Great Forest Orcs - Revision history

Twiggy at 18:20, 18 February 2026

2026-02-18T18:20:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:20, 18 February 2026
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	When they arrived in Therunin, the Great Forest Orcs supported a standard [[Army\|campaign army]] under the command of a warchief (a rank analogous to an Imperial [[general]]). The warchief answered to the chief and their council - who led the Great Forest orcs- but was free to act as they see fit in pursuit of the goals the chief and council set forth. The army has since been disbanded - the day to day requirements for the orcs to hunt and build take precedence over the need for a standing army, and as guests of the Empire they have no real ability to maintain such a large force of warriors anyway.		When they arrived in Therunin, the Great Forest Orcs supported a standard [[Army\|campaign army]] under the command of a warchief (a rank analogous to an Imperial [[general]]). The warchief answered to the chief and their council - who led the Great Forest orcs- but was free to act as they see fit in pursuit of the goals the chief and council set forth. The army has since been disbanded - the day to day requirements for the orcs to hunt and build take precedence over the need for a standing army, and as guests of the Empire they have no real ability to maintain such a large force of warriors anyway.

	'''Chief ~~Valack~~''' still remains the warchief of the Great Forest Orcs, however, and may be contacted by [[Call Winged Messenger\|Winged Messenger]] at the ''Great Forest Encampment, Lower Tarn Valley, Therunin'' for the time being. While the Great Forest Orcs disbanded the army their warriors did not abandon their weapons or their armour. Half chose to maintain combat readiness, guarding their people from the dangers of the forest of Therunin - which is, after all, a Navarr territory. Giant insects, alligators, and the occasional vallorn spawn threaten the orcs just as they threaten their human neighbours. These warriors call themselves the Spears of the Pines.		'''Chief Vallack''' still remains the warchief of the Great Forest Orcs, however, and may be contacted by [[Call Winged Messenger\|Winged Messenger]] at the ''Great Forest Encampment, Lower Tarn Valley, Therunin'' for the time being. While the Great Forest Orcs disbanded the army their warriors did not abandon their weapons or their armour. Half chose to maintain combat readiness, guarding their people from the dangers of the forest of Therunin - which is, after all, a Navarr territory. Giant insects, alligators, and the occasional vallorn spawn threaten the orcs just as they threaten their human neighbours. These warriors call themselves the Spears of the Pines.
	<onlyinclude>		<onlyinclude>
	<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>		<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial army" to "[[Army"

2026-01-16T09:42:45Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial army" to "[[Army"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:42, 16 January 2026
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	===Military===		===Military===
	When they arrived in Therunin, the Great Forest Orcs supported a standard [[~~Imperial army~~\|campaign army]] under the command of a warchief (a rank analogous to an Imperial [[general]]). The warchief answered to the chief and their council - who led the Great Forest orcs- but was free to act as they see fit in pursuit of the goals the chief and council set forth. The army has since been disbanded - the day to day requirements for the orcs to hunt and build take precedence over the need for a standing army, and as guests of the Empire they have no real ability to maintain such a large force of warriors anyway.		When they arrived in Therunin, the Great Forest Orcs supported a standard [[Army\|campaign army]] under the command of a warchief (a rank analogous to an Imperial [[general]]). The warchief answered to the chief and their council - who led the Great Forest orcs- but was free to act as they see fit in pursuit of the goals the chief and council set forth. The army has since been disbanded - the day to day requirements for the orcs to hunt and build take precedence over the need for a standing army, and as guests of the Empire they have no real ability to maintain such a large force of warriors anyway.

	'''Chief Valack''' still remains the warchief of the Great Forest Orcs, however, and may be contacted by [[Call Winged Messenger\|Winged Messenger]] at the ''Great Forest Encampment, Lower Tarn Valley, Therunin'' for the time being. While the Great Forest Orcs disbanded the army their warriors did not abandon their weapons or their armour. Half chose to maintain combat readiness, guarding their people from the dangers of the forest of Therunin - which is, after all, a Navarr territory. Giant insects, alligators, and the occasional vallorn spawn threaten the orcs just as they threaten their human neighbours. These warriors call themselves the Spears of the Pines.		'''Chief Valack''' still remains the warchief of the Great Forest Orcs, however, and may be contacted by [[Call Winged Messenger\|Winged Messenger]] at the ''Great Forest Encampment, Lower Tarn Valley, Therunin'' for the time being. While the Great Forest Orcs disbanded the army their warriors did not abandon their weapons or their armour. Half chose to maintain combat readiness, guarding their people from the dangers of the forest of Therunin - which is, after all, a Navarr territory. Giant insects, alligators, and the occasional vallorn spawn threaten the orcs just as they threaten their human neighbours. These warriors call themselves the Spears of the Pines.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

