and meditate, “Purhapz da zpirutz wull gib mi guidenze,” he thought. As he sat atop a large dune, he peered down at an adolescent scaddernak scurrying over to a small cave. The beast was not fully grown yet, but was still easily big enough to kill a small group of Uruks. The cave’s entrance instantly snapped shut on the encroaching scaddernak, severing both of its pincers and three of its left legs. The creature lay helpless with half its legs gone, as a hulking mass shifted out of the sand. The sand gave way to a massive shell, and what seemed to be a cave proved to be a mouth. When the dust cleared, an enormous tortoise nearly the size of a modest gatehouse stood looming over the crippled scaddernak. The words “Duhnah skhelll” passed Malog’s lips as he watched in amazement. The duhnah skhelll lifted one of its tremendous legs, and smashed its prey. It then proceeded to swallow the scaddernak whole. Malog took this as a sign from the spirits, and hurried back to Gronkkston. He gathered his supporters from within the Ugluk clan, and told them what he saw. He then told them about his ancestor, Yar, a wise and powerful shaman. He had decided that if he couldn’t regain the Ugluk clan, he’d lead his followers away from the dangerous path down which that clan was being led. He had decided to lead them down the path of wisdom; the path of honor. He blew the great bronze horn he’d previously constructed atop the massive hill near Gronkkston, announcing the formation of the Yar clan. After blowing the horn, Malog then spoke forth the law code of the Yar Clan: ~ In order to ensure the Yar Clan did not stray from the path of honor, ten laws were set in place for the clan to uphold. ~ Do not kill your fellow orc unprovoked or outside of an agreed-upon klomp, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not consume the flesh of your fellow orc, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not steal from your fellow orc, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not free your fellow orc’s slave, nor enslave your fellow orc, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not practice the magic of the pink skin, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not disrespect your fellow orc or his property, especially an orc in authority over you. This includes challenging the Wargoth or Chieftain without legitimate reason, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not live amongst the pink skin, to dwell in their cities, nor to walk in their ways, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not speak the language of the pink skin, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not take the pink skin as your lifemate, for such is an abomination to Krug. Do not worship the gods of the pink skins, for such is an abomination to Krug. ~ Failure to comply by the laws of Clan Yar will result in the following: ~ Harrowing: Any orc who breaks a clan law but is still considered redeemable may be exiled to a dangerous land for a period of time. He may either be sent into the deserts without any food or tools, or into known enemy territory. Should the accused return alive, his crimes are completely forgiven, and he is welcomed back as a brother. Beheading: This is your average beheading. The head is then piked in a public place with a sign indicating the offender's name and whitewashed status. Heart Removal: An orc who commits a particularly heinous offence is restrained while his beating heart is cut from his chest. The heart is then piked in a public area with a sign indicating the offender's name and whitewashed status. Deboning: This punishment, due to its gruesome nature, is reserved primarily for the most repugnant crimes. The only exception to this rule is towards non-orcs, who may experience this fate merely at the whim of the clan leader. An orc, however, must commit a severe atrocity to suffer this punishment. The accused is restrained while his bones are broken and removed from his body. The bones are then piled up and burned in a desecration ceremony. >>> <<< Yar Clan Chants: Blessed of Yar Shout unto Krug, Blessed of Yar! Throughout the Uzg, Bear it far; The glorious name! Glory to Yar! His wisdom will reign! Glory to Yar! Harvest Life is toil; Life is pain. Till the soil; Wait for rain. Blood coats plow, Workers groan. Harvest now Flesh agh bone! Raise the Luzk Raise the luzk! Shout aloud! Bare latz tusks! Make Krug proud! Bodies sever From their spirits! they'll forever Dread agh fear us! Cubs’ Chant Chant to the Wargoth, leading us to glory. Chant to the Choppers, on the battlefield. Chant to the Trappers, in the burning desert. Chant to the Workers, pounding steel. We are the Yar cubs, builders of the future, Agh we the Yar cubs swear to lat; Loyal devotion! Fearless devotion! Agh to klomp until we’re flat! Chant to the faithful members of the Yar Clan. Chant to the Skhelll lethality. Chant to the Yar Clan; ever wise and mighty! Clan of wisdom agh victory! <(*)> Important Links: Shrunken Heads: Bone Trees: Bone Gavels: Bone Singing (Throat Singing): Yar Clan Runes: Yar Funerary Rites: The Horn of Yar: Story of Yar: Information on the Duhna Skhelll can be found here under “Orcish Wildlife”

