Imperial Orcs people
Overview
For many years, most Imperial Orcs were soldiers. They enlisted in one of the two Imperial Orc armies with the rest of their legion, fighting the enemies of the Empire. Orcs have an instinctive desire to belong to something, to be part of something bigger than themselves, and most enjoyed the camaraderie and the sense of commitment and purpose they gained from being part of an army. For an Imperial Orc, their legion, their army, and the Empire itself were fundamental to their identity. They took great pride in being part of something greater than any individual, and the triumphs of the Empire were their triumphs. For the Imperial Orcs, the Empire was their nation.
Even those who did not serve in the army tended to live in one of the many legion camps dotted around the Empire. Some dwelt there permanently, others moved from camp to camp with one of the Imperial armies. Life in the legion camps was crowded; orcs slept in large communal tents and ate, trained, and worked together. This military discipline extended even to those who were not formally part of one of the armies - most orcs are comfortable with the rough but unyielding discipline of legion life.
Now they have a homeland of their own. The military camps have mostly been disbanded, their inhabitants relocating to Skarsind. Where once the orcs lived in tents and makeshift buildings, they have begun to construct permanent towns, villages, and homesteads of their own. Human visitors often find these settlements a little cramped - the orcs have lost none of their affection for communal living.
This change has prompted some Orcs to question if they still need to devote their lives to martial service. Thousands of Imperial Orcs have given their lives already in service to the Empire. Nobody can question their sacrifice, but if their dreams of nationhood are to mean something more than endless war then the Orcs will need to find new ways to serve the nation. Others point out that martial prowess has always been the Imperial Orc's greatest strength. Are they to become a nation of bookkeepers to rival the League or farmers that can outdo the Marches? They have gained a measure of acceptance from the Empire, why give up the path that has served them so well?
A Different People
Orcs tend to become anxious and uncertain when alone and seeking solitude is often taken as a sign of illness. They expect individuals to seek out company and welcome those who do but they are often suspicious of those who choose to stand alone, whether human or orc. Orcs act primarily in the interest of their legions and they expect others to do likewise; they are particularly distrustful of individuals who claim to represent only themselves. An individual, or better still a group, acting on behalf of a larger body are usually much better received.
Nobody likes to be considered stupid, but Imperial Orcs take particular exception to the idea that they are uneducated or "slow." Some orcs react very negatively indeed to any suggestion that they might not be able to follow someone's train of thought, or might not be able to read something for themselves. They make little distinction between someone inadvertently patronising them in a well-meaning way, and someone who is trying to directly insult their intelligence. Actively mocking an orc's ability to read or write is to openly insult their status as a civilised citizen of the Empire.
Most Imperial Orcs identify with the Empire on a personal level, viewing its triumphs as their triumphs. They view a crime against the Empire as a crime against them personally; to an Imperial Orc a betrayal of the Empire is the same as being personally betrayed. Many even take a crime against another Imperial citizen as seriously as a crime against a member of their own legion, making little distinction between citizens in this regard. As such they are staunch supporters of Imperial Law and will go to great lengths to hunt down criminals. They especially despise thieves and robbers; the right to own belongings was denied to them as slaves and many Imperial Orcs see theft of their possessions as a crime that attacks their rights as Imperial citizens.
In the mind of most Imperial Orcs, the laws have no grey areas - one is either innocent or guilty and punishment is required to absolve the guilty of their crimes. Although they accept the authority of the magistrates without question, Imperial Orcs believe that only retribution can allow a criminal to rejoin their legion with honour. In cases where individual circumstances have mitigated a crime and reduced the punishment imposed, Imperial Orcs often regard the convicted as marked and shamed, even going so far as to express open distrust thereafter. A criminal who “gets off lightly” is unlikely to be welcome in the Orc camp in the future, and some Orcs convicted of crimes have been known to ask that their sentences be increased to avoid such a fate.
