Increasingly convinced orc society organised by birthgroups (broods) - comprising all individuals emerging at same site. Each group competes for dominance of the tribe. Brood alphas vie to be warchief.
Individual observations (working names):
Gustav - member of youngest brood. Extremely unruly behaviour; he and siblings are feverishly eager to fight.
Heidi - used to be much wilder. As brood has grown, she has developed basic weaponcraft & some modicum of discipline in battle.
Henning - (...)
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A researcher’s notes on Orc broods
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An Ambassador to the Elven Court
My young friend,
Serving as the liaison between our beloved Empire and the heirs of the White Queen is a burdensome assignment. Elves are a spiteful people beneath the cordial airs enacted for official events. Their grace in words, voice and movement can turn swiftly lethal. Pay attention to your behaviour; they love formality, and you should respect their ceremonies. You always refer to an Admiral as Herald of the Pearl Throne, Eyes of the Most Precious Jewel of the Elven Race, the White (...) -
An Empire of Man
A nation founded upon the exploits of Sunna, goddess given flesh, our ally has developed far from its early days. The tribes Sunna unified have endured together, never forgetting her memory and glory, symbolised by her eponymous sword Sonnstahl. The core of human supremacy in Vetia, with Destrian wealth now united through marriage with its grand armies and economy, there is no limit to the Empire’s ambition. But, to command such a diverse nation, an Emperor must not simply conquer in battle, (...)
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An Orc prisoner witnesses the Games
The Warborn are a paradox. On the one hand, they are the most ferocious beasts of war. On the other, observing them in their daily life, they sometimes look like actors playing a comedy. One that can suddenly become a terrifying tragedy, of course. As their prisoner, I witnessed the bizarre series of challenges known as the Games. They began with the most comical, or the one which earned the greatest laughter: the launch of the piglets. It was astonishing how quickly something really gory (...)
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An Orphans Tale
I did not ask to be orphaned, and neither did I seek the generosity of the khans. In hindsight, it was an act of stunning magnanimity to take in this helpless human child and raise her as one of their own. I have spent my life with the ogres, whom you call barbarians, learning their proud and ancient customs.
Almost everything you believe about them is either fabrication or exaggeration. For example, there is not one ogre culture but two. Those numerous tribes who continue to live the (...) -
Anatomy of Elves
Elves and humans look similar from the outside, but what makes them biologically different? Internally speaking, do they have different organs? Are there "half-elves" (i.e. can humans and elves mate to produce an offspring)?
It is a well-known truth that elves, with slim and lithe bodies, fine features and delicate skin, have always held a fascination for humans. We see in them many of the qualities we aspire to: grace and wisdom, beauty and culture. Yet for all these parallels, it is (...) -
Atua and the Origins of the Saurians
Much of our scant knowledge of the Saurians comes indirectly from the human nations who live in closer proximity to their enclaves. While attempts to communicate directly with the minds of their corpulent, allegedly mind-reading mages typically ends in even greater confusion or madness, there are some who over the centuries have discerned more useful information. Of particular interest is the account of the natives of the southern Sunrise Sea archipelagos, who speak of a mighty, but (...)
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Calamandran’s Demise
Dearest Cyrela,
Before this letter arrives, the news of our failure – my failure – will reach our shores. The lands of our ancestors remain beyond our reach, and the creatures who squat in our inheritance remain unbroken. In our arrogance, we have underestimated them – I have underestimated them. Treacherous elves, foul dwarves, uncivilised men and worse rose to resist us, the fury of a continent unleashed against our legions. Fifteen years we endured, but alas the task given to me by the (...) -
Camilla
Among the more unusual flora native to Sagarikadesha is camillia. An unremarkable shrub producing miniature white flowers in spring, the plant appears to have no use in either cuisine or medicine. And yet, as you may know, camillia was one of the primary reasons for the vast effort and resources invested by the Highborn Elves in their colonisation of this country, and trade in its leaves still accounts for a remarkable portion of Celeda Ablan’s economic activity. After many months in one of (...)
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Carving from a Stone Idol
This is a stone
It does not know the truth
Let these words teach it our way
Our way is war
We are born only to this
A stone is born for staying
But we will set it rolling
And in the speed o f life, it will learn
It will know the way
Of war, of speed, of sweat
We love to struggle and to win
We want this stone to love it too
We will give this stone a brood
And set it searching
And it will know the way of (...)