“Forthrightness is honesty agh directness. It is intentional clarity of blahing agh the absence of deception. Blah truth. Blah to blah, nub to flatter. Do as lat blah, agh let latz blah be latz bond. If lat blah it, mean it. Live it.” --The Contemplations of Malog Vol. 1 “Duplicity is the forked tongue of the dishonorable. The duplicitous ash blahs ‘yub’ with his mouth, but ‘nub’ in his spirit. His blah can-nub be trusted, for he is a serpent agh a companion to serpents. With his face he grins agh flatters, but behind his back he bears a double-edged dagger to betray lat. Do nub be like such an ash, for the number of those who will hear him dwindles by the hour.” --The Contemplations of Malog Vol. 2

((I had the same question. It’s not made clear in the post. It’s important though, because, even when those rhinos weren’t ET only, they weren’t something you just go grab. There’s a whole process about it, since they were pretty powerful mounts. Anyway, interesting post.))

Some days ago, shortly after a tournament between the orcs and the humans in the great arena of San’Azgak, a small band of Yars were seen departing from the city for in the direction of the plains where their previous capital once stood. It was several hours before those same Yars --Malog, Honog, Fiil, and Yegoth-- returned, struggling under the weight of some enormous object. As they drew closer, those paying attention would have recognized the object as a colossal, bronze horn; none other than the famed Horn of Yar, evidently recovered from the underground tunnels dug beneath what was once San’Strohk. After erecting a tall, wooden frame for it to rest upon by their clan shrine, the Yars departed in the same direction once more. After some time, the sound of some panicked wildebeest herd echoed in the distance, as well as the bellowing of an orcish hunting horn. Before too long, the commotion ceased, and the Yars returned, hauling their slain quarry. After what appeared to be a successful hunt, the great bronze horn was sounded; its deep tones thundering proudly through the city and across the surrounding plains. Clearly, this had been a laborious yet triumphant day for Clan Yar.

Yar Bone Gavels A revered Yar elder, sitting in judgement “Wisdom is born of a strong mind. It is more practical than philosophy, agh goes beyond mere knowledge. It is the ability for right living, common sense, wit, resolution of life’s problems, agh success beyond material gain.” - From The Contemplations of Malog, V. 1 Acquisition Since its founding in Anthos, the Yar Clan has been respected for its pursuit of wisdom -- understanding of life; acquisition of truth; soundness of judgement. As such, no weapon could better symbolize the virtue of Orcish wisdom than the Yar Bone Gavel. As the name would imply, these are hammers made of bone. In the Yar Clan, bones are regarded as a symbol of uprightness, integrity, and honor; however, not just any old bones will do for these instruments. Even among Yars, no orc will waste his time on a purely ornamental weapon. They must be strong and hard, taken from great beasts. Furthermore, these gavels must be earned. A hammer made of bone being carried around by some fresh Yar recruit will not be recognized as a true bone gavel and is heavily discouraged, as doing so is comparable to boasting over nonexistent achievements. When a member of the Yar Clan is recognized by his Wargoth as an orc of wisdom and experience, he is granted the right to create his own gavel. First, he must find a suitable source of material. No delicate or brittle bones will do, so only creatures of great size and power will prove adequate. For example, mammoths, trolls, or mighty jormun basilisks would be considered viable options. When a desirable target has been chosen, the Yar must either hunt the beast himself or take part in a group hunt for said beast. Regardless, he is not permitted to send others on his behalf. To use the bones of a creature he neither killed nor assisted in killing would be a colossal disgrace worthy of nothing less than the Yar Rite of Harrowing. Yars may not be so well-known as the Lurs for their hunting prowess, but bone gavels are for those willing to undergo the perils to earn them. Now, while the Yar in question must acquire the bones by his own effort, not all orcs are gifted in the arts of weaponsmithing. He may craft it himself, if he possesses the talent, or he may seek out a smith of any clan to craft it for him. Either way, a Yar’s gavel must reflect the user. For example, Clanfather Malog’s hammer, the cunning workmanship of Mûrak’Gorkil, is designed to simultaneously inflict pain on both the opponent and the wielder. Cultural Significance More than just a weapon, the Yar Bone Gavel is a clan symbol surrounded in ritual. Judgement and Enumeration: As a clan which values wisdom, a good Yar must have good judgement. He must be able to discern right from wrong and guilt from innocence. When the Wargoth or an elder of the clan sits in judgement on such matters, he will naturally have his bone gavel present as a symbol of authority and wisdom. When the clan or an individual from within the clan has been wronged in a number of ways, the banging of the gavel will commonly be used to count the crimes of the accused. These may not always be formal events, however. One who has made himself known as an enemy of the Yars may find himself woken in the middle of the night by the dreadful thud of a gavel against his bedpost, as an offended Yar stands over him, counting his sins… In De-boning: The highest and most severe punishment the Yar Clan hands down is the ritual of de-boning. As one may expect, this form of torture is a very involved process, requiring a number of tools. It comes as no surprise then that a bone gavel proves excellent for breaking bones prior to their removal from the still-living flesh of the accused. Oaths: “Duplicity is dishonor.” These words were taught to the founder of the Yar Clan by one of his teachers in Anthos; Buubztik’Lur. Duplicity is also listed as one of the seven great dishonors in Malog’s Contemplations. As such, one’s word is taken very seriously in the Yar Clan. To show the gravity of an oath, one may swear upon a Yar’s gavel. Be warned, however, as such vows are viewed as sacred. To break an oath sworn on a bone gavel is to incur the wrath of the entire clan. In Shamanism: Among shamans, symbols often hold very real power. As Dom once told her brother Gorkil, “Everything has power.” Bone gavels are no exception. To a witch doctor, for example, they serve as an obvious symbol for justice or judgement. As such, they may prove useful in a ritual intended to attract such spirits. For a lutauman, the gavel of a departed Yar would make for an obvious boon in reaching the spirit of the deceased in the Ancestral Plane. A Yar Clan shaman, participating in a traditional Death Wail, during the funeral of a clan brother, likely hoping to invoke some curse on the one responsible In Bone Boxes: The funerary rites of the Yar Clan are loud, bloody, and complicated. Among the many steps involved in a Yar funeral, one of the most important is the extremely careful removal, storage, and protection of the entire skeleton of the deceased. While the flesh is cremated on an altar-pyre, and the ashes stored within a sandstone sarcophagus in an underground tomb, the bones are reverently deposited into a dark oak bone box. These holy ossuaries are treated with great sanctity, sometimes even being set up as shrines to the spirit of the departed. Shrines or not, they are taken with the Clan wherever they may go. Should yet another great cataclysm threaten the current continent, the Yars will always make the security of the Clan’s bone boxes a top priority, and take them along during the migration of the descendants. In death, a Yar’s brothers and sisters will carry him on their backs, no matter the distance. Naturally, therefore, an item as prized as a bone gavel will be stored with the skeleton of the one who bore it in life, along with that orc’s bone mask.

