Imperial Orcs culture and customs - Revision history

Matt: /* Funerals */

2025-05-13T16:21:40Z

Funerals

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 13 May 2025
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	==Funerals==		==Funerals==
	Imperial Orcs believe it is essential to stay together even in death. Every effort is made to ensure that the fallen are not left alone on the field of battle. Orcs bury their dead in mass graves and the fallen are carried in ceremony until they are joined by others or their bodies can be added to an existing grave. The [[Illarawm]] in particular, try to bring the bones of those who have fallen and store them together in ossuaries to help the reach their ancestors more easily.		Imperial Orcs believe it is essential to stay together even in death. Every effort is made to ensure that the fallen are not left alone on the field of battle. Orcs bury their dead in mass graves and the fallen are carried in ceremony until they are joined by others or their bodies can be added to an existing grave. The [[Illarawm]] in particular, try to bring the bones of those who have fallen and store them together in ossuaries to help the reach their ancestors more easily.

	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=right\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=right\|width=300}}

Matt: /* Funerals */

2025-05-13T16:21:33Z

Funerals

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 13 May 2025
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	==Funerals==		==Funerals==
	Imperial Orcs believe it is essential to stay together even in death. Every effort is made to ensure that the fallen are not left alone on the field of battle. Orcs bury their dead in mass graves and the fallen are carried in ceremony until they are joined by others or their bodies can be added to an existing grave.		Imperial Orcs believe it is essential to stay together even in death. Every effort is made to ensure that the fallen are not left alone on the field of battle. Orcs bury their dead in mass graves and the fallen are carried in ceremony until they are joined by others or their bodies can be added to an existing grave. The [[Illarawm]] in particular, try to bring the bones of those who have fallen and store them together in ossuaries to help the reach their ancestors more easily.

			{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=right\|width=300}}

	When a [[Shamans\|shaman]] or an Imperial Orc ritualist dies, it is common to claim a few bones from the body. These bones are carved or etched and used to create talismans useful in orcish [[Imperial Orcs magical traditions#Ancestors and Rituals\|ritual magic]].
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=right\|width=300}}~~
	==Icons and Artistry==		==Icons and Artistry==
	The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is often shown surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].		The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is often shown surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].

Hailmur at 00:15, 31 August 2024

2024-08-31T00:15:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:15, 31 August 2024
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	==Families==		==Families==
	When they were slaves the orcs became used to the idea of raising their children, only to lose contact with them when they came of age. Imperial slave owners regularly sold young orcs as soon as they became adults. As such, orc parents came to believe that they had to teach everything their child needed to know about the world before they reached maturity. Even after they liberated themselves, the orc parents continued this tradition of preparing them to make their own way in the world.		When they were slaves the orcs became used to the idea of raising their children, only to lose contact with them when they came of age. Imperial slave owners regularly sold young orcs as soon as they became adults. As such, orc parents came to believe that they had to teach everything their child needed to know about the world before they reached maturity. Even after they liberated themselves, the orc parents continued this tradition of preparing them to make their own way in the world.
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=family.jpg\|align=right\|width=300}}~~
	A young orc is unlikely to follow their parent into the "family business". They are even unlikely to join the same legion as their parents. They are much more likely to join another legion, encouraged by family and stranger alike to make their own way in the world. In doing so they keep the nation strong, but they also keep it connected and prevent it breaking up into tribes - siblings in two legions maintain a bond and recognise each other as kin. Having blood relatives in many different parts of the nation helps the orcs maintain a sense of that nation as being part of their family.		A young orc is unlikely to follow their parent into the "family business". They are even unlikely to join the same legion as their parents. They are much more likely to join another legion, encouraged by family and stranger alike to make their own way in the world. In doing so they keep the nation strong, but they also keep it connected and prevent it breaking up into tribes - siblings in two legions maintain a bond and recognise each other as kin. Having blood relatives in many different parts of the nation helps the orcs maintain a sense of that nation as being part of their family.

