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| | ===South District=== | | ===South District=== |
| | The Southern district lies between the river and the mountains. They have about 40,000 citizens and are also farmers. Being closer to the mountains and the dangers therein, they take the people of High Home a little more seriously. | | The Southern district lies between the river and the mountains. They have about 40,000 citizens and are also farmers. Being closer to the mountains and the dangers therein, they take the people of High Home a little more seriously. |
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| − | ==[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/17/d7/ce/17d7ce32ae3787c7183f95c022c40fb8.jpg The Ura'Gar Tribe]==
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| − | ===A Brief History===
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| − | Many centuries ago, the orcish people were divided into many nomadic tribes. One such tribe would come to be known as the Ura’Gar, roughly translating to “Ancestor’s Chosen” in Common, though it was originally nameless as all orcish clans were. Though there are no written records of this time, Ura’Gar tales claim that the clan was founded by a wise shaman that had been instructed by spirits to gather the five most honourable warriors in the land and bring them together under one banner, and to then go out into the world and show their might so that all may see the benefits of honour. The shaman and the five warriors did just that, and soon the number’s of their clan began to rapidly swell as more and more orcs joined them after witnessing their many legendary feats of strength and cunning. Eventually, however, the founders of the clan died, leaving the clan without their original inspirations. Most of the clan fell deeper and deeper into despair as each of the founders passed away, but five clansmen held out hope that their efforts were not in vain and continued to apply the founder’s lessons of honour and strength to everything they did. In time, they soon found that they had gained the ability to call upon the spirits of their ancestors to aid them, as the founders once had, and these five were elected as the new leaders of the tribe. It was on that day that the clan took a name – the Ura’Gar.
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| − | Though the Ura’Gar has not maintained the massive numbers of clansmen it supposedly once had, as large chunks splintered off into their own clans over time due to various differences and disagreements, they have still maintained a sizable population, large enough to be one of the only orc tribes to maintain their independence in the wake of the formation of the Orcish Union (though not large enough to successfully resist the Union pushing them right to the border). The Ura’Gar proudly held onto their traditions as the rest of the Union began to modernise, as they believed that that was the path their ancestors set out for them. Just two decades ago, however, the ancestors fell silent and all attempts to contact them failed. The tribe fell into disarray, and many began to point fingers in a desperate attempt to find the cause of the issue – be it the Orcish Union, allowing non-orcs into the tribe, or the shamans themselves. One voice eventually managed to rise above the others and unify almost the entire clan against the supposedly true cause – Olok the One-Eyed, one of the Ura’Gar’s most revered warriors.
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| − | Olok accused the Marak’Torl – the Founder’s Five – of leading the clan astray by promoting cooperation with the other remaining clans and disallowing raids in all but the most dire of circumstances, claiming that the Ura’Gar thrived by taking what they wanted when they wanted it and that the ancestors had become disgusted by the weakness of the clan’s current leaders. He led a bloody coup against the Marak’Torl and took the position of leadership for himself (and only himself), proclaiming himself Rezkar – Saviour – of the Ura’Gar and stating that the only way they could speak to ancestors once again would be by spending the next few decades reasserting their dominance through any means necessary, just as it took many decades for the ancestors to fall silent. Only time will tell if Rezkar Olok’s decrees are true, or if they are simply the ravings of a cruel despot…
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| − | ===Politics===
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| − | As the Ura’Gar was believed to be founded by five great warriors, they have retained that same number of leaders into the modern day. The Marak’Torl, or ‘Founder’s Five’, are a council of elected clansmen that come together on a regular basis to vote on a variety of topics and issues that affect the clan. There are very few requirements to qualify for a position in Marak’Torl, you simply have to have completed your three trials and have at least fifteen of your fellow clansmen that are willing to speak on your behalf. Even age and race aren’t a factor; there have been several non-orcish Marak’Torl (though all were even controversial) and there are even stories of a boy joining the Marak’Torl mere weeks after completing his trials.
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| − | After qualifying for the Marak’Torl, those seeking the position must complete several trials (the exact number often varies) that, while different in each case, are designed to test an individual’s strength, cunning, and wisdom. If an individual is attempting to fill an open spot, then they perform these trials alone, but if they are trying to take a still-living member’s position, or if more than one person wants the role, then they compete against each other in all of the trials, with the overall winner taking the role.
