Orc Tribes

The orcs are nomadic wanderers who revere dragons as sacred beings, believing that dragons are the embodiment of power, survival, and death. Their once-fertile homeland has become a desolate wasteland overrun by monsters, forcing the orcs to adopt a life of constant travel in search of resources. As their harsh environment offers little, they often raid the wealthier kingdoms for supplies.

Orcs live in massive caravans made up of crawlers, flying ships, and steam-powered vehicles. These machines are sustained by an intricate engines that run on 82% essence and 18% coal, making the orcs master metallurgists, known for their ability to craft and repair machinery with high efficiency. Over time, they have even developed a new alloy that allows engines to function purely on essence, enabling them to create massive moving platforms for war and agriculture alike.

Though they are driven by the need for survival, the orcs also have a deeply spiritual connection to bloodshed, seeing it as a gift from Kaelos, The Shattered God of War. The scent of blood excites their primal urges, stirring a bloodlust that makes them a fearsome enemy on the battlefield. Orc warriors crave honorable deaths in battle, believing that dying in combat is the surest way to earn Kaelos' favor and gain a place among the honored dead.

The orcs have recently begun collaborating with elves, who are interested in the new alloy, to create enormous mobile greenhouses capable of feeding their wandering caravans. However, their biggest challenge remains the scarcity of seeds and fertile land to sustain their food production.

The orcs' nomadic lifestyle has led them to discover several rich source of essence crystal in the lands they inhabit. This precious resource is the key to powering their machines, giving them a significant advantage over other species. With their engines fueled by essence, the orcs are able to maintain their massive caravans and continue their nomadic lifestyle.

Population: 10000

Orc High Tribe of Kharrak

• Capital City: Kragh'tar (A Roaming City)

  • Description: Kragh’tar is a sprawling, ever-moving city made of hundreds of wagons, forges, and mechanical platforms that form the heart of the orcish tribes. Led by the High Chief, this mobile fortress roams the desolate lands to avoid the monster hordes, with dragons soaring above as protectors.
  • Ruling Figure: High Chief Garrok Firehand
    • Description: A hulking orc warlord with deep burn scars from bonding with his dragon, Ragna, a fire-breathing red dragon. Garrok is a respected leader known for his tactical brilliance and ability to keep the orc tribes unified.

Tribes:

1. Bloodfang Tribe

• Leader: Chieftain Rakgar Bloodfang
• Dragons: 5 Dragons
• Description: The Bloodfang Tribe is infamous for their ferocity in battle and their ritualistic blood sacrifices to honor Kaelos, the orcish god of death and war. Their warbands are feared throughout the land, known for raiding settlements and rival tribes alike, reveling in the spilling of blood.
• Politics: Rakgar rules with ruthless efficiency, encouraging brutal displays of power. His tribe thrives on fear, and his leadership is constantly challenged by ambitious orc warriors looking to take his place. His second-in-command, Kharrok the Grim, secretly plots to challenge Rakgar in an honor duel for leadership, creating underlying tension.
• Internal Dynamics: The tribe is divided, with some fiercely loyal to Rakgar for his strength and leadership in battle, while others covertly side with Kharrok. The dragon riders in this tribe are fanatical, viewing their bond with dragons as a sacred path to Kaelos’ blessing.

2. Stonefist Tribe

• Leader: Chieftess Varka Stonefist
• Dragons: 4 Dragons
• Description: The Stonefist Tribe is known for their mastery of crafting and engineering. They specialize in using monster bones and scavenged materials to create weapons, armor, and machinery, and are integral to maintaining the orc caravans and siege platforms. They are more pragmatic and less bloodthirsty compared to other tribes.
• Politics: Varka is a pragmatic and calculated leader, more interested in advancing the tribe’s technological prowess than engaging in senseless conflict. She frequently brokers deals with the Skywatchers to protect her caravans in exchange for crafted goods. However, internal pressure mounts as Warlord Thokk Ironhide, her most skilled blacksmith and warrior, pushes for more aggressive expansion and raiding, which Varka resists.
• Internal Dynamics: The tribe has a split between the crafters who support Varka's peaceful approach and the warriors who align with Thokk's more aggressive vision. Thokk has a growing faction that may challenge Varka’s leadership in the future.

