Imperial Orcs religious beliefs - Revision history

Hailmur at 01:20, 10 May 2026

2026-05-10T01:20:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 10 May 2026
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	To become an ancestor, an orc must be carried within the proud hearts of their people. They must pour their tale into the soul of future generations and become a legend while still alive, respected and admired by their peers and offspring. It is not, however, one that is easily achieved. Each victory in battle, each notch on their blade and each new story to tell around the fire adds to their legacy, and the quest towards becoming an ancestor. Some Imperial Orcs seek triumph in battle in the name of the Empire, aiming to fell the mightiest foes while still living to fight another day. Others seek to remain in the hearts and memories of their people for their wisdom or cleverness, strengthening and nurturing their fellow orcs and building an enduring legacy for later generations.		To become an ancestor, an orc must be carried within the proud hearts of their people. They must pour their tale into the soul of future generations and become a legend while still alive, respected and admired by their peers and offspring. It is not, however, one that is easily achieved. Each victory in battle, each notch on their blade and each new story to tell around the fire adds to their legacy, and the quest towards becoming an ancestor. Some Imperial Orcs seek triumph in battle in the name of the Empire, aiming to fell the mightiest foes while still living to fight another day. Others seek to remain in the hearts and memories of their people for their wisdom or cleverness, strengthening and nurturing their fellow orcs and building an enduring legacy for later generations.

	==The ~~ancestors~~ in ~~play~~==		==The Ancestors in Play==
	How well your character can hear the ancestors is left almost entirely to the individual player's character and roleplaying. The usual time to hear the ancestors is when you're in a heightened state of anger or fear, especially in combat. You become aware of them around you; usually it's a rumbling of many voices where you can't make out the meaning, but sometimes you can hear an individual ancestor offering guidance. This is especially true if your character has a strong connection to one or more ancestors; it is easier to pick their voices out of the background din and they are more likely to have guidance to offer you.		How well your character can hear the ancestors is left almost entirely to the individual player's character and roleplaying. The usual time to hear the ancestors is when you're in a heightened state of anger or fear, especially in combat. You become aware of them around you; usually it's a rumbling of many voices where you can't make out the meaning, but sometimes you can hear an individual ancestor offering guidance. This is especially true if your character has a strong connection to one or more ancestors; it is easier to pick their voices out of the background din and they are more likely to have guidance to offer you.

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	Neither form of the Living Bridge is infallible; it is up to the roleplaying of the player as to how effective it is. For example, while an orc may in-character wish to silence a disruptive voice that urges them to hunt and kill humans, it's fine for the player to out-of-character decide that the Illarawm techniques are not effective at silencing that voice.		Neither form of the Living Bridge is infallible; it is up to the roleplaying of the player as to how effective it is. For example, while an orc may in-character wish to silence a disruptive voice that urges them to hunt and kill humans, it's fine for the player to out-of-character decide that the Illarawm techniques are not effective at silencing that voice.

	===Things the ~~ancestors say~~===		===Things the Ancestors Say===
	The ancestors are only dimly aware of your character and what you are doing, so the guidance they offer is invariably quite general in nature. In battle, they may alert you to imminent danger with a shout of warning. It is very common for them to exhort you to action but the words they use are never specific. If they do use a name, it is as likely to be someone else's name as your own. Despite this the advice given is applicable to what you are doing, at least most of the time.		The ancestors are only dimly aware of your character and what you are doing, so the guidance they offer is invariably quite general in nature. In battle, they may alert you to imminent danger with a shout of warning. It is very common for them to exhort you to action but the words they use are never specific. If they do use a name, it is as likely to be someone else's name as your own. Despite this the advice given is applicable to what you are doing, at least most of the time.

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	When your grandad urges you to charge the enemy, and you do, there might be a few parting words of approval; if you decline to follow his advice, there may be a feeling of anger and some shouted abuse, but grandad does not enter into a dialogue about ''why'' he wants you to charge the enemy or what alternative courses of action might be equally good.		When your grandad urges you to charge the enemy, and you do, there might be a few parting words of approval; if you decline to follow his advice, there may be a feeling of anger and some shouted abuse, but grandad does not enter into a dialogue about ''why'' he wants you to charge the enemy or what alternative courses of action might be equally good.

	===Ancestors and ~~hero points~~===		===Ancestors and Hero Points===
	Orcs often hear the words of their ancestors most clearly in battle when they are roused to fury, or any time when their blood is pumping and their heart beating fast. When an Imperial Orc spends a [[Heroic skills#Hero Points\|hero point]], they are much more likely to hear the voice of an ancestor. You may want to roleplay that an ancestor is guiding your hand when you use [[Heroic skills#Cleaving Strikes\|cleaving strike]] for example, or that it is the voice of an ancestor shouting at you that gives you the strength to [[Heroic skills#Unstoppable\|get back on your feet]] when you are down. It is especially appropriate to roleplay hearing an ancestor when you use a hero point to change your response to a roleplaying effect - the urging of an ancestor lets you act in a way counter to that which the external influence is causing.		Orcs often hear the words of their ancestors most clearly in battle when they are roused to fury, or any time when their blood is pumping and their heart beating fast. When an Imperial Orc spends a [[Heroic skills#Hero Points\|hero point]], they are much more likely to hear the voice of an ancestor. You may want to roleplay that an ancestor is guiding your hand when you use [[Heroic skills#Cleaving Strikes\|cleaving strike]] for example, or that it is the voice of an ancestor shouting at you that gives you the strength to [[Heroic skills#Unstoppable\|get back on your feet]] when you are down. It is especially appropriate to roleplay hearing an ancestor when you use a hero point to change your response to a roleplaying effect - the urging of an ancestor lets you act in a way counter to that which the external influence is causing.

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
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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 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}}