((I’m not sure, but I don’t think castration rp is allowed. Could be wrong, but pretty sure.))

Never in the same place at the same time, at least lol

As far as I can recall, I’ve never witnessed your villain rp, so I obviously can’t comment on its quality or whether you were at fault, but I can say this. While there are certainly more than enough poor villain rp’ers on lotc, for most people, the quality of any specific villain’s rp is irrelevant. If Tolkien himself could rise from the grave, join lotc, and play a villain with the full eloquence and richness of his writing, there would still be someone accusing him of poor villain rp. There are people who’ll say that no matter how good your rp is, because it’s not really about the rp to some people. It’s about getting their own way in every rp scenario. I don’t do much villainy rp these days myself, but that’s mostly because I don’t have the energy to deal with people who throw tantrums whenever something bad happens to their characters. Don’t get me wrong. Obviously, sometimes a villain’s rp is just bad, and everyone from time to time has a bad attitude about rp not going their way; but it seems to me like it’s very commonly just a line people try to hide behind in hopes that they can escape consequences or negative experiences for their characters. Anyway +1

San’Azgak, Capital of Krugmar After a great deal of turmoil and clamor, Malog, Clanfather of the Yars, makes an announcement from one of the many high places of the city: “Bruddahz agh ziztahz uf Krugmar! A Burgûl'dagul --A trickzter frum da Immortul Playn-- haz gottun luuze. Et mey ztill bi heer en Zan’Azgak, ur perhapz haz zlink’d uff zumwheer elze. Regardlezz, bi un da luuk-owt. Et kan tayk mani formz; rokkz, animulz, evun latz bruddahz ur ziztahz... evun zumazh lat gruk tu bi flat... DU NUB BI TRIK’D!!! Et ez a potenzialli danjuruz kreetur, agh bringz trubul wheer-evur et guez! Iv lat zee et, trai tu krimp et, but uze kawzhun. Lat kannub truli flat et, but lat kan klomp dem. Find a zhamun iv lat krimp et! Zpred da nuwz!”

Malog will likely be stuck in a trance or something that day. ((I work Saturdays. Won’t be able to make this one.))