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	When a [[Shamans\|shaman]] or an Imperial Orc ritualist dies, it is common to claim a few bones from the body. These bones are carved or etched and used to create talismans useful in orcish [[Imperial Orcs magical traditions#Ancestors and Rituals\|ritual magic]].		When a [[Shamans\|shaman]] or an Imperial Orc ritualist dies, it is common to claim a few bones from the body. These bones are carved or etched and used to create talismans useful in orcish [[Imperial Orcs magical traditions#Ancestors and Rituals\|ritual magic]].
			{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=right\|width=300}}
	~~<quote by="Irontide Bruk; written for the Empty Throne Poetry Contest, Empire Day 378YE">~~
	~~When I am old, with skin of white / my children with me late at night / 'Tell us a tale' They'll beg of me / 'Tell us all in your memory'<br>~~
	~~<br>~~
	~~I'll tell you of those fallen down, / the dead and dying on the ground / I'll tell the tales of their worth / Their bodies rotting in the earth<br>~~
	~~<br>~~
	~~I'll sing the songs of legions strong / A wall of legionnairs, miles long / the ring of steel upon my shield / none of us would ever yield<br>~~
	~~<br>~~
	~~My memories will keep me strong / when fighting days are far far gone / My face of joy when our first crop grows / and the time I broke that butchers nose<br>~~
	~~<br>~~
	~~And when I pass, my last breath gone / I hear that chilling ancestor song / I hear their voice one last time / As over the abyss I must climb.<br>~~
	~~</quote>~~
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=~~left~~\|width=300}}
	==Icons and Artistry==		==Icons and Artistry==
	The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is often shown surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].		The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is often shown surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].

Hailmur at 00:13, 31 August 2024

2024-08-31T00:13:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:13, 31 August 2024
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	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=BloodcrowErgot.jpg\|align=right\|title=Bloodcrow Ergot, warrior of the Imperial Orcs\|width=300}}~~
	==Septs==		==Septs==
	The nation is divided into six great [[sept\|septs]]. Each sept is a vast extended family united by common ancestors and common beliefs and practices. All the septs are Imperial Orcs, they have embraced and been embraced by the egregore accepting what it means to be part of the nation. But each sept has their own unique history, beliefs and practices. The urge to be part of something more important than yourself is hard-wired into the soul of every orc, so every Imperial Orc ''must'' be a member of one of the six septs.		The nation is divided into six great [[sept\|septs]]. Each sept is a vast extended family united by common ancestors and common beliefs and practices. All the septs are Imperial Orcs, they have embraced and been embraced by the egregore accepting what it means to be part of the nation. But each sept has their own unique history, beliefs and practices. The urge to be part of something more important than yourself is hard-wired into the soul of every orc, so every Imperial Orc ''must'' be a member of one of the six septs.

Hailmur at 12:36, 11 April 2024

2024-04-11T12:36:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:36, 11 April 2024
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	The nation is divided into six great [[sept\|septs]]. Each sept is a vast extended family united by common ancestors and common beliefs and practices. All the septs are Imperial Orcs, they have embraced and been embraced by the egregore accepting what it means to be part of the nation. But each sept has their own unique history, beliefs and practices. The urge to be part of something more important than yourself is hard-wired into the soul of every orc, so every Imperial Orc ''must'' be a member of one of the six septs.		The nation is divided into six great [[sept\|septs]]. Each sept is a vast extended family united by common ancestors and common beliefs and practices. All the septs are Imperial Orcs, they have embraced and been embraced by the egregore accepting what it means to be part of the nation. But each sept has their own unique history, beliefs and practices. The urge to be part of something more important than yourself is hard-wired into the soul of every orc, so every Imperial Orc ''must'' be a member of one of the six septs.

	The [[Sunstorm]] are the first sept, they are the original orcs who fought the Empire, won their freedom, and founded the nation. The [[Ethengraw]] were once warrior kings and queens who created their own kingdom in Ossium before it was conquered the Druj. The [[Illarawm]] claim to be descended from the first ever orc ancestor and are masters of techniques to help them communicate with the ancestors. The [[Yerende]] dream of building a better world and claim to have knowledge of herb lore even the [[Druj]] lack. The [[Sannites]] include the proud gladiators rescued from Grendel slavery; they strive to prove themselves worthy and seek to raise a new legion of their own. The [[Tamazi]] came to the Empire from Axos eager to embrace the Imperial Orcs and hoping to leave a legacy in the process.		The [[Sunstorm]] are the first sept, they are the original orcs who fought the Empire, won their freedom, and founded the nation. The [[Ethengraw]] were once warrior kings and queens who created their own kingdom in Ossium before it was conquered the Druj. The [[Illarawm]] claim to be descended from the first ever orc ancestor and are masters of techniques to help them communicate with the ancestors. The [[Yerende]] dream of building a better world and claim to have knowledge of herb lore even the [[Druj]] lack. The [[Sannite\|Sannites]] include the proud gladiators rescued from Grendel slavery; they strive to prove themselves worthy and seek to raise a new legion of their own. The [[Tamazi]] came to the Empire from Axos eager to embrace the Imperial Orcs and hoping to leave a legacy in the process.

