((Please do not post ooc here, and do not write here unless your character has a logical roleplay reason to be here. If you are not an orc, then do not write here. PM's are to be used for personal messages in between one another to avoid clutter on the board. Any and all messages following should pertain to the clan or the activity of it's members.))
Greetings, my brothers.
In these past few weeks, our bretheren have been coming back together under an old banner that once flew in the winds many years ago. The need for a unified and strong clan to once again exist on the island was apparent amongst many of our brothers. The time has come once again to unite under a new, reinvigorated banner to revitalize the strength of our diminished kin. No longer shall we be under the boot of others, and no long shall we bicker amongst one another to cause disunion amongst our kind. Strength and honour will be restored to us in these coming years, and we shall rise in name once again.
The once great Bloodskull clan diminished years ago, and it has only been in more recent times that the clan is coming to exist once more. The old clan saw a great many days of glory for our kind. We were revered as warriors, and honored as such by others outside and inside our own race. The time has come again to rise above the ashes, and reforge the great Bloodskull Clan. Let none say against our union, and our strength together. The time has come to stand tall, my brothers, and unite. So once again, the Bloodskull clan will walk these lands, and lay claim to what is rightfully our own. Our predecessors did not die in vain for the glory we found so long ago.
Behold, my brothers, the reforging of the clan. Glory to the Bloodskull clan!
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I have searched many manuscripts from the former days of the clan, and these basic fundamentals are expected to be carried out and followed by all of our bretheren. Strength in unity, and glory in the spirit shall be observed through these. We will strive to follow them to our best, and see that they are carried out. I, as chief of the clan, expect that each and all of you respect and honor this blood-code set out for you.
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What we are...
We are not a guild.
In a guild, politics dictate the actions.
We are not a guild.
In a guild, what keeps members together, is the fees they pay, the name they gather under, and the commands of their leaders.
We are not a guild.
We are more.
We are a clan.
We are all Orcs. We all fight and work for the same thing: Acceptance, a home, & most of all, respect for the Orcs of Illarion. We are kept together by this dream - this mutual goal. And by that knowledge, we -will- achieve it. From this the actions of the clan are derived.
We are a clan.
This is what makes us strong, stronger than any guild can dream of becoming. We are not a group of people who gather under one name for some questionable purpose. We are one in spirit, and this is why we can proudly say:
We are a clan!
But even a clan needs rules that the members have to follow, otherwise it will descend into chaos and cease to exist. Therefore, fellow Orcs, here you may read the rules that every Bloodskull must obey:
No Bloodskull shall ever raise a hand onto another Orc, unless it is self-defence.
No Bloodskull shall ever deny help to another Bloodskull.
No Bloodskull shall ever break his oath to our father, Lord Moshran; the great hunter, Lord Malachin; the mistress of souls, Cherga; and the fire-lord, Lord Bragon.
No Bloodskull shall ever kill without reason (although, if well presented, an insult may prove to be a reason).
It is wise to follow the instructions of the members of the Council. If they issue orders, they are surely not for the worst of neither the clan nor the member who is to fulfill them. Gracious rewards can be awaited for the completion of especially dangerous tasks and good work.
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Our past
Although we are all present, the clan has not existed forever. Behold the Legend of Creation!
Since forever the Orcs have been looked upon with scorn and jealousy by the other races. Created in the Age of Concord by the younger god Moshran, they already showed what were to become their most known characteristics: lust for war, deadly intelligence, incredible skill with weapons, and a short temper. With those combined skills they brought chaos and destruction with them wherever they went.
This the people remember.
Later, the god Moshran was overwhelmed by the still alive powers of his long defeated foe, Madrook Na’han, and became evil. Gathering the hiding armies of chaos around him, and unleashing the powers they still held, he brought about the Age of Discord. He was no longer the savior of the world anymore. He had become an evil and powerful god who brought fire and destruction to the world of Illarion. And thus is how he is remembered to this day. Now, he is who is remembered to be the creator of the Orcs: Not the noble god who rescued the world from its worst foe, nor the god he had been while creating this new fierce race. The Orcs are remembered to be created by the God of Blood and Bones, the god he didn't become until long after their creation.
This the people remember.
What the people forget, or rather choose not to remember, is that when Moshran set the powers of the army of chaos upon Illarion, the Orcs were not spared from the brutal and bestial attacks. They fought side by side with Humans, Elves, Dwarfs, and Halflings for the freedom of their world, and not but few of them left with their lives on the battlefields. The freedom of Illarion has also been payed for with the lives of Orcs!
This the people choose to forget.
The Orcs have become a dishonoured and hated race over time. They are not beautiful to look upon, and they are quick to use their weapons upon others. So they have been declared a race of criminals, murderers and worse.
This is not true. Just as there are treacherous Elves, there are Orcs who are murderers. But just as nobody disrespects Elves for the few among them who are evil, no one should disrespect all Orcs for those who are different.
And no one shall.
After long ages of dishonorful life under the hatred of the other races, the Orcs have decided to stand up. Three of the most powerful Orcs of Illarion, known by the names of Kzarak, Gurok, and Veralion, have come together and sworn an oath to bring the Orcs to the surface of the world, out of their hiding places. They swore not to rest until the Orcs are treated like every other race, until they are payed their due respect. They started showing openly in the public, trading with people and befriending persons from the other races, showing that an Orc is a worthy companion, and a friend to be trusted. But those who were not able to understand, those who were rude and disrespectful were treated in the way the Orcs have always treated their enemies. They had the opportunity to understand that if you are an Orc's friend, it is the greatest treasure that can be achieved, but if you are an Orc's enemy... well, that'll only last a few moments...