Malog sits by the Krug shrine looking pensively at his new hammer as he hears the announcement. Running his ancient, scarred hands across the runes on the haft, he ponders on what the immediate future holds. Not one to jump to conclusions, he merely rumbles out a simple, “Led’z zee wub happunz negzt, mi guezz...” ((credit to thenanmaan2000 for the gavel))

Maladem smiles as he looks about the new Sanctum Cavern. Standing before an oven in his quarters, he spreads his hands and offers prayer to the Mother, “Sweet Della, bless our new home that it might be a place of comfort and rest to your children. May our hearths be warm for all those who gather near them. May our tables be broad enough for all who enter in here. May our doors be open for all who come in peace.”

Maladem Uuthlini, upon hearing news of war, opens up his prayer book and makes supplication to Jiub the Strong, “Stalwart Jiub, make me strong. May I never cower, nor shrink away, but face foe and fear alike. May I never not scorn peril, nor flee from hardship. May I never doubt myself, nor my kin, nor my Ancestors. Oh Iron ‘Ker, set our people on a bedrock foundation. Make our armor hard as obsidian, and our spirits solid as onyx. Make us unassailable by siege or subterfuge. May armies fail against us, and heretics flee before us. Make us mighty in battle and firm in faith.” He then glances suspiciously around, wondering if some random eavesdropper somehow managed to hear him from whatever far-flung corner of Arcas, as it seems to be a common power, even among those possessing no magical aptitude.

Maladem is sad that he keeps missing Prayer Days due to personal duties, but he drinks a toast to the good news of another successful day for the Faithful! ((These always happen when I’m away from home or at work lol))

What most people do in the absence of a brewing plugin right now is rename water bottles and add descriptions of their drinks with /edit name (name of drink) and /edit desc (description of drink). I think it’s also common to use brewing stands to make a potion first though, so it’ll be a neat color, but I don’t do that because my character’s drinks are all blue anyway lol. As for any actual brewing process, that’s up to you to rp. If you need a way to stack water bottles so you can rename 64 at once, you can modreq for it. Hope this helps

OOC Username: Catarrh Discord (example#0000): Catarrh#5549 Timezone: EST Roleplay Name: Maladem Uuthlini Age: 180 Race: Dark Elf Desired Role: Amiable

Bone Singing (A family of Yar Clan goblins chanting in unison through their bone masks) Historically, the Orcs have not been known as a musical people. There have been some exceptions here and there, but most orcs care little for music, considering it to be a waste of time better spent on more utilitarian pursuits. Perhaps this is why the so-called “Bone Singing” or throat singing of Clan Yar can hardly be said to resemble what most would conventionally consider to be music. Truly, it is less singing and more chanting. Bone masks Yar Bone Singing is always done wearing masks made from large animal skulls. Sacred Yar runes are carved around the mouth hole of each mask, intended to purify their voices and amplify them within the spirit realm. Other runes or patterns may be added according to each Yar’s preference, as long as they hold some important symbolism. Meaningless carvings are forbidden. ((source: https://www.meinbert.com/museum-of-relics/timor-skull-masks )) The Sacred Tones The Yars’ Bone Singing is not a frivolous practice. It is a form of ritual throat singing used to assist the Yars in reaching mental and spiritual states believed conducive to meditation. As such, seven sacred tones have been developed for specific purposes, sometimes even accompanied by instruments deemed helpful in achieving the proper tone (e.g. didgeridoos, vulture bone pipes, ram horns). ( (A Yar Bone Singer utilizing a primitive instrument to aid his brothers in ritual) -The Tone of Rumination: This tone is low and quiet, encouraging deep, focused thought over serious decisions. For example, a Yar elder may engage in this chant when called upon to render judgement on some important matter. -The Tone of Consecration: This tone is usually sung corporately by as many Yars as can be present. It is used to sanctify an area or object, declaring it holy before mortals and spirits alike. It is a high tone, usually accompanied by bird bone pipes. -The Tone of Stoicism: Stoicism was held as a sacred virtue by the Yar Clan’s founder, Malog. In times of distress or tension, a clear mind is paramount to a Yar, lest he be carried off by emotion and unable to see clearly. This tone, mid-ranged but combined with low instrumentation such as the didgeridoo, is meant to facilitate a sense of calm determination. -The Tone of Fervor: While stoicism is treasured among Yars, righteous zeal has its place. Even their grim, somber Clanfather knows, and often embodies, this truth. This being the case, a high tone with quick, light drums is sounded among the Yars in situations in which Krug’s fiery temper is best applied. -The Tone of Ruination: Though generally considered to be very hospitable to their brother clans, the Yars are also infamous for their vindictive cruelty towards their enemies. It is no surprise to many then that the Yars have long boasted a heritage of powerful witch doctors. It is these vengeful shamans who typically incorporate this chant. Always comprising of at least two Yars, this tone is notable for its harsh dissonance. Their voices intentionally out of harmony with one another, the Yars call upon this tone to wish misfortune and curses on their enemies abroad. Instrumentation is optional and unspecified. -The Tone of Warding: This tone requires four Yars, each facing and representing one of the cardinal directions. East chants high, West chants low, North blows a constant drone through a ram’s horn, and South shakes a rattle filled with cowrie shells. The aim of this tone is to attract benevolent guardian spirits to protect an area from evil. -The Tone of Prognostication: Commonly used in scrying rituals, such as bone casting, or to aid clan farseers seeking visions, this chant tends to be a curious but harmonic blend of high and low tones, typically with one or more instruments, ideally a low, steady drumbeat. As such, it requires at least two or three Yars present.

