Imperial Orcs religious beliefs - Revision history

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

2026-01-15T21:28:01Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:28, 15 January 2026
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	==The Imperial Orc National Assembly==		==The Imperial Orc National Assembly==
	Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[~~Imperial~~ Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial Orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].		Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial Orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].

	==Membership of the Virtue Assemblies==		==Membership of the Virtue Assemblies==

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

2026-01-15T12:56:35Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:56, 15 January 2026
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	==The Imperial Orc National Assembly==		==The Imperial Orc National Assembly==
	Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial Orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].		Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial Orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].

	==Membership of the Virtue Assemblies==		==Membership of the Virtue Assemblies==
	During the Spring Equinox 383YE the [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] voted to [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Amend_membership_of_virtue_assemblies\|change]] how membership of the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies\|Virtue assemblies]] was determined. This represents one of the most significant changes to the way the Synod operates since the reign of [[Empress Varkula]]. The change was [[Making_your_mind_up\|proposed]] initially as a way to allow the priests of the [[Imperial Orcs]] to more fully participate in the Imperial Synod, by moving membership of the Virtue assemblies away from [[dedication]] and toward the virtues a priest actually [[Congregation#Downtime Options\|preached]].		During the Spring Equinox 383YE the [[Senate]] voted to [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Amend_membership_of_virtue_assemblies\|change]] how membership of the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies\|Virtue assemblies]] was determined. This represents one of the most significant changes to the way the Synod operates since the reign of [[Empress Varkula]]. The change was [[Making_your_mind_up\|proposed]] initially as a way to allow the priests of the [[Imperial Orcs]] to more fully participate in the Imperial Synod, by moving membership of the Virtue assemblies away from [[dedication]] and toward the virtues a priest actually [[Congregation#Downtime Options\|preached]].

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

Aaronwalter: /* The Living Bridge */

2025-05-30T05:11:24Z

The Living Bridge

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:11, 30 May 2025
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	Orcs can always hear the voices of ancestors, but it can be a challenge to determine ''which'' ancestor they are hearing, or hear a specific ancestor consistenty. The Illarawm techniques help orcs focus on the ancestors they want to hear, and cut out the voices they find disagreeable. The process for connecting with a new ancestor is available to every sept - it doesn't need the direct assistance of an Illarawm although it might still make for interesting roleplaying to seek one out.		Orcs can always hear the voices of ancestors, but it can be a challenge to determine ''which'' ancestor they are hearing, or hear a specific ancestor consistenty. The Illarawm techniques help orcs focus on the ancestors they want to hear, and cut out the voices they find disagreeable. The process for connecting with a new ancestor is available to every sept - it doesn't need the direct assistance of an Illarawm although it might still make for interesting roleplaying to seek one out.

	The ceremony of "the Living Bridge" begins with a period of meditation, calming the body and mind, and quieting the voices of the ancestors. When complete, the orc feels a profound sense of being alone, as the background rumble of the ancestors' voices is silenced. They then engage in a period of intense roleplaying with someone who has a connection to the ancestor they want to hear. This generally involves being told stories of the ancestor, having the sensation of hearing them ~~describedm~~ and handling items of [[worth]] connected to them. If everything is working well, the orc becomes more aware of that ancestral voice growing in the silence, like an itch at the back of their head. Completing the process involves getting into an emotional state amenable to hearing ancestors - either through violent physical action such as a battle in the fighting pit, or an intense physical interaction of some sort; performing ritual magic that resonates with the ancestor in question; or engaging in ecstatic dance, music, or another group activity. Potions from the [[Unshackled Gift]] or [[Infusions of Feathers]] sets that induce altered states of consciousness could also be used as part of this process.		The ceremony of "the Living Bridge" begins with a period of meditation, calming the body and mind, and quieting the voices of the ancestors. When complete, the orc feels a profound sense of being alone, as the background rumble of the ancestors' voices is silenced. They then engage in a period of intense roleplaying with someone who has a connection to the ancestor they want to hear. This generally involves being told stories of the ancestor, having the sensation of hearing them described and handling items of [[worth]] connected to them. If everything is working well, the orc becomes more aware of that ancestral voice growing in the silence, like an itch at the back of their head. Completing the process involves getting into an emotional state amenable to hearing ancestors - either through violent physical action such as a battle in the fighting pit, or an intense physical interaction of some sort; performing ritual magic that resonates with the ancestor in question; or engaging in ecstatic dance, music, or another group activity. Potions from the [[Unshackled Gift]] or [[Infusions of Feathers]] sets that induce altered states of consciousness could also be used as part of this process.