2026-01-15T12:50:36Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:50, 15 January 2026
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	Their enslavement and exile came to an end in Winter 377YE when an Imperial force ambushed and slaughtered the Druj leaders in the Barrens. This triggered an armed revolt among the subjects led by the Great Forest and the Black Wind. The rebellious orcs engaged in a campaign of slaughter against every Druj enclave they could find. Druj prisoners were generally hung from the nearest branch capable of holding their weight, leading to horrifying encounters with literally dozens of dead orcs hanging from hempen nooses wherever the two orc factions clashed. They appeared unconcerned with the Dawnish citizens in Dawnguard, but once the Druj were dealt with their attention turned to relations with the Empire.		Their enslavement and exile came to an end in Winter 377YE when an Imperial force ambushed and slaughtered the Druj leaders in the Barrens. This triggered an armed revolt among the subjects led by the Great Forest and the Black Wind. The rebellious orcs engaged in a campaign of slaughter against every Druj enclave they could find. Druj prisoners were generally hung from the nearest branch capable of holding their weight, leading to horrifying encounters with literally dozens of dead orcs hanging from hempen nooses wherever the two orc factions clashed. They appeared unconcerned with the Dawnish citizens in Dawnguard, but once the Druj were dealt with their attention turned to relations with the Empire.

	Throughout 378YE, the orc settlers from the Barrens retreated out of Brocéliande, leaving their makeshift camps to fall into disuse or be overrun by vallornspawn. Then, during the Spring Equinox 379YE, the [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] passed a motion [[Declare peace with Barrens orcs\|declaring the three orc peoples in the Barrens to be foreigners]], rather than barbarians. This meant - among other things - that while the orcs of the Barrens are recognised as foreigners, any invasion of their lands by Imperial troops would be a criminal offence. During Summer of the same year, a [[Green_and_pleasant_lands\|delegation of indigenous orcs]] came to [[Casinea#Anvil\|Anvil]], with the assistance of the Navarr of Brocéliande. They engaged in extensive diplomacy and negotiation in pursuit of a treaty between the Empire and their nascent nation. However the negotiations failed when the treaty was rejected by the Senate.		Throughout 378YE, the orc settlers from the Barrens retreated out of Brocéliande, leaving their makeshift camps to fall into disuse or be overrun by vallornspawn. Then, during the Spring Equinox 379YE, the [[Senate]] passed a motion [[Declare peace with Barrens orcs\|declaring the three orc peoples in the Barrens to be foreigners]], rather than barbarians. This meant - among other things - that while the orcs of the Barrens are recognised as foreigners, any invasion of their lands by Imperial troops would be a criminal offence. During Summer of the same year, a [[Green_and_pleasant_lands\|delegation of indigenous orcs]] came to [[Casinea#Anvil\|Anvil]], with the assistance of the Navarr of Brocéliande. They engaged in extensive diplomacy and negotiation in pursuit of a treaty between the Empire and their nascent nation. However the negotiations failed when the treaty was rejected by the Senate.

	In Autumn 379YE, the Great Forest orcs were part of a larger force that attempted to [[379YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Angry_Orcs\|claim Dawnguard from the Dawnish]]. This sparked [[379YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_Thunder_of_the_Barrens\|months of bitter fighting]] in the Barrens, leading to a [[380YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Under_a_Crimson_Sky\|counterattack]] that [[380YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_Conquest_of_the_Barrens\|pushed the indigenous orcs back]].		In Autumn 379YE, the Great Forest orcs were part of a larger force that attempted to [[379YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Angry_Orcs\|claim Dawnguard from the Dawnish]]. This sparked [[379YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_Thunder_of_the_Barrens\|months of bitter fighting]] in the Barrens, leading to a [[380YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Under_a_Crimson_Sky\|counterattack]] that [[380YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_Conquest_of_the_Barrens\|pushed the indigenous orcs back]].

Twiggy at 17:12, 5 August 2025

2025-08-05T17:12:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:12, 5 August 2025
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	Any Imperial character is free to create stories of interactions with the Great Forest Orcs if they wish, as long as they bear certain considerations in mind.		Any Imperial character is free to create stories of interactions with the Great Forest Orcs if they wish, as long as they bear certain considerations in mind.