3. Skywatchers Tribe

• Leader: Skymaster Kraag
• Dragons: 3 Dragons, 10 Wyverns
• Description: The Skywatchers Tribe is unique in their specialization in aerial combat. They train wyverns, drakes, and dragons for warfare in the sky. Their control of the air makes them a valuable military force among the orc tribes, and they are frequently hired to guard caravans or support sieges.
• Politics: Skymaster Kraag is an ambitious leader, seeking to expand the influence of the Skywatchers by positioning them as the dominant military force in the orcish society. He is known for striking strategic alliances with both the Stonefist Tribe and Ironjaw Tribe, offering aerial dominance in exchange for resources. However, Commander Drasha, his most trusted wyvern rider, seeks more autonomy for herself and her warband, and tensions are rising between her and Kraag.
• Internal Dynamics: While Kraag commands respect, Drasha’s growing independence threatens to fracture the tribe. There is also competition among wyvern riders for control of elite warbands, with frequent internal duels to determine aerial squad leaders.

4. Ironjaw Tribe

• Leader: Chieftain Morgok Ironjaw
• Dragons: 4 Dragons
• Description: The Ironjaw Tribe is brutal, their warbands relentless in their raiding and pillaging. They are feared for their heavy infantry and shock troops, who ride into battle with heavily armored siege crawlers. Ironjaw orcs are known for their physical strength and endurance, often favored by Kaelos.
• Politics: Morgok is a feared and ruthless warlord who keeps his tribe in line through sheer brutality. However, his constant hunger for battle has left the Ironjaw Tribe overextended. His warlord, Grakka the Devourer, is beginning to challenge his authority, arguing that they should focus more on internal strength rather than constant warfare.
• Internal Dynamics: Grakka commands a significant portion of the tribe’s forces and is quietly building a faction of orcs who are weary of Morgok’s endless wars. This internal tension may soon erupt into a power struggle, with Grakka positioning herself as a more strategic, long-term leader compared to Morgok’s bloodlust-driven rule.

5. Thunderclaw Tribe

• Leader: Chieftain Durak Thunderclaw
• Dragons: 3 Dragons
• Description: The Thunderclaw Tribe is renowned for their lightning-infused dragon riders, who wield the power of storms in battle. They are experts in hit-and-run tactics, using speed and destructive lightning strikes to devastate enemies before disappearing into the wasteland.
• Politics: Durak is a cunning and unpredictable leader, known for his tactical genius in warfare. He has established strong trade relations with the Stonefist Tribe, exchanging rare storm-forged metals for weapons and armor. However, his leadership is questioned by his ambitious son, Torak Thunderclaw, who believes his father is too focused on trade and should be leading more aggressive raids.
• Internal Dynamics: Durak maintains tight control over his tribe, but his son Torak’s growing influence and desire for greater glory in battle are creating a schism within the tribe. Many younger warriors side with Torak, seeing Durak’s emphasis on trade and diplomacy as a sign of weakness.

6. Bonecrusher Tribe

• Leader: Chieftain Gorruk Bonecrusher
• Dragons: 4 Dragons
• Description: The Bonecrusher Tribe is feared for their brutal, close-quarters combat prowess. They specialize in using massive hammers, clubs, and bone-crushing weapons, and their dragon riders prefer to engage enemies directly in brutal melee combat.
• Politics: Gorruk is a physically imposing leader who has won every honor duel that has come his way, solidifying his rule through sheer strength. He values strength above all else and frequently leads his tribe into violent skirmishes with both rival orc tribes and external enemies. His warlord, Brakka Skullsplitter, is a loyal follower, but others in the tribe, such as Grak the Bonebreaker, secretly believe Gorruk’s constant fighting is reckless and jeopardizes the tribe’s future.
• Internal Dynamics: While Gorruk commands loyalty through fear, many of the tribe’s elders and dragon riders are growing tired of his reckless leadership. Grak is quietly amassing support among those who believe the Bonecrusher Tribe needs a more strategic and less destructive approach to warfare.