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| − | Two decades ago, however, this system was completely upended by Olok the One-Eyed, who led a coup against the then current Marak’Torl and became the sole leader of the Ura’Gar, granting himself the title of Rezkar (Saviour in Common). Olok now holds absolute power over the Ura’Gar, and none may take his position until the ancestors speak to the clan once more or until he is dead.
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| − | ===[https://markmolchan.deviantart.com/art/orc-shaman-316100320 Traditions]===
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| − | The Ura’Gar don’t formally worship any particular god (though many individual clansmen do), but instead, revere their ancestors. They try to honour their memory and earn their favour through many traditions, which include:
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| − | • The Mor tesh Lorn (Trials of Worth) – Soon after they turn 14, each clansman must undertake three trials in order to prove their worth to the clan and show that they deserve to be an Ura’Gar. The trials will vary depending on the seasons, state of the clan, and physical state of the individual but the most common are a feat of strength, surviving for several days in the wilderness by themselves (though with a supervisor to ensure that they don’t die), and hunting a dangerous creature alone (again, with a supervisor in case of near-death). If a child doesn’t pass all three of the trials, then they may try again next year, but if they still haven’t passed all three trials after their fourth attempt then they are exiled from the clan.
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| − | • The Lak tesh ir Marak (Day of the Founders) – The Ura’Gar’s tales claim that the shaman and four warriors founded their clan on the first day of winter, and so every year the clan holds a great celebration on that day to commemorate the founders and the many achievements of the Ura’Gar. It is a day of drinking and feasting, singing and dancing, waging mock battles, and telling stories of an ancestor’s exploits. At the end of the day, the entire clan gathers to watch a re-enactment of the founding of the Ura’Gar, at the end of which everyone prays to their ancestors for guidance and safety in the coming winter. In recent years, however, this particular element has become more sombre, as now most clansmen simply ask for the ancestors to speak to them again.
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| − | • [https://www.artstation.com/artwork/bw-guy Krazkars (Honour Marks)] – After completing their three trials, clansmen are given their first krazkar and are then expected to gain many more throughout their life. The Krazkars are unique tattoos drawn onto an individual’s body by a shaman, each of which symbolises a great feat that the individual has performed; It can range from killing a fearsome foe or beast to saving the clan from a threat. Marak’Torl are given special krazkars when they are elected – a rendition of several huts, located on the inside of both palms, that serve as a constant reminder of the importance of their position. It is not uncommon to see older clansmen covered in krazkars from head to toe, especially if they were warriors.
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| − | • The Olenara (The Sending) – The funeral ritual for all clansmen. Their bodies are wrapped in a ceremonial blanket and placed onto a pyre, which is then set aflame. As the body burns, loved ones and comrades can step forth and retell stories of the clansmen’s life. When the body is disintegrated and the ashes are scattered, the deceased’s belongings are divided among their friends and family, and then a feast where more stories can be told is held in their honour. The Ura’Gar believe that burning a body prevents clansmen from being entrapped in the world of the living, and allows them to move freely between the afterlife and the mortal realm. As such, leaving an Ura’Gar’s body intact is considered one of the worst forms of punishment that can be inflicted on a member of the clan, and is typically only reserved for the clan’s worst criminals.
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| − | ===The Marak’Kari===
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| − | Just as the founders were able to naturally communicate with spirits, so too are some members of the modern Ura’Gar. Though this trait is obviously not unique to the Ura’Gar, in the clan it is considered one of the greatest gifts that a person can receive, and those able to contact the spirits without the use of lengthy rituals are held in high regard by the clan. Depending on applications of their abilities, most become either shamans or warriors, but all are believed to be destined for great things. For this reason, they are called the Marak’Kari (The Founder’s Marked in Common).
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| − | Marak’Kari were always rare in the Ura’Gar, but nowadays they are completely non-existent with none being born in at least three decades; Even more shocking, the few Marak’Kai that did still live found their abilities swiftly fading, until eventually their powers were completely gone. To the Ura’Gar, this only further proves that the ancestors are ashamed of them, as none are worthy enough to receive their greatest gift.
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