Kharzha & Grothak

1. #1The clan

   Keys: Geography and Environment, Hierarchy and Leadership, Culture and Spirituality, Economy and Technology, External Relations, Unique Orc Traditions History of the Tribe, Cultural Armor and Weapons, Orc Myths and Legends, Timeline of the Last 500 Years of the Broken Bones Clan

   1. Geography and Environment

   The Broken Bones Clan lives at the foot of the Howling Mountains, on the eastern side of the range, in a remote and isolated region far from the civilized world. The territory is marked by constant winds, cold forests, and rocky plains covered in snow for much of the year.

   The clan’s survival depends mainly on hunting. Hares, deer, elk, wolves, and even bears are part of the tribe’s diet and economy. Because winters are harsh and isolation makes trade difficult, the orcs also maintain small plots of cold-resistant tubers and medicinal herbs.

   Some shamans keep small flocks of chickens, used both for food and for spiritual rituals.

   Architecture

   The clan’s dwellings are sturdy tents made from monster and animal hides sewn together with sinew. Large bones—such as ribs and tusks—are used as support structures along with thick wooden logs.

   Each tent carries marks, carvings, or trophies that tell the story of the family that lives there.

   Physical Adaptation

   Orcs of the Broken Bones Clan show great diversity in skin color. Most have shades of brown, gray, or bluish-gray adapted to the cold climate. More rarely, orcs are born with green or black skin, which are considered spiritual omens or marks of the spirits of the earth.

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   2. Hierarchy and Leadership

   Law of the Strongest

   Leadership of the clan is determined by strength. Any warrior may challenge the leader to a duel, and the victor takes command.

   Despite this, challenges are rare. Tradition and respect maintain the stability of power, and only when a leader grows too old or shows serious weakness does someone dare to contest them.

   Council of Elders

   The clan also maintains a council of elders. Unlike the warriors, these orcs are valued for their wisdom, experience, and spiritual knowledge.

   They care for the wounded, guide the young, assist in childbirth, and conduct healing rituals. Though still capable of fighting, their main role is preserving the memory and balance of the clan.

   Spiritual Authority

   In times of crisis, the word of a Great Shaman or Priestess may even surpass the authority of the warrior chief. Through visions, rituals, and communication with the spirits, she interprets the will of the natural forces and the gods.

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   3. Culture and Spirituality

   The culture of the Broken Bones Clan revolves around survival, honor, and connection with the land.

   Rites of Passage

   To be considered an adult, a young orc must leave alone for a hunt and return with as much meat as possible and the hide of a large animal. This hide symbolizes their passage into adulthood.

   Many turn that hide into their winter cloak, wearing it proudly for the rest of their lives.

   Spring Rite

   During spring the Ritual of Fertility takes place, a sacred celebration dedicated to the gods of strength and life. Warriors present their hunting trophies before the tribe, and couples perform sexual acts publicly as a symbol of prosperity and the continuity of the clan.

   Although it may appear chaotic to outsiders, the ritual follows a strict and respected order.

   Autumn Rite

   In autumn the Great Hunt occurs. Almost the entire clan departs to hunt collectively and prepare supplies for the three most brutal months of winter.

   Many young orcs also complete their rites of passage during this time.

   Gods and Spirits

   The clan venerates a god of the Earth, seen simultaneously as a deity of war and endurance. To the orcs, the earth is what sustains life and also what devours the weak.

   They also believe that spirits of nature inhabit mountains, rivers, and forests. Once a year they perform rituals and offerings to calm these spirits and maintain the favor of the earth god.

   Taboos

   Relationships with other species are traditionally viewed as impure. However, many orcs still become involved with outsiders, which creates quiet prejudice within the society.

   Showing intense emotions in public is also seen as a sign of weakness, except when those emotions represent courage, honor, or mourning.

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   4. Economy and Technology

   Contrary to the common view of orcs, the Broken Bones Clan does not live solely by raiding.