7. Flameheart Tribe

• Leader: Chieftess Zara Flameheart
• Dragons: 3 Dragons, 1 Fire Elemental
• Description: The Flameheart Tribe is unique in that they not only revere dragons but also summon and control fire elementals in battle. Their shamans are masters of fire magic, making them a feared force on the battlefield, known for leaving scorched earth in their wake.
• Politics: Zara is a highly respected leader, both for her combat prowess and her deep connection to elemental fire magic. She maintains close ties with Shaman Grok Bloodseer, seeking his advice on spiritual matters and visions. However, some of her warlords, such as Karz Flamefury, believe she places too much faith in shamans and the mystical side of warfare, preferring brute force.
• Internal Dynamics: Zara’s leadership is solid, but Karz’s growing influence among the younger warriors has created a divide between those who support Zara’s balanced approach of combining fire magic and combat, and those who believe they should rely more on raw strength and force.

8. Stormrider Tribe

• Leader: Chieftain Jorak Stormrider
• Dragons: 5 Dragons
• Description: The Stormrider Tribe is known for their mastery of speed and mobility in warfare. They ride into battle on dragons and fast-moving vehicles powered by essence, striking with lightning speed and disappearing before enemies can mount a counterattack.
• Politics: Jorak is a strategic mastermind, leading his tribe with a focus on mobility and precision. His warband is highly disciplined, and he maintains an alliance with the Skywatchers for aerial supremacy. However, Warlord Zura Swiftstrike, his top lieutenant, believes Jorak is becoming too cautious and pushes for more aggressive tactics, leading to friction.
• Internal Dynamics: While Jorak is highly respected for his tactical mind, Zura’s growing faction of younger, more reckless warriors threatens to destabilize the tribe. There is tension between those who favor Jorak’s precise, hit-and-run tactics and those who crave the glory of direct confrontation.

9. Ironshard Tribe

• Leader: Chieftain Drakka Ironshard
• Dragons: 4 Dragons
• Description: The Ironshard Tribe is a resource-focused tribe that specializes in mining and forging whatever meager resources they can find. They are responsible for harvesting essence crystals and creating the alloys used in the orcish war machines. They are less warlike than other tribes but are critical to the survival of orc society.
• Politics: Drakka is a pragmatic leader who focuses on the tribe’s industrial strength. He maintains strong trade relationships with the Stonefist Tribe, but he faces internal pressure from his warlord, Krugg Earthbreaker, who believes they should leverage their resource wealth to gain more power and influence among the orcs.
• Internal Dynamics: Drakka’s leadership is stable for now, but Krugg’s faction is pushing for a more aggressive approach to politics and warfare, believing the tribe could ascend to greater heights if they were more assertive in claiming power among the orc tribes.

Orc Shamans

• Orc shamans are a select group of individuals who have dedicated themselves to cultivating the orc essence pool, a collective reservoir of spiritual energy that resides within the orcish people. Everytime, a shaman successfully cultivates the collective pool, orc walk a step further on the path of godhood and they all become stronger. But the path to godhood is a long one, a path that will take several dozen millennia/
• Through intense meditation, ritual practices, and connection with the natural world, shamans are able to tap into and manipulate the  essence pool, allowing them to cast spells and perform magical feats.
• Unlike the rest of the orcs, who can only tap into the  essence pool subconsciously to increase their strength and heal wounds, shamans have developed a conscious understanding of the essence and can wield it with precision and control.
• Shamans are highly respected within orcish society, serving as spiritual leaders, healers, and advisors to the tribe's leaders.
• They are also responsible for maintaining the balance of the essence pool, ensuring that it remains healthy and strong, and that the orcs' connection to the natural world remains intact.
• Orc shamans are known to possess a deep understanding of the workings of the universe, and are often sought out for their wisdom and guidance on matters of great importance.