	==Worth==		==Worth==

Rafferty at 12:33, 11 April 2024

2024-04-11T12:33:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:33, 11 April 2024
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=BloodcrowErgot.jpg\|align=right\|title=Bloodcrow Ergot, warrior of the Imperial Orcs\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=BloodcrowErgot.jpg\|align=right\|title=Bloodcrow Ergot, warrior of the Imperial Orcs\|width=300}}
			==Septs==
			The nation is divided into six great [[sept\|septs]]. Each sept is a vast extended family united by common ancestors and common beliefs and practices. All the septs are Imperial Orcs, they have embraced and been embraced by the egregore accepting what it means to be part of the nation. But each sept has their own unique history, beliefs and practices. The urge to be part of something more important than yourself is hard-wired into the soul of every orc, so every Imperial Orc ''must'' be a member of one of the six septs.

			The [[Sunstorm]] are the first sept, they are the original orcs who fought the Empire, won their freedom, and founded the nation. The [[Ethengraw]] were once warrior kings and queens who created their own kingdom in Ossium before it was conquered the Druj. The [[Illarawm]] claim to be descended from the first ever orc ancestor and are masters of techniques to help them communicate with the ancestors. The [[Yerende]] dream of building a better world and claim to have knowledge of herb lore even the [[Druj]] lack. The [[Sannites]] include the proud gladiators rescued from Grendel slavery; they strive to prove themselves worthy and seek to raise a new legion of their own. The [[Tamazi]] came to the Empire from Axos eager to embrace the Imperial Orcs and hoping to leave a legacy in the process.

	==Worth==		==Worth==
	In addition to the intrinsic value of an item, Imperial Orcs believe that some items have an additional quality they call "[[worth]]" that is defined by their provenance. This quality is based on the history of an item, who made it, what happened to it and how it came to be in the Orc’s possession. It is based on the belief that a person’s unique personal effects are imbued with qualities of that person during important moments. Items gain worth over time, as they are passed down generations, so old heirlooms are particularly prized.		In addition to the intrinsic value of an item, Imperial Orcs believe that some items have an additional quality they call "[[worth]]" that is defined by their provenance. This quality is based on the history of an item, who made it, what happened to it and how it came to be in the Orc’s possession. It is based on the belief that a person’s unique personal effects are imbued with qualities of that person during important moments. Items gain worth over time, as they are passed down generations, so old heirlooms are particularly prized.
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	==Families==		==Families==

	When they were slaves the orcs became used to the idea of raising their children, only to lose contact with them when they came of age. Imperial slave owners regularly sold young orcs as soon as they became adults. As such, orc parents came to believe that they had to teach everything their child needed to know about the world before they reached maturity. Even after they liberated themselves, the orc parents continued this tradition of preparing them to make their own way in the world.		When they were slaves the orcs became used to the idea of raising their children, only to lose contact with them when they came of age. Imperial slave owners regularly sold young orcs as soon as they became adults. As such, orc parents came to believe that they had to teach everything their child needed to know about the world before they reached maturity. Even after they liberated themselves, the orc parents continued this tradition of preparing them to make their own way in the world.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=family.jpg\|align=right\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=family.jpg\|align=right\|width=300}}

Rafferty: /* Icons and Artistry */

2021-03-08T14:36:54Z

Icons and Artistry

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:36, 8 March 2021
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=left\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Imperial_Shoulder.png\|align=left\|width=300}}
	==Icons and Artistry==		==Icons and Artistry==
	~~{{stub}}~~
	The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is often shown surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].		The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is often shown surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].

Matt: /* Icons and Artistry */

2021-03-03T11:54:00Z

Icons and Artistry

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 3 March 2021
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	==Icons and Artistry==		==Icons and Artistry==
	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
	The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is ~~common to see it~~ surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].		The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is often shown surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].

