The Orc-Hill Tribes - Geography of Tarien

Darkness . . .

Screams . . .

The smell of blood.

These had been my only companions for as long as I remembered.

Today is different. I have crept from the hole in which I was imprisoned, left there to fight for my very existence. I have overcome those who would wish to take from me what I have decided is mine.

And so I have lived. I have climbed from the pit. And it is with a great smile that I push you back in.

History

The Orcs have no written history. Their chronicles, therefore, are a collection of stories passed from generation to generation. Only a few Orcs have managed to gain international fame. First among these leaders was Grat the Undefeatable, who united the tribes and lead the Orcs in their first great war against the Soulmeliti in 1,792 BC. His greatest battle, that of Vorkallic Pass, caused his empire to splinter in 1,776 BC. In 101 AC, the Orc Tribes were again united under the banner of Gonshi. In one of their greatest triumphs, they raided the Soulmeliti lands, and burned the northern third to the ground. The third, and last, great Orc leader was Krunk. Krunk united the tribes during the 'window of fire in the sky', in order to protect the Soulmeliti forests. After the Elynthi were repelled, however, Krunk's legions returned to their roots, and began sacking the forest. They burn Dalencroft in 466 AC, after being routed in New Solarin. The horde dissipates by 470 AC. Krunk died in 481 AC.

Geography

The Orc Tribes dominate the upper half of Tarien, beyond the Rhuethengage Mountains. Their exact holdings at any time are hard to discern, for they are a mostly nomadic people. They move from place to place, and from warlord to warlord, as climate permits. It is not know exactly how much land the tribes dominate, for few men have been far enough into the Orcs' lands to assess how much land there is to the north. Because of this fact, the region to the north remains unclaimed and undiscovered territory.

Society

At birth, Orc newborns are thrown into 'the pit.' The pit is literally just that, a large pit dug into the center of an Orc encampment. Each day, the tribe drops food into the pit for the young Orcs to feast on and fight over. In order to end this ordeal, a young Orc must climb out of the pit. It is then, that he passes the right of adulthood. Orcs that have recently left the pit, often stand by its edge, kicking these new contenders back into the pit. Some Orcs manage to escape the pit through scheming and conniving. Those that fail, die. Day to day life among the Orcs mirrors on life in the pit; the most powerful Orc dominates his brethren. An Orcs life is war. War with Soulmeliti, Khadra, Flind, and other Orcs. Without a fight, an Orc becomes restless and maniacal. Only glory and the taste of battle will satisfy an Orcs existence.

Religion

The Orcs worship many gods and powers, but they revere Grashua above all others [editor's note: Grashua is a lesser power]. He is the god of the Orcs and Orclands exclusively]. Priests of Grashua are the non-combatant leaders among their people.

Politics

The Orcs have one rule, only the strong survive. If one Orc is stronger, and can prove it by beating any competitors, he leads. This is very akin to true anarchy, but for Orcs, it a way of life. Intelligence among Orcs is rare and dangerous, and usually put down when recognized. Occasionally, an Orc will use his intellect in order to sway others.

Economics

For an Orc to possess property aside from what he can carry is rare, unless he is a leader among his people. Trade with the Orcs is unheard of, for they would just as soon take, as they would spend two minutes bargaining about a price. One exception to this rule is women. Women are considered property to the Orcs, and are often used as bargaining pieces

International Relations

The City-state of Yaty	The Orc-Hill tribes have no knowledge of this city-state.
The Confederated States of Zennonaize	The Orc-Hill tribes respect the few Zennonaize cavalry units that they fought during the Great War. Otherwise, they have no knowledge of this nation.
The Duchy of Sternbalia	The Orc-Hill tribes have no knowledge of this duchy.
The Elanthai Council	The Orc-Hill tribes fear the demonic Elynthi. Their first contact with them in over a millenium, the Great War, reinforced this fear.
The Emirates of the Dharja'shan	The Orc-Hill tribes respect the Dharja warriors that they have met.
The Empire of Eldoria	The Orc-Hill tribes dislike Eldoria and its legions. They view humans as individually weak, but wish to understand their methods of organization.
The Flietch-ta Empire	The Orc-Hill tribes war constantly with their easterly neighbors, and fear the Flinds as individuals. When the Orcs outnumber them, however, they fight fiercely.
The Free Township of Dalencroft	Even the Orcish tribes respect the neutrality of this township and do not venture that far south on their raids.
The Grand Duchy of His Lord, Mennith	The Orc-Hill tribes dislike these people only by reputation. They have never met them.
The Kari-zaro Villages	The Orc-Hill tribes have no knowledge of these villages.
The Kingdom of Galencia	The Orc-Hill tribes have skirmished with this nation before, and feel that their might outweighs Galencian strategy. They fear them not.
The Lost Continent	The Tribes have never heard of any continents.
The Nerrid Alliance	The Orc-Hill Tribes have no relations with this nation, but see its people as weaklings.
The Nomadic Wemics of Narmouth	The Orc-Hill tribes have no knowledge of these nomads.
The Principality of Grennig	The tribes have no relations with this fledgling nation.
The Soulmeliti Forests	The Orc-Hill tribes skirmish with the Soulmeliti constantly. Occasionally, an Orcish leader will unite the tribes and escalate the conflict to full-scale war.
The Tribes of the Tzenchni'korack	The Orc-Hill tribes have no relations with these tribes.
The Underground Kingdom of the Children of Kharl	The Orc-Hill Tribes skirmish constantly with the Khadra, occasionally a great leader will unite them in war.