	Once the ceremony is complete, the orc may have gained a connection to a specific ancestor, and begin to hear their voice more clearly. They can pick it out of the background din when the ancestors are all speaking at once, and are more likely to receive guidance from it. Most orcs can only be "connected" to a small number of ancestors at a time - with the obvious exception being the [[shamans]]. There's some evidence that the fewer ancestors an orc is strongly connected to, the more clearly they hear them. Some septs such as the Illarawm encourage an orc to connect with only a single ancestor while others encourage orcs to seek out many voices the better to receive useful guidance.		Once the ceremony is complete, the orc may have gained a connection to a specific ancestor, and begin to hear their voice more clearly. They can pick it out of the background din when the ancestors are all speaking at once, and are more likely to receive guidance from it. Most orcs can only be "connected" to a small number of ancestors at a time - with the obvious exception being the [[shamans]]. There's some evidence that the fewer ancestors an orc is strongly connected to, the more clearly they hear them. Some septs such as the Illarawm encourage an orc to connect with only a single ancestor while others encourage orcs to seek out many voices the better to receive useful guidance.

Rafferty at 12:29, 11 April 2024

2024-04-11T12:29:18Z

Show changes

Rafferty at 10:39, 13 July 2022

2022-07-13T10:39:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:39, 13 July 2022
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	==The Imperial Orc National Assembly==		==The Imperial Orc National Assembly==
	Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].		Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].
			==Membership of the Virtue Assemblies==
			During the Spring Equinox 383YE the [[Imperial Senate]] voted to [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Amend_membership_of_virtue_assemblies\|change]] how membership of the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies\|Virtue assemblies]] was determined. This represents one of the most significant changes to the way the Synod operates since the reign of [[Empress Varkula]]. The change was [[Making_your_mind_up\|proposed]] initially as a way to allow the priests of the [[Imperial Orcs]] to more fully participate in the Imperial Synod, by moving membership of the Virtue assemblies away from [[dedication]] and toward the virtues a priest actually [[Congregation#Downtime Options\|preached]].

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

Hastur at 15:24, 3 May 2021

2021-05-03T15:24:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:24, 3 May 2021
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	==Imperial Orc ancestors==		==Imperial Orc ancestors==
	For Imperial Orcs, the words of their ancestors are often confused and incoherent urging battle with the Empire, rather than its enemies. They have identified three rough groups of ancestors whose voices they can hear. The smallest group is made up of a tiny handful of first- and second-generation Imperial Orcs whose voices are hard to hear. The second group is made up of a small number of slaves whose voices are also weak, and who mostly advise the Imperial Orcs to fight the humans or flee them. The largest group is made up of ancestors connected to the barbarian ~~tribes~~ from which the Imperial Orcs were originally taken - they tend to be angry, barely comprehensible voices that generally urge you to take violent or aggressive action against the rest of the Empire.		For Imperial Orcs, the words of their ancestors are often confused and incoherent urging battle with the Empire, rather than its enemies. They have identified three rough groups of ancestors whose voices they can hear. The smallest group is made up of a tiny handful of first- and second-generation Imperial Orcs whose voices are hard to hear. The second group is made up of a small number of slaves whose voices are also weak, and who mostly advise the Imperial Orcs to fight the humans or flee them. The largest group is made up of ancestors connected to the barbarian nations from which the Imperial Orcs were originally taken - they tend to be angry, barely comprehensible voices that generally urge you to take violent or aggressive action against the rest of the Empire.

	It is an unspoken fear for many Imperial Orcs that their ancestors are not strong enough to carry them across the Howling Abyss, and that their slave and barbarian ancestors will never guide them through the darkness because they do not embrace the violent, anti-human teachings of these resentful ancestors. They are left with the inescapable conclusion that unless they can produce strong, inspirational ancestors their people are doomed to oblivion after they die.		It is an unspoken fear for many Imperial Orcs that their ancestors are not strong enough to carry them across the Howling Abyss, and that their slave and barbarian ancestors will never guide them through the darkness because they do not embrace the violent, anti-human teachings of these resentful ancestors. They are left with the inescapable conclusion that unless they can produce strong, inspirational ancestors their people are doomed to oblivion after they die.