   They are largely self-sufficient: they hunt, farm, raise small birds, and produce their own tools.

   Raiding still happens occasionally, mainly against the distant human village of Meria, but the three-month journey makes such incursions rare.

   Equipment

   The clan’s weapons are brutal and functional. Many are made with iron stolen from human cities such as Frostvalley, combined with heavy wood, monster bones, and hardened leather.

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   5. External Relations

   Historical Enemies

   The clan’s greatest enemy is the dragonborn of Pandrake Island. The rivalry between the two peoples is ancient and marked by bloody battles.

   Reputation

   To the rest of the world, the Broken Bones are seen as savage and irrational monsters. Within the clan, however, there exists a complex system of laws, traditions, and communal duties.

   Laws of the Clan

   1. The true strength of a leader lies in protecting their people without allowing the enemy to reach the defenseless.
   2. An orc should only have multiple partners if they possess the strength to support and protect all of them. More than two partners is seen as weakness or shame.
   3. When an orc declares something as “mine,” it means they have found a home for their heart.
   4. Problems of the tribe should be resolved within the community before involving the chief.
   5. Emotions should not be displayed publicly, except when expressing honor, courage, or worthy mourning.

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   6. History of the Tribe

   The origin of the Broken Bones Clan has been lost to time. The orcs only know that their ancestors have lived in the same lands for countless generations.

   Ancient trees bear marks of past clans, and some dwellings already belong to the thirteenth generation of the same lineage.

   The harsh environment limits population growth. Even at its peak, the clan rarely exceeds 1,300 orcs.

   The tribe’s greatest military achievement occurred twenty years ago: the sack of the human city of Frostvalley.

   Under the leadership of Chief Vornak, around 700 warriors marched against the city. After a brutal battle against the dragonborn guardians allied with the city—descendants of Pandrake Island—the orcs achieved victory.

   They returned with iron, cattle, supplies, and prisoners, securing decades of stability for the clan.

   Since then, no other major invasions have been carried out. The distance to other cities and the stability gained after Frostvalley led the clan to focus once again on traditional survival.

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   7. Unique Orc Traditions

   War Marks

   Each warrior of the clan carves marks into their armor bones, weapons, or even their own skin to represent victories, survival of severe wounds, or hunting achievements. These marks are not merely decoration—they tell the life story of an orc.

   Some elders can “read” these marks as if they were a book of battles.

   The Silence Before the Hunt

   Before any major battle or important hunt, the clan enters a period of collective silence that can last hours or even a full day. During this time no one sings, laughs, or argues.

   The orcs believe this silence allows the spirits of the earth to hear their footsteps and decide whether they will grant victory or an honorable death.

   Sharing the First Blood

   When a young orc completes their first successful hunt, they must offer the first piece of meat to the oldest member of their family. The elder eats a piece and returns the rest to the youth, symbolizing that the strength of the past now lives in the new generation.

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   8. Cultural Armor and Weapons

   Skullbreakers

   A type of traditional war hammer of the clan, made with a heavy head of stolen iron and a handle reinforced with leather strips and bones. Many of these hammers are passed down through generations.

   Rib Blades

   Some short swords and knives are made using long bones from monsters or large predators. These bones are sharpened, reinforced with metal, and considered spiritually powerful weapons.

   Trophy Armor

   Instead of full metal armor, many warriors wear pieces made of thick leather, bone plates, and the teeth of defeated creatures.

   The more trophies a warrior carries, the greater their prestige. However, wearing trophies that were not personally earned is considered a serious dishonor.

   Hunting Shields

   The clan’s shields are usually round, made from heavy wood and large animal hides. Many are painted with tribal symbols or blood marks from ancient battles.

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   9. Orc Myths and Legends

   The First Orc

   An ancient legend says the first orc was born when the god of Earth crushed a mountain with his own hands. From the dust and blood of the shattered stone emerged the first warrior, created to endure cold, hunger, and war.