Well, it's a giant tortoise, so pretty easily, but they're not likely to, unless someone just insists on sticking their leg in the creature's shell for some reason. I included the bit about their bite more as an explanation of how they defend themselves if someone is determined to badger them, but it's not meant to be a likely occurrence since it shouldn't be too likely that people will reach into the shell of a large, scared animal. Like Sainthood says, it would take a pretty stupid person to make that happen, since they're not aggressive creatures.

The Arcasian Emperor Tortoise (source for art: https://deepskystudios.com/project/portland-concept-art-production-design-services/ ) Brief summary, habitat, and origins: A species of large tortoise native to the savannas of Arcas. Totally mundane origins. Temperament: The Arcasian Emperor Tortoise is generally docile, but defensive in temperament. More-or-less what you’d expect of a tortoise. Description: Herbivorous and generally not aggressive, the Arcasian Emperor Tortoise’s first response to danger is to retreat into its iron-hard shell. Should this fail, the Emperor Tortoise possesses a set of powerful jaws, ideal for severing the hands of fools who refuse to respect the sanctity of its protective home. In general, however, this tortoise is docile, with the exception of competing males forced to share territory. In such cases, the males can become aggressive toward each other and even attack one another, sometimes resulting in serious injury. Commonly, one will even try to flip the other over on its back and leave it there to die of thirst and starvation. As a tortoise, the Emperor Tortoise is long-lived and grows throughout its life. Living upwards of 200 years, the Emperor has plenty of time to reach awe-inspiring sizes. Most adults grow to be roughly eight to ten feet long and four to five feet wide. There are some, though, which grow as large as a modest house (roughly 13 blocks long, 9 wide, and 6 high). A common method of determining the age of these tortoises is by judging their size and the abundance of scars upon their shells; many male tortoises will engage in fights over territory, and may inflict scars upon each other’s shells and limbs. In the wild a tortoise may not be sexually mature or capable of producing fertile eggs until 15 to 20 years of age. In captivity, should one seek to keep them captive for whatever reason, sexual maturity can be achieved from approximately 8 or 10 years of age. Their coloration varies between shades of gray, brown, or beige. Their diet consists mainly of grass and bushes, though the largest of them have been known to crane their necks into the trees, even chomping down whole branches at times. In addition to their usual diet, they also commonly swallow stones to aid in digestion. As all tortoises, the Arcasian Emperor is extremely slow, moving at a steady, even gate across its arid home. The females tend to lay and bury large clutches of eggs, many of which are likely to fall prey to various predators. Their natural predators include wild dogs, badgers, and occasionally wild pigs which at times dig up their tasty eggs. Wolf packs and other large pack predators, from time to time, manage to take down the more average-sized adults. Those which make it to the more colossal sizes tend to be too large for anything short of proper monsters. Red Lines: - They’re slow. - They’re not combative/aggressive, though they are wary. - Can’t swim. - General tortoise limitations. Authors: Catarrh, DarkSainthood, BebbZ

Catarrh Seal of Approval. I sign +1 and all that jazz

What you said here, Farryn, is the whole reason I created the Yar clan. I’ve avoided commenting on this until now, because I don’t wanna step on any toes, but a clan for people who want something more than warfare and raiding was THE reason I started the Yar clan. Quick edit: I’m not particularly bothered by hedge wanting his own clan, by the way. He can do what he wants. Just wanted to point out that this isn’t the first time someone wanted to make a clan for people who wanna rp the spiritual side of orcs. I’ve put a lot of time and effort into the Yar clan for that very purpose, and don’t want people to start acting like a clan for the spiritually minded orcs has never existed and like they’ve never had that option before. The option’s been here for years, and clan Yar is still expanding its culture even now.