Mountain Kin-bands
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One of three distinct areas of the the Orclands.
On the western edge of the lands of the Great Khan, the Mountains of Fire serve as a border between the orcs and the lands of The Theocracy. The orcs and goblins that have settled in the southern foothills of this region tend to be hardy and rugged. Life is hard in this part of the Khan's lands and here more than anywhere else in orc held territory, the survival of the fittest is the law of nature. Dwelling in crude huts and caves, the mountain tribes scratch a living from the rocks, often favoring raiding and hunting over “rock craft” which is good for trade with other tribes.
As a rule, intellect is not celebrated as a virtue nor highly prized by the mountain kinbands. Skill in battle and physical resilience are prerequisites for survival in this harsh land and as such the tendency to be more martially inclined is more a necessity than a vocation. Each orc as they come of age, must journey into the Fire Mountains and bring back proof of their visit. If they survive, they can join the kinband as an adult, those that fail are dead.
When a mountain orc of intelligence is encountered within the kinbands they tend to become figures of importance and either rise to become either war leaders or shaman. Those who pursue the mental arts are, however, the exceptions to the general rule and the mountain orcs are by far the most martial of the cultures of the orcs and a great many of the Great Khan's finest warriors come from kinbands of this region.
The goblins of the mountain kinbands are also inclined to be warriors and have to fight for survival alongside their larger brethren. This harsh environment promotes a vicious streak in mountain goblins that is not seen in the plains or on the river.
Rulership(top)
Kinband culture is one based on strength. There is however, more to leading then simply being strong and the kin born with brains more often than not rise to the head of their tribes. They are often also mystics who hold great significance to the Kinbands. Orcs compete with each other in feats of strength and savegery to impress the cheiftans in order to join their kinbands. They will only choose the best and strongest orcs to join them. Several families might make up a local kinband but the cheiftan that controls the largest and most powerful group of warriors rises to the top becoming the warlord for their region. The longer a Chieftan stays in power the more respect they earn for their cunning and experience in keeping control of so many families.
The most notorious mountain kinband is currently led by a chieftan known as Disa. She is are famous for an attack which saw the village of Marchfall obliterated in a devastating raid into Kingdom Lands. The humans called the Chieftan, “Bloody Disa”, and the name has stuck, like a trophy. To this day the Bloody Disa kinband is one of the most feared.
Kinband Shaman(top)
Some orcs, with intelligence, who survive their rite of passage at the Pyre, occasionally return having been touched by the demons, blessed with a vision. They know their calling on their return and take up the role of shaman. They craft their own “stones” for divination and carry a bloodletting knife to better serve the role fate has chosen for them. Shaman are seen as figures of awe and magic and are looked upon with suspicion but also reverence, as the shaman are the mouths of the demons and their ambassadors in this world. Shaman often wear a hooded cloak of grey or earthy tones to signify their status.
Orcs who receive the gift of sight are the most revered and it is these mystic figures who often rise to lead kinbands and forge their names in blood and fire.
Appearance(top)
Mountain orcs tend to dress in furs and warmer heavier clothing to protect against the colder climate in the mountains and foothills. Due to their martial nature they usually wear armor of some kind and their weapons are basic but functional and effective. The axe is favored as the cultural weapon in this region but any heavy bladed weapon can be found in use. Physically, these orcs tend to be rugged in complexion with darker skin than their plains or river cousins. It is not uncommon for them to sport scars and wounds from battle and internal power struggles. These scars each have a story and the orcs are proud to tell of them around the fires. Mountain orc kinbands tend to be smaller than the tribes of the plains, generally numbering from between 100 to 200 in size. They are ruled by the strongest leaders and their shaman.
These fierce and savage warrior tribes have no real inherent style of dress. Much of their clothing and armour is scavenged providing a barbaric and frenzied look to these warriors. Goblins of the mountains dress in similar apparel but often will garb themselves in garments that camouflage them and keep them out of view from their larger cousins.
Inspiration(top)
These orcs and goblins akin to the more savage and murderous orcs of popular literature and film. They are more visceral and primitive, furs and leather are common and although axes are cultural weapons all forms of bladed and hafted weapons are common. - Loading...
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