Rafferty: /* The Imperial orc National Assembly */

2020-04-02T10:17:20Z

The Imperial orc National Assembly

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:17, 2 April 2020
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	Two such preachers, Bonewall Rek and Bonewall Cole - presented and secured a significant [[change of doctrine]] during the [[Symposium of Revelation]] of Winter 380YE. These changes incorporated the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_the_Howling_Abyss\|Doctrine of the Howling Abyss]] and the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_the_Ancestors\|Doctrine of the Ancestors]] into [[the Doctrines of the Faith]].		Two such preachers, Bonewall Rek and Bonewall Cole - presented and secured a significant [[change of doctrine]] during the [[Symposium of Revelation]] of Winter 380YE. These changes incorporated the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_the_Howling_Abyss\|Doctrine of the Howling Abyss]] and the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_the_Ancestors\|Doctrine of the Ancestors]] into [[the Doctrines of the Faith]].

	==The Imperial ~~orc~~ National Assembly==		==The Imperial Orc National Assembly==
	Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].		Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].
	{{Imperial Orcs Links}}		{{Imperial Orcs Links}}

Rafferty at 16:03, 19 February 2020

2020-02-19T16:03:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:03, 19 February 2020
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	==The Imperial orc National Assembly==		==The Imperial orc National Assembly==
	Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].		Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].
	{{Imperial ~~Orc~~ Links}}		{{Imperial Orcs Links}}

Rafferty at 13:45, 22 March 2018

2018-03-22T13:45:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:45, 22 March 2018
Line 49:		Line 49:

	==The Imperial orc National Assembly==		==The Imperial orc National Assembly==
	Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Gralka ~~of the Stormcrows~~. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].		Originally, the orcs did not have their own [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|national assembly]] within the [[Imperial Synod]]. During the Winter summit of 377YE, a motion to create such an assembly was brought before the [[Imperial Senate]] by the [[Conscience of the Senate]] - the Imperial orc Skywise Gralka. The motion passed with unanimous support, and an Imperial orc assembly was [[Establish_Imperial_Orc_Assembly\|established]].
	{{Imperial Orc Links}}		{{Imperial Orc Links}}

Rafferty at 16:28, 13 March 2018

2018-03-13T16:28:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 13 March 2018
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	Some humans claim that the lack of reincarnation is proof that orcs have no souls, but the Imperial Orcs believe that the souls of orcs are simply different to the souls of humans. Experiment has shown that auras created with liao ceremonies still affect orcs as do ceremonies such as insight and testimony so the majority of synod members accept that orcs must have souls even if doubt remains over their ability to enter and pass through the Labyrinth of Ages.		Some humans claim that the lack of reincarnation is proof that orcs have no souls, but the Imperial Orcs believe that the souls of orcs are simply different to the souls of humans. Experiment has shown that auras created with liao ceremonies still affect orcs as do ceremonies such as insight and testimony so the majority of synod members accept that orcs must have souls even if doubt remains over their ability to enter and pass through the Labyrinth of Ages.
			{{CaptionedImage\|file=Howling Abyss Symbol.png\|title=The symbol is slightly contentious, and has not been adopted by all Imperial Orc preachers; it is one of many such symbols used by the Imperial Orcs, but it has received some official recognition by the Synod.\|caption=Symbol of the Howling Abyss, as chosen by the Imperial Orcs [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|National Assembly]]<br>during the Winter Solstice 380YE.\|align=left\|width=400}}
	==The Howling Abyss==		==The Howling Abyss==
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Howling Abyss Symbol.png\|title=The symbol is slightly contentious, and has not been adopted by all Imperial Orc preachers; it is one of many such symbols used by the Imperial Orcs, but it has received some official recognition by the Synod.\|caption=Symbol of the Howling Abyss, as chosen by the Imperial Orcs [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_National_Assemblies\|National Assembly]]<br>during the Winter Solstice 380YE.\|align=right\|width=400}}
	The greatest, the most powerful, the truly legendary orcs, those capable of inspiring a generation with their deeds, are able to cross over the Howling Abyss to the other side. What lies on this farthest shore is not known, for these ancestors never speak of it, but they are strong enough to pass back through the darkness. By doing so they are able to influence and guide their descendants, to speak to them, and to lead them through the Abyss after death - provided they are worthy.		The greatest, the most powerful, the truly legendary orcs, those capable of inspiring a generation with their deeds, are able to cross over the Howling Abyss to the other side. What lies on this farthest shore is not known, for these ancestors never speak of it, but they are strong enough to pass back through the darkness. By doing so they are able to influence and guide their descendants, to speak to them, and to lead them through the Abyss after death - provided they are worthy.