	The Great Forest Orcs are centred in the Lower Tarn Valley, but their people will spread out throughout Therunin over the coming months into every region that is not occupied by the [[~~Vallorn~~]] (every region except Greenheart and Sweetglades). They will not build permanent settlements outside of the Lower Tarn Valley unless explicitly invited to do so by Navarr steadings. Their hunting parties will, however, be encountered in all parts of the territory.		The Great Forest Orcs are centred in the Lower Tarn Valley, but their people will spread out throughout Therunin over the coming months into every region that is not occupied by the [[vallorn]] (every region except Greenheart and Sweetglades). They will not build permanent settlements outside of the Lower Tarn Valley unless explicitly invited to do so by Navarr steadings. Their hunting parties will, however, be encountered in all parts of the territory.

	Whenever they are encountered, they are guarded but cautiously friendly to the Navarr. They are cordial to Imperial Orcs, in all ways treating them as equals. With representatives of other nations, they are cool and aloof and will not voluntarily spend time around them. The exception is the Dawnish - it is clear they have little love for them. They abide by Imperial law as they understand it, and they do their level best not to infringe on Navarr hunting grounds uninvited.		Whenever they are encountered, they are guarded but cautiously friendly to the Navarr. They are cordial to Imperial Orcs, in all ways treating them as equals. With representatives of other nations, they are cool and aloof and will not voluntarily spend time around them. The exception is the Dawnish - it is clear they have little love for them. They abide by Imperial law as they understand it, and they do their level best not to infringe on Navarr hunting grounds uninvited.

Hailmur: /* Military */

2025-07-10T18:43:56Z

Military

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 10 July 2025
Line 49:		Line 49:
	<onlyinclude>		<onlyinclude>
	<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>		<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>
	As long as relations between the Great Forest Orcs and the Navarr remain cordial, and the orcs continue to live in Therunin, any Navarr [[general]] who is fighting in Therunin can call for the Spears of the Pines to fight alongside them. If they do so, a band of orcs and briars with a fighting strength of 1,000 will fight alongside that general in the coming season. To call the Spears of the Pines, the general need merely mention that they are doing so in their orders. Further, if any Navarr army is fighting to conquer the Barrens, they may likewise call for the Spears of the Pines, again by mentioning them in their orders. The Great Forest Orcs will only fight alongside Navarr armies in this way.		As long as relations between the Great Forest Orcs and the Navarr remain cordial, and the orcs continue to live in Therunin, any Navarr [[general]] who is fighting in Therunin can call for the Spears of the Pines to fight alongside them. If they do so, a band of orcs and briars with a fighting strength of 1,000 will fight alongside that general in the coming season. To call the Spears of the Pines, the general need merely mention that they are doing so in their orders. Further, if any Navarr army is fighting to conquer the Barrens, they may likewise call for the Spears of the Pines, again by mentioning them in their orders. The Great Forest Orcs will only fight alongside Navarr armies in this way.</box></onlyinclude>

	~~For purposes of rituals such as [[Bound by Common Cause]], a warband of Spears of the Pines qualifies as seven military units~~.</box>
	</onlyinclude>

	===Magic===		===Magic===

Hailmur: /* Military */

2025-07-10T18:20:48Z

Military

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:20, 10 July 2025
Line 47:		Line 47:

	'''Chief Valack''' still remains the warchief of the Great Forest Orcs, however, and may be contacted by [[Call Winged Messenger\|Winged Messenger]] at the ''Great Forest Encampment, Lower Tarn Valley, Therunin'' for the time being. While the Great Forest Orcs disbanded the army their warriors did not abandon their weapons or their armour. Half chose to maintain combat readiness, guarding their people from the dangers of the forest of Therunin - which is, after all, a Navarr territory. Giant insects, alligators, and the occasional vallorn spawn threaten the orcs just as they threaten their human neighbours. These warriors call themselves the Spears of the Pines.		'''Chief Valack''' still remains the warchief of the Great Forest Orcs, however, and may be contacted by [[Call Winged Messenger\|Winged Messenger]] at the ''Great Forest Encampment, Lower Tarn Valley, Therunin'' for the time being. While the Great Forest Orcs disbanded the army their warriors did not abandon their weapons or their armour. Half chose to maintain combat readiness, guarding their people from the dangers of the forest of Therunin - which is, after all, a Navarr territory. Giant insects, alligators, and the occasional vallorn spawn threaten the orcs just as they threaten their human neighbours. These warriors call themselves the Spears of the Pines.
			<onlyinclude>
	<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>		<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>
	As long as relations between the Great Forest Orcs and the Navarr remain cordial, and the orcs continue to live in Therunin, any Navarr [[general]] who is fighting in Therunin can call for the Spears of the Pines to fight alongside them. If they do so, a band of orcs and briars with a fighting strength of 1,000 will fight alongside that general in the coming season. To call the Spears of the Pines, the general need merely mention that they are doing so in their orders. Further, if any Navarr army is fighting to conquer the Barrens, they may likewise call for the Spears of the Pines, again by mentioning them in their orders. The Great Forest Orcs will only fight alongside Navarr armies in this way.		As long as relations between the Great Forest Orcs and the Navarr remain cordial, and the orcs continue to live in Therunin, any Navarr [[general]] who is fighting in Therunin can call for the Spears of the Pines to fight alongside them. If they do so, a band of orcs and briars with a fighting strength of 1,000 will fight alongside that general in the coming season. To call the Spears of the Pines, the general need merely mention that they are doing so in their orders. Further, if any Navarr army is fighting to conquer the Barrens, they may likewise call for the Spears of the Pines, again by mentioning them in their orders. The Great Forest Orcs will only fight alongside Navarr armies in this way.