Shamanic Practices

• Shamans use a variety of techniques to cultivate the essence pool, including meditation, ritual dances, and the use of sacred plants and substances.
• They are also skilled in the art of divination, using various methods such as reading the entrails of animals, interpreting omens, and casting spells to gain insight into the future.
• Shamans are able to communicate with the spirits of the land, the ancestors, and the gods, seeking guidance and wisdom in times of need.
• They are also responsible for performing rituals to honor the gods, particularly Kaelos, and to ensure the continued health and prosperity of the tribe.

Shamanic Magic

• Orc shamans are able to cast a variety of spells, including healing, protection, and elemental magic.
• They are able to summon the power of the elements, calling upon the wind, earth, fire, and water to aid them in times of need.
• Shamans are also able to perform rituals to purify and cleanse the essence pool, removing impurities and negative energies that may be affecting the tribe.
• They are able to communicate with the spirits of the land, seeking guidance and wisdom in times of need.

Important Locations

• Wastes of Kharrak: The barren homeland of the orcs, a desolate expanse filled with dangerous monsters. Once fertile, it now serves as the orcs' primary hunting and raiding grounds, as well as a place to train warriors against its dangers.

• The Forge of Ragna: A massive mobile foundry powered by essence, where the orcs craft their war machines, weapons, and armor. Named after the dragon bonded to High Chief Garrok, it is the lifeblood of the orcish war machine.

• Kaelos’ Maw: A sacred battlefield where the orcs go to fight their final battles. To die here is seen as the greatest honor. It is believed that dragons will carry the souls of the fallen to the afterlife.

• The Dragon Pits: A vast, underground cavern network where dragons and wyverns rest. These pits are guarded by orcish shamans, and only the most worthy warriors are allowed to bond with a dragon here.

Important Buildings

• The Blooded Spire: A towering mobile structure, part shrine, part watchtower. It is where orcish shamans commune with dragons and spirits. The orcs often bring their dead here for last rites, honoring those who died in combat.

• Hall of the Ironhands: The orcs' center of craftsmanship, where their master smiths create their infamous essence engines and alloys. It is a mobile workshop capable of forging dragonbone weapons and intricate war machines.

• Grok’s Sanctum: The personal chamber of Shaman Grok Bloodseer, filled with ancient dragon relics, skulls, and scrolls. It is the spiritual heart of the orcish tribes, where prophecies are made and important decisions are guided by visions.

• Skyhold: A massive platform designed to launch wyverns and flying ships. It serves as the base for the Skywatchers tribe and the orcish air force.

Language and Swear Words

The orcs speak Kharrkhan, a guttural language filled with harsh consonants. Their speech is often laced with honorifics and warlike metaphors. Some swear words and phrases include:

• “Gorrak”: A common swear, roughly translating to "monster spawn" or "worthless".
• “Raghgar”: Insult for a coward, particularly one who avoids honorable battle.
• “Blood for Kaelos!”: A war cry that orcs shout before combat, invoking their god of war.
• “Essence-Drained”: A deep insult, referring to someone as weak or spent, like an engine running on empty.
• “Fire-eater”: A derogatory term for an orc who takes unnecessary risks without honor.

Customs and Traditions

• Dragon Bonding Rituals: When an orc is deemed worthy, they undergo a dangerous bonding ceremony with a dragon, where both dragon and rider must prove their strength. Success results in a lifelong bond, while failure often leads to death.

• Blood Trials: Coming of age rituals where young orcs must slay a monster or rival in combat. This grants them their first piece of warrior's gear, often a weapon crafted from the bones of their kill.

• Blood Feast: After a battle, orcs celebrate by drinking the blood of their enemies, believing it strengthens their bond with Kaelos. The smell of fresh blood excites their bloodlust, often driving them to heightened states of rage.

• Honor Duels: Disputes among orcs are settled through ritual combat. These duels are fought to the death or until one fighter is incapacitated. The loser is considered to have failed Kaelos, and their family may be dishonored.

Society

Orc society is structured around honor, combat, and dragon reverence. Every tribe is ruled by a Chieftain or Chieftess, who is also a dragon rider. Leadership is merit-based; only those who prove their worth in combat and through dragon bonding can hold positions of power.

