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Treatise on Half-Orc Society
Posted: 08 Jun 2004 05:06 PM |
((This is all information that *can* be found out by an average citizen of Vives. Please consider your characters intelligence and interests when using this information IG. A huge thanks to Gasher and Vandle for their input into this document.))
Treatise on Half-Orc Society
By Madolin Shorona, gnomish scholar
Outside observers have often commented that half-orcs are a barbaric and primitive society. While true in some regard, half-orc society is surprisingly complex. I have spent the past five years observing the half-orc in their natural habitat, the caverns known to them as M’Gok Tukar. I have compiled my observations into this book, which I hope will serve as the definitive guide to half-orcs for posterity.
Half-Orc Culture
Family Unit
The family unit, called harah, drives half-orc culture. The harah consists of several related male and females with and offspring. The role of father and mother is not assigned to two specific parents; rather, it appears that lineage is not tracked per se. Rather, all the adults of the harah serve as mother and father figures to the children. There is no specific leader or head of a harah
Clan Unit
Several harah’s banded together is considered a zhhak, or clan unit. The clan unit is the basis of power in the society. The physically strongest member of the zhhak, be it male or female, leads the zhhak. Leadership is determined through unarmed physical combat. The winner of the combat is declared the new leader. Certain rules guide these competitions, though I cannot fathom what they are. Whatever they are, they keep the combatants safe from death, though permanent disfigurement or crippling injury may still result.
Tribal Unit
The whole of M’Gok Tukar is considered one tribe despite the varying clan loyalties. The leader of the tribe is the Chief, or Zrao. The Zrao is stands in place of Tukar, the traditional first Zrao of the half-orcs. The Zrao is defiantly the strongest (both physically and, I suspect, mentally) member of the tribe. He or she has been victorious against multiple opponents to claim the title of Zrao The Zrao must constantly remain the strongest in order to fend off any others would dare challenge his authority.
The word of the Zrao is absolute. All individual orcs will do the bidding of the Zrao despite the political alignment of their harah or zhhak. Such cohesion represents the half-orc respect for strength over all else. The Zrao, as Tukar’s replacement in the tribe, inspires the half-orcs as almost a god-like figure so long as he or she remains strong.
It is the will of the Zrao that prevents intraclan warfare most of the time, though such in-fighting among the zhhak’s still occur. The Zrao has the power to stop zhhak wars, called Phuut Ot, but this power is seldom exercised. Phuut Ot is seen by the half-orcs as a way to cleanse the weak form their midst. This researcher has observed the odd occurrence of two opposing zhhak’s, engaged in Phuut Ot, ceasing all hostilities on command of the Zrao and immediately joining forces as if nothing had happened. Such is the mind of the half-orc, where combat and death, violence and brutality are viewed as normal and even expected parts of life.
Shaman and Religion
<u> Ancestor Worship.
Another interesting aspect of half-orc culture is their religion. While some worship Gruin,, known to humans as The Beast, ancestor worship is far more common. . Belief in Gurin centers on strength, as does much of half-orc culture. .
Worship is lead by the High Shaman, or Grharhak. The Grharhak is the spiritual leader of the tribe. Minor priests serve under him in each zhhak. Just who is the Grharhak is, surprisingly, not determined by tests of strength. Rather, the best healer in the tribe is appointed Grharhak. Once named Grharhak, the position remains for life.
The great half-orc hero Tukar is by far the most represented in the practice of ansector worship. With the tale of Tukar sacrificing himself to save the people of M'gok Tukar still told to all children of the tribe regularly, it is easy to see why. There are even a few rohahoh grharhak, (literally meaning "healer shaman", better known as clerics) dedicated to Tukar. It seems these healers pray to Tukar, and on a much smaller scale to other ancestors, who then speak to the higher powers on behalf of their follower.
While followers of Gruin and followers of Tukar have many obvious differences they share some beliefs. For instance the belief in the importance of strength, and skill in battle is shared by all the tribe. It also seems the whole tribe is savagely loyal to the tribal unit. Any personal, religious, clan, or family differences are set aside in time of tribal need.
The followers of Tukar I spoke with spoke of tales of Tukar’s life, as well as the tale of Tukar’s sacrifice with obvious pride gleaming in their eyes. They believe the tale of Tukar’s sacrifice for his people, as well as the tales of his life , many of generosity, many of sorrow and overcoming burdens, contain lessons too important to forget. To this day they regularly tell these tales to all their children.
Half-orcs are a very superstitious race that believes in an active spirit world. A strong belief of signs and omens permeates the society, and complex rituals have developed for various things, from removing evil spirits to asking for good luck in hunting. Half-orc's believe in the spirit world leads to a strong shamanistic role in society…I have even observed what I believe to be arcane magic users in the tribe.
Warrior Culture
Combat is an integral part of half-orc life. Even as children, half-orc’s must fight to survive. There is little food in M’Gok Tukar, and the half-orcs that do not become competent at fighting for what food there is will starve. Growing up is a difficult prospect in M’Gok Tukar, but the end result is a culture replete with warriors.
The most skilled warriors are called Aohzo Rhahhauh, which literally means “Fierce Warrior.” The Fierce Warriors could be considered the military of M’Gok Tukar, though in reality all half-orcs are prepared to fight at any time.
Occasionally, an exceptionally skilled and somewhat insane half-orc distinguishes him or herself in battle. These half-orcs have little regard for personal well-being. These warriors, whom I have dubbed “Berserkers,” are called Pohgohgoh in the half-orc tongue.
Relations with other Races
The human assault that fateful day strengthened the distrust felt by these half-orcs towards the human race. Although distrustful, it is not unheard of for a traveling follower of Tukar to speak with or even aid humans. The citizens of the gladden farmlands being the best example. Not only due to the fact they realize they make much better neighbors than trolls, but also because it was the former home of their great hero Tukar. However, this is a great distrust and fear of Midor. |
Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.
-Henry David Thoreau
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