	For purposes of rituals such as [[Bound by Common Cause]], a warband of Spears of the Pines qualifies as seven military units.</box>		For purposes of rituals such as [[Bound by Common Cause]], a warband of Spears of the Pines qualifies as seven military units.</box>
			</onlyinclude>

	===Magic===		===Magic===

Hastur: /* Military */

2025-02-21T09:13:42Z

Military

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:13, 21 February 2025
Line 49:		Line 49:

	<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>		<box>'''Calling the Spears of the Pines'''<br>
	As long as relations between the Great Forest Orcs and the Navarr remain cordial, and the orcs continue to live in Therunin, any Navarr [[general]] who is fighting in Therunin can call for the Spears of the Pines to fight alongside them. If they do so, a band of orcs and briars with a fighting strength of 1,000 will fight alongside that general in the coming season. To call the Spears of the Pines, the general need merely mention that they are doing so in their orders. Further, if any Navarr army is fighting to conquer the Barrens, they may likewise call for the Spears of the Pines, again by mentioning ~~the~~ in their orders. The Great Forest Orcs will only fight alongside Navarr armies in this way.		As long as relations between the Great Forest Orcs and the Navarr remain cordial, and the orcs continue to live in Therunin, any Navarr [[general]] who is fighting in Therunin can call for the Spears of the Pines to fight alongside them. If they do so, a band of orcs and briars with a fighting strength of 1,000 will fight alongside that general in the coming season. To call the Spears of the Pines, the general need merely mention that they are doing so in their orders. Further, if any Navarr army is fighting to conquer the Barrens, they may likewise call for the Spears of the Pines, again by mentioning them in their orders. The Great Forest Orcs will only fight alongside Navarr armies in this way.

	For purposes of rituals such as [[Bound by Common Cause]], a warband of Spears of the Pines qualifies as seven military units.</box>		For purposes of rituals such as [[Bound by Common Cause]], a warband of Spears of the Pines qualifies as seven military units.</box>

Beeswax: /* The Briars */

2024-08-05T15:11:16Z

The Briars

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:11, 5 August 2024
Line 85:		Line 85:
	As well as orcs, the people of the Great Forest are accompanied by perhaps a hundred and fifty humans of obvious [[briar]] [[lineage]] who are not Imperial citizens. There is little doubt that these briars are representatives of the [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy\|anarchists]] of Dourfell Keep in the Barrens - descendants of the [[Freedom_Heresy\|murderous heretics]] who attempted to claim the Barrens as an independent briar "kingdom" during the reign of [[Emperor Ahraz]]. With Druj domination of the Barrens all but complete, it is speculated that they are the only surviving members of the cult.		As well as orcs, the people of the Great Forest are accompanied by perhaps a hundred and fifty humans of obvious [[briar]] [[lineage]] who are not Imperial citizens. There is little doubt that these briars are representatives of the [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy\|anarchists]] of Dourfell Keep in the Barrens - descendants of the [[Freedom_Heresy\|murderous heretics]] who attempted to claim the Barrens as an independent briar "kingdom" during the reign of [[Emperor Ahraz]]. With Druj domination of the Barrens all but complete, it is speculated that they are the only surviving members of the cult.