• Warrior Class: The majority of orcs are warriors, trained from birth to fight. They live for battle and aspire to die with honor. Their strength and skill dictate their place in society.

• Shamans: Orc shamans serve as spiritual leaders and advisors. They are the only ones allowed to communicate with dragons and spirits, and their prophecies guide the tribe's actions.

• Crafters and Engineers: Highly respected for their skills in metalwork, crafting, and the maintenance of essence-powered engines. Without them, the orcs' nomadic lifestyle would collapse.

Orc Values

Orcish values center around:

• Honor in Combat: Orcs believe that a warrior's worth is proven on the battlefield. They value bravery, strength, and cunning in warfare, and the greatest insult is to call someone a coward.

• Dragon Reverence: Dragons are sacred creatures, seen as both protectors and companions. Orcs believe that bonding with a dragon is a divine gift, and dragon riders are the elite of society.

• Efficiency and Survival: Given their harsh environment, orcs value efficiency in all things. Their metalworking, war machines, and raiding tactics are optimized for survival in a hostile world.

Main Conflicts and Power Struggles

• Rivalry for Resources: The orcs' wasteland home is resource-poor, and tribes frequently clash over access to essence, food, and water. These skirmishes often turn into full-scale raids, with dragons and war machines deployed.

• Chieftain Challenges: Leadership is not static in orcish society. Any warrior can challenge a chieftain for control of the tribe through ritual combat. These challenges are rare but often result in major power shifts.

• Dragon Bonding Jealousy: Tribes are ranked based on the number of dragon riders they have, with constant competition to acquire more. Tribes with fewer dragons often harbor resentment toward the High Tribe of Kharrak, which controls the most dragons.

• Elven Relations: The recent alliance with the elves over the new alloy has caused tensions. Some orcs see the elves as weak and unworthy of access to their technology, while others value the alliance for its benefits.

Internal Politics and Leadership

• Decision-Making: The orcs make decisions through a council of dragon riders, with the High Chief holding ultimate authority. However, each tribe's chieftain maintains autonomy, and alliances within the council are common. Decisions are often made by majority agreement, though disputes are frequently resolved through combat.

• Leadership Selection: To become a chieftain, an orc must be a dragon rider and have proven their strength in battle. If a chieftain dies or is challenged, a new leader is chosen through combat, where only the strongest can claim the position. Dragon riders are the most powerful and influential members of society, and the bond with their dragon is what solidifies their rule.

• Dragon Riders: Dragon riders are the top members of orcish society. Each tribe has 4-5 dragons, but the High Tribe of Kharrak commands 8. Every top leadership position, from chieftains to warlords, is held by a dragon rider.

• Relationships Between Tribes: While united under the High Tribe of Kharrak, the orc tribes maintain fierce independence. They often vie for dominance, and though outright war is rare, skirmishes and power struggles are common. The Bloodfang Tribe and the Stonefist Tribe frequently clash over resources, while the Skywatchers Tribe views itself as superior due to its mastery of aerial combat.

• Internal Leadership Relations: The relationship between the leaders of the tribes is complex. High Chief Garrok Firehand has managed to maintain dominance through strength and strategy, but leaders like Chieftain Rakgar Bloodfang often chafe under his rule. Rivalries between powerful figures, such as Warcaller Zora Steelclaw and Chieftess Varka Stonefist, sometimes erupt into bloody disputes.

Current Power Struggles

• High Tribe Dominance: Though Garrok Firehand leads the orcs, his position is constantly challenged by rival chieftains, especially Chieftain Rakgar Bloodfang and Chief Rorak Ironjaw, who believe they could lead better. These rivalries create internal tension, though Garrok’s dragon bond with Ragna keeps him in power for now.

• Scarcity of Seeds and Agriculture: Despite their mechanical ingenuity, the orcs struggle to secure enough seeds for their greenhouses, leading to strained relations with their elven allies. Some tribes believe the elves are holding back resources, which could lead to future conflict.