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| Though they control no territories, the Imperial Orcs are legally considered the tenth nation of the Empire. Some critics claim that the Imperial Orcs cannot be considered on par with '''real''' nations because they do not possess lands of their own but Imperial magistrates have repeatedly confirmed that any newly conquered territory could be assigned to the Imperial Orcs.
| | ==Overview== |
| | The Imperial Orcs were granted freedom and citizenship of the Empire by [[Emperor Ahraz]] shortly after he was elected in 324YE, The Freeborn helped the Orcs to perform the ritual to create an egregore allowing them to become the tenth nation of the Empire - but there was nothing anybody would do to provide them with lands of their own. For over fifty years the Orcs fought and died in the Empire's wars, fighting for the promise of a land of their own. Not until 379YE would the Empire finally make good on that promise when the Wintermark people bequeathed Skarsind to the Imperial Orcs. |
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| The problem for the Imperial Orcs is that the assignment of newly conquered territories is determined by vote of the [[Imperial Senate]], but with no lands they possess no senators and hence no votes in the Senate. This problem is compounded by the other nations' focus on reclaiming territories that were once part of their own lands; there is little chance they would be able to claim [[Holberg]] or [[Reikos]] even if they wanted them. To gain lands of their own, the Imperial Orcs must look to the lands controlled by the barbarians that have never been part of the Empire.
| | Now the Orcs have a territory of their own, tens of thousands have travelled from across the Empire to settle the lands. The Imperial Orcs now have a homeland, a senator speaks for them in the [[Imperial Senate]] - but more than a few have begun to ask what happens next? Some believe that they should concentrate all their efforts on Skarsind, to make the territory demonstrate how powerful and prosperous the Orcs have become in such a short time. But others argue that it was military strength that caused the Imperial Orcs to be given Skarsind; that the only way honour their ancestors is to remain true to the Orcs martial traditions and seek to conquer more land. |
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| The Imperial Orcs strongly supported [[Empress Britta]], and fought in all her campaigns. She promised them her support in gaining lands for themselves if her campaign of expansion was successful, but with her death that promise remained unfulfilled.
| | ===[[Skarsind]]=== |
| {{CaptionedImage|file=BarbarianOrcs.jpg|align=right|width=400}}
| | Skarsind is a place of alpine slopes and valleys, pine forests and rising mists, set in what's known as the Great Vale, a bowl of mountains that holds both Skarsind and the forest of [[Hercynia]]. Summer is short, but Winter is long, and haunted by [[Sermersuaq#Northern lights|eerie lights]] in the sky. The land has an ancient history - one that long predates the Empire or even humankind. The largest settlement - Gildenheim - stands over the entrance to a frozen underworld cavern into the walls of which are carvings in a mysterious alphabet that are widely believed to be the source of the [[Runes|magical runes]] used throughout Wintermark. |
| ==The Plan==
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| After the orcs agreed to join the Empire, the first problem that had to be addressed was where they would live. The human nations that had formed or joined the Empire held lands of their own. Territories that were liberated from the barbarians were incorporated into existing nations. But as slaves, the orcs claimed no lands of their own and no Imperial senators, not even the Freeborn were keen to offer the Imperial Orcs a home within their borders. To resolve the problem the representatives of the orcs proposed a simple plan - the orcs would become a nation without territories, claiming no land of their own until they could conquer one following Imperial statute. This proposal relieved the fears of many senators and helped to win the support of the League, although it was heavily criticized by the Highborn.
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| Although decades have passed without any new territories being added to the Empire, the agreement still forms the basis for what most Imperial Orcs refer to simply as the "Plan". Help the Empire conquer new lands and have the senate assign them to the Imperial Orc nation so that they will have a homeland of their own. Most Imperial Orcs are not naive about the obvious military, political and historical difficulties that must be overcome to achieve their plan, but many believe that their journey to full citizenship in the Empire will not be complete until they do so. As a result the leaders of the Imperial Orcs and the legions themselves make a deliberate effort to keep the orcs together as a people, enduring the hard life in the legion camps as a sacrifice that must be made to achieve their ultimate goal. Individuals who settle down in other nations are seen as undermining the moral imperative for the Imperial Orcs to be given lands of their own and are regarded with open hostility by many.
| | Now, the majority of people here are Imperial Orcs. There are still some Winterfolk here, but since the rise and fall of Dogri Thulebane, the number of Imperial humans living in the hills and forests of Skarsind has tailed away to a handful scattered here and there. The Imperial Orcs do nothing to make them unwelcome, but for many there is simply nothing left for them in Skarsind. Regretfully in many cases, they leave to start new lives in [[Hahnmark]], [[Kallavesa]], and [[Sermersuaq]]. |
| {{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140420-6851.jpg|align=left|width=600}}
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| ==The Armies of the Imperial Orcs==
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| The Imperial Orcs have two armies which serve as their homes and their main source of political power. The armies themselves were founded in the aftermath of the revolt, and initially they were geographically influenced. Today, however, the third generation of orcs attach themselves to the army with which they feel the greater philosophical attraction rather than basing their decision on which army their grandparents' legion belonged to.