	Regardless, it is unlikely that they are friends to the Empire and their presence among the Great Forest orcs may be cause for concern. The orcs have been clear, however, that these people are their allies and friends. Any provisions the Empire has made for the Great Forest orcs apply equally to these briars. Via their orc interlocutors they have apparently agreed not to seek to spread their heresy - or at least not to resist the consequence that fall on any of their number who do so. Given the Navarr attitude to [[~~Navarr_lineage_and_species_attitudes~~\|briars]], especially in a territory with an active [[vallorn]], it is perhaps unsurprising the briars ~~have so far~~ kept very much to themselves avoiding contact with Imperial citizens.		Regardless, it is unlikely that they are friends to the Empire and their presence among the Great Forest orcs may be cause for concern. The orcs have been clear, however, that these people are their allies and friends. Any provisions the Empire has made for the Great Forest orcs apply equally to these briars. Via their orc interlocutors they have apparently agreed not to seek to spread their heresy - or at least not to resist the consequence that fall on any of their number who do so. Given the Navarr attitude to [[Briar#Briar_Life\|briars]] prior to 383YE, especially in a territory with an active [[vallorn]], it is perhaps unsurprising the briars kept very much to themselves avoiding contact with Imperial citizens.

	==The Great Forest Orcs in Play==		==The Great Forest Orcs in Play==

Rafferty: /* Religion */

2024-06-27T14:32:50Z

Religion

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 27 June 2024
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	Like [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#Imperial_Orc_ancestors\|many orcs]], they hold their ancestors in particular reverence. For some time there was a belief that they also revered or even worshipped invisible spirits that they believed live in the forest and protect them from [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|the Howling Abyss]]. They initially refused to talk about these spirits, beyond saying they were the "children" of the Great Forest - the single woodland they claim once stretched across the entire area now occupied by the Empire.		Like [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#Imperial_Orc_ancestors\|many orcs]], they hold their ancestors in particular reverence. For some time there was a belief that they also revered or even worshipped invisible spirits that they believed live in the forest and protect them from [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|the Howling Abyss]]. They initially refused to talk about these spirits, beyond saying they were the "children" of the Great Forest - the single woodland they claim once stretched across the entire area now occupied by the Empire.

	During the Autumn Equinox 385YE, the Assembly of Pride took advantage of [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice\|an opportunity]] to send a number of priests to try and increase Imperial understanding of the Great Forest Orcs beliefs. Unfortunately, [[Ripples and shadows\|developments in the Barrens]] meant that the priests' visit was cut short. At the same time, though, there has been enough communication about spiritual matters to learn more about the ''[[~~beliefs~~ of the Great Forest]]''.		During the Autumn Equinox 385YE, the Assembly of Pride took advantage of [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice\|an opportunity]] to send a number of priests to try and increase Imperial understanding of the Great Forest Orcs beliefs. Unfortunately, [[Ripples and shadows\|developments in the Barrens]] meant that the priests' visit was cut short. At the same time, though, there has been enough communication about spiritual matters to learn more about the ''[[Beliefs of the Great Forest]]''.

	===Military===		===Military===

Rafferty: /* Religion */

2024-06-27T14:32:43Z

Religion

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 27 June 2024
Line 41:		Line 41:
	Like [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#Imperial_Orc_ancestors\|many orcs]], they hold their ancestors in particular reverence. For some time there was a belief that they also revered or even worshipped invisible spirits that they believed live in the forest and protect them from [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|the Howling Abyss]]. They initially refused to talk about these spirits, beyond saying they were the "children" of the Great Forest - the single woodland they claim once stretched across the entire area now occupied by the Empire.		Like [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#Imperial_Orc_ancestors\|many orcs]], they hold their ancestors in particular reverence. For some time there was a belief that they also revered or even worshipped invisible spirits that they believed live in the forest and protect them from [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|the Howling Abyss]]. They initially refused to talk about these spirits, beyond saying they were the "children" of the Great Forest - the single woodland they claim once stretched across the entire area now occupied by the Empire.

	During the Autumn Equinox 385YE, the Assembly of Pride took advantage of [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice\|an opportunity]] to send a number of priests to try and increase Imperial understanding of the Great Forest Orcs beliefs. Unfortunately, [[Ripples and shadows\|developments in the Barrens]] meant that the priests' visit was cut short. At the same time, though, there has been enough communication about spiritual matters to learn more about the ''[[~~Beliefs~~ of the Great Forest]]''.		During the Autumn Equinox 385YE, the Assembly of Pride took advantage of [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice\|an opportunity]] to send a number of priests to try and increase Imperial understanding of the Great Forest Orcs beliefs. Unfortunately, [[Ripples and shadows\|developments in the Barrens]] meant that the priests' visit was cut short. At the same time, though, there has been enough communication about spiritual matters to learn more about the ''[[beliefs of the Great Forest]]''.

	===Military===		===Military===