   Because of this, orcs believe stone and bone are more sacred than gold.

   The Spirit of the Howling Mountains

   The elders say the winds of the mountains are not merely wind. They are said to be the voices of fallen warriors who still protect the clan’s territory.

   When the wind howls louder through the mountains, the shamans say the ancestors are watching.

   The Devourer of Hunters

   A frightening legend told to young hunters speaks of an ancient creature that lives deep within the mountain forests. It feeds on proud warriors who hunt alone without respect for the spirits of nature.

   Some say it is only a story meant to teach humility. Others swear they have seen enormous footprints in the ancient snow.

   The Prophecy of Broken Bones

   An ancient prophecy says that one day an orc will be born marked by three different skin colors. This orc will carry the strength of the earth, the silence of the mountain, and the fury of war.

   According to the legend, they may unite divided clans—or completely destroy the Broken Bones Clan.

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   10. Timeline of the Last 500 Years of the Broken Bones Clan

   500 Years Ago — The Age of Settlement

   The oldest oral records of the clan speak of a time when several orc groups wandered around the regions surrounding the Howling Mountains. Constant conflicts with rival clans and mountain creatures made survival difficult.

   According to the elders, it was during this time that a chief named Grashnak Stonebreaker decided his people would wander no more. He led a group of warriors to the eastern valleys of the mountains and declared those lands the permanent home of the clan.

   This moment is considered the birth of the Broken Bones Clan as it is known today.

   430 Years Ago — The Bone Wars

   For nearly fifty years, the young clan fought other orc clans attempting to claim territory in the mountains. This period became known as the Bone Wars.

   Many warriors died, but the clan consolidated its dominance over the eastern valleys. It was also during this period that the tradition of using enemy and monster bones in armor began.

   370 Years Ago — The Black Winter

   An extremely long winter struck the mountains for nearly three years. Scarce hunting, violent storms, and disease drastically reduced the clan’s population.

   Accounts say nearly half the orcs died during this time. The shamans then began performing annual rituals to appease the spirits of nature, a tradition that continues today.

   310 Years Ago — First Human Contact

   Clan hunters encountered human explorers from the south for the first time. The encounter quickly turned into conflict.

   Although small, this event marked the beginning of the long hostility between the clan and nearby human peoples.

   250 Years Ago — The Rise of the Great Hunts

   With the population stable again, clan leaders established the Great Autumn Hunt as a formal ritual required for all members capable of fighting or hunting.

   This tradition came to define the rhythm of the clan’s survival during the harshest winters.

   200 Years Ago — The Rivalry with Pandrake Begins

   Ships from Pandrake Island began occasionally appearing in coastal regions near the mountains. Dragonborn explorers clashed with orc patrols.

   Several confrontations occurred over the following decades, creating a rivalry that would grow into ancestral hatred between the two peoples.

   140 Years Ago — The Era of Three Chiefs

   For about twenty years, three successive leaders died in duels or external battles. This unstable period nearly divided the clan into factions.

   The crisis ended when the shaman Urga Gray-Eye gathered the elders and declared that the spirits demanded unity. Her support allowed the rise of a strong new chief who restored order.

   90 Years Ago — The Growth of the Clan

   This was one of the most prosperous periods in recent history. Abundant hunting and few conflicts allowed the clan’s population to grow rapidly.

   Many of the dwellings still inhabited today began to be built during this era, some now reaching their thirteenth family generation.

   50 Years Ago — The Frostvalley Skirmishes

   Human merchants and hunters began settling further north, eventually founding the city of Frostvalley. Small conflicts between human patrols and orc hunters became increasingly common.

   These clashes slowly paved the way for a larger war.

   20 Years Ago — The Sack of Frostvalley

   Under the leadership of Chief Vornak, around 700 warriors marched against Frostvalley.