Soon, many other Orcs joined the cause, and they followed the example of their leaders. The Fellowship grew, and it became a clan. A clan that calls itself the Bloodskull Clan.
I will write a more recent history of the Bloodskull clan and its endeavors following the founding of the clan. The aforementioned history of the clan was established by a few significant predecessors to our kind whom I shall also mention at another date.
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Clan Structure and duties therein
The clan consists of a basis of members and a council, called the 'Blood Circle'. Council members are equal to members in every aspect except in that it is them who's votes decide on eventual changes in the clan. The council can consist of up to five Bloodskulls, but it may never consist of an even number of members. Every honorable Bloodskull can become a council member once, and every Bloodskull has an influence on the decisions the council makes. No changes that have not been discussed with the members before may be initialised by the Council. Council members can also be chosen by the Chief of the Clan.
The position of Chief may never be challenged. It can only be passed through blood, or chosen by the Chief himself. The Chief can also appoint titles to Skull members, and his word can make or break a decision for the Clan. The Chief of the Bloodskull Clan is the head of the 'Blood Circle' as well.
In the event of the death of the Chief, the blood-circle will convene to determine a new Chief who shall uphold the fundamentals of the clan, and keep unity within the ranks. Idealistically, the Chief must be one willing to sacrifice all and everything he has for the clan and his brothers within it. To the Chief, nothing more should be important than his brothers and the survival of the clan.
In the case of war, the Blood-circle (including the Chief) will meet to determine how and where the forces of the Clan shall be dispersed to deal with the threat. Members within the circle shall lead the forces of the clan against the foe, and shall put themselves ahead of those whom fight with them for the glory of the clan.
In times of peace, the Blood-circle shall determine what activities the clan shall focus on. These may include the expansion of the cave, diplomacy matters with other factions on the island, trade with other cities and factions on the island, projects in or on the land owned by the clan, and other things that come to mind. Diplomatic matters will be personally handled by the Chief, but the Blood-circle shall convene to speak their thoughts on the matter on such things as to whether or not the diplomatic situation shall benefit the clan as a whole.
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Titles and responsibilities associated with them in the Bloodskull Clan:
Chief - This is the highest rank possible within the clan. The Chief is expected to carry out his role of maintaining unity and order within the clan, and dealing effectively with threats outside the clan. The Chief is the figure whom the clan looks up to, and respects, and in turn, the Chief will look to all his brothers with respect and honor.
Blood-Circle Titles - (Note - Blood-Circle member can be removed or added to by the discretion of the Chief. If an orc fails to uphold his title, he shall be removed and a more suitable candidate will replace him. This includes inactivity or failure to perform one's duties. Unless otherwise said by the chief, the roles of Clan Shaman and Red Skull are appointed for life. Therefore, those individuals selected will be expected to fulfill these duties.)
Clan Shaman - The clan shaman will act as an advisor to the Chief, and as the voice of our father, Lord Moshran, to the rest of the clan. The clan Shaman must have a great knowledge of our father, and be considerably skilled in his craft. The Shaman must also be cunning, and willing to sacrifice his life for the glory of the clan just as any other member of the Blood-Circle. There will be only one clan Shaman.
Red Skull - The rank of Red Skull will be awarded to an orc who has been with the clan for a considerable amount of time, and proves his worth and devotion to the cause with the skill of his blade. He will have courage, and be willing to stand up to a problem with his quick wit and, if the situation demands it, his weapon. He will fight honorably in battle, and put himself before his brothers in a dangerous situation where his merit is worth. He shall train new orcs and those needing it in the art of the weapon. There shall be only one Red Skull.
Silver Skulls - These are skilled Bloodskulls of any craft (being warrior, craftsman, or shaman) who have been with the clan for a considerable amount of time and have proven their loyalty to the cause of the clan. These are the elders of the clan, and will be responsible amongst others for spreading the message to other orcs of the clan. They will also be responsible for training new brothers into the clan. There may be up to three Silver Skulls.
Other Titles:
Other titles aside from the council include those associated with your craft as an individual. Like all other races, we will have a multitude of individuals skilled in crafts, weapons, and magics. These titles shall be unique in a certain sense, but in kin to others. More important to all of the previously mentioned titles, all orcs will be treated as equals! We are all brothers, and we shall treat eachother as such.
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Bloodskull Lands:
Traditionally, in the past following the Northerot Wars, the city of Troll's Bane honored the Bloodskull Clan with the entire Northern Peninsula as a reward for their daunting prowess and bravery in combat against Darlok and his minions. Over time, the Varshikarii came northwards and under the agreement that they would protect the castle against the resurrection of Darlok and his hordes, they were awarded the castle, and lands surrounding it.
Since the clan fell from activity in previous times due to war and internal conflict (like other clans that followed), land was lost and either unclaimed or annexed by other factions. The Bloodskulls bled for the land of the North, and by that right, they have a claim to that which rightfully belongs to them. Therefore, under these terms of blood-shed by our predecessors, the Bloodskulls claim the following lands, and recognize the following nations and factions on the island of Gobaith. Let none say otherwise.
Land can and will be added to the Bloodskull claim in the future depending on the course of events that follow. If war comes, or if a nation falls, and if the situation is proper, expansion may or may not come. (This is a very slim chance, but it is still possible.) For now, the Bloodskulls lay claim to the following lands and recognize the following nations.
These are the lands of the Bloodskull Clan, the Bloodlands.
This is the domain of the dwarven city of Silverbrand.
These are the elven lands of Tol Vanima.
This is the domain of Greenbriar.
These are the neighbor lands of Varshikar.
Here lies the elder city of Troll's Bane.
These lands belong to the order of the Grey Rose.