	Their art is usually stark, and hard-edged or stylised. Symbolic depictions of weapons or armour are favoured, followed by symbols of personal expertise or industry, like hammers, tongs and similar. Many designs use simple colour schemes made up of a handful of bold contrasting colours, with red, black and white being popular, as well as the occasional use of Imperial gold and purple. The best orc art is designed to either provoke a powerful emotional response or to convey an important message with as much clarity as the artist can manage.		Their art is usually stark, and hard-edged or stylised. Symbolic depictions of weapons or armour are favoured, followed by symbols of personal expertise or industry, like hammers, tongs and similar. Many designs use simple colour schemes made up of a handful of bold contrasting colours, with red, black and white being popular, as well as the occasional use of Imperial gold and purple. The best orc art is designed to either provoke a powerful emotional response or to convey an important message with as much clarity as the artist can manage.

Matt: /* Icons and Artistry */

2021-03-03T11:53:23Z

Icons and Artistry

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:53, 3 March 2021
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	==Icons and Artistry==		==Icons and Artistry==
	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
	The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is common to see it surrounded by chains, another ~~popular~~ symbol for the ~~Imperial Orcs~~. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].		The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is common to see it surrounded by chains, another common symbol for the nation. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].

	Their art is usually stark, and hard-edged or stylised. Symbolic depictions of weapons or armour are favoured, followed by symbols of personal expertise or industry, like hammers, tongs and similar. Many designs use simple colour schemes made up of a handful of bold contrasting colours, with red, black and white being popular, as well as the occasional use of Imperial gold and purple. The best orc art is designed to either provoke a powerful emotional response or to convey an important message with as much clarity as the artist can manage.		Their art is usually stark, and hard-edged or stylised. Symbolic depictions of weapons or armour are favoured, followed by symbols of personal expertise or industry, like hammers, tongs and similar. Many designs use simple colour schemes made up of a handful of bold contrasting colours, with red, black and white being popular, as well as the occasional use of Imperial gold and purple. The best orc art is designed to either provoke a powerful emotional response or to convey an important message with as much clarity as the artist can manage.

Rafferty: /* Icons and Artistry */

2021-03-03T11:52:30Z

Icons and Artistry

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:52, 3 March 2021
Line 61:		Line 61:
	The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is common to see it surrounded by chains, another popular symbol for the Imperial Orcs. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].		The Imperial Orcs have adopted the horse as their national symbol and usually depict it arrayed in armour for battle. It is common to see it surrounded by chains, another popular symbol for the Imperial Orcs. The chain serves as both a reminder of their history, and a symbol of their loyalty and unity. These images are used to embellish personal equipment and incorporated into banners, [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Insignia\|insignia]], and [[Imperial_Orcs_hearth_magic#Markers\|markers]].

	~~Orc~~ art is usually stark, and hard-edged or stylised. Symbolic depictions of weapons or armour are favoured, followed by symbols of personal expertise or industry, like hammers, tongs and similar. Many designs use simple colour schemes made up of a handful of bold contrasting colours, with red, black and white being popular, as well as the occasional use of Imperial gold and purple. The best orc art is designed to either provoke a powerful emotional response or to convey an important message with as much clarity as the artist can manage.		Their art is usually stark, and hard-edged or stylised. Symbolic depictions of weapons or armour are favoured, followed by symbols of personal expertise or industry, like hammers, tongs and similar. Many designs use simple colour schemes made up of a handful of bold contrasting colours, with red, black and white being popular, as well as the occasional use of Imperial gold and purple. The best orc art is designed to either provoke a powerful emotional response or to convey an important message with as much clarity as the artist can manage.

	Orc symbols are usually added to items by the owner themselves. The simplest are painted or drawn, but more skilled orcs will burn, gild or embroider symbols onto their belongings. Orcs dislike uniformity so symbols are often recurring interpretations of a theme rather than a specific design used by everyone. In a legion of orcs that use a dagger as their symbol for example, each design may be a slightly different shape, size and colour, but provided they make the individual’s legion clearly identifiable then they achieve their purpose. It is the underlying motif that it is prized; the visible demonstration of allegiance.		Imperial Orc symbols are usually added to items by the owner themselves. The simplest are painted or drawn, but more skilled orcs will burn, gild or embroider symbols onto their belongings. Orcs dislike uniformity so symbols are often recurring interpretations of a theme rather than a specific design used by everyone. In a legion of orcs that use a dagger as their symbol for example, each design may be a slightly different shape, size and colour, but provided they make the individual’s legion clearly identifiable then they achieve their purpose. It is the underlying motif that it is prized; the visible demonstration of allegiance.

	{{Imperial Orcs Links}}		{{Imperial Orcs Links}}