   The battle was brutal. Dragonborn guardians allied with the city fought fiercely, but the orcs managed to break the defenses and invade the city.

   The clan returned with iron, cattle, supplies, and prisoners. This victory secured decades of stability and strengthened Vornak’s reputation as one of the greatest chiefs in the clan’s history.

   Present

   Today the Broken Bones Clan lives in a period of relative stability. The population is around 1,300 orcs, considered the sustainable limit for the territory.

   Although they have not carried out major invasions since Frostvalley, the rivalry with the dragonborn of Pandrake remains alive—and many young warriors believe a new great war may still be coming.

2. #2race orc

   Keys: race orc

   Orcs are a race of tall, muscular, and physically imposing humanoids, known for their extraordinary strength and natural resilience. Their height generally ranges from 1.80 m to 2.40 m (5’11”–7’10”), with some individuals exceeding this. Their bodies are broad and robust, with wide shoulders, deep chests, and long, powerful arms. Their hands are large, fingers thick, and nails hardened, almost like claws, useful both in combat and for physically demanding tasks.

   Orc skin varies widely: shades of dark green, moss green, light blue, pale gray, and even slightly ashen white. This variation can reflect their origin, climate, tribe, or genetic lineage. Their faces are distinctive: strong jaws, prominent canine teeth that often extend beyond the lips, wide or flattened noses, and high cheekbones. Eyes can be amber, green, or intense blue, always conveying presence and alertness. Pointed or slightly elongated ears, subtle bony crests, small forehead protrusions, or tribal tattoos are common.

   Physically, orcs are extremely strong and resilient, capable of carrying heavy loads, enduring injuries, and fighting for extended periods. Their strength is not purely physical: they possess remarkable stamina and recovery ability. They are agile for their size, though not as fast as smaller races, but they compensate with bursts of combat power.

   Defining peculiarities of the race include intense facial expressions, scars from battles or rituals, imposing body language, and a sense of honor or tribal hierarchy. Despite their fierce and intimidating appearance, orcs can display empathy, strategic intelligence, and a strong connection to their tribe or community. They are not merely warriors; they are adaptable survivors, resilient and intelligent, with their own culture, rituals, and codes of conduct.

3. #3escambo

   Keys: Value Based on Utility and Rarity, The Ritual of Silence and Respect, Barter of Services and Lineage, The Law of "Mine" (Finalizing the Trade

   For the Broken Bones Clan, barter is not a cold commercial transaction, but a pact of survival and honor. It works directly through these four pillars:

   1. Value Based on Utility and Rarity Since they do not use coins, the value of an item is dictated by the climate and its origin:

   Winter: Preserved food (dried meat, tubers) and thick hides are worth triple.

   Metals: Iron is scarce (obtained only through raiding). A raw iron blade from Frostvalley can be traded for an entire hide tent or several head of cattle.

   Provenance: A hide from an animal hunted personally by the orc is worth more than a found hide, as it carries the "honor of the hunt."

   2. The Ritual of Silence and Respect Trades follow the clan's strict social etiquette:

   No Emotional Haggling: Showing desperation or greed is a sign of weakness. Negotiations are conducted with short phrases and firm gestures.

   Elder Oversight: If there is any doubt about the fairness of a trade, the Council of Elders or a Shaman decides the value based on the tribe's needs and balance with the spirits.

   3. Barter of Services and Lineage Not everything is a physical object:

   Protection for Supplies: A strong warrior may offer protection to a shamanic lineage in exchange for healings and fertility rituals.

   Blood Debts: Helping in a Great Autumn Hunt can earn the right to "barter" for the first cut of meat or a piece of bone armor in the future.

   4. The Law of "Mine" (Finalizing the Trade) Unlike human commerce where a product can be returned, for the Broken Bones, the trade is final as soon as the orc declares the item as "mine." This ends the negotiation and makes the object part of the new owner's soul/home; contesting this afterward is grounds for a duel.

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