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| Orcs do not generally wear a uniform symbol of the army they belong to, but some may add a white sun or a red lightning bolt.
| | {{Imperial Orcs Links}} |
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| ===The Winter Sun===
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| This army began with a core of orcs who had been slaves in [[Varushka]], [[Temeschwar]], [[Highguard]] and [[Wintermark]]. Vicious fighting against the Varushkan armies had decimated the numbers of the freed slaves in that nation, and harsh winters had contributed further to the death toll. The first magicians among the Imperial Orcs belonged to this army, however; they found it easiest to absorb the teachings of the Varushkan and Wintermark tutors the [[Urizen]] [[Urizen magical traditions#Magi|magi]] arranged for them. The hard core of the army were made up of many who had known [[Imperial Orcs history|Thrace]] and the other founders of the revolt personally, and they continued to develop the vision of freedom that had first spurred them to escape the mines.
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| {{CaptionedImage|file=WinterSun.jpg|align=right|width=100}} | |
| Today the Winter Sun is the more politically active of the two Imperial Orcs armies, but it is also the army most likely to use magic in pursuit of the Plan. They garner favours, both through military aid and careful use of their magical resources. More [[Imperial Orcs magical traditions#Warcasters|warcasters]] and [[Imperial Orcs magical traditions#Oathwrights|oathwrights]] fight under the banners of the Winter Sun than the Summer Storm, and they have more [[Preachers]].
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| The first Imperial orc General leads the Winter Sun, and is appointed (or re-appointed) at the Winter solstice. This is a [[Imperial armies#Large|large]] army, and has the [[Keywords#Rugged|Rugged]] [[keywords|keyword]] representing a history of fighting in difficult terrain.
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| {{CaptionedImage|file=SummerStorm.jpg|align=left|width=100}}
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| ===The Summer Storm===
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| This army was formed from orcs who had originally been slaves in [[Dawn]], [[The Marches]] and the southern and eastern cities of [[The League]]. Their uprising had taken part in the rich heartlands of the Empire, and they did not need to deal with the harsh northern climate that troubled orcs in Varushka, Wintermark and Highguard. They also tended to be better equipped; they were more able to loot weapons and armour, and were in a good position to deal with the 'war profiteers' from [[The Brass Coast]] and League cities. Perhaps just as importantly, the southern slaves were often surprisingly well versed in tactics, subterfuge and trade than their northern cousins - many more of them had spent their time as bodyguards, bouncers or gladiators than in the north.
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| Today the Summer Storm pride themselves on their military acumen. They are the hammer of the Imperial Orcs, well armed and armoured,
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| versed in strategy and tactics, and supported by cunning [[Imperial Orcs economic interests#Bonesetters|bonesetters]] and [[Imperial Orcs economic interests#thief-takers|thief-takers]]. They tend to be richer in terms of wealth and crafted items, and the first smiths and [[Crafting skills#Artisan|artisans]] were part of the Summer Storm.
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| The second Imperial orc General leads the Summer Storm, and is appointed (or re-appointed) at the Summer Solstice. This is a [[Imperial armies#Large|large]] army, and has the [[Keywords#Disciplined|disciplined]] [[keywords|keyword]] that represents their indomitable fighting spirit.
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| [[Category:Imperial Orcs]]
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| [[Category:Nations]]
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Overview
The Imperial Orcs were granted freedom and citizenship of the Empire by Emperor Ahraz shortly after he was elected in 324YE, The Freeborn helped the Orcs to perform the ritual to create an egregore allowing them to become the tenth nation of the Empire - but there was nothing anybody would do to provide them with lands of their own. For over fifty years the Orcs fought and died in the Empire's wars, fighting for the promise of a land of their own. Not until 379YE would the Empire finally make good on that promise when the Wintermark people bequeathed Skarsind to the Imperial Orcs.
Now the Orcs have a territory of their own, tens of thousands have travelled from across the Empire to settle the lands. The Imperial Orcs now have a homeland, a senator speaks for them in the Imperial Senate - but more than a few have begun to ask what happens next? Some believe that they should concentrate all their efforts on Skarsind, to make the territory demonstrate how powerful and prosperous the Orcs have become in such a short time. But others argue that it was military strength that caused the Imperial Orcs to be given Skarsind; that the only way honour their ancestors is to remain true to the Orcs martial traditions and seek to conquer more land.
Skarsind is a place of alpine slopes and valleys, pine forests and rising mists, set in what's known as the Great Vale, a bowl of mountains that holds both Skarsind and the forest of Hercynia. Summer is short, but Winter is long, and haunted by eerie lights in the sky. The land has an ancient history - one that long predates the Empire or even humankind. The largest settlement - Gildenheim - stands over the entrance to a frozen underworld cavern into the walls of which are carvings in a mysterious alphabet that are widely believed to be the source of the magical runes used throughout Wintermark.
Now, the majority of people here are Imperial Orcs. There are still some Winterfolk here, but since the rise and fall of Dogri Thulebane, the number of Imperial humans living in the hills and forests of Skarsind has tailed away to a handful scattered here and there. The Imperial Orcs do nothing to make them unwelcome, but for many there is simply nothing left for them in Skarsind. Regretfully in many cases, they leave to start new lives in Hahnmark, Kallavesa, and Sermersuaq.
Further Reading
Core Brief
Additional Information