The Lure of Battle
The Imperial Orcs are still a profoundly martial people - a passion for fighting is literally "in their blood". Like many humans they enjoy battle and take great pride in fighting for their Empire and their legion, but for Orcs the elation they feel during a battle goes much further - becoming a definitively spiritual experience. For many it is the only time that they can hear their ancestors communicating to them. Some hear only half-whispered voices urging them on or shouting warning or advice, some hear nothing at all, but almost all derive a cathartic fulfilment from the act of fighting. The fact that all orcs receive guidance from their ancestors is central to their religious beliefs.
The danger, of which the Imperial Orcs are only too aware, is that the thrill of battle is seductive and becomes addictive. Barbarians often lose their sense of self-preservation completely when urged on to fight by their ancestors, but their numbers are almost limitless. The individual barbarian dies, but the nation lives on. The population of Imperial Orcs by comparison is perilously small and they cannot afford to fight recklessly. Discipline does not come easily to the Imperial Orcs, but the legions train to ensure that they are capable of withdrawing when a retreat is called or holding themselves in reserve until the order to advance is given. Many Imperial Orcs have come to consider that this battlefield discipline and command of tactics is one of the things that makes them superior to their barbarian cousins. All are aware that it is essential if they are to survive long enough to win territories of their own.
Background
For many years there has been a common enmity between barbarian and Imperial orcs. During the uprising efforts were made to make contact with the barbarian nations but they were rejected. In some cases the emissaries were simply killed, but some nations made offers of help or sanctuary only to betray them to the Empire. Before the uprising it was often claimed that slaves who managed to escape were welcomed by those nations who were hostile to the Empire; in fact it has become increasingly clear that those who did manage to reach to the barbarian lands did not find the welcome they had hoped for. Most likely they were summarily slain - but nobody is quite sure. What is certain is that nobody has ever found any trace of such people living among the barbarians.
The motivation for the barbarians' hatred of the Imperial Orcs is not clear, but it seems to stem from a fundamental belief that they are somehow dirty or spiritually corrupt. What is notable is that this hatred has diminished or even entirely disappeared in recent years. Imperial Orcs are no longer singled out for attack by the enemy on the battlefield and the enemy now seems to regard them as little different to any other Imperial. Nobody is quite certain what actions or events have caused this change - but it has been noted by observers of all four barbarian nations.
Whatever the reason for the change, it remains true that no known Jotun, Druj, Grendel or Thule orc has ever sought to join the Imperial Orcs. However a growing number of orcs have joined the Imperial Orcs in recent times. Occasionally a band of bandits will seek out the egregore and petition to join the nation, sick of their lives living hand-to-mouth in the wilderness. Recently, a small handful of Lasambrian orcs from the Hierro clan made the trek to Skarsind after their people were conquered by the Jotun and refused shelter by the Empire. Perhaps two hundred former slaves from the eastern Principalities of Jarm, educated at the College of the Liberated, became part of the nation in 380YE.
Not all Imperial Orcs welcome these newcomers, often claiming that anyone whose grandparents were not enslaved by the Empire should not be allowed to join the nation. However those who have settled in Skarsind have been accepted by the Imperial Orc egregore as they are willing to adopt Imperial Orcs culture and customs and thus become part of the nation. That is more than good enough for most Imperial Orcs.
Unusual Origins in Play
It is fine to be generic bandit from some uncivilised region of the Empire who joined the Imperial Orcs either as a child or an adult - although an adult may have to answer for any crimes they committed as a bandit. You can also play one of the Liberated, provided you meet the minimum requirement of fluency in an appropriate language.
It's okay to play a character who used to be a Lasambrian orc, although the wiki is very short on detail which might leave you struggling to cover any gaps. Key points are:
- There were three peoples, all bandits - Hierro, Corazon, Naguerro. The Naguerro were traditionalists lead by their shaman, the Hierro were interested in expanding the grasp of the Lasambrian orcs to conquer the Brass Coast, and the Corazon were caught between the two.
- The Lasambrians invaded Segura, were driven off - and then their lands were invaded by the Jotun and the Iron Confederacy.
- The Corazon accepted the Jotun choice and joined their nation. The Naguerro refused to surrender to the Iron Confederacy and were eventually rescued by the Grendel - they have an abiding hatred of the Empire.
- The Hierro - briefly sought sanctuary in the Empire. After the Empire gave them Virtue - they became ambitious, proud and courageous. The renewed spiritual strength allowed them to appreciate that the Empire would never give them what they wanted - so most left to join the Jotun. A handful went north and joined the Imperial Orcs.
It is important to note that you must still be an Imperial Orc - the egregore only accepts people who have embraced Imperial Orc ways and culture. You can have been Hierro - for example - but you're an Imperial Orc now.
Orc Names
Legion Name
Imperial Orcs who have served in the Imperial army use their legion name in a similar way that a human might use a family name. Most orcs put the legion name first, so an orc might introduce themselves as "Irontide Cled", "Bloodcrow Emmal" or "Sunhammer Sutin." Legion names tend to be two words that describe their goals, their fighting style or some major event in their history. For example, the Irontide Legion favours heavy armour, wheras the Bloodcrow Legion favours lightly armoured skirmishers and the Sunhammer Legion prides itself on its weaponsmiths and jewellers.
Those Orcs who have never served in the legion will usually adopt the name of whatever group or affiliation they have joined. For example a reaver who had never served in the Imperial army might call themselves Whiteclaw Neb setting the name of their reaving band before their own.
Personal Names
Literacy has only become widespread amongst the Imperial Orcs since they won their freedom. As a result most names are short and simple and tend not to have silent letters - they are written the way they are spoken.
Most Orc names are clipped; short, sharp sounds. Orcs who want a male name adopt a short name with just two syllables.
Those who want a female name pick a two-syllable name with a double consonant in the middle. Most longer names are palindromes - written down they read the same backwards as forward. Very few of these names have more than three syllables.
Names that don't follow either of these approaches are usually viewed as gender-neutral.
Sample Names
Adda, Agga, Ar, Atok, Attra, Bannak, Brakklo, Brank, Brint, Cled, Col, Colla, Crillit, Dakktar, Dattia, Drok, Dakt, Drokkan, Durn, Emmal, Emme, Erken, Eft, Ferrak, Frar, Furit, Garrasha, Gillig, Grawik, Gru, Hajjah, Happak, Hent, Hollan, Hurd, Ikis, Illeska, Innar, Irek, Jannik, Jekri, Jinnij, Jord, Kabbak, Kalt, Kask, Kessek, Kressik, Kulid, Kulk, Likkil, Lunt, Lask, Mannam, Matal, Murn, Narrik, Natak, Nirak, Palt, Pest, Pessep, Presshak, Reller, Rilt, Roshhok, Rosslin, Rul, Sakkia, Sart, Sollos, Slu, Sutin, Talik, Takkat, Tammat, Tannap, Thada, Thonnot, Trast, Tullet, Urreska, Urt, Usak, Ussa, Usshak, Verrkan, Wesk, Werrun, Wessik, Yent
Honorifics
Imperial Orcs avoid boastful honorifics. An orc will use an Imperial title when on official business, but the rest of the time tends not to draw attention to it. Likewise, they avoid honorifics such as "the Mighty" or "Icebinder." The individual orc expects others to recognise them by their legion and personal name, and if they need to add some additional element detailing their deeds, they suggest their history or personal story is not strong enough to stand by itself.
"You don't think this enormous sash is a bit much?"
"It's fine, stop fiddling with it, just act like you wear it all the time."
"It looks ridiculous over my doublet, why would anyone believe I wear it all the time?"
"Because they don't like individuals and they don't like people who claim to work for themselves so we are buying this Biting Blade on behalf of the Illuminated Guild of Temeschwar, and that's why we are wearing sashes with lanterns on them. I've been through this with you twice, just stand behind me, nod occasionally and look like you care. You're getting paid 3 rings for this charade, think about that if it helps to focus your mind."
"Won't they realize you're just buying it for yourself?"
"Possibly... almost certainly if you can't play your part properly. But if they do, they'll still appreciate that I've made the effort. So I'll still get a cheaper price. But I hired you because you're supposed to be an actor, so for goodness sake, act."
"So long as I don't end up in the cooking pot. I hear they eat people they don't like."
"And I hear that failing actors who can't pay their debts displease the Prince."